With the recent boom in the popularity of concentrates, which really kicked off in 2010 with the High Times Cannabis Cup competitions, many cannabis enthusiasts are likely to have dabbed a time or two at some point.
And, we’re not talking about the dance move.
Most stoners have had a day (or maybe even a hard week) when, for whatever unfortunate reason, they’ve run completely dry and can’t afford to get more at the time. It’s on these toughest of days that literally scraping the bottom of the barrel will become a way of survival.
If you’ve been smoking flower, then you’re familiar with the dark, sticky resin that accumulates in your bong or in your pipe. Likewise, after just a couple of dabs of highly potent concentrate, you’ll see a different type of build-up. This is not resin, but reclaim.
That mildly suspicious-looking buildup on your pieces is the result of layers and layers of cannabis smoke residue. While it may look pretty gross, it is still full of THC and other cannabinoids and, in theory, can get you pretty stoned. But, it’s more likely to just leave a foul taste in your mouth and make you immediately regret your decisions.
Recondensed reclaim from dabs, on the other hand, is definitely worth collecting and reusing. There are several ways to use your reclaim once you rescue it from your favorite dab rig.
What is Reclaim?
Reclaim is basically the re-condensed cannabis concentrate that collects along the inside of your dab rig after you’ve taken a few dabs. Any fan of dabbing would be familiar with the reclaim sticking to the rig and floating in the water. This reclaim is packed full of cannabinoids, like THC, and can be re-used even though it’s not as visually appealing as fresh concentrates.
It is important to note here that the reclaim inside a dab rig is not the same thing as the resin that gets stuck to pipes or bongs, which is caused by the combustion of dried plant material. This resin doesn’t actually contain that many cannabinoids, because many are destroyed due to the high temperatures achieved during combustion. Reclaim is exclusively referring to what accumulates in dropdowns and rigs after dabbing concentrates.
Reclaim has been proven to contain large amounts of cannabinoids, regardless of the collecting methods, consistency, or color. The samples that were tested ranged in the 30-60% THC level, with some samples reaching in the high 90% range. As you can see, reclaiming your concentrates is certainly worth the effort required.
Is It Safe to Dab Reclaim?
You know reclaim is full of those precious, high-inducing cannabinoids. But, is it safe to dab reclaim?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Yes, it is safe to dab reclaim and you will, indeed, get high from it. However, reclaim is not exactly the most delicious concentrate, as it contains no terpenes and is very oily.
Just as with fresh concentrates, quality matters. The higher quality of the concentrates you were originally dabbing, the higher quality the reclaim will be.
Collecting Your Reclaim
There are a couple of different ways to go about collecting your reclaim from a dab rig, and both methods are very straightforward.
The first method is to dump all the water out of the rig and then fish out the clumps of reclaim. This is much more difficult and messy than the second method.
The second way to collect your reclaim is to melt it out. All you need is your torch and either a silicone container or some wax paper.
- Dump the water out of the rig.
- Let the rig dry (you do not want to dab reclaim containing water)
- Remove the banger and hold the connector/dropdown over the paper or container.
- Torch the reclaim just enough to liquefy it (but not enough to ignite it), and it will drip down into the container or onto the paper.
- Clean your dab rig
Ways to Use Dab Reclaim
Now that you’ve collected all of your dab reclaim, you can do a few things with it – primarily, consume it or trash it.
As we’ve already covered, reclaim is a great way to stretch your bucks and still get high from your concentrates while waiting to re-up from your favorite Tacoma dispensary. While plenty of cannabis users simply toss out their reclaim, you can certainly safely dab it for another trip around the moon.
Reclaim may look like a dark, goopy mess of oil, but it actually has the potential for variety and holds some serious stoney power. Reclaim, as we’ve observed, is very potent – especially when added to food or drinks. It can also be used topically, or melted into coffee or hot cocoa. Finally, it can be poured into gel capsules for convenient ingestion.
Just remember the rule of cannabis: Start low, go slow.
The effects from reclaim are fast, hard-hitting, and very long-lasting. You can always consume more, but it’s impossible to undo it.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the ways to use dab reclaim:
- Dabs: If you’re reading this blog post about dabbing reclaim, then you’re probably going to want to try this method. Taking a dab of reclaim is one of the most effective ways to instantly feel the effects. The terpenes are gone, because of the heat of the original dab, but the cannabinoids are still present.
- Edibles: Reclaim is already decarboxylated, so eating it straight is a viable option that will take you straight to Stoned Town, population: You. Some people eat it straight, while others add it to their food (like on toast with butter) or in capsules.
- Infusions: The bitter taste of dab reclaim can be hidden with chocolate or other sweet candy flavors.
Dabbing Your Reclaim
While some people are of the opinion that reclaim is gross and prefer to just clean out their rig and toss the reclaim. But, for those who want to stretch their money and make their concentrates last as long as possible, dabbing your reclaim can be very effective.
If you’re interested in collecting and using dab reclaim, the best option is to get a dab rig with a drop-down attachment. This will allow for easy collection of the reclaim, without it going in the water.
There are several ways to use reclaim and, while the reclaim is anything but tasty, each of the methods is guaranteed to help you get your high on.
Do you dab or otherwise use your reclaim? Share with us down in the comments.
Disclaimer: Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of Marijuana. Marijuana, in any form, should not be used by individuals that are pregnant or breastfeeding. Marijuana is intended for use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. This product may be unlawful outside of Washington State.
