What is a Quartz Dab Nail?
Quartz dab nails are a critical component to the constructions of a dab rig - a water pipe-like device that is used to combust and consume concentrates. The nail itself is a type of receptacle that is used to contain and heat up the concentrate itself. In this process, the quartz is heated up to a certain temperature and then allowed to cool for a short period of time. Dab nails can vary greatly in size, material, and shape from rig to rig. Dab Rigs are highly customizable and can be tailored to meet the preferences of every individual.
Although quartz dab nails are the focus of this article, nails can also be made out of ceramic and titanium. E-nails have become a thing these days too and have exploded across the dab nail market. Customers have a great deal of options to choose from.
Types Of Quartz Dab Nails
Quartz dab nails can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes that might fit one rig but not another. That is why it is important to be aware of factors like joint sizing and gender which plays a role in whether a male or female nail will actually fit the rig properly. Let’s go ahead breakdown the different types of quartz nails out there.
Firstly, quartz nails can either be female or male in gender. Male nails slide into female joints and vice versa. In addition to the gender of the nail and joint sizing also is an important thing to take into account. Quartz dab nails will generally come in three sizes - 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm. The size of the nail will correspond with the size of the joint on the rig.
Quartz nails can also vary greatly when it comes to style and shape. This once again comes down to purely personal preference. For example, there are quartz banger nails, birdhouse nails, and etc. Each nail style/shape has its own pros and cons. At the end of the day, each one of these nail types can be used to melt down wax or concentrate.
Ceramic Dab Nail vs Quartz Dab Nails
Another popular material from which nails are constructed is ceramic. Both ceramic and quartz nails are known for their superior flavor in comparisson to titanium. However, ceramic dab nails have better heat retention when compared to quartz nails. Ceramic’s heat retention comes at a price though - unfortunately, it is also susceptible to stress from heat or could break.
Quartz too is known for being delicate and at risk of breaking. That being said, quartz manages to outshine ceramic when it comes to actual heating time. In comparison, ceramic nails take a greater amount of time to reach the proper temperature needed to melt down concentrates.
Titanium Nail vs Quartz Nail
Equally as popular as quartz and ceramic dab nails, titanium-based dab nails share a lot of the same positives as quartz nails in terms of heating time. Titanium dab nails have a relatively quick heating time and be as low as 15-25 seconds to reach optimal temperature. Quartz dab nails are the fastest with a heating time as low as 5-10 seconds depending on thickness.
The differences between the two become more apparent when it comes to heat retention, durability, and flavor. Titanium has a much longer heat retention. while quartz can lose heat quickly. In terms of durability titanium also wins the day here as well. Quartz dab nails are quite delicate in comparison.
Arguably, the biggest differentiator between quartz and titanium dab nails is the flavor one can experience. Quartz has quickly become the go-to within the dabbing community due to its superior flavor. While titanium nails can taste great, they require seasoning when first purchased and can have a bit of an odd taste.
E-Nail vs Quartz Dab Nail
Today, customers are no longer limited to old fashioned dab rigs and heating methods. Traditionally, torches containing butane are used to heat up quartz, titanium, and ceramic nails. The advent of the E nail dab makes the butane torch no longer necessary.
Whether one should choose an E nail or traditional quartz nail is once again purely personal preference. E nails allow for greater precision in terms of heating and don’t require the use of a blowtorch for heating like a traditional quartz nail does. In addition, E nails have a higher entry point when it comes to price. Beginners will be able to get their hands on a standard quartz dab nail at a much lower price point.
If you would like to get the best of both worlds there are plenty of quartz-based e nails out there on the market as well.
What is the Best Quartz Dab Nail?
So, out of all the quartz dab nail options out there which one is best? This once again comes down to personal preference. Choosing the perfect quartz dab nail will always be relative to a person’s needs and their rig. For example, a 19mm female joint would require a 19mm male dab nail. These details will differ greatly from build to build.
Quartz dab nails can also come in a plethora of different sizes and shapes which will play a role in the vaporization experience. In this case, choosing a style of quartz nail will come down to personal experience and experimentation. It is always recommended to experiment between different styles to see which one suits you best.
How to Use a Quartz Dab Nail
First things first, a quartz dab nail needs to be properly fitted to a rig. If the correct gender and sizing has been determined, one should be able to attach their newly bought quartz nail to their rig with relative ease. Once everything is attached a type of heating source will be needed. The general go-to here is a butane torch. All that is needed at this point is a good concentrate or wax.
With all of the necessary components ready, the torch is then directly applied to the quartz nail for a period of time. During this process the torch should be applied evenly to all areas of the nail. Once glowing hot the nail is then given a cool down period. Finding the right heating and cool down times is derived from trial and error for the most part. Quartz dab nails can vary in thickness and shape which will effect timing. When the nail is up to temperature the wax/concentrate is then applied to the heated quartz nail and vaporized.
The process is a bit easier for E quartz dab nail users who set their unit to the desired temperature and it is automatically heated. Regardless, wax/concentrate still has to be directly applied to the nail with E quartz dab nails.
How to Clean a Quartz Dab Nail
Cleaning a quartz dab nails is not entirely necessary and is dependent on the needs of the user themselves. For some folks cleaning their nails in between sessions is a must. If that’s the case then quartz can easily be cleaned with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol or grain alcohol. Hot water can work but isn’t as effective as isopropyl is. A major downside to cleaning nails constantly is the loss of reclaim - or the leftover residue from a previous concentrate.
After using a quartz nail for a period of time reclaim will begin to buildup on the walls and stem of your nail. For many dabbers, the leftover reclaim is valuable and worth salvaging from their rigs. Getting back the reclaim can be achieved with isopropyl alcohol. Plug the joint and mouthpiece of your rig once it is filled with isopropyl alcohol. Gently shake the rig to loosen the reclaim from the walls of the rig. Once loose and free this mixture can be poured into a separate container. The alcohol will begin to evaporate and you will be left with reclaim you can store and use later.
If this seems a little too time-intensive there are adapters for rigs now available which can help make getting that precious reclaim a bit easier.
Where Can I Buy Quartz Dab Nails
Luckily, getting your hands on a quartz dab nail is not too much of a chore these days. A standard quartz dab nail can be found at head shops, smoke shops, online, and here at vapevetstore.com. We offer free first class shipping (2-5 business days) to all of our customers at Vape Vet Store.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to buy a quartz nail that suits you best and will last. Not all quartz nails are created equally and buying from a reputable seller with a quality product is what counts most. Also, taking good care of your quartz nail and not overheating it consistently will help greatly with its longevity.
Hopefully this article helped show the major benefits of quartz nails and makes things a bit easier for your next purchase!
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