Do Dab Pens Smell? How Long Does the Smell Last?

As the use of cannabis extracts becomes increasingly popular, the demand for discreet and convenient ways to consume it has grown.

Dab pens, also known as wax pens, have become a popular choice for those seeking a convenient, discreet and user-friendly method to consume cannabis.

For those new to dabbing, questions often arise, including concerns about the odor associated with dab pens.

You don't want others to know you are consuming cannabis. You wanted to be discrete and Maintain privacy. Do dab pens smell? how long does weed smell last?

In this article, we'll give you a better understanding of how much dab pens smell vs. other ways of consuming cannabis, as well as some pro tips on reducing their odor.

What are Dab Pens?

A dab pen is an electric device that allows the user to heat up cannabis concentrates, turn it into vapor and inhale it.

However, Unlike vape pens that vaporize cannabis oil or dry herb, Dab pens only vaporize waxy cannabis concentrates.

Most dab pens are rechargeable and can feature built-in batteries or removable ones, which powers the atomizer with coils.

You can simply load your concentrates into the heating chamber. Press the button, and it fires up a small coil that vaporizes your dabs and wax for easy consumption.

Dab pens fit easily in your pocket and are discrete for a quick hit whenever and wherever you are.

What are Dabs?

Dabs are highly concentrated forms of cannabis that come in various textures.

Including solvent-based products such as butane hash oil (BHO) in the form of wax, shatter, or budder, as well as solventless cannabis concentrates like rosin.

Dabs are extracted from the cannabis plant using a solvent like butane, propane, hexane, supercritical carbon dioxide, or ethanol, or using a solventless extraction process like ice water extraction or rosin pressing.

The resulting oils can contain between 60% and 90% THC—sometimes more, therefore offering a much more potent product than regular weed buds.

Do Dab Pens Smell?

Some people who are new to dabbing assume that dab pens won't emit any smell because dabbing produces vapor rather than smoke. However, this is a misconception because the vapor still contains odors.

Dabs has the same terpenes which would've been present in the cannabis it was extracted from, this is stuff that makes it so distinctive.

The strength and type of scent will largely be determined by the puff size, specific wax type, and where you're smoking.

Thankfully though, even at its worst, wax concentrate does not have an overwhelming smell, usually very faint odor.

When you exhale the vapor, it dissipates extremely quickly. In fact, if you hold it in your lungs for several seconds, the exhaled vapor won't be visible at all.

The smell also doesn't cling to hair, clothes, or the room you're smoking in, so people won't know that you've been vaping weed.

Comparison to a dab rig: Portable dab pens are much smaller than dab rigs and will not produce as large of clouds, meaning they won't smell as strong as dabbing from a rig.

Comparison to smoking: The smell produced by dab pens is typically less odor, less intense and less pungent than the smell produced by smoking flowers through a pipe or a joint.

Dab pens work by heating cannabis concentrates to a temperature that vaporizes the active compounds, such as THC and CBD, but does not produce combustion.

When you smoke cannabis, a large portion of the smell is created by the burning plant material.

The intense heat, usually above 400°F, burns the terpenes and other substances, creating smoke that smells strong and skunky when smoking marijuana.

Additionally, smoke tends to hover in the air for several seconds after you've exhaled it, which is very noticeable.

Dabbing sessions are typically much shorter than smoking sessions because wax-based concentrates are much more potent than dry herbs. You can achieve the desired effect in just a few puffs, and then the session is over.

What does dab pen vapor smell like?

You may be wondering what the vapor of dab pen will smell like. The exact type of scent will vary depending on the cannabis concentrates you use. Different cannabis concentrates have different terpenes.

The sort of scent, and the intensity of it, depends on the terpene makeup and the amounts, the more the smellier, and the many terps in nature can produce scents in weed ranging from earthy like, cheese like, fruity lemony etc..

Linalool: a lavender and slightly spicy smell Humulene: a woody, earthy smell Alpha–Pinene: a pine and sage smell Limonene: a citrus smell Myrcene: a fruity, musky, spicy smell Beta–Caryophyllene: an earthy, spicy smell

In addition, Skunk smells in cannabis not caused by terpenes but sulfur-based compounds.

Three Factors that Affect Dab Pens Smell While Dabbing

The aroma that is given off by cannabis, as well as how long it stays in the environment, mainly depends on your dab pen's temperature, your wax type, and where you're smoking.

1. Wax type

Terpenes are responsible for the fragrance of nearly all flowers. Cannabis produces over 140 different terpenes. These terpenes are found in varying concentrations in different cannabis varieties.

Each strain, as well as dabs type (shatter, crumble, etc.) contains a distinct mix of terpenes, which explains why the smell differs depending on what you're dabbing.

The quality of your concentrates will play a large role in the smell they produce. The better your product, the stronger the smell will be since the terpenes and other compounds have not been destroyed during processing.

For example, if you have higher quality live resin it'll smell strong as shit, but the more processed distillate (hash, BHO, budder, honey oil etc.) definitely has a less smell.

2. Temperature

Temperature plays an important role with vapor and by extension scent.

Typically when you dabbing at a higher temperature, the vaporizer will aerosolize cannabis concentrates at a higher rate, producing more vapor and therefore more aroma.

On the flip side, lower temperatures allow you to be more discreet.

3. Environment

If you're dabbing outside, the cannabis smell can disappear as soon as you exhale it, especially if it's a particularly windy day out.

In a well-ventilated room (e.g. one with lots of windows), it can take just five to ten minutes to dissipate.

Meanwhile, in a closed room, you may have to wait thirty minutes until the smell has fully cleared from the room.

How To Reduce Dab Pens Smell?

If you're on a mission to dab cannabis concentrates without being detected, there are few things you can do to lessen the scent or make it disappear faster.

1.Clean Your Dab Pen

Frequently using your dab pen can cause it to build up leftover cannabis material which can keep the smell fresh in your device.

Cleaning your dab pen not only helps it function properly but also removes any remaining odor from your last high.

2. Dabbing Outside

As mentioned earlier, dabbing outside can get rid of the cannabis smell more efficiently.

This is because the open environment allows the vapor to dissipate more quickly.

3. Mask the Smell

If you're dabbing and notice that the aroma is still too strong for your liking, light a scented candle, spray some perfume or air freshener, or open a bag of popcorn to mask the smell.

Conclusion

If for whatever reason, you need to keep your cannabis consumption undisclosed, dabbing may be a good option.

Dab Pens do have a distinct smell. But this smell is less pronounce and dissipates much faster than smoking flower.

With the right precautions, dab smell can be gone almost immediately making it a great option for smoking discreetly or in an apartment.

Of course, if you really want to keep your consumption discreet, there are even better options. Opt for a beverage, edible, or tincture to get high without any smell or obvious signs.