I've had the same problem as you, and I have found a few alternatives to dabbing concentrates when I don't have a proper dab rig.
These makeshift methods can be pretty effective when you're in a bind — although, in all honesty, there's no substitute for the smooth, clean vaping experience provided by a proper e-rig like the Puffco Peak, or the gentle, precise temperature control provided by a traditional quartz nail setup. Here are five practical ways to smoke dabs without a rig:
The Hot Knife Technique: A Time-Honored Solution
I've used this classic hack to vape dabs since college. It's basic, but it works with the least amount of equipment required to do so.
Equipment Needed
All you really need are two standard kitchen knives (a butter knife is ideal because of the flat surface), a heat source (stovetop or torch), and a "catch" — a container to catch the vapor. I personally prefer to use a plastic bottle top or a glass cup for the "catch," as it is safer and more efficient than just sucking the vapor directly into your mouth off of a plate.
Instructions
Make sure your area is well-ventilated. Put both knife tips on the stovetop burner or with a flame from a torch until they glow bright red. Pick up the knives' handles with gloved hands or with oven mitts to protect yourself from burns. With a dabber, drop a small (about the size of a grain of rice) piece of concentrate onto the tip of one of the hot knives. The moment the other knife touches the first knife, the dab will immediately vaporize. Hold both knives over the "catch" and quickly suck the vapor into your lungs.
My Personal Insights & Findings
As far as I know, the secret to doing this effectively is speed and accuracy. The vapor produced from the hot knives is very hot and therefore quite harsh on the lungs. So, using a "catch" helps cool the vapor a bit before you inhale it. In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, researchers discovered that combustion from high temperatures can break down the cannabinoids in the concentrate and produce undesirable by-products. The hot knife method likely includes a lot of combustion, which is probably why the flavor is usually charred and the high feels more intense and less detailed than when you dab at low temperatures. So, use this method as little as possible.
The Gravity Bong Bottle Topper Method: A High-Powered Alternative
This is another popular hack for its ability to provide a massive, strong hit. This is a great hack for when you want to get as much THC into your system as fast as you can.
Materials
You'll need a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off, a large container of water, a socket wrench (preferably a new, uncoated 10mm or ¼ inch socket), and some aluminum foil. The socket will serve as your "nail."
Directions
Drill a hole in the center of the top of the plastic bottle and attach the socket to the hole so the socket fits snugly and the bottle is air-tight. Roll the aluminum foil into a concave shape and fit it snugly into the center of the socket. Fill the container of water with water. Submerge the plastic bottle into the water so that the top of the bottle is exposed. Add a dab to the center of the foil. Attach the socket cap to the end of the bottle and light the dab with a torch. As soon as the dab starts to vaporize, slowly lift the bottle up so the vapor fills the chamber. Remove the cap, put your mouth to the opening, and then lower the bottle down into the water to force the vapor into your lungs.
A Warning
Keep in mind that this hack provides a tremendous amount of vapor per hit, and therefore a tremendous amount of THC. However, this method also carries a number of serious risks. I would never recommend using aluminum foil and a socket as a permanent solution to dabbing. There is a real risk of off-gassing toxic chemicals from the hot metals and the plastic bottle. According to a peer-reviewed article in Neurotoxicology, inhaling the vaporized heavy metals from improvised smoking devices can be hazardous to your health. Therefore, I consider this method to be an emergency-only hack.
The Health Stone and Pipe Method: The Best of Both Worlds
If you're looking for a safe and controlled way to smoke dabs, then purchasing a health stone is your safest bet.
Health Stones
A health stone is a porous, inert rock made from a mixture of fused glass and minerals. Health stones are created to be placed in the bowl of any standard pipe or bong. Companies such as Health Stone Infinity sell them specifically for this purpose. I carry a health stone with me wherever I go, especially when traveling.
Using a Health Stone
To use a health stone, place the stone in your pipe's bowl. Light the stone with a torch for about 10-15 seconds, allowing it to get hot, and then allow it to cool for about 5-10 seconds. That is your "low temp" simulating the dabbing process. After it cools, add a small dab to the stone, and the dab will instantly melt and vaporize into the stone. If you add a little more time between each draw, you may be able to get multiple hits from the same dab.
Benefits of a Health Stone Over Other Methods
A health stone is better for you than the other hacks listed above for several reasons. First, a health stone does not contain metal surfaces that can get very hot, like the knives in the hot knife hack or the socket in the gravity bong hack. Second, the vapor is able to cool slightly as it passes through the pipe, making it less harsh on your throat and providing a smoother hit. Third, it preserves more of the terpenes in the concentrate compared to the other hacks. Finally, it provides a similar experience to that of a dabbing rig, but you don't need a rig.
Twax Joints: An Old Trick to Enhance Your Smoke
Adding a concentrate to a flower joint is a trick that has been around for years called "twaxing."
Creating a Twax Joint
Create a well-rolled joint or blunt and then add a thin layer of concentrate to the outside of the joint. I have found that adding a layer of shatter or distillate to the joint via a syringe works best for this, as it is easiest to spread. You can also wrap the outside of the joint in kief after rolling to create what I call a "preroll supreme." To amplify the effects even further, you can create a "snake" of concentrate within the joint next to the flower.
Effectiveness of a Twaxed Joint
The addition of a concentrate to a flower joint greatly increases the strength and flavor of the smoke. The flower serves as a wick, and as it burns, the concentrate is vaporized and added to the smoke. Studies from analytical testing labs show that a twaxed joint typically contains a concentration of cannabinoids that is several times stronger than a joint containing only flower. Personally, I find that twax joints create a layered and complex high that combines the spectrum of effects from the flower with the intense punch of the concentrate. The only drawback of twaxing is that the joint may not burn evenly unless you do it correctly.
Vaporizing Concentrates with a Battery: A Modern Hack
If you have a 510-thread oil cartridge battery, you may have an easy solution right in front of you.
Using Your Oil Cartridge Battery
Most modern oil cartridge batteries have a "pre-heat" feature. You can place a small dab directly onto the atomizer (heating coil) of an empty cartridge, or you can use a "dab straw" attachment that is specifically designed for this purpose. Once the dab is in place, turn the battery on and use the pre-heat feature or a low-voltage setting to vaporize the concentrate.
Pros and Cons of Vaporizing Dabs with a Battery
This method is quick and convenient, but it is not the most efficient way to consume dabs. The atomizers in cartridges are not designed to handle large quantities of raw concentrate and can become clogged or damaged. It is best suited for a single small hit. The vapor produced is generally hotter and harsher than the vapor produced by a cartridge's usual settings because the concentrate is not being wicked into the cartridge as it normally is. It's a true last resort, but it demonstrates how versatile the battery you already own can be.
In Summary
While the hacks described above can be effective, they are meant to be temporary solutions. They demonstrate the engineering that goes into creating a dabbing rig, which is designed to maintain a consistent temperature to preserve the flavor and the cannabinoids in the concentrate. When you have the opportunity to use a proper dabbing rig, do so.