WHAT IS A DAB PEN EXACTLY?

Cannabis is not one-size-fits-all. As the market evolves, so does the array of options for dispensary customers.

Taking a dab of cannabis extracts and hitting weed vape pens or pods have become almost as popular as smoking flower. These modalities offer a convenient and potent way to get the benefits of cannabis in a tiny package.

Dab pens are particularly prominent with more and more people switching to the devices. This is especially true as access increases with legalization in new markets. Consumers love the portability of dab pens, knowing they can take a quick rip anytime, any place.

But what precisely is a dab pen? Is it different from a vape pen or weed cart? STIIIZY explores the wide world of these cannabis products in this guide.

Defining what we mean by "dab pen"

Technically, a dab pen is basically a weed pen, a device used to consume cannabis concentrates, but as you’ll see, often the difference between a dab pen and a weed vape pen is the type of concentrate consumed, and how it is housed in the device.

It’s called a dab pen because it looks a bit like the writing instrument of the same name, and you only need a little dab of material for each hit.

The first weed vape pens were developed in China in 2003. They began to catch on in the cannabis industry as adult-use legalization began to spread. Dabs pens quickly became a major competitor to cannabis flower thanks to their slick and discreet nature.

Dab pens are designed to be portable and simple to use. The oil is contained within the device, making them a great alternative to dab rigs. People often prefer dab pens to cannabis flower because there’s less preparation involved, and the smell doesn’t linger as weed smoke does.

How do dab pens work?

There are many different types of dab pens on the market but they all use similar technology.

On one end of the device is a mouthpiece. This connects to a chamber where the cannabis concentrate is housed. On the other end of the chamber is an atomizer, which heats the oil. That atomizer is powered by an attached battery.

The battery is typically turned on or off with a button. That button also controls the heating element in the atomizer. However, a strong inhale on the mouthpiece may also automatically activate it.

When the oil in the chamber is heated, a vapor is formed and then inhaled through the mouthpiece. It’s easy to get a powerful hit, so a good rule of thumb is to count to two or three while breathing in, and then breathe out.

The type of oil in a dab pen may vary. They often use live resin, rosin, or distillate. However, other concentrates can be used. The oil used often depends on the individual weed pen’s hardware.

Dab pen vs weed pens, carts, and pods

As we mentioned, there are a vast array of dab pens on the market. The main difference is the way cannabis oil is contained.

A dab pen typically refers to a device that allows people to fill a quartz chamber with concentrates like wax, badder, shatter, and diamonds. The chamber can be cleaned and filled again and again with these thicker oils.

Weed pens, pods, and cartridges use more liquified oils housed in a pre-filled container. The pods and carts are often purchased separately from the battery. While they technically allow you to dab, they are usually not called dab pens.

Here’s a breakdown on the contrasts between these types of vape pens and a traditional dab pen:

Vape cartridge

Vape pens that utilize cannabis cartridges look most similar to actual pens. Vape carts are cylindrical tubes that screw into a battery via an attached 510-thread.

Weed carts usually hold a half-gram or a full gram of viscous oil and are thrown away and replaced once depleted. While carts are fairly commonplace and easy to come by, they tend to be a bit less handy due to their elongated shape.

Weed vape pods

Dab pens, or in this case, weed pens utilizing weed vape pods are desirable thanks to their durability and sleek design. Oil is housed in a pre-filled pod that is usually shaped like a slender rectangle or semi-circle.

The pods lock into place with a corresponding pod battery using a magnet and are discarded and replaced when empty.

All-in-one weed pen

Some dab pens have a battery, atomizer, oil chamber, and mouthpiece in one complete system. These weed pens tend to be a bit smaller, and usually use a quick draw activation instead of a button.

All-in-one dab pens often contain a half gram or less of oil but may go up to a full gram. They typically don’t need to be charged, and simply stop working when the oil tank is empty. They can be thrown out in the garbage and are not refillable.

Loadable dab pen

Most weed pens on the market rely on pre-filled cartridges or pods, but there are also those that allow you to load your favorite cannabis extract. You'll often find that when people talk about loadable dab pens, they're often referring to wax vaporizers.

Live rosin badder, live resin diamonds or waxes are the kinds of extracts commonly used, as they're easier to manipulate. However, they must be filled more often and can be difficult to maintain.

Instead of a pre-filled chamber, the mouthpiece screws off to reveal an empty chamber where oil is placed. The battery in loadable dab pens is typically built-in and is below the fillable chambers.

Dab pen batteries and chargers

Most of the time, dab pen chargers are USB-based. They may be a cord that plugs into the end of a battery or attaches to the 510-thread connector. Some brands, like STIIIZY, even make portable power chargers.

Dab pen tips and tricks

Dab pens are fairly easy to use but there are some useful tricks to make them last longer and perform better.

It’s important to store dab pens in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keeping the chamber clean is important as it will help the device last longer.

You also want to avoid overfilling loadable dab pens. A tiny amount, about the size of a grain of rice, is optimal. If you put too much cannabis extract in the chamber, the device may get clogged or malfunction.

High-quality dab pens should not leak or clog but it may happen. If you ever find sticky residue on your mouthpiece or battery, rub a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the area using a cotton swab. Dry it with a clean cloth and make sure any moisture is removed prior to using it again.

So, to answer the question, “What is a dab pen, exactly?” Well, it’s not exactly one thing, but a variety of devices for consuming cannabis concentrates, especially, but not limited to, the ones with loadable chambers that take the thicker, waxier extracts.

At STIIIZY, for all of our cannabis extracts and weed vape pods, we only use premium flower. We also offer a proprietary weed pen battery system.