The Science Behind Terp Pearls: How they improve your dab sessions

Terp pearls may be the smallest dabbing accessory but are also of the most consequential. Terp pearls are small spherical pieces of quartz or gemstone that are placed inside the banger or atomizer to enhance the vaporization rate by evenly spreading the dabs for even heating and vaporization. Terp pearls are made from a variety of materials in many different sizes.

How do terp pearls work? 

Like you may have read in one of our previous blogs we compare dabbing to heating a pot on a stove. Think of two pots on a stove top, one really small pot and the other a really wide pot, both being heated at the same flame strength. If you take an eye dropper and place one drop into each pot the drop will evaporate instantly. If you then take a quarter cup or water and place it into each pot what will happen? 

The smaller pot will initially sizzle only for the pot to be flooded by the water and it will take some time for the water to heat up enough to evaporate. However with the wider pot, being that it has more surface area, the water will evaporate rather quickly.  

There are a few mitigating factors to help increase the evaporation rate of the smaller pot, mixing the water with a spoon will help spread the water up against the walls of the pot, hitting portions of the pot which have not been saturated and are still hot, allowing the water that touches it to evaporate quickly. 

In addition if you were to cook risotto in a pot, the bottom tends to burn while the middle may not even be hot. This is due to hot spots and cool spots within the pot due to different points of heating and different saturation rates. To avoid this issue it is recommended to stir the pot which will evenly heat the risotto. 

Now I’m no chef but I sure as hell am a dabbing expert and these two concepts hold true with dabbing. Terp pearls address these 2 issues perfectly. First the pearls spread the dab allowing it to touch portions of the banger which are not being touched by the dabs, like the side walls. Being that the side walls are not touched by the dab they will be hotter and will allow the dabs to vaporize that much quicker. Secondly the terp pearls mix the dabs, preventing those hot spots and cool spots resulting in a more evenly heated and vaporized dab. 

Proper Pairings of Terp Pearls, Banger and Carb Caps

Terp pearls when being used with a bucket banger must be paired with a spinner or vortex cap carp, this is how they spin to spread the concentrates. When utilizing a terp slurper banger they are to be placed in the lower chamber accompanied by a marble carb cap and ideally a middle marble. Terp pearls can also be used with a vortex bucket banger or blender bangers, paired with a marble carb cap. We have created several terp pearl sets to properly pair with any style banger or dab nail. 

How To Use Terp Pearls For Dabbing? 

To properly use terp pearls you will place them inside the banger or dab nail before heating the banger or atomizer. This allows the pearls to heat up and spread the wax that much more easily. Simply place the pearls inside the banger, heat the banger as you normally would, then drop the dab into the banger or nail, place the carb cap on top of the banger and inhale. It’s really that simple. 

Terp Pearl Materials

Terp pearls are made from a variety of materials, ranging from quartz to silicon carbide to gemstones like emerald, sapphire and even moissanite. Each of these different materials has their own set of advantages. Click here to read more about all the different terp pearl materials, their differences and advantages. 

Terp Pearl Sizes 

Terp pearls range in size from 2mm all the way up to 10mm with the most popular sizes being 4mm and 6mm. Each size has its own best usage based on the size of the device being used, like a 25mm banger vs a electric dab rig atomizer. Understanding which size is best for your dab device will allow for proper functionality and the best dab possible with that device. 

Terp Pearl Size List

2mm Terp Pearls
3mm Terp Pearls
4mm Terp Pearls
6mm Terp Pearls
8mm Terp Pearls
10mm Terp Pearls

2mm vs 3mm vs 4mm vs 6mm vs 8mm vs 10mm Terp Pearls

1. Heat Retention:
   2mm-4mm Terp Pearls: Being smaller, these pearls heat up quicker but might not retain that heat for as long as their larger counterparts. This means they might not stay hot enough for the entire duration of longer dabs.
   6mm-10mm Terp Pearls: Their larger size means they might take a tad longer to heat up, but once they're hot, they typically maintain that heat for a more extended period.
   
   2. Surface Area and Coverage:
   2mm-4mm Terp Pearls: Their smaller size allows for multiple pearls to be used in one banger, which increases the surface area in contact with the concentrate. This can be beneficial for even distribution of heat.
   6mm-10mm Terp Pearls: A single 6mm pearl will occupy more space in the banger and might not move around as freely as smaller pearls. This means it might not distribute the dab as evenly unless adequately spinning with sufficient airflow.
   
   3. Mobility and Airflow:
   2mm-4mm Terp Pearls: Due to their smaller size, these pearls tend to spin more rapidly and move more freely inside the banger when influenced by the airflow from a carb cap.
   6mm-10mm Terp Pearls: Being slightly heavier and larger, they might not spin as quickly or move as freely, potentially requiring stronger airflow from a carb cap to get them spinning.
   
   4. Concentrate Quantity:
     - 4mm Terp Pearls: Ideal for smaller dab sizes as they help ensure even heat without overwhelming the concentrate.
     - 6mm Terp Pearls: Might be more suitable for larger dabs, as their heat retention can handle more concentrate.
   
   5. Cleaning:
     - 4mm Terp Pearls: Smaller pearls might be slightly more challenging to clean individually because of their size but might not accumulate as much residue due to their more active movement.
     - 6mm Terp Pearls: Easier to handle and clean individually, but given their larger size, they might accumulate more residue if they don't move as much during the dabbing process.
2. Compatibility with Devices: Bangers, Dab Pens, Dab Nails, Electric Dab Rigs:
     - 4mm Terp Pearls: Smaller pearls are ideal for smaller buckets like those used for electric dab rigs.
     - 6mm Terp Pearls: Typically do not function as well with electric dab rigs, blocking the carb cap from sitting properly or not spinning easily. 

The choice between smaller and larger Terp Pearls largely depends on the size of the device being used and personal preference, the size of the dabs typically consumed, and the specific banger and carb cap setup. Some users prefer the quick heat-up and increased movement of smaller pearls, while others lean towards the sustained heat retention of larger pearls. Experimenting with both sizes can help determine which works best for your setup and dabbing habits.

When to use what size terp pearls

The best terp pearl to use for your dabbing device is dependent upon the diameter of the bucket, nail or atomizer. Allowing the pearl to spin is the only way it can be effective, you would also want the dab to be able to actually touch the bottom of the banger or atomizer so it can be properly heated. For instance if the interior diameter of the bucket is 10mm and you were to use 

a 10mm terp pearl, the pearl wont be able to spin and the wax wont even have room to touch the bottom of the banger. Likewise if you are using a 35mm bucket with 2mm terp pearls as much as the pearls may spin like crazy, they wont be able to move enough of the concentrates around to be effective. 

The key is to find the sweet spot where a minimum of two pearls can be used and they can really spin, climbing the walls to really spread the dab out. Here’s a neat little chart which shows our recommended terp pearls per the diameter of the banger or atomizer. 

Another thing to consider is when using smaller terp pearls if they spin to much they can be sucked down into the banger joint and are a pain to retrieve, so when using smaller terp pearls on a banger be sure not to allow the pearls to climb to high up the wall and slide down the banger joint neck. 

Handling Terp Pearls

Terp pearls can be lost quickly so handling them properly will keep them clean, in good shape and not lost. The number 1 tool to use to handle terp pearls of any size is the terp pearl grabber tool, with its 3 prongs it is able to grab dirty pearls from within the bucks to be properly cleaned and then placed back into the banger. 

Cleaning Terp Pearls

Terp pearls can be cleaned one of two ways, either by using isopropyl alcohol or by utilizing a mini dunk tank. The mini dunk tank from Dr Buzzkills is specifically design for small items such as terp pearls, terp pillars and bucket inserts. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do terp pearls make a difference?

Terp pearls maximize dabbing efficiency allowing for better vaporization and less wasted dabs. Read above to learn more!

• Can terp pearls improve vapor production?

Absolutely, that's the whole point of them. By spreading the dab out evenly and onto portions of the banger which have a higher vaporization rate (is hotter) it helps vaporize the dabs better resulting in bigger, milky clouds!

• What do pearls do for dabs?

Spin baby spin! They spin around the banger, atomizer or dab nail spreading those dabs evenly and helping them vaporize that much more efficiently. 

• Can you use too many terp pearls?

Too much of anything is a bad thing. Too many terp pearls can impact their ability to spin or prevent the dab from touching the banger, only coating the terp pearls and not being properly vaporized. 

• How do terp pearls affect airflow?

Terp pearls don’t necessarily impact the airflow but may require a stronger inhalation for them to spin. The only circumstance where it would have a real impact on airflow is if they get sucked down the neck of the banger.

• Can I dab using terp pearls without a carb cap?

You would need some sort of carb cap, even if it's just a silicone jar and this can only be done with a blender banger or terp slurper banger, or specific dab pens like the puffco pivot.