The Easy Way to Use a Nectar Collector 

The brand “Nectar Collector” created the original nectar collector. Although they were first to the name, the tool known as a dab straw has been around for a while. You can think of a dab straw like a dab rig. However, dab straws are more portable, convenient, and loved for potent and flavorful dab hits. 

Do you ever find yourself away from home and wishing you could take a dab? With all the different tools involved, you’re often stuck taking dabs at home. For those of us who prefer concentrates over cannabis flower, it feels like you have to make sure you’re in the right time and space to take a dab. Luckily, now you can now take your dabs on the go. Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know about these portable dab pieces, called Nectar Collectors. From the different kinds, how to use them, benefits, and even how to clean them, we’ve got you covered!

What is a Nectar Collector? 

You’re probably familiar with the name “Nectar Collector,” a brand that paved the way for other brands to make similar dab straws. You may have also seen Micro NC Nectar Collectors at your favorite shops. Think of a nectar collector as a simplified and portable dab rig. Sometimes they’re also called a dab straw or honey straw. Typically, with a dab rig you have to pick your concentrate, heat up the nail, and let it cool to the right temperature before you can use it. Well with an electronic version, the process is simplified. All you have to do is let your nectar collector heat up, dip it into your concentrate, and inhale the good times. 

Nectar Collector Benefits: Efficient and Easy Dabbing

As a dabber, you always value efficiency, but sometimes portioning out your concentrate can easily get a bit wasteful. A Nectar Collector allows you to control the amount of product you use so you don’t waste a single drop. Whether electric or not, Nectar Collectors are essentially small portable dab rigs that are easy to disassemble, making them perfect for on-the-go convenience.

We love nectar collectors because they’re so much easier to use than a dab rig and many dispensaries and glass shops sell complete kits. The process for using a dab rig can feel like it rivals brain surgery, and the equipment is so bulky, you’ll probably be better off leaving the whole contraption at home. There are many ways to take a dab without a dab rig, like vaporizers, infused prerolls, and beyond. 

Different Kinds of Nectar Collector

Let’s take it one step further. You may be wondering what kinds are out there. You’ll mainly see them made out of silicone, metal, or glass; with or without water chambers; and either manual or electronic.  

Nectar Collector Types

1. Metal: These can give you a sleek design and often house an electronic heat source. 
2. Silicone: Ones made from silicone are much more durable than glass, but it’s important to make sure they are made from food-grade material. Otherwise, you can expose yourself to unhealthy toxins from the plastic. 
3. Glass: Glass on the other hand is a little more delicate, but is safe and provides a cleaner terpene flavor.

Nectar Collectors With Water Chambers (And Without)

While some devices are dry, we can’t forget the Nectar Collectors with water chambers. 

How To Fill a Nectar Collector With Water

Getting the right amount of water in a Nectar Collector is very important and is best achieved by practice. Add water slowly and carefully to avoid flooding your collector. The primary function of these devices is the diffusion of vapor while keeping harmful substances out. If you have too little water in your unit, the vapor won’t be diffused as quickly, and an overfilled unit can cause damage to your device.

When you fill the Nectar Collector with water, start at the top and fill up the inside diffuser about halfway for optimal percolation. To avoid shattering your Nectar Collector, ensure there is no water in the lower joint before using it. Water trapped in the tip can crack the tip or joint, and vaporized water can shatter your device’s lower body, which can lead to serious injury. You can remove the tip and forcefully blow air down through the mouthpiece to remove trapped water.

Manual Vs Electronic Dab Straw

The main difference between manual nectar collectors and electronic ones is the source of heat used to warm THC extract to its vaporization point. Electronic nectar collectors use a heating coil that the touch of a button can control. If you don’t see a button on your dab straw, it is probably inhale activated, so it requires minimal setup. However, manual dab straws will still need a handful of tools, including a butane torch, which is very dangerous and largely inconvenient. Torches may heat the nail unevenly; you have to “eye-ball” the temperature, and let’s not forget that they can melt your skin off. Be very careful when handling butane torches. 

Steps for using a Manual Dab Straw

1. Pick out your concentrate and place your dab on a clean surface. The most popular dab pads are silicone. 
2. Activate your butane torch and heat the titanium tip of your nectar collector until it is red hot. 
3. When it’s ready, touch the heated end of your dab straw to the THC concentrate. It should begin melting and vaporizing instantly. To avoid burning the oil before it’s inhaled, we recommend waiting a few seconds for the tip to cool down a bit. 
4. Touching the heated tip on the side of the concentrate rather than putting the tip over the top of your dab.
5. Inhale the vapor through the cool end of your dab straw. When you’re hitting dabs, consider the potency of the extract you’re using. Because the THC content is so strong that you can quickly go beyond your limits if you aren’t familiar with concentrate dosing. Dabs are tiny amounts of THC oil. That’s why they’re called dabs. 

Steps for Using an Electronic Dab Straw *Easiest Way* 

1. The first step is to place your dab onto a heat-resistant surface like a manual dab straw.
2. Press the button 5x to turn your dab straw on/off. A flashing light will indicate that it is on.
3. If you prefer to change the heat settings, press the button three times once it is turned on.
4. After your E-dabber is on and the heat settings are correct, press 2x to begin the heating cycle. Allow 10-30 seconds for the tip to reach temperature. 
5. Touch the tip of your e-dabber to your concentrate and inhale the vapor once oil begins to melt. 
6. To prevent wasted concentrate, make sure you remove the tip from your wax before the heating cycle ends. 
7. If you can’t finish your dab, you can run another heating cycle to ensure there isn’t any concentrate left on your pad or the collector’s coil. 

Now that you know how to use both a manual and an E-nectar collector, you might want to check out our beginner’s guide to dabbing. In the article, we give you dabbing cliff notes, how to shop for dabs, and dab responsibly. We recommend any first-time dabbers glance over it before going into a dispensary. 

What is a Micro Nectar Collector?

If a butterfly was to metamorphosize into a cannabis consuming human, they would utilize a micro nc nectar collector. A micro nectar collector acts similarly to a butterfly’s proboscis (their nose straw) where the nectar is the concentrate and the straw is the micro nectar collector. Micro dab straws accomplish the same task as a full-sized dab rig where cannabis concentrates are consumed through heating a glass (not always glass) straw-like pipe.

However, unlike a dab rig, micro nectar collectors are more portable since they are light-weight and smaller than traditional nectar collectors. A micro nc nectar collector can also save money through it’s affordability and efficiency. With a price point of around $15 to $30 at most head shops, micro nectar collectors have a lower cost than any other dabbing tool. 

How To Use Your Micro NC Nectar Collector Dab Kit

• If your kit uses water, fill the glass body with about a tablespoon of water.
• Attach the glass tip to the bottom where the water is resting, making sure it is secure.
• Attach the mouthpiece to the top.
• Open your concentrate and place your concentrate in the glass dish if the packaging is plastic. If your concentrate comes in glass, no need to remove it from packaging. Any concentrates from shatter, wax, sugar ect will work with a micro dab straw. (We recommend Double Bear sugar since the fluffy sugar is easiest to handle

If you’re looking for a convenient, efficient, and portable way to dab, these are without a doubt the way to go! Always remember to dose mindfully. Dab straws can be a bit more difficult to control dosing, so start small and find your comfort zone. 

To find Terrapin concentrates, search our Partner Dispensaries in Pennsylvania.