If you have spent any time around concentrates, you have probably seen a traditional dab rig: a glass water pipe, a nail or banger, and a torch to heat it. An e-rig does the same job without the torch. You choose a temperature, the rig heats to it, and you take your draw.
This guide explains what an electric dab rig is, how it works, what you can use in one and who it suits. Cannabis laws vary across Europe, so check the rules where you live before buying or using concentrates.
What is an e-rig?
An e-rig (short for electric rig, and sometimes written "e rig") is a battery or mains powered device that heats concentrates electrically instead of with an open flame. Most combine three parts:
- A heater and crucible that hold the concentrate and bring it up to temperature.
- A control system that lets you set and hold a specific temperature.
- A water attachment, usually a small bubbler, that the vapour passes through before it reaches you.
The key difference from a torch-heated rig is control. With a torch you heat the nail, wait, and guess when it has cooled to the right point. With an electric dab rig the temperature is a setting, so you get the same result from one session to the next.
How does an electric dab rig work?
A heating element sits under or around a crucible, which is the small dish your concentrate goes into. When you start a session, the element heats the crucible to your chosen temperature and the rig holds it there. As you draw, air passes over the crucible, picks up the vapour and carries it through the water before it reaches the mouthpiece.
Two things shape the experience:
- Temperature. Lower settings tend to bring out flavour, while higher settings produce denser vapour. Because an e-rig holds a set temperature, you can find what you like and repeat it.
- Crucible material. Quartz and zirconia ceramic are common choices because they handle repeated heating well.
What can you use in an e-rig?
E-rigs are built for concentrates such as wax, shatter, rosin and badder. If you are new to these, our guide to concentrates and what cannabis wax is are good places to start.
Some e-rigs can also take flower with the right attachment. The DaVinci EQ, for example, has an Electric Ceramic Herb Chamber that swaps in for dry herb.
E-rig vs torch rig at a glance
| E-rig | Torch-heated rig | |
| Heat source | Electric element | Butane torch |
| Temperature | Set and held by the device | Judged by timing |
| Open flame | No | Yes |
| Setup | Charge, load, start | Torch, nail, timer |
| Portability | Many are portable | Mostly stays at home |
Who is an e-rig for?
An e-rig suits you if you:
- Want repeatable results without timing a torch.
- Would rather not keep a butane torch at home.
- Care about flavour and want to experiment with temperature.
- Want a concentrate setup you can take with you.
How the DaVinci EQ handles it
The DaVinci EQ Electric Quartz is DaVinci's e-rig. Here is what it brings, from the product page:
- Quartz crucible for a clean, neutral heating surface, with a zirconia crucible also available.
- Touchscreen control with precision temperature from 232 to 343°C, customisable Smart Paths and interface themes. No app is needed.
- Heats in as little as 25 seconds, with two 3000 mAh batteries for up to 50 sessions and USB-C charging.
- Jacuzzi bubbler holding 60 ml of water to cool the vapour.
- Zirconia mouthpiece and carb cap air injectors in the vapour path.
- A protective travel case in the kit, and a 2-year warranty.
FAQ
Is an e-rig the same as a dab pen?
No. A dab pen is a small pen-style device with a tiny heating chamber. An e-rig has a larger crucible, more precise temperature control and usually water filtration.
Do you need a torch for an e-rig?
No. The heat comes from an electric element, so there is no open flame.
Can you use flower in an e-rig?
Only with a dry herb attachment. The EQ uses its Electric Ceramic Herb Chamber for this.
Quartz or zirconia crucible?
Quartz is chosen for being inert and thermally stable. Zirconia ceramic is chosen for heat retention and durability. Both fit the EQ heater.
The short version
An electric dab rig trades the torch for a temperature setting. If you want consistent concentrate sessions with no open flame, it is the simplest way to get there. See the DaVinci EQ.