A thermal carb cap is a tool used with a dab rig, a type of water pipe used for vaporizing and inhaling concentrates, often called "dabs." The "thermal" part typically refers to a design that allows for better heat retention, often with a double-walled design that insulates the heat within the banger or nail, the part of the rig that is heated to vaporize the concentrate.
Here's how a carb cap, particularly a thermal one with a dry and wax design, functions and why it is used:
- Heat Retention: A thermal carb cap helps to retain heat within the nail or banger, allowing for the concentrate to be vaporized at a lower temperature. This is beneficial because it can lead to a more flavorful experience since terpenes and other flavor compounds in the concentrate can be destroyed at higher temperatures.
- Airflow Control: When placed on top of the nail or banger after the concentrate has been applied, a carb cap restricts airflow. This creates a sealed environment that reduces the air pressure inside the banger. As a result, the boiling point of the concentrates is lowered, allowing them to vaporize at lower temperatures.
- Efficiency: By controlling the airflow and maintaining the temperature, a thermal carb cap ensures that the concentrates are vaporized more efficiently, with less waste. This means that more of the concentrate is converted into vapor, which can enhance the potency and effect of the inhalation.
- Dry and Wax: This likely refers to the types of concentrates that the carb cap is designed to be used with. "Dry" might imply concentrates that are more crumbly or powdery, such as crumble or dry sift, while "wax" refers to the consistency of the concentrate, which is more malleable and sticky, like beeswax.
- Usage: The user heats the nail, applies the concentrate, and then places the thermal carb cap on top. By rotating the carb cap or modulating its position, the user can adjust the airflow and pressure, further controlling the vaporization process.
It's essential to use a carb cap that matches the size and shape of your nail or banger to ensure a proper fit, which is necessary for it to work correctly. Carb caps can be made from glass, quartz, titanium, or ceramic, each with heat retention properties and durability.