Bong to Dab Rig: It Can Be Done

The dab rig is a fairly new invention. Certainly your parents or grandparents never used a dab rig (sorry, hot knives don’t count). The origins of the dab rig as we know it today can be traced to the late 1990s when bong makers started experimenting with attachments specifically designed for cannabis oils. Today, a lot of folks who stop by our smoke shop in Parker want to know if it’s possible to transform their bong into a dab rig. The answer is that it’s not only possible, it’s easier than you probably think.

Why Would You Convert a Bong Into a Dab Rig?

Just as a lot of people want to know if you can convert a bong into a dab rig, an equally large number want to know why you would bother doing such a thing.

The answer to the latter question is primarily financial. High quality dab rigs can be expensive. If you’ve never spent any time dabbing before you may not want to shell out for a dab rig simply because you might not like dabbing, then you’ll be stuck with a rig you never use.

So converting an existing bong makes a lot of sense. But it has to be the right kind of bong. Here are the kinds of bongs that do not make good dab rigs.

Large bongs are great for producing monster rips but they make lousy dab rigs.

Extreme examples of heady glass do not make for good dab rigs. They’re too complex which makes the adaptation process difficult.

A bong with a perc is also going to be difficult to adapt, especially if there is more than 1 perc.

The consensus here at the Smoking Buddha headshop is that small bongs with straight tubes, no percs and a removable downstem make the best dab rigs.

How Do You Convert a Bong Into a Dab Rig?

Converting your bong into a dab rig is typically a 6-step process and will require you purchase a few accessories:

• Step 1: Purchase a dab nail from the Smoking Buddha pipe shop in Parker.
• Step 2: You’ll also need to purchase a dab rig attachment that will fit onto the bong. These devices often come with a joint for the nail.
• Step 3: Consider purchasing a carb cap from our smoke shop. This will help you regulate the vaporization process.
• Step 4: Remove the bowl and the downstem from the bong.
• Step 5: Heat the dab nail until it’s red hot. But be careful. One misstep could result in a serious burn.
• Step 6: Once the nail has cooled off just a bit insert it into the joint where the downstem used to be. Make sure the fit is snug.

That’s it. Once the nail is securely fastened apply a small amount of concentrate to the heated nail and inhale slowly. If you purchased a carb cap, place it over the nail to gain more control over the vaporization process.

Should You Convert Your Bong Into a Dab Rig?

Some people love their bong just the way it is and can’t abide altering it for any reason. For others, the financial incentive just isn’t compelling enough. They can afford a dab rig. So even if it turns out that they don’t really enjoy dabbing it’s no skin off their teeth.

Most of us here at the Smoking Buddha vape shop aren’t big fans of converting. If something goes wrong you could ruin a perfectly good bong, or worse yet, you could burn yourself during the conversion process. So if you’re asking us we say the best approach is to find someone with a dab rig and try it out. If you like it, make the financial stretch and pick up a dab rig from our Parker smoke shop.