Dabs. They’re sticky, potent, and hit harder than your average bong rip — but where do they come from? If you’ve ever wondered how that golden goo ends up in your banger, you’re not alone.
In this guide, The Bong Baron walks you through how dabs are made — from plant to puff — and the different extraction methods behind concentrates like wax, shatter, rosin, and live resin.
What Are Dabs, Exactly?
Dabs are concentrated forms of cannabis, made by extracting the plant’s trichomes (where all the THC and flavour live) into a powerful, sticky product.
They go by many names:
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Shatter
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Wax
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Budder
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Rosin
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Crumble
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Live resin
They’re usually vaporised with a dab rig, giving you a fast, flavourful, and potent hit in a fraction of the time it takes to burn a cone.
How Dabs Are Made: Two Main Methods
There are two primary ways to make dabs:
1. Solvent-Based Extraction
This involves using chemicals to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material.
Common solvents:
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Butane (BHO – Butane Hash Oil)
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CO₂
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Ethanol
Process (simplified):
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Cannabis is packed into a tube
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Solvent is passed through to strip the cannabinoids
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Solution is purged of solvent using heat and vacuum
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Result: shatter, wax, crumble, etc.
Why it’s popular:
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High yield
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Strong potency
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Creates a wide variety of textures
Why it’s risky:
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Needs proper equipment to purge solvents
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Should only be done by trained extractors
- Can be dangerous if DIY’d at home (don’t do it)
2. Solventless Extraction
No chemicals here — just heat, pressure, and skill.
Common types:
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Rosin
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Ice water hash
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Dry sift
Rosin Press Method:
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Bud or hash is placed in a parchment-lined press
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Heat + pressure = resin squeezed out
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Result: clean, solvent-free dab
Why it’s awesome:
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100% solvent-free and safe
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Pure flavour and terpene profile
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Can be made at home with a rosin press
Why it’s limited:
- Lower yield
- Quality depends on starting material
Check out our range of rosin presses here
Types of Dabs Explained
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common types you’ll find:
Shatter
Texture: Glass-like and brittle
Made with: Butane Hash Oil (BHO)
Solvent-based: Yes
Wax
Texture: Sticky and soft, like earwax
Made with: BHO
Solvent-based: Yes
Crumble
Texture: Dry and crumbly, breaks apart easily
Made with: BHO
Solvent-based: Yes
Live Resin
Texture: Gooey and rich in terpenes
Made with: Fresh-frozen cannabis using BHO
Solvent-based: Yes
Rosin
Texture: Sappy, buttery, or honey-like
Made with: Heat-pressed cannabis flower
Solvent-based: No (solventless)
Hash Rosin
Texture: Smooth and potent
Made with: Heat-pressed bubble hash or dry sift
Solvent-based: No (solventless)
Live Rosin
Texture: Sticky and Sappy
Made with: Heat-pressed bubble hash from fresh frozen buds
Solvent-based: No (solventless)
Each one has its fans, and the right one for you depends on how you like to dab.
Is It Legal to Make Dabs in Australia?
⚠️ Short answer: no — not unless you’re a licensed extractor.
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Making dabs with solvents at home is illegal and dangerous
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Pressing rosin for personal use is technically a grey area, but still not legal under most Australian laws
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Possessing cannabis concentrates (including rosin) is illegal in most states unless you have a medical prescription
Always check your local laws — and if you’re a patient, talk to your doctor about legal options for concentrates.
How to Tell if a Dab Is Good Quality
A good dab is:
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Golden or amber in colour
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Not too dark or black (may indicate impurities)
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Smooth, not too harsh
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Free of chemical smell or residual solvent
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Flavourful and potent without burning your throat
Stick with trusted sources and don’t buy mystery goo from randoms.
Conclusion: The Art and Science of Dabbing
Behind every sticky glob of wax is a wild mix of chemistry, heat, pressure, and plant magic. Whether you’re a fan of clean rosin or gooey live resin, knowing how dabs are made gives you a better appreciation for what’s in your rig.
Want to dive deeper into dabbing gear, usage, and culture?
Return to Everything You Need to Know About Dabbing for more guides and gear tips.
