How are Banger Beads or Terp Pearls Used for Dabbing?

Dabbing cannabis concentrates is one of the best ways to experience the full spectrum of terpenes and cannabinoids in any strain, but also the most complicated way to consume marijuana. If you've watched your friends or an experienced dabber, besides the torch, expensive glassware and sticky extracts, you might have noticed a few small balls spinning furiously inside the banger nail during each dab. Typically, we call those small marbles terp pearls or banger beads.

In this piece, we'll demystify the dabbing process as a whole, covering the basics of cannabis concentrates and give you a step-by-step guide on how to use a dab rig, followed by a deep dive into the world of banger beads by answering questions like "what do terp pearls do?" and
"Where can I get banger beads?." Whether you're a beginner who's trying to find out what tools you need to set up a dab rig or an experienced concentrate user looking to get in on the latest coveted vaping accessory, we've got you covered.

The Basics of Cannabis Concentrates

In the broadest sense of the term, cannabis concentrates are any form of cannabinoids and terpenes separated from the plant itself. Technically, cannabutter is a concentrate, as are cannabis lotions and tinctures. When most people talk about marijuana concentrates or extracts though, they are talking about dabs.

Dabs cover everything from wax, budder and crumble to shatter, diamonds and sauce, live resin, and these days, the most popular form of concentrate: solventless rosin. No matter what form they take, dabs are most frequently consumed by vaporizing the sticky extracts in a special bong called a dab rig.

Over the past few years, advancements in manufacturing and the expansion of legalization have made concentrates one of the most popular product categories in the cannabis industry as a whole.

How Do You Use a Quartz Banger and Other Dab Rig Essentials?

If you're going to start using concentrates and are interested in terp pearls, the first thing you'll need to learn is how to use a dab rig with a quartz banger nail.

As we noted earlier, a dab rig is another version of a water pipe or bong. Instead of a traditional bong that we pack with ground-up flower, dab rigs are equipped with a nail. Many people use dab nails made out of titanium or ceramic, but typically, concentrate enthusiasts prefer a quartz banger nail to vaporize their resins and rosins.

A banger nail sits in the same place on a bong that a bowl would, but instead of lighting the bud with a lighter, the dabbing process requires high heat directed squarely on the nail. To reach the temperatures necessary to vaporize cannabis concentrates, most dabbers use a blow torch aimed directly at the bottom of their banger nail. Once the nail reaches a perfect temperature, place the dab directly into the banger nail. The concentrate melts onto the nail producing vapor that someone inhales through the body of the rig. To make sure the nail stays at the perfect temperature and vapor doesn't escape, most dab users put a carb cap on top of the nail while they hit each dab. To make sure their banger doesn't turn black and burnt, seasoned dabbers make sure to clean the nail after every dab using cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol.

What are Terp Pearls and What Do Banger Beads Do?

If you've ever noticed a few extra small glass balls in your friend's banger nail, those are terp pearls, also known as banger beads. Glass artists typically use quartz or glass to create terp pearls, but some also use ruby, sapphire, opal or other precious stones.

In addition to showing off the looks and craftsmanship of your dab set-up, terp pearls help retain heat and provide extra surface area to make sure that every bit of your concentrate stays at the perfect temperature.

How to Use Quartz Pearls

To get the most out of your banger beads, put them at the bottom of your banger nail while it is still at room temperature. Heat up the nail and the terp pearls at the same time by aiming your blowtorch at the bottom of the nail. Once you have reached your max temp, let the nail cool for 15 to 30 seconds to achieve a perfect low-temp dab (between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit). If you're really focused on finding your perfect temperature, use a laser heat gun usually sold for grilling or construction and point it into the banger from above. With the hot terp pearls sitting in your hot nail, use a dab tool to place your dab on the nail, immediately cover it with a directional carb cap and start to inhale.

As you hit the rig, the airflow from the hole in the carb cap combined with your inhale will make the banger beads start spinning rapidly, pushing the puddle of dabs around the nail.

How to Keep Your Terp Pearl Clean

Just like a quartz banger nail, make sure you clean your quartz terp pearls after every dab. Keeping your banger beads pristine will help them function properly, keep the residual oil from burning on your nail and keep the flavor crisp on every dab.

To clean your terp pearls, make sure to wait a little while after you take a dab so that you don't burn yourself handling them. Once you can safely remove the pearls from the nail (tweezers help), dunk them directly into a bath of isopropyl alcohol and swish them around. Once the resin disappears, wipe them clean and make sure they dry completely before putting them back in your nail. Happy dabbing!

Do you use terp pearls to heighten your dabbing experience? Let us know about your favorite banger beads in the comments below!