What is a Dab Pen? How to Use and Clean it?
Dab pens are the top way to enjoy dabbing concentrates on the go without carrying a heavy dab rig.
They are growing in popularity because of their convenience, portability, discreteness, and ease of use.
However, If you’re new to the world of concentrate consumption, dab pens can seem like a foreign concept.
You might be wondering What is a dab pen? how does it work? Why so many stoners begin to use it?
In this guide, we'll explore what makes dab pens unique, how they work, how to use and clean them, and the advantages they offer vs dab rigs.
What is a Dab Pen?
A dab pen (aka wax pen) is a compact, portable vaporizer that resembles a vape pen but used to turn solid concentrates to a potent, flavorful vapor that gets you super high.
These devices come in various shapes, sizes, and configurations, but they all have 3 essential components: a battery for power, a chamber or atomizer for placing and heating concentrates, and a mouthpiece for inhaling.
In addition, They usually feature adjustable voltage, wattage or temperature settings, allowing users to customize their vaping experience based on their preference.
When you turn on the dab pen battery, the heating element warms up and turns the concentrate into an inhalable vapor.
Instead of releasing smoke, dab pens emit a cool mist. It contains all the precious cannabinoids and terpenes, but none of the combusted plant matter.
How do Dab Pens Work?
When you press the fire button, dab pen battery powers the heating element - atomizer with coils, heating up the concentrate you place inside the chamber.
As the concentrates heats up, it converts into the delicious vapor you inhale through the mouthpiece.
What are Concentrates or dabs?
Concentrates (or dabs) include live resin, rosin, diamonds, sugar, shatter, crumble, sauce, badder, etc. Each is extracted from cannabis plant but using different techs and provides unique flavors and consistencies.
What are the Advantages of Using a Dab Pen?
There are plenty of advantages to using dab pens for vaporizing concentrates over other consuming methods.
1. Portable and Discreet
Dab pens are small and can easily fit in your pocket, making them convenient for on-the-go use.
Furthermore, They’re super discreet and emit minimal odor, which makes them perfect for use in different settings.
2. Precision and Customization
Dab pens allow users to control the temperature and dosage of their hits. This precision can help users achieve a more consistent and enjoyable experience.
Utilizing lower Voltage or temperature can preserve the flavor of your concentrate, while higher temperature can produce larger clouds and increase potency.
3. Ease of Use
Dab pens are easy to use and require minimal setup, there is no need to heat up a nail or use a torch.
All you do with dab pens is load concentrate into the heating chamber, set the temperature to your preferred heat, and enjoy.
If you're just now getting into concentrates, dab pens are a great and easy option.
4. Intense flavor and High Potency
Dab pens deliver a clean, intense flavor compared to other vaping devices like dry herb vaporizers that use cannabis flower.
Given that they use concentrates and wax with 60% to 90% THC, the effects can be significantly stronger than smoking weed flower with 15% to 25% THC.
5. Healthier
Unlike traditional smoking methods that involve inhaling combusted smoke from burned flower, dab pens vaporize the concentrate to vapor, creating a smoother and healthier inhalation experience.
Vaporizing eliminates many of the harmful byproducts associated with combustion, such as tar, carbon monoxide and thousands of other toxins.
How to use a Dab Pen? Step by Step Guide
Using a dab pen is pretty simple, although it might take a bit of practice to perfect it.
Step 1: Charge the Dab Pen before Use
Ensure that the dab pen is fully charged before use.
Most dab pens come with a Micro-USB or USB-C port on the body, which you can plug into any compatible charger.
Step 2: Load the concentrates
Open or remove the cap to expose the heating chamber. Use a dab tool to place a small amount of concentrates onto the heating coil.
Be careful not to overload the coil as this can cause the concentrate to spill over, clog and damage the device.
After that, Replace the cap or lid.
Step 3: Turn On the Device
Press the fire button 5 times in quick succession to turn on your dab pen.
Once the LED light or screen blinks or glows, the dab pen is ready for use.
Step 4 (optional): Activate the Preheat Function
If your dab pen features a pre-heat function, click the power button twice (2x) to activate this function.
Preheating your dab pen is great for optimal performance by warming up the concentrates, ensuring a smoother, more consistent hit right from the start.
Step 5: Adjust Temperature
Your dab pen should have adjustable temperature or voltage settings. Choose your preferred temperature by presss the button 3 times quickly.
Light indicators often change color to represent different voltage or temp settings.
Lower temperature can provide light vapor with better flavor, while Higher temperature produce bigger clouds but may sacrifice some of the concentrate's flavor.
Step 6: Inhale and Enjoy
Press and hold the button while Inhaling from the mouthpiece. then exhale the vapor slowly and enjoy the effects.
Take small puffs at first to gauge the strength of the vapor. If the vapor is too harsh, reduce the temperature or take smaller puffs.
It is essential to hold the vapor in your lungs for a few seconds before exhaling. This allows the cannabinoids to absorb into your bloodstream, providing a more potent effect.
Step 7: Turn Off the Device
After your hit, Press the power button 5 times quickly to turn off the dab pen. This helps conserve battery life and prevent accidental activation.
How to clean a Dab Pen?
It’s essential to keep your device clean to help ensure your dab pen performing like new and your hits tasting fresh.
It is a good idea to clear your dab pen after each use because the still-warm oven will make it easier to remove the sticky residue. Otherwise the buildup can occur if too much time passes between cleaning.
Set your dab pen to the highest temperature setting possible and run one full heating cycle to burn off the residue.
Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to wipe the heating chamber/atomizer and mouthpiece to remove any residue.
If you want to give your dab pen a deep clean after multiple use, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the heating atomizer/coil, mouthpiece and other parts from the device.
Step 2: Soak the atomizer/coil in isopropyl alcohol for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse the coil thoroughly with warm water.
If there is still residue, Use a cleaning brush or cotton swab to gently remove any loose resin from it.
Step 4: Let all parts air dry completely before assembly.
Pro Tip: You can soak the glass and metal parts in isopropyl alcohol. But Don't soak the plastic and silicone parts in isopropyl alcohol, as this action can damage them. Use soapy water or dishwashing liquid instead.
Why is my Dab Pen Not Working? Troubleshooting
Always make sure your dab pen is fully charged. The most common cause of a dab pen that doesn’t work is a dead battery. Fully Charge it before use.
If the pen turns on but you can’t draw through it, it could be clogged. You may need to clean out the mouthpiece or the oven to get a clean pull.
It’s normal for vape coils to burn out over time. Before it dies completely, you’ll probably notice a decline in flavor and vapor output. When that happens, it’s time to change the coil.
Also Read: Why is my dab pen not working? Quick Fix
How much is a dab pen?
A quality dab pen can range anywhere from $30 to $150 or even more, which vary depending on brand, feature, quality and style.
For instance, The high-end models with advanced features, such as precision temperature and airflow controls, can cost much more that Entry-level dab pens.
While investing in a higher-end dab pens may yield better results, you can still find quality options at a lower price point.
Explore More: How Much Is a Dab Pen? Cost Guide for Beginner Buyers
Dab Pens vs Vape Pens: What's the Difference?
Both Dab pens and Vape pens are a great and popular way to smoke concentrate. They looks and works similarly, so many people think they are the same.
However, they are different devices, The main difference between a dab pen and a weed vape pen is the type of concentrate consumed, and how it is housed in the device.
Dab Pens are designed specifically to vaporize semi-solid concentrates like wax or shatter. They also tend to have larger heating chambers and stronger batteries to accommodate the higher power needs.
Vape pens, on the other hand, are typically smaller and less powerful, as they are designed to vaporize thinner cannabis oil in pre-filled vape cart.
The cannabis oil in a vape cartridge or tank is usually has been diluted with other ingredients, so they are less potent and flavorful. Concentrates are more potent than oil and deliver a more intense high.
Vape pens are much easier to use than dab pen. attach the oil cart to a 510 thread battery and you are reday to go. As for a dab pen, You need to load concentrates manually!
Read More: Dab Pen vs Vape Pen: What's the Difference?
Dab Pens vs Dab Rigs: Which one is Better?
The traditional dabbing method is to use a glass dab rig, which is a desktop apparatus that needs extensive accessories to use it. They’re usually too large to carry.
This type of dab rig has a nail or a banger – that’s made from titanium, ceramic, or quartz. You heat the nail/banger manually with a butane torch before placing concentrates in it and inhaling through the dab rig’s mouthpiece.
Dab pen is more convenient, user-friendly, portable, and discreet than using dab rigs. They’re usually small and light enough to carry in your pocket.
Instead of relying on your rig and torch, simply load wax into the pen, press the button to turn on the device, set your ideal temperature, inhale and get high.
Dab pens usually skip water filtration altogether. Dab rigs reign supreme in this category. Thanks to water filtration, they deliver richer terpene profiles, producing smoother, more aromatic hits. The long and open airflow of rigs also allows the vapor to cool before reaching your lungs.
Conclusion
Dab pens represent a simple, portable yet effective method for consuming concentrates, providing stoners with easy access to THC, CBD and other cannabinoids.
They are well-suited for pot users looking for an intense high. Luckily, There are various dab pens to choose from, each with different designs and settings to match your preference.
When looking at dab pens for sale, consider factors such as a dab pen’s battery life, heating time, and overall durability.
However, it’s important to remember that while dab pens offer convenience, they also require responsible usage to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Its high potency of THC and other cannabinoids may be overwhelming for inexperienced users or those with low tolerance levels, leading to adverse effects such as anxiety or paranoia.
Happy dabbing!
Want to get one but don't know which model to buy: 10 Best Dab Pens & Wax pens to Buy in 2025