Dab rig

A dab rig is a water pipe engineered for concentrates rather than flower. In place of a bowl, it accepts a nail or banger — a heat-tolerant cup in which concentrate is vaporized — over a water chamber that cools vapor before it reaches the mouthpiece. Rigs are typically smaller than flower bongs, with shorter air paths and smaller water chambers, because concentrate vapor is denser and terpene flavor degrades with excessive filtration. Joint sizes of 10mm and 14mm dominate. Standard configuration includes a banger (usually quartz), a carb cap, a dab tool, optional terp pearls or inserts that distribute heat and agitate concentrate, and a heat source — either a handheld butane torch or an e-nail assembly. The angle of the joint (most commonly 90° or 45°) is matched to the banger. Compared with a bong, a dab rig prioritizes flavor retention and vapor concentration over smoke volume and cooling. Fully electronic self-contained versions are classified separately as e-rigs. → See also: Banger, Carb cap, E-rig, Shatter (Part 3). ---