There comes a moment in every dabber’s life when you look at your torch, your butane, your banger, your carb cap, your timer… and think…

“There has GOT to be an easier way to get high.”

I think I’ve officially reached that moment.

Now before everybody starts lighting their torches to come after me in the comments, hear me out.

I’ve been dabbing the old-school way for years. Torch. Glass rig. Quartz banger. Wait thirty seconds… or was it forty-five? Was that too hot? Too cold? Did I just burn a perfectly good glob of rosin that cost more than my lunch?

We’ve all been there.

But after spending time around some of the biggest concentrate lovers in New York’s cannabis community—and after watching friends use modern e-rigs—I finally had to ask myself a question…

Am I making dabbing harder than it needs to be?

The Case for the Classic Torch Rig

Let’s give respect where respect is due.

The traditional dab rig built this culture.

Without it, concentrate culture probably wouldn’t be where it is today.

And believe it or not, there are still some legitimate reasons people refuse to give theirs up.

For starters…

Nothing beats complete control.

Experienced dabbers can heat their quartz exactly how they like it.

Some want screaming hot clouds.

Others chase low-temperature terpene heaven.

A manual setup lets you control every part of the experience if you’ve mastered your timing.

There’s also something satisfying about the ritual.

Heating the quartz…
Watching it cool…
Dropping the dab…
Watching the vapor explode…

It’s almost therapeutic.

Many concentrate purists also argue that a quality quartz banger still produces some of the biggest, hardest-hitting dabs possible. Even today, plenty of experienced users continue to prefer torch-and-banger setups for maximum vapor production and customization.

And here’s another advantage…

If you break your glass?

Replace the glass.

Most decent rigs cost well under a hundred dollars.

That becomes important later.

But Then Reality Shows Up…

Here’s where my personal situation comes in.

I’m disabled.

I’ve only got one working hand.

I’m clumsy.

If you’ve watched my videos…

You already know I’m basically a glass company’s favorite customer.

I swear I break a rig every other month.

Now imagine me knocking a $450 electronic rig off my dresser.

That hurts.

Financially…

Emotionally…

Spiritually…

Meanwhile my regular glass rig?

Annoying?

Absolutely.

Replaceable?

Usually.

So yes…

That’s actually one point for traditional rigs.

Then I Tried Looking at the Bigger Picture

The more I watched people use e-rigs…

The more I realized something.

The question isn’t…

“Can an e-rig dab?”

The question is…

“Why am I still making life difficult?”

Because honestly…

The advantages start stacking up pretty quickly.

Temperature Matters More Than Most People Think

This is probably the biggest difference.

With a torch…

You’re guessing.

Sure…

You get better with experience.

But you’re still estimating temperatures.

Heat it too much…

Goodbye terpenes.

Too cool…

Now you’ve got puddles.

Modern e-rigs remove almost all of that guesswork by electronically maintaining a selected temperature. That consistency helps preserve flavor, avoids overheating concentrates, and delivers repeatable sessions from one dab to the next.

My Rosin Goes WAY Further

This one surprised me.

I watched people load tiny little dabs…

Tiny.

I’m talking “Is that really enough?” tiny.

Then somehow…

They’re still getting flavorful hits…

Third hit…

Fourth hit…

Sometimes longer.

Meanwhile…

With my torch setup…

By hit number two…

I’m usually tasting…

Well…

Let’s just say “campfire terpenes.”

The controlled heating of an e-rig means you’re less likely to scorch expensive concentrates, which many users say helps stretch their stash further.

Considering what premium rosin costs these days…

That matters.

Convenience Wins By a Mile

Let’s compare.

Traditional setup:

Torch.

Butane.

Rig.

Carb cap.

Timer.

Lighter.

Hope you remembered everything.

E-rig:

Push button.

Wait a few seconds.

Enjoy.

No butane.

No giant flame.

No wondering if your torch decided today was the day it wouldn’t ignite.

For travel, many users also prefer battery-powered e-rigs because they’re easier to pack than carrying both a glass rig and a torch.

Let’s Talk About Safety

This one’s personal too.

When I’m cleaning my rig…

I’ve usually got an open container of 91% isopropyl alcohol nearby.

Now combine that with…

A torch shooting flames that can reach hundreds of degrees.

Yeah…

Maybe that’s not my smartest life decision.

E-rigs eliminate the open flame entirely, reducing burn risks and avoiding many of the hazards associated with butane torches.

And let’s be honest…

Most of us have accidentally touched a hot banger at least once.

If you haven’t…

Congratulations.

You’re apparently the chosen one.

But What About Cleaning?

Honestly?

It’s basically a tie.

Whether you’re using glass or an e-rig…

You’re still buying Q-Tips.

You’re still buying 91% isopropyl alcohol.

You’re still cleaning after your sessions if you want your concentrates tasting fresh.

No shortcuts there.

So…Which One Am I Buying?

I’ve spent weeks thinking about this.

Originally…

I figured I’d eventually buy a Carta.

Then I looked at the current prices.

Then last weekend I spent time with Woodz Treez and Sammy Treez.

They introduced me to the Daka Turbo 3.

Now I’m sitting here asking myself…

Do I really need Bluetooth?

Do I need to control my dab rig from my phone?

Can I survive the emotional trauma of standing up and pressing one button?

I think I’ll manage.

The Puffco Peak Pro is an incredible piece of technology and has earned its reputation for premium features and precise customization—but it also comes with a premium price tag. The Carta remains another highly respected option in the middle of the market.

For me, though?

The Daka Turbo 3 checks the boxes that actually matter.

It’s affordable.

Portable.

Simple.

And with Woodz Treez’s “Trailblazerz” code, I can grab one for around $162 before tax and shipping.

Considering what I’m saving compared to the premium models…

That leaves a whole lot more money…

For rosin.

And let’s be honest…

I’d rather buy more concentrates than buy an app I’ll probably use twice.

OG Strain’s Final Hit

After years of torch dabbing…

I never thought I’d say this.

But I think it’s finally time.

Will traditional rigs disappear?

Not a chance.

They’re part of cannabis culture.

They’ll always have their place.

But for my everyday sessions?

Safety.

Consistency.

Flavor.

Convenience.

Efficiency.

I think the e-rig wins.

Now I want your help.

If you’ve owned a Puffco Peak Pro, a Carta, or a Daka Turbo 3, tell me why you love it—or why I should avoid it.

By the time this magazine hits your hands, my goal is to have my first true e-rig sitting on my desk.

So convince me.

Which one should become OG Strain Approved?

For some reason, there’s this myth floating around the cannabis community that everything sold at a pop-up event is just the flower that wasn’t good enough to make it onto a legal dispensary shelf.

Can that happen?

Sure.

Does it always happen?

Absolutely not.

In fact, some of the most elite flower and cold cure rosin I’ve ever had didn’t come from a dispensary at all.

Now before anyone grabs their pitchforks, let me be crystal clear: this isn’t an attack on legal dispensaries. I shop at them too. They’re an important part of New York’s cannabis industry, and they provide something pop-ups simply can’t—consumer protections, testing requirements, licensed operations, and accountability if something goes wrong.

That’s a huge advantage.

But let’s stop pretending dispensaries automatically have the best cannabis money can buy, because that’s simply not how business works.

The Economics Nobody Talks About

A legal dispensary has a mountain of expenses.

Licensing.

Compliance.

Insurance.

Security.

Employees.

Taxes.

Rent.

Utilities.

Marketing.

Those costs don’t disappear—they get built into the price tag.

On top of that, dispensaries have to make business decisions that maximize profit. They’re generally looking for products that offer the best balance between quality and wholesale cost.

Now imagine you’re a small craft grower producing absolute top-shelf cannabis.

You spent months dialing in genetics.

You babied every plant.

Your cure is flawless.

Your terpene profile smells like heaven just opened a dispensary.

Are you really going to sell that masterpiece for bargain-basement wholesale prices?

Some growers simply won’t.

Instead, they’ll sell directly through trusted events and relationships where people appreciate—and will actually pay for—that level of craftsmanship.

That’s why some incredible products never make it onto dispensary shelves.

Not because they aren’t good enough.

Sometimes they’re too expensive for a dispensary’s business model.

Pop-Ups Have Their Own Advantages

Another thing that makes pop-ups unique is variety.

Dispensaries are generally limited by state regulations regarding the products they can legally carry.

Pop-up events often introduce enthusiasts to genetics, breeders, hash makers, and brands they’ve never seen before.

Sometimes you’ll meet the actual grower.

Sometimes you’ll meet the person who washed the hash.

Sometimes you’ll spend twenty minutes talking terpenes with the person who pressed your rosin.

Try getting that kind of conversation from a barcode.

But Don’t Turn Your Brain Off

Now here’s where OG Strain puts on his responsible adult hat…

Just because you’re at a pop-up doesn’t mean every vendor is selling quality products.

Far from it.

Trust matters.

Reputation matters.

Knowing your source matters.

If you’re buying from someone you’ve never heard of, ask questions.

Who grew it?

Who processed it?

How was it extracted?

The cannabis community is built on relationships. A trusted reputation is worth far more than flashy packaging.

Why I Care So Much About Rosin

If you’ve watched my channel, you already know I’m obsessed with clean cold cure rosin.

Why?

Because I don’t just care about getting high.

I care about what I’m putting into my lungs.

A properly made solventless rosin lets the plant speak for itself.

No unnecessary additives.

No mystery ingredients.

Just cannabinoids, terpenes, heat, pressure, and craftsmanship.

That’s why I’ve gone out of my way to highlight companies that consistently impress me.

Companies like Buddah Brothers.

Higher Beings Powered by Hudson Valley Green.

Central Oddities.

These are the kinds of producers that remind me quality still exists.

And here’s the part that surprises a lot of people.

In my experience, I’ve found exceptional cold cure rosin from trusted producers at prices around $40 a gram—while comparable premium solventless rosin in licensed dispensaries can often cost significantly more.

Quality isn’t determined by where it’s sold.

Quality is determined by who made it.

The Ultimate Blind Test Is Coming

This weekend I’m heading out to Williamstown to meet up with Woodz Treez.

We’ve got something fun planned.

He’s going in completely blind.

No brand names.

No strain names.

No hints.

Just the e-rig, the rosin, and his honest opinion.

We’ll be focusing on flavor, smoothness, melt, and overall quality.

After enough dabs, I doubt either of us will remember which strain caused which effects anyway.

That’s the scientific term known as “occupational hazard.”

The goal isn’t to crown a winner before we even start.

The goal is to let the product speak for itself.

No hype.

No labels.

No bias.

Just hash.

Loyalty Still Matters

I’ll admit it…

When I found out Crisxotics was hosting another event featuring the McGregor vs. Holloway UFC fight, I thought, “Man…that sounds like a good time.”

But once I commit to plans, I don’t back out.

My word means something to me.

If I tell somebody I’m showing up, I’m showing up unless life throws something completely out of my control in the way.

That’s just how I was raised.

Don’t Miss This One

I’ve invested well over $300 putting this cold cure rosin project together because I genuinely want to help people find outstanding products without wasting money chasing hype.

If you’re searching for some of the most impressive cold cure rosin I’ve come across in the 518, this is a video you won’t want to miss.

Head over to Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) on YouTube.

Subscribe.

Hit the notification bell.

Then get ready for one of the biggest blind rosin sessions we’ve ever filmed.

Because when it comes to chasing fire…

OG Strain is always willing to do the research.

You’re welcome.

If you’re happy smoking wax, crumble, batter, badder, sugar, or whatever your favorite concentrate happens to be…

Stop reading right now.

Seriously.

Because once you cross over into the world of quality cold cure rosin, there’s a very good chance your wallet is going to start sending you angry text messages.

I warned you.

For years I smoked wax. It worked. It got me high. I wasn’t complaining. Fourteen grams for around a hundred bucks? That’s hard to argue with. Sometimes it’s a little more, sometimes a little less, but either way it’s one of the most affordable ways to dab.

Then somebody handed me some quality cold cure.

That was the beginning of the end.

⸻

The Flavor That Ruined Everything

The first thing you’ll notice isn’t that you’re higher.

It’s the flavor.

It’s like somebody took your favorite strain and turned the volume knob from 3 all the way up to 11.

Suddenly you’re tasting citrus that wasn’t there before. Pine. Candy. Gas. Fruit. Earth. Whatever that strain naturally produces suddenly becomes incredibly obvious.

Why?

Because cold cure rosin is processed and cured in a way that helps preserve many of the delicate terpenes responsible for aroma and flavor. Those terpenes are extremely volatile and can evaporate or degrade when exposed to excessive heat, oxygen, or aggressive processing. Cold curing allows the concentrate to mature at lower temperatures while maintaining a richer terpene profile and creating that smooth buttery consistency solventless lovers obsess over.  

Translation?

More flavor. More aroma. More strain personality.

Instead of tasting “weed concentrate,” you actually taste the strain.

That’s a completely different experience.

⸻

Your Dab Rig Isn’t a Dump Truck

Now let me save you some money.

I don’t know what’s going on over on Instagram.

Apparently everybody is competing in the Olympic Heavyweight Dab Championships.

Somebody posts a video with a half-gram.

Then somebody responds with a full gram.

Then some dude named Chad loads enough rosin into his banger to asphalt a driveway.

Congratulations.

You didn’t take a dab.

You took a mortgage payment.

Listen…

It’s called a dab, not a glump.

A tiny amount of quality cold cure is usually all you need.

Heat your banger properly—not scorching hot—and let the rosin vaporize instead of burn. Take slow draws instead of trying to inhale the entire state of Colorado in one breath.

You’ll enjoy better flavor, smoother hits, and your gram will last dramatically longer.

Some people even gently reheat what’s left for one more light pull. Others clean the banger immediately because they prefer only the freshest vapor. That’s personal preference.

Either way…

You don’t need cartoon-sized dabs unless your goal is internet clout and coughing so hard your ancestors hear it.

⸻

Why It Actually Feels Different

People often focus on THC percentage.

I don’t.

The magic is in the entire package.

Cold cure rosin keeps more of the plant’s natural terpene profile intact, and because it’s solventless, many enthusiasts feel they’re getting a cleaner representation of the original flower. Premium hash rosin is also made from separated trichome heads rather than the entire flower, reducing unwanted plant material while preserving the compounds that give each cultivar its unique aroma and character.  

THC gets plenty of attention.

Terpenes deserve a standing ovation.

⸻

Is Cold Cure Worth The Extra Money?

Honestly…

If money is tight…

Stick with wax.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I’d rather see somebody enjoying affordable concentrates than stressing over buying premium products they can’t comfortably afford.

But…

If you have the extra money even once…

Treat yourself.

Just understand there may be no going back.

Don’t blame me when you’re standing in front of the wax display six months later whispering,

“It just doesn’t taste the same anymore…”

⸻

Should You Make Your Own Rosin?

This question comes up constantly.

“If I buy flower and press my own, will I save money?”

Usually…

Not if you’re buying the flower.

Here’s why.

Most people pressing flower at home are getting somewhere around a 15–25% return, depending on the strain, moisture level, equipment, and experience. That means four grams of flower might only produce around one gram—or less—of flower rosin. If you decide to make bubble hash first and then press hash rosin, the quality often improves, but the process becomes much more labor-intensive, requires additional equipment, and beginners usually lose product while learning.  

Unless you already grow your own flower or genuinely enjoy solventless extraction as a hobby…

Buying quality rosin from someone who has mastered the process is usually the better financial decision.

Especially when buying in larger quantities, where the price per gram can drop dramatically.

Leave the trial-and-error to the people who have already ruined enough batches for the rest of us.

⸻

What’s Coming Next On My YouTube Channel

This article actually inspired my next video.

Over on Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis), I’ll be filming what may become one of my favorite concentrate videos yet:

“The Most Elite Cold Cure Rosin & Strains In OG Strain’s Extensive Stash.”

I’ll be showcasing some absolute fire from Central Oddities—my first experience with their cold cure, and I came away seriously impressed.

You’ll also see favorites from Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green, whose solventless lineup has consistently earned a spot near the top of my personal rankings.

I’ll also be featuring selections from the reservation, and if all goes according to plan, I’ll be adding some incredible cold cure from Buddah Brothers as well.

The truth is…

I don’t usually sit around planning videos.

My videos happen naturally.

When enough exceptional products find their way into my stash, the camera practically turns itself on.

The quality these vendors continue putting out is exactly why this video needs to exist.

⸻

Final Hit

Cold cure rosin isn’t for everyone.

It’s more expensive.

It’s harder to make.

It’s definitely easier to become addicted to… not in the medical sense—but in the “nothing else tastes good anymore” kind of way.

If you’re perfectly happy with wax…

Enjoy it.

If you’re curious what all the hype is about…

Find yourself a quality gram of cold cure.

Load a small dab.

Take it slow.

Taste your strain instead of just smoking it.

Just don’t send me your therapy bill when regular wax suddenly starts tasting like disappointment.

You’ve officially been warned.