We’ve been getting a lot of questions at our wholesale smoke shop lately about drop downs: what are they, how do they work and why would anyone use a drop down? Simply put a drop down is a dabbing accessory designed to improve the performance of your dab rig, while also making it easier to clean your rig and providing protection against some of the common hazards associated with dabbing.

Curiously, although drop downs are a pretty hot topic they don’t seem to be making significant inroads with the dabbing community. One likely reason for that is a lack of information about them. So, in an effort to fill the information gap here are some of the most important reasons why you should consider picking up a drop down for your dab rig.

The Lowdown on Drop Downs from the Puffr Wholesale Smoke Shop

In our experience customers tend to pass on drop downs for the simple reason that they don't know what they are or why they should have one. So, in an effort to salvage the good name of this important dabbing accessory, we present the following four reasons why every dabber needs a drop down.

#1: They reduce heat stress

Heat stress is a significant issue with dab rigs. The flame emanating from the average torch used for dabbing can reach 2,500° F. When you consider that the melting temperature of glass is between 2,600° and 2,800° F you can begin to understand the kind of heat stress placed on the dab rig every time the torch comes near it. Over time the intense heat can weaken the structure of the glass leading to cracks that can render the rig unusable.

The drop down is specifically designed to mitigate heat stress by creating distance between the main body of the rig and the nail. This keeps the torch well away from the rig, alleviating heat stress and preventing the kind of damage that could force you to ditch your beloved rig. Considering that some dab rigs can run $200 or more, protecting it by installing a drop down seems like a common sense thing to do.

#2: They protect your face

The incredible heat emanating from your torch poses a threat not only to your rig, but to your face. With the nail so close to the rig, and the rig so close to your face that heat is going to wreak havoc with your skin, drying it out like a prune. If you have long hair you also run the risk of some of that hair catching on fire if it falls near the torch. In addition, that kind of heat so close to the eyes can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration as well as ocular burns that can open your eyes up to the risk of infection.

If the notion of being a blind prune doesn’t bother you then by all means, don’t purchase a drop down from our wholesale smoke shop. But if you like your face the way it is, and you want your eyes to be there for you in the years ahead, then installing a drop down on your dab rig is a simple and effective way to help ensure those happy outcomes.

#3: They generate reclaim

Reclaim is like cash back for dabbers. You get to cop your buzz and you get something extra in return that you can then use to elevate your buzz even further, or use later in edibles. If you’re feeling ambitious you can even turn your reclaim into a topical or use it to create a tincture. A drop down is a reclaim gold mine because it automatically collects reclaim while in use.

In addition to producing reclaim wax, you can put to other uses the drop down also makes cleaning your dab rig a lot easier. That's because the process of collecting that reclaim keeps all that waxy debris away from the main body of your rig. Hence, you won't have to clean it as often and it won't be such a chore when you do decide to clean it. Cleaning the drop down is also a snap. All you have to do is soak it for a while in your favorite cleaning solution.

#4: They make your rig more versatile

A drop down will add an element of versatility to your dab rig. If your rig has a female joint you would typically need to make sure any attachments are male. Likewise, if your rig features a particular size female joint you’re going to have to make sure any attachments dovetail with it. It’s enough to make you want to put your customized water pipe on the shelf and reach for some buds and papers. Well, almost anyway.

By installing a drop down you can change both the gender and size of the joint on your rig. As a result, you'll be able to hook up a lot more different attachments than you would otherwise, and that's called versatility.

The Bottom Line

The drop down is often bypassed by the owners of customized glass pipes simply because they’re not quite sure why they should have one or what they should do with it. Hopefully, those folks will find the information provided above to be enlightening. For the best selection of dab rigs, custom bongs and more visit the Puffr wholesale head shop.