Carb caps act similar to a lid on a boiling pot. They help by containing the heat in the nail and restricting airflow. They provide lower air pressure which helps retain heat and allows dabbing at lower temperatures. Lower temperatures preserve concentrates, terpenes, and flavor.
Types of carb caps
Here are the four most common types of carb caps:
Bubble carb caps
A simple “ball-and-socket” design which allows maximum control over airflow.
Directional airflow cap
These feature an angled tube which directs your concentrates when rotated.
Spinner carb caps
These have holes in the caps and are cut to make airflow rotate in the banger. Spinner carb caps allow you to tab with “terp pearls,” which can make them a newer more popular choice amongst smokers.
Sold carb caps
Solid carb caps have no airflow, and only work on bangers with built-in-airflow functions and features.
Tips on how to choose a carb cap
Your choice mostly comes down to aesthetics. Most dabbers (or smokers) choose to buy a carb cap that matches their nail. The most popular material type for carb caps is high-quality quartz, borosilicate glass, and titanium.
When it comes down to the size and shape, you want to make sure that the size of the carb cap you choose matches the size of your nail. You’ll need to look at your rig and determine the type of carb cap that’s going to work with it before purchasing.
Most commonly, flat-top bangers tend to have more options available when it comes to carb cap types and options to purchase.