What Is Shatter And How To Use It?

Cannabis concentrates have become very popular due to their high potency and ease of use, with shatter being a crowd favourite among recreational and medical users. In order to consume shatter, you will need a dab rig (or a dab pen) to heat it to the right temperature for vaporisation to achieve all the benefits and effects. If you are unfamiliar with shatter (and dab rigs), stick around to find out if this could be your next favourite consumption method.

What Is Shatter?

Shatter, also known as Butane Hash Oil (BHO), is a cannabis concentrate with a glass-like appearance. It is translucent, usually orange or amber coloured, solid, and it breaks or shatters easily when pressure is applied (hence the name). 

Typical forms of shatter are fragile and thin, though others can be thicker and bendy like taffy. This difference can be attributed to the product’s cannabinoid concentration, with thicker and darker coloured shatter being more potent. 

The translucency comes from shatter’s molecules stacking neatly on top of each other, allowing the light to shine through. These molecules contain very high levels of THC & THCA, indicating that your shatter’s potency is likely between 80-90%. Compared to the typical 15-25% THC levels in flowers, that is quite the increase! This is why it is particularly important to keep in mind that you should start with a low dose and wait long enough before taking any more.

How Is Shatter Made?

There are many ways to extract shatter efficiently, but it is generally a complex process that should not be attempted at home. Some ways to create shatter include:

• CO2 extraction
• Butane hash oil (BHO) extraction
• Ethanol extraction
• Ice water extraction

Shatter is most commonly created by using the butane hash oil (BHO) extraction method to isolate the desired terpenes and cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. BHO is highly volatile and flammable, so proper ventilation is key in industrial shatter extraction practices. You can get THC shatter as well as CBD shatter depending on which cannabinoids are isolated.

Benefits Of Shatter

Shatter products are popular among recreational and medicinal users alike for their many benefits. Some of these benefits include: 

• High potency: Shatter is one of the most potent cannabis products out there, containing about 80-90% THC on average. Not much is necessary for you to feel the intense effects. This makes it ideal for consumers with a high tolerance, or those who need relief from intense symptoms. 

• Fast acting effects: When you dab shatter, you will feel the effects within minutes. You can easily gauge your high and decide whether you need more, and get fast relief from symptoms.

• Smoke-free consumption and convenience: Shatter is usually dabbed or vaped, which is a safer consumption method than smoking cannabis. These consumption methods are also less messy, simple, and all-around convenient.

• Cost-effectiveness: Since shatter is so potent, you only need to use a small amount at a time, making it more cost effective in the long run. It is also generally cheaper when compared to other cannabis products in the category.

• Shelf-stable: Shatter is very concentrated and can be stored (in an airtight container in a cool area) for a long time while keeping its potency.

Shatter Vs. Wax

Wax is another cannabis concentrate you can dab, but it does have some different qualities than shatter does. It is easier to make wax as it has a looser chemical structure, which also gives it its more malleable qualities. Although it is somewhat easier to handle than shatter, it does lose its potency quicker as well, making shatter the preferred concentrate among many users.

What Are Dab Rigs?

Cannabis concentrates should be vaporised at very high temperatures in order to activate the compounds through decarboxylation. The best way to consume shatter is by using a dab rig, which is similar to a bong. However, there are some key differences that make dab rigs more appropriate for consuming concentrates. Dab rigs can be broken down into the following components:

• Nail: A dab rig has a nail instead of a traditional bong bowl. This nail is made of a material that is resistant to high temperatures, like quartz, ceramic, or titanium, and it is where you will place your shatter to get vaporised. You will need a torch to heat your nail to the right temperature (a regular lighter will not do the job).

• Water pipe: This is the section that contains water and where your vapour will accumulate. 

• Dome: The dome goes over your nail to keep the heat trapped.

There are also electrical dab rigs on the market that make the process even easier. These devices are quick and easy to use, and remove the necessity of having to manually light your nail with a torch.

How To Use Shatter

There are right and wrong ways to smoke shatter with a dab rig, but the process is quite simple if you follow these steps:

1. Heat your nail: Assemble your dab rig and heat the nail (manually with a torch or by adjusting the settings on your electric rig). Wait until it turns hot red.

2. Cover the nail: Place a dome over the nail to keep the heat contained. Let the nail cool slightly for a few seconds, about 30 if it is made from quartz and about 10 if it is made from other materials. 

3. Scoop and dab: Scoop your shatter up and place it on the nail (make sure that you are using a dab tool as the nail is extremely hot). It should combust when it touches the nail, sending vapour up the pipe. 

4. Inhale and enjoy: Use a consistent force and inhale the vapour. Wait a few minutes for the cannabinoids to kick in, and enjoy the effects!

Shatter is a potent concentrate that offers a smoke-free way to consume cannabis. With high potency and fast-acting effects, it is no wonder that shatter is one of the most beloved cannabis products on the market. Just be careful when trying shatter or cannabis concentrates in general for the first time as they are so potent – start with a low dose and wait before taking more.