What Is a Dab Nail?
New to concentrates? Confused by nails, bangers, temps, and tools? I’ll simplify the gear and the steps so your store avoids returns and your customers get smoother hits.
A dab nail (often a quartz banger) is the heated surface on a dab rig that vaporizes concentrates. Heat the nail, let it cool to the right temperature, then cap and inhale. Quartz gives clean flavor, titanium survives abuse, and ceramic balances taste with heat retention.
When I first added wholesale quartz bangers to my LA warehouse, I tested every nail like a picky customer—overheating, cold‑starting, even dropping a few. Below is the exact, practical playbook I give to smoke‑shop teams and brand clients.
Purpose & History of Dab Nails
A dab nail’s purpose is simple: provide a controllable hot surface to vaporize concentrates cleanly and safely—no combustion, just vapor.
What Is the Point of a Dab Nail?
It delivers consistent heat so concentrates vaporize—not burn—giving stronger flavor and smoother hits than direct flame.
For retailers, that means fewer “harsh hit” complaints. For brands, a good nail showcases terp profiles. Nails also let you upsell accessories like carb caps, terp pearls, and inserts.
Who Invented Dabbing?
Modern dabbing evolved from concentrate culture in the late 2000s; no single inventor, but glass artists and extract makers drove adoption.
Why it matters to you: the culture values experimentation and “clean flavor,” which is why quartz bangers and low‑temp dabs dominate today’s sales.
Is Dabbing More “Healthy”?
Dabbing is vaporization, not smoke, but “healthier” is context‑dependent—lower temperatures reduce harshness and byproducts compared with combustion.
For compliance, train staff to recommend proper temps and cleaning, not medical claims. We position our kits as harm‑reduction‑minded: precise temps, clean quartz, and clear instructions.
How to Use & Heat a Dab Nail
Heat the nail evenly, cool to target temperature, place a rice‑grain‑sized dab, cap, inhale steadily, and swab clean—every time.
Where to Heat a Dab Nail?
Heat from the outside/bottom with a torch or e‑nail coil; avoid blasting the joint to prevent stress cracks.
- Torch method: rotate flame for 20–40 s until faint glow on quartz, then cool.
- E‑nail: set controller to target temp; stable and beginner‑friendly for shops’ demo rigs.
- Keep flame off the glass joint and logo to avoid devitrification.
How Hot Do Dab Nails Get?
Working range is ~480–650 °F (250–345 °C); hotter risks burnt terps, cooler needs longer caps.
- What happens if too hot? Harsh vapor, charring, quicker quartz wear.
- Season a dab nail? Quartz doesn’t need “seasoning”; just clean after each use.
- What is a nail dab? Simply vaporizing concentrate from the heated nail.
How to Dab With a Nail?
After cooldown, load a small dab, cap immediately, inhale slow, and swirl to keep oil moving.
- [ ] Preheat → [ ] Cooldown → [ ] Dab → [ ] Cap & inhale → [ ] Swab with ISO
Pro tip: add terp pearls for heat distribution; great add‑on sale for beginners.
Temperature Control & Readiness
Use time‑based cooling or a thermometer to hit flavor temps; the nail is “ready” when surface heat matches your target.
How to Know When a Dab Nail Is Ready?
Count your cooldown or use an infrared/thermo device; aim 480–550 °F for flavor, 550–600 °F for thicker clouds.
- Torch to light glow → wait 45–70 s on 2–3 mm quartz.
- Colder rooms need shorter cool; hotter rooms, longer.
- E‑nail: set controller ~500–540 °F for daily use.
How Long to Heat a Dab Nail?
Torch for 20–40 s depending on thickness; e‑nail warms in a few minutes and then holds temp.
Cold‑start option: load first, warm gently 6–10 s until it bubbles, cap, finish—beginner‑friendly and tasty.
Low‑Temp vs High‑Temp Dabs
| Low temp preserves terps and throat comfort; higher temp is louder but harsher and dirtier. | Approach | Target Surface | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low‑temp | 480–540 °F | Flavor, smoothness, less reclaim | Smaller clouds | Daily users, connoisseurs | |
| Mid‑temp | 540–580 °F | Balance flavor/clouds | Needs precise timing | Most customers | |
| High‑temp | 580–650 °F | Fast vapor, big clouds | Harsher, stains faster | Quick demo hits |
Nail Types & Rig Comparisons
Quartz bangers lead for flavor and sales; titanium nails win on durability; ceramic nails offer steady heat—choose by customer segment.
What Type of Nail Is Best for Dabbing?
| Quartz is the best all‑rounder for shops: clean taste, quick heat, and strong demand. | Nail | Heat/Flavor | Durability | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz banger | Cleanest flavor | Medium | $$ | Our bestseller; many bucket styles | |
| Titanium nail | Very hot/fast | High | $$ | Indestructible feel; slightly metallic taste to some | |
| Ceramic nail | Even heat | Medium | $ | Good flavor; brittle if dropped |
What’s the Difference Between a Dab Nail and a Banger?
“Nail” is the category; a banger is a bucket‑shaped quartz nail that hangs off the joint for easy heating.
Bangers improve torch angles and reduce heat to the joint. Domeless nails are more compact but less popular with beginners.
How Do I Choose a Dab Rig?
Pick a small‑to‑medium rig with a 90° joint, 10/14 mm size, and a compatible carb cap.
Cost drivers: thick quartz, precise joints, and US‑style packaging. That’s why high‑end rigs feel “expensive.” We stock value and premium lines, both ready to ship from LA.
Cleaning & Maintenance of Your Dab Nail
Swab after every dab with isopropyl alcohol; deep‑clean daily to prevent burnt residue and keep flavor.
When to Clean a Dab Nail?
Right after each hit while the banger is warm; never let black residue build.
- After each dab: cotton swab + a drop of ISO.
- End of day: ISO soak 10–20 min, then rinse and air‑dry.
- A cracked banger? Replace immediately—no heat on damaged quartz.
How to Clean a Dab Nail Without Alcohol?
Boiling water and a mild degreaser work, but ISO is faster and leaves fewer spots.
If avoiding alcohol, simmer in soapy water 10 min, rinse, and dry completely. Never shock hot quartz in cold water—thermal shock cracks it.
How to Clean a Burnt Dab Nail?
Warm ISO soak plus a gentle scrub restores most quartz; for heavy carbon, use a specialized cleaner.
- [ ] Warm the banger slightly (not hot)
- [ ] Soak in ISO + salt 20 min
- [ ] Soft brush → rinse → air‑dry
Cold‑start dabs help prevent future charring.
Water & Rig Setup Tips
Use water to cool and filter vapor; change it often to keep draw resistance low and flavor clean.
Do You Put Water in a Dab Rig?
Yes—fill just above the percolator for smooth diffusion without splashback.
Too much water = drag and weak hits; too little = hot vapor. Mark the sweet spot with a tiny sticker inside the shop’s demo piece.
Why Is My Dab Rig Not Hitting?
Usually airflow or temp: clogged pathways, old water, or a nail that’s too cold/hot.
Checklist:
- [ ] Clean perc and downstem
- [ ] Verify carb cap fit and airflow
- [ ] Re‑test cooldown timing by 10‑second increments
Do Dry Dabs Hit Harder?
They feel hotter and harsher because there’s no water cooling; not ideal for beginners.
If customers insist, recommend smaller dabs, lower temps, and a reclaim catch to keep rigs cleaner.
Dab Nail Durability & Lifespan
Quality quartz lasts months of daily use if cleaned well; abuse and over‑heating shorten lifespan quickly.
How Long Does a Dab Banger Last?
3–12 months is typical; heavy torching or dunking hot quartz in cold liquid ends it early.
Thickness matters: 2–3 mm for casual users; 3–4 mm for shop demos and heavy hitters.
How Storage Affects Lifespan
Avoid tossing hot glass on cold trays; let it cool and store in a padded case.
We ship bulk bangers in foam‑lined boxes to prevent micro‑chips that later turn into cracks.
Warranty & Replacement Tips for Retailers
Offer a 7‑day fit/finish check and keep a low‑cost replacement program—customers remember painless swaps.
At CloverGlass, we do photo → credit if something arrives flawed and keep $1M+ inventory in LA for fast replacements.
Beginner FAQs
Start small, aim for flavor temps, and clean after every hit—these three rules keep customers happy.
How to Dab for Beginners?
Use a rice‑grain dab at ~500 °F, cap immediately, inhale slow, then swab.
Cold‑start is forgiving: load first, gentle heat, cap, finish. It reduces mess and returns better flavor—great for first‑time buyers.
Essential Accessories
A snug carb cap, terp pearls, and quartz inserts improve vaporization and protect the banger.
Bundle these with rigs to lift AOV. We pre‑pack OEM kits with matched cap + pearls + banger for easy merchandising.
Safety & Compliance
Follow local age laws, store torches safely, and train staff on harm‑reduction language.
We provide printable temp charts, cleaning cards, and Prop‑65 style warnings in custom packaging when requested by brand clients.
Conclusion
As a wholesaler, I care most about your complaint rate and repeat orders. Lead with quartz as the hero, teach customers temperature control + quick cleaning, and bundle caps / pearls / inserts—you’ll rarely go wrong. Building a brand? I can deliver OEM in 20–25 days, with small test runs to validate demand. U.S. clients can ship directly from our LA warehouse for fewer breakages and faster delivery.
Take action now:
- Get a wholesale quote (tier pricing + bundle suggestions) → Frank@CloverPipe.com
- Request OEM samples (logo, packaging, kits) → via website form
- Download the temperature chart PDF (for staff training) → request the link
- Book an LA‑warehouse visit (see samples + same‑day pickup) → email to schedule
- Join the dealer list (monthly drops + HD assets) → send subject line “Dealer”
FAQ
- Q1: What is a dab nail and how does it work? / A1: A dab nail is the heated surface—usually a quartz banger—that vaporizes concentrates. Torch or e‑nail to temp, cool to ~500 °F, add a tiny dab, cap, and inhale. Nails allow vaporization instead of combustion, improving flavor and control.
- Q2: Quartz vs titanium vs ceramic—which should I stock? / A2: Stock quartz as the main seller for flavor and familiarity. Add titanium for durability and ceramic for even heat. Offer bundles with matched carb caps and terp pearls to raise average order value.
- Q3: What’s the ideal dab nail temperature? / A3: 480–550 °F for flavor‑forward hits; 550–600 °F for denser clouds. Time your cooldown on 2–3 mm quartz at 45–70 s after torching. E‑nails hold steady temps for training and in‑store demos.
- Q4: How do I clean a burnt dab nail? / A4: While warm—not hot—soak in isopropyl alcohol for 10–20 minutes, then gently brush and rinse. Prevent future build‑up with swabs after every dab and consider cold‑start dabs to protect quartz.
- Q5: How long should a quartz banger last? / A5: With proper temps and cleaning, 3–12 months is normal. Overheating, thermal shock, or drops shorten life. Choose 3–4 mm quartz for shop demos, and replace cracked or chipped nails immediately.
