Cannabis wax is a soft, opaque concentrate that you vaporize rather than burn. Vaping it in a wax pen gives small, portable doses; dabbing it on a rig delivers a larger dose in one hit and needs a torch, a nail, and a carb cap. Pick the method by dose size and setting, not by potency claims on the package.
cannabis wax vs shatter vs crumble
What counts as wax
Wax sits between sap and shatter on the consistency scale. It stays pliable at room temperature, scoops with a tool, and vaporizes at low heat. Labels usually list THC content by weight, and concentrate potency runs far above flower, so treat every gram as a multi-dose product.
Check before you start
- Product from a licensed retailer, with batch and potency labeling
- Wax pen with a coil rated for concentrates, or a rig with a quartz banger
- Dab tool, carb cap, and 99% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning
- Butane torch for a rig, not a lighter
- Timer or temperature readout
How to vape cannabis wax in a pen
- Charge the battery and set the voltage to the low or medium setting.
- Load a piece of wax about the size of a grain of rice onto the coil with the dab tool.
- Replace the cap and let the coil warm for a few seconds.
- Press the button and draw slowly for three to five seconds.
- Wait two minutes before the next draw to judge the effect.
- Clean the coil with isopropyl alcohol when residue builds up.
How to dab cannabis wax
- Set the rig on a stable surface away from anything flammable.
- Heat the banger with the torch until it glows, then let it cool for 30 to 45 seconds.
- Touch the dab tool to the banger to test the heat, then load the wax.
- Place the carb cap on and inhale slowly while the wax melts.
- Exhale, then wait before taking a second dab.
- Swab the banger with a dry cotton swab while it is still warm.
Temperature ranges
- 315 to 400°F: flavor forward, thin vapor, small hits
- 400 to 480°F: fuller vapor, moderate intensity
- Above 500°F: harsh vapor and a scorched taste
Storage and handling
Keep wax in a glass jar or a silicone container, in a cool, dark place. Heat turns wax sticky and hard to dose, so leave it out of a hot car. Keep containers closed and out of reach of children and pets, since concentrates are small and easy to mistake for food.
Dose and safety notes
Start with one small hit and wait. Concentrate tolerance builds fast, and a single dab can carry far more THC than a joint. Do not dab alone if you are new to concentrates, and avoid vaping products from informal sources.