The rise in popularity of both dabbing and vaping has led to questions about whether the liquids used in one method can be transferred to the other. Dabbing involves applying a highly concentrated substance to a heated surface, often called a nail or banger, that reaches extreme temperatures. Vaping uses lower, controlled heat to aerosolize an e-liquid inside a specialized electronic device. Standard vape juice is designed for low-wattage vaporization, making its use on the high-temperature surfaces of a dab rig highly incompatible and potentially hazardous due to fundamental differences in hardware and chemical composition.
Defining Dabbing and Vaping Liquids
Dabbing requires a specialized dab rig, including a nail or banger, typically heated with a torch until very hot. This technique is designed to vaporize solid or semi-solid cannabis concentrates, such as wax or shatter. The intense heat, often reaching 600°F (315°C) or more, is necessary to instantly vaporize these dense materials.
Vape juice, or e-liquid, is a fluid mixture created for use in electronic cigarettes and vaporizers that operate at much lower temperature settings. E-liquid is heated gently by a coil, usually generating temperatures well below 390°F (200°C), to produce an inhalable aerosol. This liquid is optimized for low-temperature vaporization and is chemically distinct from the thick concentrates used for dabbing.
The Immediate Answer: Why E-Liquid Should Not Be Dabbed
Standard e-liquid should never be used in a dab rig because the substances and their delivery systems are entirely mismatched. Dabbing e-liquid is ineffective and carries significant risks of damaging the equipment and creating harmful byproducts. The high heat of a dab rig is too intense for vape juice components, causing them to burn rather than vaporize cleanly.
The vaporization process in a standard e-cigarette is carefully controlled to prevent the liquid from reaching temperatures where its components break down. Introducing this liquid to a superheated dab nail bypasses all safety controls, resulting in a burnt, harsh, and unpleasant experience. The desired outcome, whether flavor or nicotine delivery, will be ruined by the scorching process.
Chemical Differences and Temperature Hazards
The primary ingredients in standard e-liquid are Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG), which serve as carriers for flavorings and nicotine. Both PG and VG have relatively low boiling points compared to traditional dabbing concentrates and are intended to aerosolize at the lower temperatures provided by typical vape coils.
When PG and VG are exposed to the extreme temperatures of a heated dab nail, which can exceed 600°F, they undergo rapid thermal degradation. Instead of turning into a clean vapor, the molecules break down and chemically change. Heating PG and VG above 450 K (350°F or 176°C) is the main source of toxic carbonyl compounds.
This extreme heat causes the PG and VG to break apart, forming reactive and harmful substances. The breakdown of these glycol compounds, particularly when exposed to high temperatures, can generate toxic aldehydes like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. The thermal decomposition of VG can also lead to the formation of acrolein, a potent irritant.
Consequences for Equipment and Health
The physical consequences of dabbing vape juice are immediately apparent on the equipment. The VG component of e-liquid is a thick, viscous substance that quickly caramelizes and chars when dropped onto a glowing-hot dab nail. This process leaves behind a thick, sticky, carbonized residue that is extremely difficult to clean, potentially rendering the banger or nail unusable.
The most serious consequences relate to health due to the inhalation of thermal degradation products. When PG and VG degrade at high temperatures, they produce toxic compounds like formaldehyde and acrolein. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, and acrolein is a severe respiratory irritant that can damage the lungs.
Inhaling these toxic aldehydes, rather than the intended aerosol, defeats the purpose and introduces unnecessary chemical exposure. While vaping at normal temperatures keeps these compounds at low levels, the uncontrolled, high heat of a dab rig maximizes the potential for their formation.