The dab rig wasn’t always the slim, trim, highly-artistic creation it is today. When they first hit the market most dab rigs were big and bulky. But as is the case with just about everything from TVs to computers, over time these custom glass pipes were refined and the size of the average rig began to shrink. In fact, you could say there was significant shrinkage.

These days you can still find a few of those big rigs, but most dab rigs are the definition of compact efficiency. Some are so small they'll fit into the palm of your hand, and of course, there are vaporizers that will slip neatly into your pocket.

But while this trend toward miniaturization seems all fine and good, it does beg the question of whether something is lost when big rigs are replaced by mini rigs. Below the team at our wholesale head shop are going to tackle the question of whether size matters when it comes to dab rigs. But before we address that question let’s look at how dab rigs are different from something like a custom bong.

How Dab Rigs and Traditional Water Pipes are Different

Here at the Puffr wholesale smoke shop, we get asked all the time if bongs and dab rigs are the same thing. It's easy to understand why people might get confused since many dab rigs look a lot like custom bongs or heady glass. But there are a few important differences.

1: What they’re used for

Traditional bongs and custom glass pipes are used to smoke cannabis buds and leaf (if you're lucky, mostly buds). On the other hand, dab rigs are designed specifically for concentrates. Bongs create clouds of THC infused smoke. Dab rigs produce clouds of THC infused vapor.

2: Filtering mechanism

Both bongs and dab rigs use water to filter out impurities. But each also needs a filter to keep the product out of the water while you're taking a draw. With a bong, all you need to keep your buds in the bowl is a fine mesh (typically stainless steel or brass). Concentrates on the other hand transform from a waxy substance into a liquid when heated. Therefore, a more complex mechanism is required to keep the liquid from entering the main chamber.

3: The size of the chamber

It takes a fair amount of water to cool the smoke that results from burning herb. For that reason, the chamber on the average bong is pretty large. On the other hand, cooling the vapor produced by a dab rig is a much easier process requiring less water and a smaller chamber. If you are unsure whether a particular device is a bong or a dab rig, look at the size of the water chamber. Small almost always equals dab rig.

4: The effect on terpenes

Terpenes are chemical compounds responsible for providing plants with their smell. The oh-so-distinctive odor of herb is due to its particular blend of terpenes. When you burn cannabis in a bong you incinerate many of these compounds reducing the flavor and smell of the herb. On the other hand, vaporizing concentrates preserves more of the terpenes with the result being a more flavorful and aromatic experience.

Down to Business: Does the Size of Your Dab Rig Matter?

Yes, the size of your dab rig matters because it will have an impact on your overall dabbing experience. If you want to know why, keep reading.

Big dab rigs

The bigger the rig the bigger the hit. There is no denying that. If you’re a cloud chaser, then, you’re going to want a big dab rig that will hit the sweet spot when it comes to generating monster hits. Recently, some mini rigs have begun to close the cloud gap but they still can’t compete with the kind of thunderheads you’ll get from a big rig.

Maybe we’re a bit biased but those of us at the wholesale smoke shop also tend to agree that larger rigs look better too. Now, we understand, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But some large rigs are truly memorable.

Not that mini rigs aren’t attractive, mind you. But their compact size necessitates an emphasis on efficiency, and "efficient" and "beautiful" usually (though not always) occupy opposite ends of the aesthetic spectrum.

Finally, some large dab rigs can be converted with little muss or fuss into a classic water pipe for smoking buds. This gives the large rig an advantage in versatility over the mini rig.

Mini dab rigs

Some people swear that mini dab rigs provide everything a dabber needs, and portability to boot. Are they right? They might be. Here are some of the most important benefits you’ll enjoy if you purchase mini dab rigs from our wholesale head shop:

• Better flavor: As we mentioned earlier dabbing preserves more of the terpenes that give cannabis its distinctive flavor and odor.
• Convenience: Unlike a full-size dab rig you can take your mini dab rig just about anywhere. Chuck it into the glove compartment of your car or your backpack.
• Less expensive: In most cases, large dab rigs are noticeably more expensive than mini rigs. So if you're on a budget a mini rig might be right up your alley.

Conclusion

When it comes to dab rigs size matters in that different size rigs provide different benefits. Exactly which of these benefits appeal to you will determine whether you should get a large or a mini rig.