Education · March 2026
Concentrates 101 & Why Puffco Is the #1 Accessory Brand
A straightforward guide to cannabis concentrates — and why one brand quietly took over the category.
Concentrates are the fastest-growing category in legal cannabis — and the most intimidating for new customers. If you've ever stood in front of a dispensary case full of jars with names like "live rosin", "sauce", and "diamonds" and had no idea what you were looking at, this one's for you.
What is a concentrate?
Cannabis flower is about 20–30% THC. Concentrates are the same plant, processed to isolate the cannabinoids and terpenes — typically 60–90% THC. A small amount goes a long way.
The main types, from traditional to modern
- Hash — the oldest concentrate, made from pressed trichomes. Mild by today's standards, still beloved.
- Kief — raw trichome powder, often collected in a grinder. Sprinkle into a joint for a potency bump.
- Rosin — solventless, pressed from flower or hash with heat and pressure. Clean, flavorful.
- Live rosin — rosin made from fresh-frozen flower. Premium, complex, expensive.
- Shatter / wax — solvent-extracted concentrates, glassy or waxy in texture.
- Live resin — solvent-extracted from fresh-frozen flower. Rich terpene profile.
- Diamonds — isolated THCA crystals, often suspended in terpene-rich sauce.
How to consume concentrates
You have three main options:
- A traditional dab rig. Glass piece + torch + nail. Classic, highest flavor potential, steepest learning curve.
- An electronic rig. Battery-powered, temperature-controlled, no torch required. Consistent and clean.
- A concentrate-compatible vape. Smaller, portable, good for beginners.
Why Puffco became the standard
Ten years ago, concentrate culture was a niche subculture of enthusiasts with glass rigs and blowtorches. Today, it's mainstream — and the single biggest reason is Puffco.
Puffco's Peak Pro (the electronic rig) and the Proxy (a pipe-shaped electronic device) took the learning curve out of dabbing. Temperature control, haptic feedback, phone app customization, and an atomizer that produces consistent hits. For customers who'd always been curious about concentrates but not willing to deal with a blowtorch, Puffco made it approachable.
They're also built well. A Peak Pro is a $400 investment; we see the same units in customers' hands three years later. The brand has earned its lead.
How to start, if you're curious
We recommend:
- Start with live resin. It's flavorful, widely available, and represents what concentrates can do at their best.
- Get a Puffco Proxy or Peak Pro — or, if you're not ready for the investment, a concentrate-ready vape pen.
- Start with a rice-grain sized dose. Concentrates are 3-4x stronger than flower. Work up from there.
Come into the store and we'll walk you through the options. Our budtenders can help you pick a first concentrate and a compatible device — without upselling, without pressure.