For the dab connoisseur who wants to get the most out of their extracts, terp pearls are a must-have accessory. Dip Devices' newest product, the Rover dab rig, comes equipped with built-in terp pearls, meaning now is the perfect time for a crash course on these trendy dabbing accessories and how to get them spinning perfectly every time.
What Are Terp Pearls?
Terp pearls are also known as dab beads, terp balls, and banger beads. These dab rig accessories are small orbs that go into the banger of your favorite dab rig to enhance heat distribution and maximize flavor from your concentrates.
What Do Terp Beads Look Like?
Most terp pearls are tiny spheres, usually smaller than a pea and ranging from 4mm to 9mm in diameter. Some terp pearls are oblong or pill-shaped, but sphere-shaped dab balls are the most common.
They can come in any color, and some artisan glassmakers even create dab pearls in novelty shapes and designs. The Rover features precision-engineered quartz terp pearls optimized for consistent spinning performance.
What Do Dab Pearls Do?
Simply put, terp pearls increase the quality of your dabbing session. They help to heat the extract more evenly to produce smoother, more flavorful hits without wasting any wax.
By increasing the hot surface area inside your banger, terp beads ensure every bit of your concentrate gets vaporized at the optimal temperature. This means better terpene preservation and bigger clouds.
How Do Terp Pearls Work?
When you add your extract, pop on the carb cap and inhale, the dab pearls will spin inside the banger. The terp beads essentially increase the hot surface area of your banger to heat your extract more evenly.
The spinning action of dab pearls also agitates the melted extract, helping you inhale every last bit while preventing pooling and waste. This movement distributes heat consistently throughout your concentrate for optimal vaporization.
Do Dab Beads Have to Spin?
If you've seen videos of terp pearls, you've probably seen them spinning wildly in the banger. The more they spin, the more effective they are, but they don't need to create a whirlpool in your dab rig to make a difference.
Even non-uniform agitation has a decent effect. However, achieving that signature spinning motion definitely enhances performance and gives you the full benefits of using terp pearls.
How to Use Terp Pearls
Dab pearls are an exciting addition to your dab rig, but you have to use them right to get the most out of them. If you don't want to deal with another accessory for your dab rig, pick up a portable dab rig with built-in terp pearls, like the Rover.
What Size Terp Pearls Should I Use?
Terp pearls are small—usually between 4mm and 9mm. The size (and shape) you choose will depend on the size of your banger and your personal preferences.
You might need to try out several different types of terp pearls to determine which size works best for your setup. As a general rule, 6mm pearls work well for most standard bangers, while smaller 4mm beads suit compact rigs.
Some dab rigs, like the Rover, have built-in terp pearls. In this case, you won't have to worry about choosing a size or shape since the terp pearls will already be optimized for your piece.
What is the Best Terp Ball Material?
Terp pearls come in a few different materials. Quartz, borosilicate glass, ruby, and ceramics are all common. Again, the choice will depend on your temperature preference and propensity to break your pieces.
Quartz terp pearls are standard since they're sturdy and conduct heat well. Quartz retains heat longer than glass and can handle rapid temperature changes better than ceramic.
The Rover by Dip Devices uses an all-quartz chamber, including quartz terp pearls. This ensures consistent heat retention and pure flavor with every dab.
How Many Terp Balls Should I Use?
Most dabbers find that one or two terp pearls give them the best performance. You want enough to agitate the wax but don't want so many that they have trouble moving around each other.
Using too many terp beads can actually restrict airflow and prevent proper spinning. The sweet spot for most standard bangers is two 6mm pearls.
The Rover comes equipped with two terp beads. We've found this combination provides the best results for optimal spinning action and even heat distribution.
Do You Add Terp Pearls Before or After Heating?
Generally speaking, adding your terp pearls before you heat the banger is best to avoid thermal shock. Sudden temperature changes can cause your pearls to crack or shatter.
Some people prefer to add their terp pearls once the banger is hot, depending on the temperature they prefer to dab at and the material of their terp beads. If you do add them after heating, use tweezers and introduce them gently.
Because the Rover's terp beads are built into the design and enclosed in the chamber, you don't need to worry about remembering when to drop them in. They'll get up to the perfect temperature with the rest of the chamber every time—no thermal shock risk.
How to Clean Terp Pearls
If you've ever used a dab rig, you know they can get sticky. Keeping your dab rig clean ensures peak performance and flavor; the same goes for your terp pearls.
To reduce buildup, quickly clean your terp pearls when you wipe out your banger after each session. When you clean your rig, wash your dab beads more thoroughly by soaking them in isopropyl alcohol for 15-30 minutes and wiping them off with a soft cloth or cotton swab.
Some people also clean their terp beads by burning off leftover wax with a torch. If you choose this method, be careful not to overheat your terp beads or burn yourself on tiny, white-hot bits of quartz. Always use tweezers or a dabbing tool to handle hot terp pearls.
Terp Pearl Troubleshooting: Why Are My Dab Beads Not Spinning?
Are your terp pearls not working right? No worries. There's a bit of a learning curve to using these dabbing accessories, but Dip Devices can get you back on track in no time.
If you don't want to troubleshoot your terp pearls, you can always opt for an easy-to-use electric dab rig with built-in terp beads, like the Rover.
Why Won't My Terp Beads Spin?
There are several reasons why your dab pearls might not be spinning. Here are the most common culprits and how to fix them:
1. Wrong Carb Cap for Terp Pearls
Not all carb caps have the same type of airflow. You'll need to use a carb cap designed to work with terp beads to get your terp pearls to spin properly.
Look for directional carb caps or bubble carb caps that create a vortex airflow pattern. These are specifically designed to make terp pearls spin. If managing dab beads and a specialized carb cap sounds like too much trouble, we created the Rover with vacuum-based airflow for smooth hits—and fast-spinning terp pearls—every time.
2. Dirty Rig or Terp Pearls
Dirty terp pearls or a sticky banger can keep your dab beads from spinning right. Residue buildup adds friction and prevents smooth movement.
Give everything a good clean with isopropyl alcohol and try again to see if that solves the problem. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your terp pearls spinning smoothly.
3. Wrong Size or Number of Terp Beads
If your terp balls aren't the right size or you're not using the right number of beads, they might not be able to spin smoothly in your banger.
Try it with a different setup to see if that solves the problem. Start with two 6mm pearls in a standard banger and adjust from there. Or, you can opt for a vape with built-in terp pearls, like the Rover, to take the guesswork out of choosing terp beads.
4. Incorrect Water Level
Sometimes, filling your rig with too much or too little water can interfere with the airflow and prevent the terp beads from spinning.
Adjust the amount of water in your dab rig until you hit that sweet spot where your terp beads rotate perfectly. Generally, water should just cover the percolator without restricting airflow.
5. Temperature Issues
If your banger isn't hot enough, the concentrate won't melt properly to allow the pearls to move freely. If it's too hot, the concentrate may vaporize too quickly.
Aim for low-temperature dabs around 450-600°F for optimal terp pearl performance and terpene preservation.
These possibilities cover the most common culprits for terp pearls that won't spin. Run down the checklist, and you should be back to taking perfectly heated, delicious, efficient dabs in no time.
Why Did My Dab Beads Break?
Just like any other piece, dab pearls can break. The most common reason they chip, crack, or shatter is sudden temperature changes, especially with rough handling—like dropping room-temperature terp pearls into a blazing hot banger.
You can avoid this by slowly heating your terp pearls with the banger, gently handling them, and using tweezers or another tool to place them into the banger.
Quality matters too. Cheaper glass or ceramic pearls are more prone to breaking than high-quality quartz terp pearls. Invest in durable materials for longer-lasting performance.
How to Make Terp Pearls Spin Faster
Want to maximize that mesmerizing spin? Here are some pro tips to get your terp pearls spinning faster and more consistently:
- Use a directional carb cap: These create concentrated airflow that drives the spinning motion
- Keep everything clean: Any residue adds friction and slows down spinning
- Optimize your water level: Less drag means faster spinning pearls
- Choose the right size: Smaller pearls in a properly sized banger spin more freely
- Draw steadily: Consistent inhale pressure maintains the vortex
The Rover eliminates these variables with its engineered airflow system that automatically creates optimal conditions for terp pearl spinning.
The Rover Makes it Easy to Use Terp Pearls
Dab beads are worth it, but there's much to remember when using them. If you want all the benefits of dab pearls without the hassle, your best bet is a dab rig with built-in terp beads, like the Rover from Dip Devices.
A piece like this lets you enjoy big, smooth rips, flavorful terpenes, and efficient use of wax in a compact, affordable, electric package. No need to worry about:
- Choosing the right size terp pearls
- Finding a compatible carb cap
- Timing when to add pearls before or after heating
- Adjusting water levels for optimal airflow
- Losing or breaking your terp beads
The Rover's integrated design handles all of this automatically, delivering perfect spinning performance and enhanced flavor with every session. Learn more about what terp pearls do or explore different terp pearl materials to find your perfect setup.
