Lollipop Nail

A lollipop nail is a type of dab nail shaped like a lollipop with a flat, rounded top surface where you apply concentrates. It's an older nail design that preceded the bucket-style bangers now commonly used, though some people still prefer them.

Key features:

• Flat, round top surface resembles a lollipop
• Made from titanium, quartz, or ceramic
• Concentrates applied directly to the heated top
• Often includes a dome to trap vapor
• Compatible with older dab rig designs

The flat top surface is heated with a torch, then concentrate is applied directly onto that hot surface, where it vaporizes on contact. Unlike bangers (which have a bucket that contains the concentrate), lollipop nails require applying material to an exposed surface. This means you typically use a dome, which is a glass cover that goes over the nail after application to trap and direct vapor down into your rig.

Material determines performance characteristics. Titanium lollipop nails heat up quickly, retain heat well, and are nearly indestructible; however, some people find that they affect the flavor. Quartz nails offer the cleanest taste and display their optimal temperature by color, but they're more fragile and have shorter heat retention. Ceramic provides good flavor and heat retention but can crack if heated unevenly or dropped.

Lollipop nails were popular before banger designs became standard. They still work fine, but the exposed top surface means you can lose some if you apply too much or your timing is off. The dome adds a step (place it after applying concentrate) that bangers eliminate. Most people who started dabbing with lollipop nails have switched to bangers for improved control and efficiency.

Using a lollipop nail: Heat the nail surface with your torch until it reaches the appropriate temperature (titanium glows slightly red, quartz shows color change). Let it cool briefly to your target temp, then apply a small amount of concentrate to the surface with your dab tool while beginning to inhale. Immediately place the dome over the nail to trap vapor and direct it into your rig. The dome sits on a collar or ledge at the joint of your rig. Clean lollipop nails between sessions — titanium can be torched clean, quartz should be swabbed with isopropyl alcohol while warm, and ceramic requires gentle cleaning to avoid cracking.