A banger is a dish used to vaporize cannabis concentrate on a bong or dab rig. Bangers can vary in design but are generally circular and made of glass, quartz, ceramic, or titanium. The various materials retain heat differently and require different cleaning techniques.
Quartz is currently considered the superior material for making bangers. Unlike a glass banger, a quartz banger will not break after repeated exposure to high temperatures. When made with the proper materials, the banger's design allows it to withstand the intensely high temperatures associated with vaporizing cannabis concentrates, and offers a clean, flavorful vaping or dabbing experience.
Photo by: Gina Coleman/WeedmapsImage lightbox
How to use a quartz banger
A quartz banger fits into the joint of a dab rig or a bong. Bangers come with both male and female joints to ensure the banger fits the corresponding joint.
Once the banger has been fitted into the joint and heated, heat it up and place a dab of concentrate on it with a metal or glass dab tool. You can place a carb cap on the banger at this stage. As the concentrate evaporates, vapor flows through the joint into the dab rig. Inhale and enjoy.
How to heat a quartz banger
A quartz banger can be heated with a butane torch or electronic heater coil. Evenly heat the banger until it begins to glow. This may take anywhere from 20 seconds to five minutes, depending on the shape and thickness of the banger. Allow the banger to cool. Depending on your preferred dab temperature, you may need to wait from 15 seconds to a minute before applying the concentrate.
Photo by: Gina Coleman/WeedmapsImage lightbox
What is a dab nail?
A dab nail is a nail-shaped insert for a dab rig. Instead of being placed inside the bucket of a banger, concentrate is placed on the heated head of a nail. Some dab nails require a dome while others have holes to facilitate airflow.
Dab nails are made of glass, quartz, titanium, or ceramic. Glass nails are inexpensive but can crack with repeated rapid heating. Quartz is often favored as providing a superior heating and flavor experience.
Is a banger a nail?
While many people use banger and nail interchangeably, they are actually a bit different. Both serve the same purpose — a place to park your concentrate so it can vaporize. But a banger, with its bucket shape, is more of a container, making it great for sauce and any concentrate on the wetter end of the scale. The nail's flat head makes it more ideal for firmer concentrates like shatter and crumble.
Why is my banger turning black?
Bangers turn black and develop a tar-like residue when they are heated to more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 Celsius). Heating concentrates to 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (204 to 315 Celsius) preserves their flavor and keeps the quartz in good shape. Cleaning your banger after every dab will prevent the build-up of residue. Quartz bangers become dull, cloudy, and yellow over time if they are not properly maintained.
Do you need a carb cap for a banger?
A carb cap is a dabbing accessory that allows the cannabis concentrate to vaporize at a lower temperature, enhancing the quality and flavor of the concentrate. Carb caps regulate airflow and pressure by preventing heat from escaping, which in turn decreases the boiling point of the concentrate. Carb caps also protect quartz bangers.
While a carb cap isn't strictly necessary for a banger, its use is highly recommended. Carb caps vaporize all of the dab content so there is no waste left on the nail. Many users also notice that the vapor appears thicker with a carb cap.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best banger for dabs?
When choosing a banger you need to consider a few things, including angle, size, and whether it should be a male or female joint. From there, it depends on the size of your dab rig and what material you prefer - glass, quartz, or titanium. Most of what we've written about the best material for nails also applies to bangers.
What does it mean to chaz a banger?
Chazzing a banger refers to what happens when you apply way too much heat for too long and create a black charred mess in your banger. To avoid the chaz, go low and slow. In fact, experts recommend using a stopwatch or timer app on your phone to experiment and find the optimal heating and cool-down times for perfect dabs with less mess. Chazzing can also happen over time if you don't keep your banger or nail clean. Dab rigs, like any cannabis gear, can also get gunked up and full of germs so be sure to clean them regularly.
How do you season a banger?
It's important to season a new banger to prepare the piece for the heat of dabbing and to remove any residual chemicals or dirt it may have picked up during manufacturing and shipping. The method for seasoning a banger depends on whether it's quartz, glass, or titanium. You can follow the same steps we've outlined for seasoning a nail.