What is a quartz banger?

A quartz banger is a bucket-shaped dab nail that attaches to your dab rig’s joint. You heat the bottom of the bucket with a torch, drop in your concentrate, and inhale through the rig. Quartz is the standard material for dabbing since it heats evenly, retains heat well, and doesn’t add any flavor to your vapor.

Types of bangers

Flat top bangers: The most common style. A flat, open top makes it easy to apply a carb cap, which is essential for low-temp dabbing. The 25mm flat top is the most popular size – enough surface area for a full dab without wasting concentrate.

Terp slurpers: A more advanced design that pulls concentrate up from a bottom dish rather than pooling in a bucket. Great for full melt and rosin since very little gets left behind. Best paired with a marble or pill to keep concentrate moving for even vaporization.

Long barrel slurpers: Same concept as a standard terp slurper but with an extended barrel for more airflow and a slightly different pull. A good middle ground if you want more than a flat top but aren’t ready to commit to a full slurper setup.

Quartz vs. titanium vs. ceramic

Quartz is the best all-around choice. It heats quickly, retains heat well, and doesn’t alter flavor. Titanium is nearly indestructible and heats fast, but can add a slight metallic note to your vapor. Ceramic retains heat the longest, making it good for low-temp dabs, but it’s fragile and takes longer to heat. Most experienced dabbers stick with quartz.

What to look for when buying a banger

Joint size and gender: The most important factor. Standard sizes are 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm. Most rigs use a 14mm female joint, which takes a 14mm male banger. If your rig has a female joint, you need a male banger – and vice versa.

Wall thickness: Thicker walls (4mm or more) retain heat longer and hold up better to daily use. Thinner walls heat up faster but cool down quicker, which suits experienced dabbers who know their timing well.

Style: Flat tops are the most forgiving for beginners. Terp slurpers and long barrel designs suit users who are already comfortable with their temperature timing and carb cap technique.

How to use a banger

1. Fill your rig with water and seat the banger in the joint.
2. Heat the bottom and sides of the bucket evenly with your torch for 20 to 30 seconds.
3. Let it cool. For a 4mm quartz banger, 30 to 45 seconds of cool-down after torch-off is a good starting point for low-temp dabs.
4. Drop your concentrate into the bucket and immediately cover with a carb cap.
5. Inhale slowly and spin the carb cap to move concentrate around the bucket evenly.
6. Wipe the bucket clean with a cotton swab while it’s still warm.

If you want an easier way to dial in temperature without guessing, check out our guide to cold start dabbing – it removes the cool-down step entirely.

How do I keep my banger clean?

Wipe the inside of the bucket with a dry cotton swab after every dab while the quartz is still warm. For buildup, soak the banger in isopropyl alcohol for 30 minutes and rinse with hot water. Avoid torching a dirty banger – burning residue into the quartz causes devitrification (the cloudy, matte look) that permanently affects heat retention. More tips in our guides section.