Cannabis Concentrates & Dabbing: The Complete Guide
10 min readBeginner Level
Everything you need to know about cannabis concentrates — from wax and shatter to rosin and live resin, plus how dabbing works, equipment needed, dosing, and safety.
This guide is for educational purposes only. Cannabis is illegal in the UK without a medical prescription. Always consult a healthcare professional before making decisions about cannabis use.
Cannabis concentrates are products made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material, resulting in a potent product with significantly higher THC or CBD levels than flower. While flower typically ranges from 10-25% THC, concentrates can reach 60-90%+.
Concentrates come in many forms — waxy, glass-like, oily, or powdery — depending on the extraction method and how the final product is handled. They can be vaporised (dabbed), added to flower, used in vape cartridges, or infused into edibles.
Potency warning: Concentrates are far more potent than flower. If you're new to cannabis, start with flower or low-dose edibles before trying concentrates. Even experienced users should start with a rice-grain-sized dab and wait 10-15 minutes before taking another.
Wax
A soft, waxy concentrate with a consistency similar to beeswax or butter. Usually amber or gold. One of the most common entry-level concentrates made via butane extraction.Shatter
A glass-like, translucent concentrate that's brittle at room temperature. Considered higher purity than wax due to additional winterisation steps. Known for its stability and long shelf life.Live Resin
Made from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants rather than dried and cured material. Freezing preserves more terpenes, resulting in a more flavourful and aromatic product with a saucy, wet texture.Rosin
A solventless concentrate made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower or hash. No chemicals are used — just a rosin press. Considered one of the purest and safest forms of concentrate.Bubble Hash
Also called ice water hash. Made by agitating cannabis in ice water and filtering through micron screens. Can be pressed into rosin or used as-is. Quality ranges from low-grade (green, plant-matter-heavy) to full-melt (golden, fully vaporises).BHO (Butane Hash Oil)
The umbrella term for concentrates made using butane as a solvent. Includes wax, shatter, and various 'sauces'. Quality depends on the starting material and the extraction process.Distillate
A highly refined oil that's been distilled to isolate a single cannabinoid — usually THC or CBD. Nearly odourless and flavourless on its own. Commonly used in vape cartridges and edibles.RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)
A full-extract oil made using a solvent wash (typically ethanol or isopropyl alcohol). Dark, tarry, and extremely potent. Named after Rick Simpson who popularised it for alternative cancer treatment protocols. Not typically dabbed — taken orally.Kief
The collected resin glands (trichomes) from cannabis flowers. Can be sprinkled on flower, pressed into hashish, or used to make edibles.Dabbing is the most common way to consume concentrates. It involves vaporising a small amount of concentrate on a heated surface and inhaling the vapour.
Equipment You'll Need
- Dab Rig — A water pipe designed specifically for concentrates, similar to a bong but smaller
- Banger or Nail — The heated surface. Quartz bangers are most common; titanium nails are more durable but affect flavour
- Carb Cap — A lid placed over the banger to regulate airflow and lower the vaporisation temperature
- Dabber or Dab Tool — A small metal or glass tool for handling the concentrate
- Torch — A butane torch used to heat the banger to the correct temperature
- Alternative: E-Rig — An electronic dab rig that heats to a precise temperature without a torch. More expensive but safer and more consistent
Step-by-Step Dabbing
- Heat the banger — Apply the torch flame to the bottom and sides of the banger for 20-45 seconds until it glows red
- Let it cool — This is the most important step. Wait 30-60 seconds for quartz to cool to the ideal temperature (315-450°C / 600-850°F). Dabbing at lower temperatures preserves flavour ("low-temp dabbing")
- Apply the concentrate — Use your dabber to place a rice-grain-sized amount inside the banger. It should vaporise on contact
- Cap and inhale — Place the carb cap over the banger and inhale slowly through the rig
- Exhale and wait — Effects come on within seconds. Wait several minutes before taking another dab
Low-temp vs high-temp dabbing: Low-temp (315-400°F / 160-205°C) preserves terpenes for better flavour but produces less vapour. High-temp (450-600°F / 230-315°C) produces thicker vapour but can burn terpenes and create a harsher experience. Most experienced dabbers prefer low-temp.
Dosing concentrates requires extreme care due to their potency. A single rice-grain-sized dab (about 5-10mg of THC) is a reasonable starting point for someone with some cannabis experience.
Start Low, Go Slow
- Begin with a tiny amount — smaller than a grain of rice
- Wait 10-15 minutes between dabs to assess effects
- Effects peak within seconds and last 1-2 hours
- Never dab alone if you're trying it for the first time
Safety Tips
- Temperature control — Dabbing at excessively high temperatures can create harmful byproducts. Use an e-rig or infrared thermometer for precise control
- Equipment safety — Quartz bangers can exceed 600°F. Keep your rig on a stable surface away from flammable materials
- Butane torch safety — Butane is highly flammable. Refill torches in well-ventilated areas and away from open flames
- Solvent concerns — Poorly made BHO can contain residual butane. Only buy concentrates from reputable sources with third-party lab testing
- Overconsumption — Taking too large a dab can cause coughing fits, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, and temporary disorientation ("greening out"). If this happens, stay calm, drink water, find a comfortable position, and wait for effects to subside
Concentrates occupy a complicated legal position in the UK. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, cannabis is a Class B drug, and any product containing more than 0.2% THC or 1mg of THC per container is illegal without a prescription.
Most cannabis concentrates contain very high levels of THC (often 60-90%) and are therefore illegal in the UK without a valid medical cannabis prescription. Making or possessing BHO at home is illegal and extremely dangerous due to the risk of explosion from butane gas.
CBD concentrates (CBD isolate, CBD wax, CBD rosin) containing less than 0.2% THC are legal to buy and possess as long as they're sold as food supplements and not making medical claims. However, many CBD concentrates sold online exist in a grey area regarding THC content and labelling accuracy.
Medical cannabis patients in the UK can legally access certain concentrate products through private clinics, though availability is more limited than flower or oil. Products are typically in the form of oils, not the types of concentrates described in this guide.
For the most up-to-date legal information, see our UK cannabis law guide and medical cannabis access guide.
Quick Questions
About the Author
DM
Dave Mak
Dave founded The Budophile to create clear, honest cannabis education for UK beginners. With a background in health research and a network of specialist contributors, he ensures every guide is accurate, evidence-based, and practical. He also runs Baked & Rated for product reviews and The Green Prescription for medical cannabis access guidance.