How To Use a Nectar Collector? Step by Step Guide

Nectar collectors are an extremely simple and effective way to dab waxy cannabis concentrates.

Whether you're a seasoned dabber or a beginner, these devices are ideal for fast, efficient, and flavorful consumption.

Have you just purchased your first nectar collector? Then there may have a bit of a learning curve for you to use it correctly and perfectly.

Don't worry! Below is a comprehensive guide that will teach you how to use manual and electric nectar collectors.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Nectar Collector?
2. Why use nectar collectors? Four Benefits
3. What are Dabs?
4. What's the difference between manual and electronic nectar collectors?
5. How to Use a Manual Nectar Collector? Step by Step Guide
6. Seven Steps for Using an Electric Nectar Collector
7. Five Tips for Using the Nectar Collector
8. Introduction to Lookah Nectar Collectors

What is a Nectar Collector?

Nectar Collectors (aka Honey or dab straws) are versatile dabbing tools that allow you to smoke nearly every concentrate available.

They are portable and use a dish to help avoid some of the mess of tooling your dab when on the go.

There are a variety of different kinds of nectar collectors for sale, ranging from silicone to glass, and even electric versions.

Parts of a Nectar Collector

Before you start using your dab straw or nectar collector, it's essential to understand its various parts.

Titanium or quartz tip: similar to a nail of dab rig, this is heated and then used to vaporize dabs.

Straw body: The body of the straw is the glass or silicone piece that you'll grip.

Water chamber: Some nectar collectors have a bubbler that offers water percolation for a smoother dab.

Mouthpiece: where you inhale the vapor.

Silicon or glass dish: a receptacle for dabs.

Why use nectar collectors? Four Benefits

Compared to a traditional dab rig, a nectar collector or dab straw has several benefits.

Ease of use: Using a dab rig can feel overwhelming for those new to dabbing.

Nectar collectors are easier to use than dab rigs. You can even operate this device with one hand.

Affordable: Many dispensaries and online head shops like Lookah sell nectar collector kits, and the prices are more affordable than a standard dab rig.

Portable: Due to their larger size, Dab rigs are not very portable and, if made from glass, can easily be broken, so they are only suitable for use at home.

Nectar collectors come in a lightweight, travel-friendly size that can be disassembled and easily stored in your backpack, purse or carry-on luggage.

Efficient: A Nectar Collector allows you to control the amount of product you use so you don’t waste a single drop.

What are Dabs?

Dabs are another name for concentrates extracted from cannabis.

Depending on how cannabis oil is processed, the final product may have a variety of textures, such as crumble, shatter, terp sauce, budder, Live resin, Rosin, etc.

They are usually made by extracting THC and other cannabinoids using a solvent like butane or carbon dioxide, resulting in sticky oils.

This product may contain up to 90 percent THC and other cannabinoids like CBD, terpenes, which is consumed by smoking, vaporizing, dabbing or adding to food.

What's the difference between manual and electronic nectar collectors?

The main difference between a manual and an electronic nectar collector is the heat source used to heat the THC extract to its vaporization point.

Manual dab straws, whether glass or silicone material, require a few tools, including butane torches. These are used to heat the tip of the dab straw so it can vaporize the concentrates.

However, using a butane torch can be dangerous and inconvenient. Playing with hot implements can be inherently risky; it's easy to burn your skin if you're not careful.

Additionally, A butane torch may heat the dab nails unevenly; Guestimating the temperature, so it heats and melts the wax without scorching it can be tricky.

Electronic nectar collectors, on the other hand, use heating coils powered by a battery so that they can heat up with the touch of a button. The ease of use is why battery powered nectar collectors are likes by many people.

How to Use a Manual Nectar Collector? Step by Step Guide

To dab using a nectar collector, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Assembling the Device

Begin by gathering the components: the body or main chamber, the tip, and the mouthpiece. Ensure they are clean and dry.

Connect the tip firmly to the main chamber, ensuring a snug fit but without overtightening.

Step 2: Fill the chamber with water (Optional Step)

If your nectar collector has a water chamber, place the correct level of water into the device and check the percolation.

Step 3: Place your dabs on container

Pick out your favorite concentrate and place your dab on a clean and heat resistant surface, like dab mat.

The most popular dab mat is silicone, but you can use a glass container.

Step 4: Heat the Tip

Start your butane torch and heat the tip of your nectar collector until it turns red hot, making sure to roll the piece back and forth to heat the titanium evenly. This needs approximately 30 - 60 seconds,

Step 5: Let the Tip Cool Down

Allow the tip to cool a little. If you enjoy taking low temp dabs, you may want to wait 15-30 seconds, depending on tip material.

We recommend at around 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit (175-205 degrees Celsius) for optimal dabbing.

You can check the temperature with an infrared thermometer.

Step 6: Dip the Tip into Your Concentrate

When ready, bring the hot tip of the nectar collector into contact with the dab. It should immediately begin to melt and vaporize.

Touch the concentrates on the side of the heating tip instead of placing the tip directly on top of the dab top. Without pressing too hard or letting too much vapor escape.

Step 7: Inhale and Enjoy

Inhale the vapor from the Mouthpiece. Take steady, controlled breaths to savor the vapor and control the intensity of your hit.

Step 8: Clean and Store

After each use, it is essential to clean your nectar collector to maintain its performance and longevity.

Turn off the device, let it cool down, then disassemble it and soak the tip and body in isopropyl alcohol.

After soaking in half to one hour, Rinse the tip with warm water and use a cotton swab to remove any residue.

Air dry all the parts thoroughly before reassembling.

When finished, place the device down carefully or use a stand.

Seven Steps for Using an Electric Nectar Collector

Using an electric nectar collector requires a step-by-step approach to ensure a seamless experience. Let's break it down:

Step 1: Fill the bubbler with water

If there is a bubbler on your electronic nectar collector, then fill it to the correct level.

The bubbler help with filtering your vapor for cooler more pleasant rips.

Step 2: Place the concentrates on dab mat

Place the concentrates on a heat-resistant surface, such as a glass or silicone dab mat.

Step 3: Turn on the Device

Press the button five times to turn on your electric nectar collector. The light will flash to indicate it is on.

Step 4: Adjust Heating Settings

If you want to change the heating Settings, press the button twice.

Step 5: Heating the Tip

After turning on your dab pen and setting the heating correctly, press and hold the button to start heating the tip.

Some electronic nectar collectors, such as the Seahorse Pro Plus, have a session mode. This can be activated by pressing the power button three times.

It can take 5 to 10 seconds for the tip to reach temperature.

Step 6: Touch the dabs with Hot Tip and Inhale

Touch the tip of the electric dab straw to your concentrate and inhale the vapor produced by the melting wax.

To prevent wasting concentrate, be sure to remove the tip from the wax before the end of the heating cycle.

If you are unable to complete your dab in one heat cycle, you can run another heating cycle to ensure that none of the concentrates remains on the coils or your dab mat.

Step 7: Clean the Device

To clean an electric nectar collector, all that you need to do is soak all of the removable non-electronic components in a rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will draws out the dirty residue.

In a typical electric nectar collector, the removable components may include the heating element and a glass bubbler.

Ensure a thorough rinse post-cleaning to avoid any aftertaste. Air dry all the components before reassembling.

Five Tips for Using the Nectar Collector

To enhance your dabbing experience with Nectar Collector, you may want to learn some useful tips.

1. Start with Small

Do not use too much waxy dabs, nectar collectors are very efficient.

Dabs are a lot stronger than flower, so if you're new to the game, it's best to start off small.

2. Go Slow

If you see a lot of vapor escaping, press more lightly or pull harder.

Don't go too fast because the size of the Nectar Collector affects how much the vapor cools before it hits your lungs.

3. Lower Temp

Lower temperatures can enhance terpene profiles, preserving flavors, while higher temperatures may provide thicker, more robust vapor.

You can experiment with different heating times to find the temperature sweet spot for your preferred concentrates.

The best temperature for dabbing is anywhere between 450 and 550°F. This is the temperature for an ideal low-temp dab which preserves terpenes and fully vaporizes your concentrate, leaving behind minimal mess and the best flavors.

4. Safety

You always want to be careful of your surroundings when dabbing as torches and hot materials can be dangerous if caution is not exercised.

If your nectar collector or dab rig is made of silicone material, try to keep the heat away from it.

5. Regular cleaning

Regular cleaning after each use is recommended to maintain its performance and flavor purity.

More Details about how to clean a nectar collector.

Introduction to Lookah Nectar Collectors

Are you looking for the best nectar collectors on the market? Lookah has a full range of electric nectar collectors and manual glass or silicone dab straws.

The giraffe electric nectar collector is one of the easiest to use but not the most portable.

The Seahorse Pro Plus is Lookah's best-selling model, but if you want more water filtration than this, we recommend the Seahorse Max with its larger bubbler and superior battery life.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to use both manual and electronic nectar collectors.

With a bit of practice and careful attention to safety, anyone can master this technique.

Remember to familiarize yourself with the components, heat the tip properly, apply the concentrate carefully, and clean your device thoroughly after use.

We hope this guide has been informative and helpful, and we wish you happy dabbing!