Not everyone knows about seasoning a nail. But our Northglenn headshop employees will always let you know that it’s the first step you need to take after you get your nail home!
Seasoning a nail is when you heat up the nail to get rid of manufacturing residue and create a smoother surface. It also creates a better-tasting first dab. If you don’t season your nail, it may not last as long either.
You only have to season your nail once, and then you’re all set.
What is seasoning a nail?
Seasoning a nail is the same concept as seasoning a cast-iron pan. Seasoning a dab nail is when you add heat to a ceramic, titanium, or quartz nail. It opens the pores of the nail and lets any residue from the manufacturing process escape.
Once the pores have opened up and the surface is purified, you add a tiny bit of oil to the nail. This fills in the gaps and makes a smooth, consistent heating surface.
Usually, dab rig users only season new nails before their first use.
Seasoning is a vital, one-time deal that ceramic and titanium nails absolutely need. However, quartz and glass nails can also benefit from a good seasoning. Once you get your nail from our Denver headshop, this is the first step you have to take!
Why should you season your nail?
Seasoning a new nail gets rid of any bad chemicals that build up during manufacturing that you definitely don’t want in your lungs. It also makes titanium nails more effective and gets rid of the metallic taste that is often associated with the first few dabs on titanium.
When it comes to glass and quartz nails, seasoning can improve the flavor and soften the dab’s inhales.
Seasoning makes a smoother dabbing experience no matter what kind of nail you’re using. Every single employee at our head shop agrees that seasoning your nail makes a world of difference.
How do you season your dab nail?
There are two main ways to season the nail of your heady glass.
With an oven (don’t use on quartz nails)
Here are the steps to season a dab nail with an oven. Some of our head shop employees will vouch for this option.
- Preheat your oven to a temperature of 400 degrees F.
- Coat the inside of your nail in a very thin layer of your extract.
- Put the nail upright in your oven for 20 minutes.
- If your nail starts to smoke, that means it overheated. The oil combusted instead of melting into the pores of the metal.
- If this happens, start the process over again using a lower temp.
With a torch
Here are the steps to season a nail using a butane torch. The second half of our headshop employees prefer this option!
- Apply heat to the nail evenly until the temperature is about 500 degrees F. You can use a digital thermometer to help you measure the temperature.
- Hold the nail at 500 degrees for 10 seconds.
- Let it cool down for 20 seconds.
- Add a tiny bit of concentrate to your nail and spread it evenly so you coat the whole surface. You really don’t want to overdo how much concentrate you add. Just a tiny drop.
- Wait for the nail to cool all the way and then do it all over again three more times.
FAQ About Seasoning Dab Nails
Here are some common questions that people have about seasoning nails.
Do bangers get seasoned?
Bangers don’t necessarily get seasoned. However, titanium has a tendency to give off a yucky metallic taste if you don’t season it properly. This ruins the terpenes in your concentrate. Also, the positive aspects of seasoning a banger are exactly the same as for seasoning all other nails. It strengthens the nail, helps it heat better and last longer, and improves the taste and smoothness of your dabs.
What about ceramic nails?
You don’t really have to season a nail that’s ceramic, but it’s a good thing to do so you can make sure that any chemicals from the manufacturing process burned off. It can also help your nail have a longer lifespan. Follow the above steps to season a ceramic nail.
How do you season a titanium nail?
Seasoning is when you heat up your nail, apply a very tiny bit of concentrate, and repeat the process three times before your first use of the nail. It helps your nail have a longer lifespan, it burns off any residue from manufacturing, and it gets rid of the famous metallic taste that usually comes along with your first dab on titanium.
Final Thoughts From Our Smoke Shop Team
Seasoning a nail might seem like a chore. However, it really makes a world of difference when dabbing, and skipping it is a big mistake.
Many people don’t know that they’re supposed to season their nail and skipping the step leads to a bad taste, less even heating, consumption of debris, and a shorter lifespan of the nail.
There are two main ways to season a nail: in the oven and with a torch. But don’t put a quartz nail in the oven!
Seasoning a nail is an easy way to take care of your gear and keep your lungs safe from manufacturing debris. So why wouldn’t you?
One word of caution, though: we don’t recommend seasoning a nail while high! Dealing with such a hot object should only be done when you’re sober. This ensures that you follow the procedures correctly and are less likely to burn yourself.