A dab nail is used to vaporize cannabis extracts, also known as "dabs," in a dab rig. The best nails are typically made of quartz, which is heated to a high temperature using a torch. The nail, sometimes called a bowl or “banger”, slides into the stem of a dab rig and can be interchanged for alternative types of nails. This means that a single dab rig can deliver different dabbing experiences based on the type of nail that’s used with it. 

To use a dab rig, the user heats the quartz banger with a torch until it is hot, then places a small amount of cannabis concentrate on the nail. As the concentrate vaporizes, the user inhales the vapor through the mouthpiece of the dab rig. 

The nail is typically heated to a temperature between 450 and 600 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the type of concentrate being used and the preferences of the user. 

Learn how to take the perfect dab in our article How To Dab Rosin.

Dab nails can be made from titanium, ceramics, or quartz. However, the best material is quartz, which is tough enough to take a beating, retains heat very well, doesn’t impart a taste onto the dab, and is easy to clean. Quartz can also resist damage with repeated and extended exposure to heat. 

There’s a wide variety of quartz dab nails to choose from. Let’s take a look at the different types of quartz dab nails. 

Different Types of Quartz Dab Nails

Flat top nails are compatible with a wide range of carb cap styles and great for virtually any sized dab. What’s more, these bangers don’t include any inherent flaws in their design. 

One downside is that some Thermal quartz styles are slightly more difficult to keep immaculately clean compared to a simpler Flat Top design.

One drawback is that the core in the base of the dish can be an obstacle when using cotton swabs to keep the quartz banger clean.

We recommend you load your rosin into the bottom dish to let the design of the nail do the work. Torch the bottom of the dish for about 30 seconds, then wait 30 seconds to let it cool down slightly. Then add a carb cap and dab your rosin. Cotton swabs are good for cleaning Terp Slurpers, but won’t be able to give them a deep clean. For the most complete cleaning, soak it in isopropyl alcohol overnight. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the nail with fresh water after cleaning.

Terp pearls are a great addition to Channel Slurp bangers. 

Round Bottom bangers are easy to clean with cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol. 

Manufacturers make Opaque Bottom bangers by injecting air into the quartz when they’re forming it. 

Conclusion

While titanium and ceramic nails can serve their purpose, quartz is really the ideal material for dab rigs and bangers. As long as you go with quartz, you can’t go wrong. The different styles of quartz bangers offer variations in the dabbing experience depending on what you’re aiming to optimize.  

From the traditional Flat Top bangers that are simple in their form and function, to the Core Reactor that helps heat retention, to the Terp Slurp that improves air circulation while your dabs completely vaporize, there are several different ways to enjoy dabbing out of the same rig. Keep one of each type of quartz nail around so you’ll always have a variety to choose from. 

What’s your favorite type of quartz nail? Let us know in the comments!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Flat Top quartz banger?
The Flat Top nail is currently the most popular profile in quartz nails, and the standard in bangers. Flat top nails are compatible with a wide range of carb cap styles and great for virtually any sized dab. What’s more, these bangers don’t include any inherent flaws in their design. 

What is a Thermal quartz banger?
Thermal bangers are made with an extra chamber in the center of the glass. The inside chamber helps facilitate better heat transfer which leads to better airflow, which enhances the dabbing experience.

What is a Core quartz banger?
The Core, also called a Core Reactor banger, is made with an extra thick bucket bottom in addition to a “puck” of extra quartz. This puck is the core reactor which increases heat retention and improves the vaporization of the cannabis extracts. The concentrates will come in contact with more heated quartz to encourage a complete, smooth vaporization. 

What is a Terp Slurp quartz banger?
Terp Slurps enable your extracts to completely vaporize and drip into the bottom dish, delivering the best flavor possible. The bottom dish has airflow slits to push your rosin back into the main part of the banger for improved circulation. Adding a couple terp pearls makes these bangers even better. 

What is an Opaque Bottom quartz banger?
Opaque Bottom bangers are made with quartz at the bottom of the bucket that is not completely see-through like the rest of the banger. The cloudy, or opaque, quartz can heat more quickly and hold heat longer than the clear quartz. This is an advantage when heating the bottom of the banger for dabbing.