How to Do a Cold Start Dab (aka, The Reverse Dab)

Do you want to take your cannabis concentrates game up a notch? If so, then you should try out the cold start dab! This is a method of cannabis concentrates that is becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. It’s a great way to enjoy your concentrates while avoiding any harshness or throat irritation. In this blog post, we will explain how to do a cold start dab in detail!

What is a Cold Start Dab?

Also called reverse dabbing, cold start dabbing is a method of consuming cannabis concentrates that involves heating the concentrate first, and then loading it into the nail. This is in contrast to traditional dabbing, where the user heats the nail first and then loads the concentrate.

As you may gather, the temperature is the primary difference between the two styles. In a typical dab, the objective is to get the nail extremely hot. If you’re not careful, it might go as high as 500-900 degrees. Temperatures this high can destroy the flavor and produce less vapor. A dab hit might provide an intense impact faster in higher temperatures, but it also has drawbacks. Naphthalene and Benzene are released, and the terpenes can be destroyed.

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How to Perform a Cold Start Dab

Here is how cold start dabs are performed:

  • Set up your dab rig as you would for a normal dab
  • Make sure that your nail is clean
  • Load your dab on the nail. 
  • Place your carb cap on top. 
  • Light your torch and aim at the banger. 
  • Take a puff as soon as the concentrate begins to vaporize and bubble, usually about 6-10 seconds later. 
  • Make sure to clean your nail between dabs

Is a Cold Start Dab Better than the Regular Method?

Those who prefer cold start dabbing say that it is more flavorful and doesn’t produce the harshness or throat irritation that traditional dabbing can. Additionally, it’s said to provide a more gradual high that builds over time.

The nicest part about cold-start dabbing is that you won’t have to worry about losing the taste of your concentrate because you’ll receive all of the smoke without any loss. Another fantastic advantage of cold-start dabbing is that the dab itself is smooth, so you won’t be coughing because you overburdened your lungs and throat as many do with traditional dabs.

Because the cold-start procedure, from setup to dabs, takes half of the time of conventional dabs, it is also a time-saver. Lastly, the cold dab process is less harsh on your rig because it requires less heat for a shorter amount of time. So your equipment will last longer.

Are their Downsides to Cold Start Dabbing?

Detail of cannabis concentrate extracted from the marijuana plant for medical use, isolated over white background

All this being said, there are some who feel that cold start dabbing takes longer to get stoned than traditional dabbing. It also requires a bit more practice in order to get the timing down correctly.

Some just also have the sense that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Some have mastered the art of traditional dabbing and don’t see the need to switch things up.

At the end of the day, it’s all about what you prefer! If you’re looking to try out something new and want to avoid any harshness or throat irritation, then cold start dabbing is definitely for you! Otherwise, stick with traditional dabbing–you can never go wrong with that!

Give Cold Start Dabs a Try!

If you’re looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy cannabis concentrates, then give cold start dabbing a try! It might take a little getting used to, but we think you’ll be hooked once you experience the flavor and smoothness of this method.

At the end of the day, it’s all about what you prefer! If you’re looking to try out something new and want to avoid any harshness or throat irritation, then cold start dabbing is definitely for you! Otherwise, stick with traditional dabbing–you can never go wrong with that!

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