What Is Shatter and How Do You Smoke It?

What Is Shatter and How Do You Smoke It?

The Joint CannabisOct 3, '24

Cannabis shatter is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to ingest THC. To the uninitiated, it can seem intimidating. This distilled form of cannabis isn’t your typical flowery bud. However, many smokers prefer its efficiency and potency.

If you don’t know what shatter is, don’t worry. Even cannabis connoisseurs are still sorting through this brand-new world of dank distillates. That’s why we put down our dab rigs long enough to write this guide.

Learning how to smoke shatter is really easy! The terminology and process is slightly different, but the idea is the same. Let’s dive into the buzzy highs of cannabis shatter and discover a whole new way to experience THC!

What Is Shatter?

Shatter is a cannabis concentrate that has a glass-like appearance. To make it, cannabinoids, terpenes, and lipids are separated from the marijuana plant matter using solvents.

Shatter is what you get after separating the psychoactive elements of marijuana from the plant. It is highly potent. While the strongest strains top out at around 30% THC, shatter is routinely near 90%. This potency is ideal for regular smokers who want to achieve their desired high while using less product. Learning how to smoke shatter can save you lots of money.

How Is Cannabis Shatter Unique?

Every cannabis concentrate has a different quality and consistency. For example, wax and crumble are varieties that are sticky or crumbly. Some prefer handling shatter for its translucent look and brittle body. It also has a reputation for being one of the most potent types of concentrate.

The appearance of shatter is what happens to concentrate when its molecules are undisturbed during processing. This method differs from the agitation that goes into processing wax. Instead of a stretchy or sticky consistency, this gives shatter its unique, glassy finish.

While their physical properties differ, most concentrates are essentially the same. Learning how to smoke shatter is similar to any other distillate. However, the tactile differences in each extract lead many users to choose favorites. Shatter fans prefer the less sticky, easily breakable material.

How to Smoke Shatter

Cannabis shatter melting on a dabber

Cannabis shatter is incredibly versatile and covers many smoking preferences. Whether you want to get lost in the clouds or add a special topping to your next bong rip, shatter has you covered. You can even “bake” with it!

Dabbing

Don’t be intimidated by dabbing; it’s surprisingly easy to do. Learning how to smoke shatter this way is highly effective. You start by heating your dab rig’s nail with a butane torch. Once the nail is hot and glowing, place the shatter on the nail with a dabber tool. As it melts, cover the nail with a cap and inhale.

Here’s a pro tip: Melting your cannabis shatter slightly before applying it to the nail helps keep the concentrate in place. And keep in mind that concentrates are high in THC, and dabbing produces lots of smoke. Start slow—you can always smoke more later!

The Cherry On Top

We don’t recommend traditional pipes when learning how to smoke shatter. The melting point of the concentrate is too high to make it an effective method. However, breaking off a few bits and using it as the cherry on top of your bowl will add an extra kick to your hits.

Since shatter is what you get from a more solid concentrate, the extract is brittle enough that you should be able to break off a few chunks with your fingers. Sprinkle them over your flower and get ready for a treat!

Concentrate Vaporizers

woman showing how to smoke shatter on the beach

Concentrate vaporizers are a straightforward and effective tool that makes learning how to smoke shatter easy. Add the concentrate to the chamber, ensure your pen is hot and ready, and start taking rips. Voila—you’re vaping shatter!

Keep in mind that shatter is what you get when you distill marijuana to its essence. It’s potent, and vaping is a very effective delivery system for THC. If you’re new to concentrates or have a low tolerance, you should be cautious when vaping. Treat it just like dabbing and start slow. After just a few puffs, you’ll see why.

Concentrate in the Kitchen

Cooking with cannabis is a fun way to get baked, and making magic in the kitchen has never been as easy as it is with extracts. It’s crucial to make a cannabis-infused oil or butter before you start cooking because this allows the cannabinoids to attach to fat.

To create your THC-infused fat, shatter must first go through a process called decarboxylation. To decarboxylate your shatter, bake it at around 200° for twenty minutes. Once it has melted and started bubbling, it’s ready to stir into your fat.

Once the shatter and fat are combined, it’s time to get creative in the kitchen. Sweet or savory, you can add it as a substitute for any dish that requires butter or oil. It’s an incredible way to satisfy your munchies before they even strike!

Since shatter is what you get from separating the psychoactive elements from the cannabis flower, cooking with it doesn’t have the smell of cooking with traditional weed. This lack of aroma makes cannabis shatter an excellent alternative for cannabis recipes if your roommates or landlord isn’t 420-friendly. 

What is Shatter? It’s Amazing.

Digging into the world of cannabis extracts and discovering what shatter is lends a dank new dimension to your smoke sessions. By distilling cannabis to its essence, potent puffs of shatter will stretch your stash while elevating your buzz!

At The Joint, we’re dedicated to ensuring our community has premium cannabis products at unbeatable prices. Visit us in person and talk to a friendly budtender, or shop our vast online cannabis store and get free shipping on orders over $100!

About the Author

The Joint Cannabis

In 2007, The Joint Cannabis began as a smoke shop until the Canadian federal government legalized cannabis in 2018 when they expanded to provide both cannabis and vape products. They operate a chain of cannabis and vape stores throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan to provide local, same-day delivery for orders placed in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Regina. Their team of experts has been educated in the ever changing industry to help their customers find the best products for them. The selection of cannabis and accessories they carry is unmatched and they are committed to offering the best prices—including price-matching when needed.