Carb Cap
A carb cap is a lid that covers your banger while you're dabbing. It traps heat inside and restricts airflow, which lets you vaporize concentrates more completely at lower temperatures — better flavor, less waste.
Key features:
- Traps heat for more efficient vaporization
- Allows lower-temperature dabbing
- Creates directional airflow across concentrate
- Available in various materials (glass, quartz, titanium)
- Some designs spin terp pearls for even heat distribution
The physics is straightforward: covering the banger reduces air pressure inside, which lowers the temperature needed for vaporization. This means you can drop your concentrate on a cooler surface and still get complete vaporization. Lower temps preserve terpenes — you get more flavor and smoother vapor than high-temp dabs.
Directional airflow is where design variations play a crucial role. Basic carb caps simply cover the top. Directional caps have angled holes or channels that create a vortex effect, moving your concentrate around the banger surface for even heating. Spinner caps take this further with designs specifically made to spin terp pearls (small quartz or glass spheres that help distribute heat).
Materials affect performance differently. Glass carb caps are affordable and work well for standard use. Quartz handles heat better and doesn't retain odors between dabs. Titanium is nearly indestructible and holds heat longer, though it's heavier. Some carb caps integrate loading tools directly into their design, delivering dual functionality in a single piece.
Using your carb cap: After heating your banger and letting it cool to your target temp, apply your concentrate with a loading tool, then immediately place the carb cap on top. You'll see vapor start forming right away. Lift and replace the cap slightly (called "carb capping" or "feathering") to control airflow and vapor production during your draw. The cap's restriction creates the pulling force that helps vaporize everything completely. If you're using terp pearls, they'll spin inside the banger when you apply the cap — that movement distributes heat and prevents pooling. Clean your carb cap regularly since reclaim builds up around the edges.