Quick answer
A quartz nectar collector tip is the heated end of a dab straw. You heat the tip with a butane torch, wait, then touch it to a concentrate. Quartz holds heat longer than titanium and adds less taste than ceramic. Common tip joint sizes are 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm. The tip must match the joint size of your collector.
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What the tip does
The tip moves heat by conduction. Concentrate melts on contact and turns into vapor. There is no nail, no dome, and no water. The collector body is a tube with a glass or silicone mouthpiece. Shops sell tips as spare parts because quartz breaks on impact.
Sizes and fit
Nectar collectors use standard glass joint sizes. The tip must match.
- 10mm: common on small, portable collectors.
- 14mm: mid-size units and most kits.
- 18mm: large units, less common on a dab straw.
Check male versus female. A 14mm male tip fits a 14mm female joint. The head diameter also varies. A wide dish holds more heat for a large dose. A narrow tip works for a small dose.
Nectar Collector Cleaning Guide: How to Clean Your Piece
How to heat a quartz tip
- Hold the torch 1 to 2 inches from the tip.
- Move the flame in a circle so heat spreads through the quartz.
- Stop when the tip glows a faint orange. That reading is near 1,000°F.
- Wait 10 to 20 seconds. Quartz cools from the outside in.
- Touch the tip to the concentrate and draw through the mouthpiece.
A deep red glow is too hot. Vapor at that point tastes burnt. Aim for a tip that is warm and no longer glowing. Test with a small amount first.
Cleaning
Soak the tip in 91% or 99% isopropyl alcohol for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and let it dry. Do not put hot quartz into cold liquid. Thermal shock can crack the tip. Use a cotton swab on the inner tube between sessions. Residue left on the tip adds a burnt taste to the next session.
Quartz compared with titanium and ceramic
- Quartz: heats in 20 to 30 seconds, holds heat, neutral taste, breaks on impact.
- Titanium: heats in 10 to 15 seconds, cools fast, resists breakage, adds a metal note.
- Ceramic: slow heat, good flavor, cracks with thermal shock.
What to check in a store
Ask the staff for the joint size and the tip material. Fused quartz and quartz glass are the same product for this use. Some shops sell borosilicate tips and label them quartz. Borosilicate softens near 1,500°F and can deform under a torch. Look at the joint for chips. Check that the tip sits flush in the collector. Spare tips run about $10 to $30 at US shops. Prices change by state and by tax rate.
Safety
A butane torch flame reaches about 2,500°F. Keep it away from skin, cloth, and the butane can. Ventilate the room. A quartz tip stays hot for 30 to 60 seconds after the glow fades. Set it on a metal or ceramic stand. Cannabis concentrates can carry high THC levels. Start with a small dose.