Dab Rig vs Bong – What's the difference?
What's the difference between a dab rig and a bong? The short answer: nothing. Any bong can be a dab rig, and any dab rig can be a bong. The long answer is: there are a lot of differences. And we'll cover them all in this post. Do you want to get the most out of your smoking sessions? Then you'll want to make sure you're using the right piece.
What are you Smoking?
The main difference between dab rigs and bongs is what you'll be consuming out of them. Bongs are to be used with tobacco, dry herbs or flowers. Dab and oil rigs are for legal concentrates such as wax, oil or honey. All in all, they're both water pipes that use percolation to filter your smoke or vapor.
Bowl Piece or Dab Nail?
Are you a first-time dabber? Then pay close attention to the following! As you know, all water pipes (including dab rigs and bongs) have a male or female joint that accept any glass accessory, with the opposite joint. Bongs have a bowl piece that go into the joint so you can smoke dry herb or flowers using a traditional lighter.
However, in order to vaporize oils or waxes, you need to attach a dab nail to the joint on your water pipe. Then, heat the dab nail with a dab torch. Place your concentrates in the hot nail to vaporize them. Adding a bowl piece to a water pipe makes it a bong. Adding a dab nail to a water pipe makes it a dab rig. Be sure to clean your dab nail regularly, too.
Size actually does matter........
This is one of the most distinct elements that set dab rigs and bongs apart. When you're smoking dry herbs or flowers, you'll want a larger piece. Also, you'll definitely want multiple percolators or ice catchers for maximum filtration and cooling. But, when you’re smoking concentrates, you'll want a smaller piece with minimal percolators. Why, you ask? Because when combusting flowers in a bong, the smoke can travel long distances without losing potency.
In fact, the longer it travels and the more percolators it travels through, the smoother it will be going into your lungs. When you're vaporizing concentrates at lower temperatures than combustion, you'll want to use a smaller piece with minimal percolators. This way, the vapor reaches your lungs as quickly as possible without losing flavor and potency.
Do bongs and dab rigs cost the same?
For the most part: yes they do, depending on how fancy you want to get. The thing that makes dab rigs typically cost more than a bong is the accessories you need to dab correctly. You'll need a dab nail, dab torch, carb cap, and dabber tool.
If you're shopping on a budget, check out our Bongs & Dab Rigs under $100. And if you want to get a complete dab rig set-up for an amazing price, check out our bundle section!
Can I use the same piece for dry herbs and concentrates?
Yes, you can! If you want to smoke dry herbs, add a bowl piece to your bong. And if you want to smoke concentrates, add a dab nail! However, we highly recommend having two separate designated pieces: one for flowers and one for dabs. Basically, this is because the flavor you get from dry herbs is completely different than the flavor you get from concentrates. And it will definitely enhance your dabbing experience.
Mixing the two can often lead to an unpleasant taste, and make for a not-so-great smoking experience. Using different pieces will also make cleaning them much easier. A dab rig doesn't get as resonated as a bong - there isn't combustion or plant material.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind: this information is here so you can get the most out of what you're smoking. But a lot of it comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer to smoke flowers from tiny bongs and some people prefer to dab out of big dab rigs. At the end of the day, you should choose whatever you prefer.
But, if you're going to be spending your money on dry herbs or concentrates, you'll want to get the most you can out of them. And choosing the right dab rig or bong is the best way to do that. When you browse our website, keep in mind that any water pipe you see can function as a dab rig or a bong simply by adding the correct attachment.
Dab Rig vs Bong FAQs
Can I use my bong bowl for dabs?
No you can't, you need a dab nail to smoke concentrates. A bong bowl design will cause all of your concentrates to fall inside your bong wasting them all. In addition bong bowls are made of glass not quartz which is needed to withstand the extreme temperature of a dab torch.
Are dab rigs worth it?
Yes, 100% if you plan on smoking concentrates regularly then we highly recommend getting a dedicated dab rig just for dabs and keeping the flower bong for flowers only.
Is a dab rig a water pipe?
Yes! all dab rigs contain water for filtration to help filter out residue and cool down your smoke before you inhale it.