Answer
A torch lighter makes a flame near 2,500°F (1,370°C). That heat is for cannabis concentrates. A torch on a bowl of ground flower chars it in under one second and destroys most of the terpenes. Use a torch to heat a quartz banger, titanium nail, or ceramic nail for dabs. Use a soft flame for flower.
Tools
- Butane torch with a 0.5 to 1 inch flame
- Quartz banger with a 4mm wall, or a titanium nail
- Water pipe with a 10mm or 14mm joint
- Carb cap
- Dab tool
- Infrared thermometer rated to 700°F
- 91% isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs
- Refined butane, 5x or higher
Steps to heat a banger
- Bleed the torch tank. Press the gas release valve until the hiss stops. Fill with refined butane. Wait 5 minutes for the gas to settle.
- Load a dab the size of a grain of rice on the dab tool. Set it aside.
- Hold the torch 1 to 2 inches from the banger. Aim the tip of the inner blue flame at the bottom of the bucket. Move the flame around the walls. Count 30 to 45 seconds for a 4mm quartz banger. Stop when the quartz shows a faint orange glow.
- Wait. A 4mm quartz banger needs 30 to 60 seconds of cool-down. Target 480°F to 600°F on an infrared thermometer. Read the thermometer at the bucket floor, not the walls.
- Drop the dab into the bucket. Cap the banger. Inhale at a slow, steady rate for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Swab the bucket with a dry cotton swab, then one dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Do this while the quartz is still warm, near 200°F. Oil left on the surface bakes in and cuts flavor on the next dab.
Temperature ranges
- 315°F to 400°F: thin vapor, most terpene flavor, small clouds.
- 400°F to 480°F: medium vapor, balanced flavor and effect.
- 480°F to 600°F: dense vapor, harsher, faster onset.
- Above 600°F: combustion. The dab turns black and makes smoke, not vapor.
THC vaporizes near 315°F. CBD vaporizes near 320°F to 356°F. Terpenes vaporize between 310°F and 400°F.
Why a torch is wrong for flower
Combustion of plant material starts near 450°F. A torch flame is more than 5 times that. Flower burns on contact. The result is harsh smoke, a burnt taste, and loss of most terpenes. A soft flame lighter, hemp wick, or dry herb vaporizer works for flower. A torch has one job: heating a nail or banger that sits outside the air path.
how to use a torch lighter for weed
Safety
- Butane is heavier than air. It pools at floor level. Open a window or run a fan.
- Do not refill a torch near a flame, pilot light, or hot banger.
- Quartz stays hot for 5 minutes or more after the dab. Set it on a metal or ceramic stand.
- Keep the torch out of direct sun and below 120°F. Store it upright.
- A butane flame is hard to see in bright light. Point it away from skin, hair, and clothing.
Torch care
Purge the tank before each refill. Air trapped in the tank causes a weak or sputtering flame. Adjust flame size with the dial on the bottom or side, not by blocking the air intake. Clean the ignition electrode with a dry cloth if the torch stops sparking. Replace the torch when the flame will not hold a steady size after a full purge and refill.