A Guide to the Different Types of Wax Dabs: What They Are and Why You Want Them 

As research into cannabis accelerates, thanks to changing public sentiment and subsequent legislation, companies are not only discovering new compounds, properties, and uses for this amazing flora, but they’re also finding new and exciting ways to process it for consumption, including various types of wax dabs. 

What Are Wax Dabs?

Although concentrates are thought to have been around since about the 1940s and dabs were first invented back in the ‘70s, this type of consumption remained relatively niche for decades. This was perhaps because dabs are considered difficult and potentially dangerous to produce, depending on the form of extraction used. 

Today, concentrates are considered to be an ideal way to enjoy the many benefits that cannabis has to offer in an incredibly potent, cost-effective way. 

Of course, there are a lot of weed concentrates to choose from, including distillates, oils, live resin, caviar, crystalline, wax, and more. There are also several different types of wax dabs. 

If you’ve heard of dabbing and you’re interested in giving it a try, here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision. 

What is Dabbing?

Even if you’re already familiar with other forms of cannabis consumption, such as smoking flower, ingesting tinctures, or sampling a wide range of edibles (candies, gummies, chocolates, baked goods, and even beverages), you might not have a good understanding of what dabbing entails. 

It starts with several different types of wax dabs, which can range from viscous oils to sticky sugar wax to creamy budder, brittle crumble, and hard shatter. 

If you know anything about cannabis plants, you know that the buds are covered with trichomes, which are tiny, crystalline structures that contain the hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes the plant is known for. 

Dabs are concentrates created by extracting compound-laden oils from the trichomes using a wide array of processes. 

Common extraction methods involve the application of heat and pressure, washing in a water and ice bath, or via chemical processes involving solvents, like CO2 or butane, for example. 

Butane processing — used to create butane hash oil (BHO) — is among the most popular methods and is often used to create a range of wax dabs. The resulting substances contain incredibly concentrated and potent levels of cannabinoids, like psychoactive THC and terpenes. 

Whereas flower might contain about 10-20% THC, depending on the strain, dabs could have as much as 80% (sometimes more). This means that only a very small amount needs to be heated in a dabbing rig, creating vapors that are inhaled, in order to get the same effects of smoking a significantly higher volume of flower, for example. 

The Benefits of Dabbing

Before you start exploring the wide world of wax dabs, you need to understand that concentrates are incredibly potent. A little goes a long way! 

You should start with very small amounts until you understand the effects that dabbing will produce for you. Wax dabs deliver an intense experience you may not be prepared for, so it’s always best to start low, go slow, and work your way up to your desired effects. 

When you exercise caution and choose safe, tested products, you will likely enjoy several benefits with dabbing. First and foremost, you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. Dabs may seem like they’re expensive compared to flower — especially for the small volume you receive — but because of their elevated potency, you’re sure to find that you get more for your money. 

In addition, you can get the same experience as smoking a blunt from a tiny inhale of vapor. It’s much quicker and easier than smoking, and you’ll enjoy immediate and substantial effects, such as relief, relaxation, and/or euphoria, depending on the product. 

If you’re worried about the potential health concerns and the social stigma of smoking, you want something more potent than edibles, you’re seeking fast, cost-effective options for relief, or all of the above, wax dabs could be a solution worth exploring. 

The next step is understanding what the different types of wax dabs are and what sets them apart from one another. 

Common Types of Wax Dabs

There are several forms of concentrates to choose from, but if you want to try dabbing, wax is your best option. Powdered kief or dry hash, for example, is not ideal for use with a dabbing rig, as getting it onto the tiny nail to heat it is challenging, to say the least. 

Wax dabs come in a range of consistencies, from thick liquids to hard sheets. It’s always best to try different products to see which you like.

Here’s a quick rundown of the different wax dabs and what makes each one unique. 

Oil Dabs

Cannabis oils may be consumed in a number of ways, depending on how they are extracted and refined. These viscous substances can be used for vaping, turned into tinctures that you can consume sublingually or simply ingest, or made into oil dabs, which are a bit thicker and not ideal for vaping. 

One of the most common forms of extraction is a chemical process using butane, which produces concentrates of great potency. It also preserves terpenes, unlike some other forms of extraction. 

The instrument-grade butane used for this process is purified, pressurized, and delivered at extremely low temperatures, gently separating the oils from the plant. 

When the process is complete, any residual butane is purged from the oil to create a safe, pure product that contains concentrated cannabinoids, along with all of the terpenes that deliver the aroma and flavor of the plant — not to mention the full entourage effect. 

Another reason this method of extraction is so popular is that it creates opportunities for wax dabs of different consistencies, whereas some other methods are more limited in what they produce. 

In addition to BHO, CO2 and propane are other forms of solvent extraction. There are also several forms of solventless extraction (dry-sifting, freeze-drying, ice water bath, a combination of heat and pressure, and so on). Solvent extraction tends to generate the purest, most potent products. 

Sugar Wax Dabs

When you see sugar wax, you’ll understand how it got its name. The consistency is very much like mixing a small amount of water into a pile of sugar crystals. It is much like a sugar scrub you might use on your body, where the sugar is wet, but granular, rather than dissolved. 

Although it is mostly liquid, it is very thick and sticky. This makes it great for dabbing, as it’s easy to place a small amount on the nail head for heating. 

Sugar wax is most commonly made via chemical extraction (BHO), like many other types of cannabis wax. 

Budder Dabs

Budder is among the most popular forms of wax because of its smooth, creamy consistency, often compared to butter. It’s not quite as sticky as sugar wax, which makes it a bit easier to work with, particularly where portioning is concerned. However, it will still stay put when you apply it to the nail in your dabbing rig. 

Budder is sometimes confused with similarly-named “badder.” While the two are actually very alike, badder is slightly more liquid. 

How can you tell the difference? While budder essentially holds its shape, like cake frosting, badder is looser and it will slowly spread. 

There are many shades of wax between viscous oil and hard shatter, and budder and badder are just two of the in-between consistencies. 

Crumble Dabs

Also made from the BHO method of extraction, crumble is far less wet and sticky than some other types of wax. As you can imagine, it gains its moniker from a drier, more brittle consistency than creamy budder. 

Crumble is not entirely dry like a powder, though. It still retains some moisture, making it similar to a crumbly cheese, like feta, cotija, or goat cheese. 

In other words, you can easily flake it apart into smaller pieces, but the crumbled bits themselves will more or less hold together. 

While budder is often considered to be the happy medium between wet products like oil and drier products like crumble, you may find the dry end of the wax spectrum easier to work with. 

It all depends on your personal preferences, which is why it’s a good idea to try different types of wax to discover what works best for you. 

Shatter Dabs

This BHO product is hard and brittle, like spun sugar, although it’s most often compared to a sheet of glass. It’s called shatter because you can break it into pieces, either by snapping off a corner or simply smashing it. 

Shatter is smooth, solid, stable, and easy to store, which makes it ideal for anyone who plans to make their supply last for a while. Although it’s not quite as easy to dab as budder or stickier products, it does have the distinction of being among the purest forms of concentrate available. 

With so many types of wax dabs on the market and so many appealing benefits associated with dabbing, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider giving dabs a try. Just make sure to start slow if you’re new to dabbing so that you can ensure a positive and enjoyable experience!

 

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Budder and shatter are both forms of cannabis concentrates. Budder and Shatter are two common concentrates, but others include live resin, wax, or sap. 

Cannabis concentrates are made by chemically extracting the beneficial cannabis compounds from the marijuana flower, like the cannabinoids and terpenes. As such, they tend to have much higher THC concentrations (anywhere from 80% to 100% THC) than traditional marijuana, which hovers around 15% to 20% THC depending on the strain. Essentially, cannabis concentrates are a pure, isolated form of all the great stuff within marijuana.

The high THC concentration also means that you have to smoke a lot less product to get the beneficial effects, which can be better for your wallet and your overall health in the long run.

Concentrate Extraction Methods

Extraction methods for cannabis concentrates vary, however they can generally be grouped into 2 major umbrellas: solvent-based and non-solvent-based.

Thinking back to high-school chemistry, a solvent is a substance or chemical that will dissolve a solid, leaving a liquid solution. In the cannabis world, common solvents used to create concentrates are butane, propane, carbon dioxide, or alcohol. 

On the other hand, solventless extraction techniques, of which there are many, do not rely on any solvent. As a result, the final product is extremely pure, and many users report enjoying solventless concentrates more. However, these products tend to be much more expensive, and both major extraction methods have been studied extensively to ensure they’re both safe to the user.

What is Shatter?

Shatter is one of the most popular forms of cannabis concentrate. It is traditionally made using butane as a solvent to separate a marijuana plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes from the actual plant. From there, the extracted chemicals are processed into a hard, brittle, amber-color material that is known as Shatter. Shatter gets its name from the fact that it is easily breakable. Shatter concentrates have extremely high THC amounts that vary depending on cannabis strains used and extraction techniques, but generally are at least 85% THC.

What is Budder?

Budder, often also called wax, is another form of cannabis concentrate. It is also traditionally made with butane as a solvent. However, unlike Shatter, which is hard and brittle, Budder, in its final form, has a softer and creamier consistency. This means that Budder can be much easier to work with than harder forms of cannabis concentrate. However, since it's a softer material, Budder degrades more quickly and loses its potency faster than harder concentrates.

Budder vs Shatter

Similarities

Budder and Shatter share a lot of key similarities. Both are traditionally made by using butane as a solvent and therefore fall under the umbrella of being called a butane hash oil (BHO).

Additionally, both budder and shatter have extremely high THC concentrations. They also generally tend to cost the same amount and are much more cost-efficient than compared to traditional marijuana.

Right now through Cannasaver, you can get 8 grams of top-shelf Harmony budder (wax) or shatter for $70 at all of the DENREC dispensary locations in Colorado.

In comparison, to get the same amount of THC from traditional flower, you’d be looking at buying 6 ounces, which will cost over 4x as much.

Differences

There are a few key differences when comparing budder vs. shatter.

For one, shatter is a much harder, brittle material than budder, which is traditionally softer and creamier.

Additionally, many people find shatter more visually appealing than budder, since Shatter is a shinier amber, whereas budder tends to be a duller color.

Lastly, Shatter will keep its potency longer than Budder. Since Budder is a softer material, it isn’t as stable as harder concentrates and will degrade more quickly.

Shatter can keep its potency for months and even years, whereas you will want to use your budder more quickly. 

How to Consume Budder vs. Shatter

There are a plethora of different ways that you can consume budder and shatter. A very common way is to use a dab rig or other vaporizing device.

If you prefer, you can also break off pieces of budder or shatter to put inside a joint or blunt when smoking.

Lastly, you can also use budder and shatter inside edibles, if that’s your preferred way of consuming marijuana.

Popularity

Both budder and shatter have been growing in popularity recently for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, with recreational marijuana being legalized in more states every year, the market for all things cannabis will continue to grow.

Additionally, cannabis extracts have been growing in popularity when compared to traditional marijuana. When smoked, budder and shatter have a much more muted smell than traditional marijuana, which lends well to users who prefer to partake in the comfort of their own homes.

There’s also a growing school of thought that concentrates are “healthier” than traditional flower. Not only do you have to smoke less to receive the beneficial effects, which can be good for those with sensitive lungs, but you are smoking pure THC, CBD, and terpenes.

Lastly, since concentrates are generally cheaper and keep their potency longer than traditional flower, they are a great choice for the budget-conscious cannabis user. 

Price Differences & Deals

Both budder, often also called wax, and shatter will generally cost you about the same amount.

As such, there’s no real price difference between the two, and whichever type you pick is simply down to personal preference.

Per gram, you’ll generally be looking to spend between $20 and $30, with a lower per-gram price the more you buy. Some people like budder more because it’s softer and more forgiving, whereas others may prefer shatter because of its long shelf life and beautiful amber color.

No matter whether you’re looking into trying budder or shatter out for the first time or are a seasoned user, Cannasaver has partnered with dispensaries to offer you great deals.

One deal that’s particularly great for someone just looking to get started is a $9.95 gram of either Budder or Shatter at all Pure Dispensaries in Colorado.

If you’re a more seasoned user and are looking for absolute best bang for buck, you might be interested in 8 grams of wax or shatter for $58 at the Best High - Bryant location in Denver.

No matter whether you’re interested in budder, shatter, edibles, pre-rolls, or pure flower, Cannasaver is sure to offer fantastic deals for everyone.

Click here to explore our current offerings with participating dispensaries, and happy blazing!

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Cannabis concentrates are becoming a staple to the marijuana industry. With marijuana use increasing around the country, more people are aware of “dabbing” or “dabs” With 7/10 around the corner to celebrate marijuana’s “OIL” products such as wax, shatter,  hash oil, and live resin. Whether you're a newer consumer or an old-school consumer being introduced to the term dabbing, you may have questions.

Dabs come in several different sizes, shapes, and ultimately, forms. Dabbing can reference many kinds of THC concentrates; from shatter to live resin. But today, we’re going to look at my favorite concentrate known as a wax dab.  

The Titular DAB

A dab can essentially be seen as the measurement to which people dose out their marijuana concentrates. Depending on their consistency, these marijuana concentrates are also commonly referred to as wax, shatter, live resin, etc. These kinds of concentrates are heated on a hot surface, a banger/e-nail, and then inhaled through a bong-like device known as a dab rig. The term has been used for about a decade or so. 

Dabs are made by pouring butane over marijuana. This process allows the THC to leave the marijuana plant and dissolve into the butane leaving a gummy, somewhat solid product that contains high amounts of THC.

What is This?! Wax Made From Bees?!

Wax, despite its name, is not made from beeswax. This type of marijuana gets its name from the concentrate’s texture and appearance. Varying between being relatively gooey being incredibly brittle; wax has an opaque appearance that appears throughout.

Depending on moisture, temperature, and techniques used to extract wax; the concentrate can take on many different forms in the outcome. When the wax is a gooier wax, that tends to be a budder. The other end of that breeds consistencies like crumble.

Different Types of Wax

BHO - Butane Hash Oil, extracts various cannabinoids. Extracting wax, using BHO, is a way to cultivate leftover parts on the marijuana plant remaining after trimming; like leaves or stems. This is why it's cheaper and easier to find.

BUDDER - Considered the cleanest and most wanted wax concentrate. Budder closely resembles butter you would put on toast. Budder is smooth in texture and a highly potent concentrate often hitting 90% THC potencies.  The process is a difficult one due to the process requiring strenuous whipping during the extraction process.

CO2 - solvent-free and tends to be pricey. Produced without toxins, while retaining terpene flavors. Extraction is pricey due to needing specialized equipment. But delivers in terpenes and cannabinoids.

CRUMBLE - Crumble is made from BHO. Crumble is made during the process of purging oil in a large vacuum oven. In the process, the extraction develops a soft consistency but maintains an extremely brittle consistency which can crumble when being prepared. Crumble is a favorite for vaporizers.

PHO - Propane Hash Oil, is an extraction method using propane instead of butane. Everything else is pretty much the same. Some people prefer it because it can be made into a pretty good budder (kind of creamy/buttery concentrate) with vigorous whipping. Experienced PHO makers note that, depending on the strain, it’s possible to get more terpenes and fewer residuals by using propane.

WAX -  Resembles honey which is where it gets its name. Wax concentrates have a very high content of THC and other cannabinoids (much higher than regular buds or trim runs) and need to be handled carefully. If you’re not used to vaporizing something so potent, the best advice I can give you is to start slow.

How To Dab That Concentrated Wax

Unlike smoking a bowl, you are going to need a specific set of tools. Tools that will make any wax concentrate cower in fear of you.

TOOLS:

• Dab rig - A small, bong-like smoking apparatus 

• Nectar collector - A straw-like smoking device

• Vape Pen - Concentrate vaporizer

Some consistencies of concentrate are easier to consume using all the various ways. Brittle/crunchy concentrates, like shatter, are easier to smoke when dropped onto a hot banger. It’s also worth noting that the higher the temperature you burn the nail, the much more harsh your smoke will be. When temperatures remain lower, the more flavor and cloud production.

When using a Nectar Collector, specifically designed trays/dishes are a must. These kinds of products are made out of glass, quartz, or silicone. After putting a small dab onto the container, blowtorch the tip of the collector. While heated, drag the hot nail across the wax while sucking through the mouthpiece. 

Health and Dabbing Wax

Dabbing wax is arguably one of the healthiest ways to smoke marijuana, although there haven't been too many studies quite yet. For us, it is a bit lighter on the throat and lungs (depending on how hot you prefer to dab).

Benefits of Dabbing

Cannabis enthusiasts will find some advantages to dabbing if they maintain clean and tested products. Dabbing is known for its quick onset time and lasting powerful effects on the user. For those who deal with chronic pains, use dabbing as a guaranteed way to obtain swift, effective bodily relief.

When properly made, dabs can be a product that’s much easier on the lungs than a typical cannabis flower. When smoking, burnt buds create resin which isn’t great for your lungs. Concentrates tend to destroy most unwanted resins while providing terpenes and other helpful cannabinoids into your body.

Dangers of Dabbing

Now for the bad news. Dabbing is, in fact, more dangerous than normal for the average smoker. To those unfamiliar with dabbing, heating a banger with essentially a flamethrowing lighter may appear dangerously off-putting. Though as tech moves forward, devices like an e-nail are eliminating the use of crazy torches. And trust me, I’ve burned many things (including my actual body) that I most certainly didn’t want or intend to.

Deals on Wax In Denver

The Lodge has two dispensaries locations in downtown Denver.

Current deals on WAX are:

• 8gs of White Moose WAX or SHATTER for $90

• Full Spectrum Diamonds for $15
   

Herbs 4 you is located in the Capitol Hill Area.

Current deals on WAX include:

•  16 carts for $253

Chronic Therapy has a location in Wheat Ridge and Cortez.

Current deals on WAX include: 

• 8 grams of silver tier Wax or Shatter for $120

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