Dab straws, torches, tools, & bowls

Dabbing tools and accessories are the small pieces of hardware that surround a rig and its nail. The core items are: a dabber, the metal or glass wand that moves concentrate, sold with pointed, scoop, spoon, paddle, and ball tips to suit different textures; a carb cap that covers the top of a banger; terp pearls, small quartz or ruby balls that sit inside the bucket; a torch, usually refillable butane; a timer or infrared thermometer for tracking heat; and a silicone mat that gives hot parts somewhere safe to rest. Silicone containers, cotton swabs, and isopropyl alcohol for cleaning glass round out most kits. None of it is mandatory, but a dabber and a carb cap are the two nearly everyone owns.

A carb cap narrows the opening on top of a banger. Restricting airflow lowers the pressure inside the bucket, so concentrate turns to vapor at a lower temperature and clears more completely instead of pooling on the quartz. Flat caps sit still, directional caps have an angled spout you spin to push airflow around the walls, and bubble caps swivel in the opening. Terp pearls do the same job mechanically, rolling to spread oil across the surface.

Many licensed dispensaries stock accessories alongside concentrates. Use Leafly to check nearby dispensary menus for what is in stock, and check delivery options near you, which depend on your state's rules. Hardware selection tends to be broadest at retailers with a dedicated glass case.