When you hear the word “carburetor,” the car part is likely what pops into your mind. But, did you know there is a new dabbing accessory named after this important part of your car?
A carb cap can help improve the user’s dabbing experience. But, what exactly is it, and how do you use one? We’ll cover all that (and more) below.
What Is a Carb Cap?
A carb cap is a dabbing accessory that works by restricting airflow, just as a car’s carbonator restricts air access to an engine. A carb cap does much of the same thing, except it does it for your dab device instead of your vehicle.
Although carb caps can be made from a variety of materials, the most common ones are glass, aluminum, and titanium. However, any heat-resistant material can be used to create a carb cap.
A carb cap is designed to fit right over the nail (or heating surface) on your dab rig. Think of it as the top to a bottle. It also has one primary purpose: controlling the airflow on and around the dabbing surface.
By controlling airflow, a carb cap allows users to dab at lower temperatures.
Why You Should Use a Carb Cap
So, why would users want to have a carb cap when dabbing? It’s simple: dabbing at a lower temperature improves the experience for users.
When it comes to dabbing, the temperature of the product on your nail plays an important role. The compounds that make up your product will vaporize at different temperatures, and getting it too hot can destroy the molecules in your product, weakening the strength of its effects. A lower temperature allows users to better manage the vapor their dab creates, creating a more powerful effect for dabbers.
Like the effects of your product, the flavor profile it offers can also be affected by too much heat. Dabbing at a lower temperature can also help preserve the product’s flavor profile, creating a much more enjoyable user experience.
In short, users should consider using a carb cap when dabbing if they are looking for a way to make their experience more efficient. A carb cap will help increase your hit’s strength while also creating a more enjoyable (and flavorful) experience.
How to Use a Carb Cap
Using a carb cap is easy — beginners and experts alike can do it.
- Apply your product to the nail in your device.
- Place the carb cap over the nail to trap the heat and control the airflow and pressure.
- Gently swirl or spin the cap on the nail to create even more vapor for yourself.
Note: Some caps may require users to lift the cap up and down instead of twirling to achieve the same result.
- Remove the carb cap from your rig.
- Inhale the product and enjoy the effects you are about to experience.
Users can repeat these steps as many times as needed to finish their dab as the vast majority of people will not be able to do it all in one puff.
Types of Carb Caps
Now that you have a better understanding of what carb caps are and how they work, let’s look at the different types of carb caps you can purchase.
The first carb cap option is a standard carb cap. As the name suggests, these are simple and the most common versions of carb caps. They are round in appearance and not only act as a cap but also have a handle user can hold during the dabbing process, creating a comfortable user experience.
The second type of carb cap is a bubble cap. These bubble-shaped caps have a hollow stem that extends out of both the bottom and the top of the cap to create the carb. The rounded shape helps create a seal against rigs with a flat top, allowing concentrates to vaporize faster. This design is also easy for users to rotate, creating a more efficient dab.
The third type of cap is a directional flow carb cap. These are designed to seal banger-style nails. They feature a carb hole and a thin stem that extends out of the bottom of the cap only. When you rotate a directional flow carb cap, the airflow created by the stem will help your dab vaporize faster.
Carb caps are, of course, also available in other shapes. But these three are among the most common users will see available on the market.
What to Look For When Buying a Carb Cap
Anytime you make any type of purchase, you want to be sure you are getting a quality product. Carb caps for your dab rig are no exception. When preparing to purchase a carb cap, look at:
- The material it is made from. The material must be heat-resistant and able to withstand high temperatures without cracking or breaking. Check to see the type of glass and titanium used to make them and look for caps made of borosilicate glass and grade two or three titanium. If you go with a quartz cap, make sure it is of the highest quality.
- Size. There’s no point in getting a carb cap if it doesn’t fit the nail on your rig. Take a look at the sizing options available and choose one that will fit your rig best.
- Shape. Like choosing the right size, finding a cap in a shape that matches the nail on your device is essential. An ill-fitting cap can impact its performance.
Summary
Carb caps are a simple way for users to enhance their dabbing experience. However, they are not for everyone.
Dabbing beginners may not find a carb cap worth the effort at first as they learn how to dab properly. For experienced dabbers who want to enhance their experience through lower temperature dabbing, a carb cap is a great place to start—just be sure you purchase a cap that fits your rig.
