Your Guide to Weed Concentrates: Explained for Beginners and Enthusiasts
When speaking about cannabis concentrates or extracts, you’re talking about dabs or vaporizer pens. Most people who love extracts are about that dab life, but there are vape lovers too. In fact, in California, vape pens are the second best-selling category. Concentrates (dabs) are fifth.
With that data, it’s obvious to see that dabbing and vaping cannabis extracts is a great way to develop your relationship with the plant. Between dabs and weed pens, you have a world of benefits in doing so.
What Are Weed Concentrates?
Weed concentrates are oil-based extracts that are made from the plant’s trichomes. There are a bunch of different concentrates coming from trichomes, including live rosins, live resins, kief, and that’s just to name a few. They are all categorized between solvent-based and solventless concentrates. Think of concentrates as cannabis in its most refined form, offering more punch with less product.
Such products often look like a sticky, honey-like substance, while others come in waxy or powdery textures. This variety gives you options to match your preferences. Weed concentrates are made through special extraction processes that only retain pure cannabinoids and terpenes.
Types of Weed Concentrates
When it comes to weed concentrates, you’ve got options! Below are the most popular kinds of cannabis concentrates:
- Shatter: Shatter is one of the most recognizable weed concentrates, thanks to its glass-like appearance and the way it “shatters” when broken. Its solid, brittle texture makes it easy to handle and store, but be prepared – this type of concentrate delivers a powerful effect that even experienced users find impressive.
- Wax/Budder: Wax, also called budder, is known for its soft, creamy texture that makes it easy to work with. The consistency of wax falls somewhere between a solid and a liquid, so it’s more manageable than some other concentrates, especially for dabbing. Budder also tends to retain the strain’s natural flavors, which makes it popular with concentrate lovers who want a potent but flavorful experience.
- Live Resin: Extracted from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants, live resin retains a high terpene content, which makes it highly aromatic and flavorful. This concentrate provides an authentic strain experience, with flavors and effects closely mimicking the original plant. Live resin has a wet, syrupy texture that’s easy to handle and ideal for dabbing.
- Rosin: For those who prefer a natural concentrate without solvents, live rosin is a top pick. Made using only heat and pressure, rosin is a clean, solvent-free option that appeals to concentrate users looking for purity. With rosin, you get a golden, thick concentrate that’s safe, smooth, and easy to dab.
- Crumble: Crumble has a unique, crumbly texture that makes it easy to handle and measure. Known for its versatility, crumble can be dabbed, mixed with flower, or sprinkled into a joint for an extra kick. Its airy texture allows it to retain terpenes and provides a flavorful and aromatic experience. Crumble is often less dense than shatter or wax, so it’s great for users who prefer a concentrate that’s easy to break apart and use on the go.
- THC Oil: THC oil is one of the most versatile concentrates, perfect for vape pens and cartridges. THC oil works well with vape pens for a discreet, portable option, and it’s often used as an additive to other cannabis products. If you’re new to concentrates or simply want a convenient way to enjoy THC, oil is a solid choice for straightforward, enjoyable use.
5 Benefits of Weed Concentrates
Whether you’re dabbing or vaping, concentrate goes hard for plenty of reasons. Check out the main benefits that make concentrates a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts.
1. The flavor journey
First off, if we’re talking concentrates, let’s talk dabs first. Dabs are those little pucks of oil that you see on dispensary shelves or (hopefully) in dispensary coolers.
When you dab, you turn that oil into vapor through high temperatures. The vapor (hopefully) tastes just like the way the plant smells. That flavor translation from aroma to your mouth is the biggest reason people love to dab. Well, and the high that comes after inhaling those 7-10 pulls from a single little smidgen of an extract.
Besides convenience, flavor is the second biggest reason that people love vape pens too. Unless you’re vaporizing straight distillate, which has no flavor and only cannabinoids, your vape pens.
2. Efficiency
Dabs get you super baked in a quick second. It’s a different high than consuming cannabis flower, which has a heavy-eyed sort of feeling to it. With dabs, if you’ve built up your tolerance for THC, you may find that the high is much cleaner, and clear-headed, allowing you to proceed throughout the day without getting too bogged down after your sesh.
3. Potency
In addition to getting you higher faster, dabs are also more intense than cannabis flower, due to having a much higher THC content. Because of that, with dabs, less is more, and those little gram containers can stretch for quite some time. If it is your first time, go slow and slowly see how each rip effects you before taking the next one.
Between flavor and potency, that’s why people love dabs: they’re extremely tasty, hit hard with barely a dot of oil, and you reach cloud nine within minutes.
Vape pens tend to have a higher potency but result in a much shorter-lived high than hitting dabs. Still, with several puff puffs from a vape pen, you’ll definitely feel the intensity of your live resin.
4. Vapor over smoke
You can’t talk about cannabis concentrates without talking about smoking versus vaping flower, or combustion versus vaporization.
Combustion comes from fire-producing smoke that you then inhale to get high. Vaporization differs in that it heats plants (or oil), but does not combust them or produce smoke. Vapor is seen as a healthier avenue of cannabis consumption than smoking weed because of the carcinogens associated with smoke.
5. No lingering burnt plant smell
Last, but certainly not least, the fact that using cannabis concentrates is always more discreet than consuming flower is a huge benefit. You can dab in hotel rooms and be just fine by the time housekeeping rolls around the next morning. The same goes for using vape pens, and with them being portable, you can use them to consume weed literally anywhere you go.
With cannabis flower, you can only smoke in privacy or outside, but there will always be a lingering smell in the room, and on your fingers and clothes.
In the end, it’s easy to see why so many people prefer cannabis concentrates to flower sometimes. Just make sure when buying dabs, or any cannabis concentrates for that matter, that you are buying high-quality products from the best cannabis brands.
How to Use Weed Concentrates
Weed concentrates are versatile, potent, and can be enjoyed in several ways, making it easy to find a method that fits your style. Here are the main ways to use weed concentrates, with some helpful tips to get you started.
Dabbing
Dabbing is one of the most popular ways to enjoy concentrates, especially if you’re looking for a strong and fast effect. To dab, you’ll need a dab rig – a device that’s similar to a water pipe but designed specifically for concentrates. Heat the rig’s nail, add a small amount of concentrate, and inhale.
Dabbing also allows you to experience the full flavor and aroma profile of your chosen concentrate, making it a favorite among cannabis connoisseurs. The quick onset of effects is ideal for those seeking immediate relief or an intense experience.
Dabbing delivers a powerful experience, so we recommend starting with a tiny dab, especially if you’re new to concentrates. Our STIIIZY extracts are perfect for dabbing and offer a variety of types.
Vaping
If you prefer something more portable and discreet, vaping might be your best option. Vaporizers work by heating the concentrate to a temperature where it releases vapor without combusting. This method produces minimal odor and is easy to carry around.
Vaping offers a smooth, controlled experience with less harshness on the throat compared to traditional smoking. It’s a great choice for those who want to enjoy cannabis discreetly and without drawing attention. Plus, the vapor tends to be much less pungent, making it ideal for on-the-go use. With STIIIZY’s wide range of concentrates, you can find the perfect product for your vaporizer, whether you’re seeking a calming indica or an energizing sativa effect.
Many vape pens are compatible with THC oil or live resin, so check out our selection of weed concentrates if you’re interested in vaping. Just start with a small amount to gauge how the potency feels for you.
Adding to Flower
Want to give your usual flower a boost? You can sprinkle a bit of concentrate like crumble or wax onto your bowl or roll it into a joint. This adds an extra layer of potency and flavor to your session and creates a more intense experience than flower alone.
This method is perfect for those who enjoy the ritual of smoking flower but want to elevate the effects and taste. By adding concentrates to your flower, you get the best of both worlds—enhanced potency and the familiar smoothness of traditional smoking.
Whether you’re looking for a more relaxed experience or a more intense high, adding concentrates can be a game-changer for your sessions. Just be sure to mix in the concentrate evenly for a balanced smoke. Just remember that concentrates are strong, so a small amount is all you need to enhance your smoke.
Tips for Beginners
If you’re new to concentrates, here are a few pointers to help you get started:
- Start Small: Concentrates are potent, so start with a small amount. You can always add more if needed.
- Choose the Right Gear: Depending on the concentrate type, you may need specific accessories and tools like a dab rig or vape pen. Make sure you’ve got the right setup for the best experience.
- Store Properly: Keep concentrates in a cool, dark place to preserve their potency and flavor.
Weed Concentrates VS. Traditional Flower
Weed concentrates and traditional flower each have their own set of strengths, and it all comes down to what experience you’re looking for. Check out this quick comparison to help you decide which fits your style best.
|
Feature |
Weed Concentrates |
Traditional Flower |
|
Potency |
Higher THC/CBD levels – you only need a small amount for a strong effect |
Lower THC/CBD levels – requires more product for the same intensity |
|
Consumption Methods |
Dabbing, vaping, or adding to flower for extra potency |
Smoking in a joint, pipe, or bong; can also be used in edibles or vaporizers |
|
Flavor and Aroma |
Intense flavors due to concentrated terpenes |
Natural flavor, often less intense but more aromatic with certain strains |
|
Shelf Life |
Longer shelf life; remains potent if stored properly |
Shorter shelf life; loses potency over time if not stored correctly |
|
Cost Efficiency |
Higher upfront cost but lasts longer due to potency – a little goes a long way |
Lower upfront cost, but you may need more product for a similar effect |
|
Versatility |
Easily customizable – can be added to flower or used in a variety of ways |
Mostly limited to smoking or vaping, though some strains work well in edibles |
|
User Experience |
Provides a concentrated, customizable experience with fast results |
Offers a more traditional, full-spectrum cannabis experience |
Our Selection of Weed Concentrates
Our lineup of expertly crafted weed concentrates gives you the flexibility to choose your perfect match based on flavor, potency, and preferred consumption method. Here’s a closer look at our top concentrates.
Live Rosin Jam
Our Live Rosin Jam brings you as close as it gets to the full spectrum experience of your favorite strain. We start by selecting only the frostiest, trichome-covered tops and flash-freezing them to lock in peak potency and flavor.
The process ensures that the natural essence of the plant shines through, offering a rich, flavorful experience that’s free from any solvents. Whether you're a seasoned cannabis enthusiast or a beginner, the potency and purity of our Live Rosin Jam will take your experience to new heights, delivering smooth hits and a potent high every time.
Unlike solvent-based extracts like live resin, our live rosin is extracted without chemicals to preserve all-natural terpenes and cannabinoids. We then cure the extract for the perfect jam-like consistency. For those looking to savor every detail of the plant’s profile, our Live Rosin Jam is a must-try.
Live Rosin Badder
Our Live Rosin Badder is crafted with a commitment to purity and flavor. This first-press rosin uses only ice, water, and gentle agitation to separate golden trichomes from the plant.
After extraction, the trichomes are carefully processed through a cold-curing method to maintain their integrity, resulting in a creamy texture and intense flavor. With each batch, we ensure that the full plant profile is captured, providing an unparalleled, rich experience with every dab.
After extraction, we freeze, dry, sieve, and press the trichomes in fine micron bags to deliver a creamy, terpene-rich badder that’s bursting with the natural essence of the plant. Every step in the process is kept cold to ensure optimal taste and quality.
Crushed Diamond Extracts
Looking for a potent, versatile concentrate? Our Crushed Diamond Extracts offer high flexibility and powerful effects. With a high potency and flavorful profile, this concentrate brings out the best in each session. Our STIIIZY Crushed Diamond Extracts are curated with care to provide you with a refined cannabis experience.
Live Resin Diamonds
Our STIIIZY Live Resin Diamonds blend high-potency THCA diamonds with terpene-rich sauce to deliver a balanced, flavorful, and powerful experience. The THCA in our diamonds converts to THC when heated, giving you intense potency (up to 99.9%). This concentrate combines potent diamonds with our super terpy sauce.
Curated Live Resin
If flavor and potency are at the top of your list, our Curated Live Resin is for you. We harvest premium cannabis at the peak of potency and flavor, flash-freeze it, and preserve each strain’s unique cannabinoid and terpene profile. Dabbing our Curated Live Resin delivers a full-spectrum experience, letting you enjoy the richness of the strain just as it was meant to be.
Unlock the Full Spectrum
At STIIIZY, we only use premium flower for all of our cannabis extracts including our live resin, live rosin, and proprietary pods. Ready to try these top-notch concentrates? Our STIIIZY Dispensaries offer a variety of options for dabbing, vaping, and more. Explore what we’ve got and find the perfect fit for your next session.
FAQs
The potency of cannabis concentrates varies, but THC diamonds are among the most potent, often reaching up to 99% THC. Products like live resin diamonds and high-quality distillates also deliver strong effects, with many reaching over 90% THC. However, the impact can vary based on individual tolerance, dosage, and the consumption method.
Smoking or vaporizing concentrates involves methods like dabbing, vaping, or bowl-topping. Dabbing, using a dab rig, heats the concentrate on a hot surface (nail) to create vapor. Vaporizers, including portable vape pens, are also popular and allow precise temperature control for optimal flavor. For a simple approach, you can add concentrates like wax or bubble hash to a flower bowl or joint.
For joints, STIIIZY Live Resin Diamonds and Crushed Diamond Extracts are great choices if you want an extra layer of potency and flavor. “Twaxing,” or applying sticky concentrates like wax around the joint, can also intensify effects while adding flavor. Crushed diamonds or live resin can work, but due to their high potency, it’s best to start with a small amount to keep the joint manageable and enjoyable.
Weed concentrates can be used by dabbing, vaping, or mixing with flower. Dabbing requires a rig and heats the concentrate to release its vapor, providing a potent and fast-acting experience. Vaporizers work well with oils and waxes, offering discreet and portable consumption. For a simpler method, sprinkle a small amount of concentrate on top of a flower bowl or roll it into a joint for an extra kick. Beginners should start with a small dose, as concentrates are highly potent.
When used responsibly, concentrates can be safe, but they require caution due to their high potency. Concentrates should be sourced from reputable, lab-tested brands to avoid exposure to harmful solvents. Using proper equipment, like a well-maintained dab rig or quality vape, can further reduce risks. Additionally, beginners should start with low doses and dab at moderate temperatures to prevent adverse effects like respiratory irritation or intense psychoactivity.
The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare provider and local laws before purchasing or consuming cannabis.
