FAQ

Please refer to the operating manual or quickstart guide.
The VOLCANO is turned on by activating the red switch. It is allowed to preheat 3-5 minutes. The material is put into the Filling Chamber and placed on top of the VOLCANO. The Valve Balloon is attached and the green switch is activated. The balloon fills with vapor in 30 seconds to 1 minute, and once filled, the green switch is pressed again. The Filling Chamber is disconnected from the Valve Balloon and removed from the VOLCANO. The Mouthpiece is attached to the balloon and the vapor is applied.

The VOLCANO creates a convective stream of hot air that heats the flavors and aromas of material and creates a vapor (like steam, not smoke) that is captured in a heat resistant balloon. The VOLCANO is used for aromatherapy, culinary, and mixology applications

The VOLCANO is very easy to use. The simple design allows a novice to become an expert in no time. Most users master the system in less than 10 minutes. There is manufacturer support, so if you do have questions, you can get them answered quickly. Checkout the quickstart guide to see how easy it is.

The proportion of aroma, flavor and material is key to the vapor quality in your balloon. It is best to use quality material in limited quantity in the VOLCANO to achieve best results. Pay attention to how well the material is ground.

You can optimize the amount of vapor released into your balloon. Pay close attention to the following factors:

• Quality: The concentration of ingredients in the material.
• Quantity: The amount of material in the filling chamber.
• Surface Area: The finer the material is ground, the greater the surface area and the more vapor can be released.
• Temperature: The higher the temperature, the more vapor will be released at once.

Use only the optimal vaporization temperature for your material. Be careful with increasing your temperature too much too soon. Excessively high temperature could make your material taste and smell more roasted.

No. The VOLCANO operates at temperatures below the combustion point at which material burns. This is confirmed by laboratory results indicated not carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide is generated. To ensure user’s safety, we have adjusted the controller so that critical air temperatures above 230°C (446°F) in the filling chamber cannot be reached.

Because of the many applications and broad range of user preferences, there are many appropriate temperature settings. Use the plant list as your reference. Select your temperature as low as possible to start to avoid over roasting you material. Incrementally turn your setting up or down dependent on your preference.

You can easily determine the appropriate temperature setting by observing the vapor generated in your Valve Balloon. The setting is perfect when a fine, white mist is seen. If you see vapor which is barely visible, you will know that either the temperature is too low. Thick, very dense vapor may be unpleasant to apply.

The VOLCANO ensures that the ingredients of a material are released gently in the balloon. This allows you to repeat your vaporization with the same material in the filling chamber. You can reuse the material in the filling chamber several times until all flavor and aroma is completely released.

The flavor has little to do with the effect. Flavor inducers such as volatile essential oils vaporize much quicker than other ingredients. The initial flavor vanishes after the first few procedures, but the effect is undiminished. Flavor always depends on what you put in your vaporizer. The vaporizer does not influence the flavor in any way.

Refer to quickstart. There are two factors: the Filling Chamber and the vaporized material. The Filling Chamber cylinder has to reach the vaporization temperature before the material can be vaporized. The vaporized material will contain ingredients other than flavor and aroma, such as water vapor (humidity). To avoid filling your balloon with cold air or water vapor, you can preheat the Filling Chamber by setting the Filling Chamber on the exhaust vent of your VOLCANO without the Valve Balloon attached. Press the green AIR switch and allow hot air to warm up your material for a few seconds before placing the Valve Balloon on the Filling Chamber. This ensures that the balloon is completely filled with flavor and aroma from the very beginning.

The Valve Balloon is not designed for storing vapor for more than one hour. The vapors in the balloon will begin to condense on the balloon shell after a few minutes. There will be little condensation if you apply the balloon contents within 5-10 minutes. Like a good cup of coffee, it is best to enjoy it immediately

You should change the balloon when it gets dirty. A balloon will last between 50 and 200 uses before it needs to be changed.

Refer to quickstart. To change the SOLID VALVE balloon, remove the Balloon Clip (the part with teeth) by sliding the male teeth up and female teeth down (do not try to force the Fixation Ring open by pulling the teeth against each other). Remove the old balloon from the valve. Cut a length of new balloon material from the roll and tie off the end. Attach the new balloon with the Balloon Fixation Ring and attach the Balloon Ring for a tight seal.

For the EASY VALVE, simply take the new balloon out of the box and you are ready to go.[/peekaboo_content

How big can I make the balloon?

The EASY VALVE Balloon comes in two sizes, regular 2 feet or extra large 3 feet length.

The SOLID VALVE Balloon can be customized to any length between 1 to 10 feet long.

You should clean the spare parts when they get dirty. This will help to make the parts last longer and the machine perform at its best. Use the included brush to help keep you parts free of debris between cleaning.

Refer to quickstart. Place your spare parts into a dish of hot water and let them soak for 5 minutes. Completely disassemble your parts to make sure all residue can be removed. Sometimes it is necessary to use a screwdriver or pliers to separate really dirty parts

Refer to quickstart. You may use rubbing alcohol or automatic dishwasher.

The Liquid Pad is used to vaporize the aromatic liquids (essential oils) of the plants. Please see the temperature table.

Replace the SOLID VALVE Balloon when it becomes dirty. It is best to replace the SOLID VALVE balloon in regular intervals (after 50 – 100 uses). Replace the balloon after cleaning your VALVE Set. The SOLID VALVE comes with a 3 meter roll of bulk balloon material. It is sufficient for 3 – 5 balloons. You may also use other heat resistant oven bags. Please do not use any other plastic bags or clingwraps as these materials are not heat safe and may damage your parts.

Replace the EASY VALVE Balloon when it becomes dirty (after 100 – 200 uses). Simply discard the old balloon and replace it with a new one.

Replace the filling chamber screens once per year or when they become too dirty. Each VOLCANO complete set is furnished with 3 upper and 3 lower screens.

No. There is only a minimal development of odors compared to smoking. No bothersome smoke is created. Non-smokers are not subject to any adverse effects when sharing rooms with users. You should not notice any odor in the room shortly after the application.

The VOLCANO is the best vaporizer because it is made of top-quality material and craftsmanship. The VOLCANO is designed for high performance with extremely accurate temperature control. For this reason, you can enjoy the flavor of your material much better than with other methods, with far greater efficiency.

Other vaporizers use low-quality materials with imprecise temperature control. This causes combustion and wasted material. And when a cheaper vaporizer breaks, it is difficult or impossible to get the problem fixed. Each VOLCANO comes with a 3 year manufacturer warranty.

We use our own unique patented VOLCANO System Technology. This efficient and controlled technology allows you to achieve the best vaporization results. The VOLCANO gently heats material to release flavor and aroma without burning it. The vapors are collected in the balloon, which allows you to apply the vapors separately from the device. You may apply the vapor comfortably, safely, and independently from the vaporization process.

The VOLCANO vaporizer has an air pump to create a constant air flow. In combination with the heat exchanger, it sustains a precise air temperature. This allows you the greatest efficiency without compromising taste. The Balloon Valve delivers a simple, reliable and convenient application.

Altogether, the VOLCANO Vaporization System is the highest quality vaporizer ever built.

Please see comparison chart.

With proper care, the VOLCANO will give you continuous performance for years. In fact, the first VOLCANO produced in 2003 still works without fail.

Please see comparison chart.

Please see comparison chart.

The main difference is the required maintenance. With SOLID VALVE, you can choose your own custom balloon size. It comes with a box of 3 meters of balloon material.

The EASY VALVE was developed to provide an “easy to use” solution to our customers. It is ideal for every day use. It is easy to handle and requires minimal maintenance work. With EASY VALVE, you no longer need to attach a new balloon to the Valve. It comes ready to use. Once the EASY VALVE can no longer be used, simply replace the old with a new one.

The EASY VALVE Starter Set comes with 5 EASY VALVE Balloons and the EASY VALVE Filling Chamber. You can clean and reuse the EASY VALVE Filling Chamber.

The SOLID VALVE is a less expensive long-term option. Because you can replace the balloons yourself, you can use the bulk balloon material or other heat resistant oven bags.

The main difference between the VOLCANO CLASSIC and VOLCANO DIGIT is the temperature readout and temperature control. The CLASSIC uses a bi-metallic thermostat to regulate the temperature and has a dial. The DIGIT has a digital heat sensor and an LED display. There is no difference in the overall effect.

The large LED dual-temp display of the VOLCANO DIGIT immediately and precisely reads the temperature. The DIGIT is accurate to +/- 1.5 C (2.7 F) degrees. The VOLCANO CLASSIC has a temperature accuracy of +/- 5 C (9 F) degrees. The DIGIT also offers a larger temperature range of 40 – 230 C (104 – 446 F) degrees compared to the CLASSIC’S range of 130 – 230 C (226 – 446 F) degrees.

Both units are fully interchangeable with either the SOLID VALVE system or the EASY VALVE system. Each model offers advanced air filtration. The VOLCANO operates very quietly with our enhanced silencer.

Both the VOLCANO DIGIT and CLASSIC have a 3 year manufacturer warranty.

VOLCANO CLASSIC

• Vaporization Temperature can be set between 130° and 230°C (266° and 446°F)
• Temperature Accuracy ± 5°C (± 9°F)
• Three Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
• Thousands Sold
• Robust, completely
• Electromechanical Design

VOLCANO DIGIT

• Vaporization Temperature can be set between 40° and 230°C (104° and 446°F)
• Temperature Accuracy ± 1,5°C (± 2,7°F)
• Three Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
• Precise Electronic Control
• Extra large, digital LED Display with Set and Actual Temperature
• Display Changeover between °Celsius and °Fahrenheit
• Automatic Switch Off

Both VOLCANO types have a shapely, brushed metal cone. We use flavorless materials in our construction that are food safe. The high-performance heating cartridge and a strong diaphragm pump can withstand the toughest demands. Integrated are an independent temperature fuse, air filter, and silencer. The heating element is made of steel clad ceramic. We use an aluminium heating exchanger to bring the air cleanly and reliably to the desired temperature.

No. The EASY VALVE and SOLID VALVE are separate systems that do not share common parts, although both VALVE Systems are compatible with the VOLCANO.

The EASY VALVE is designed to use preassembled balloons, rather than bulk material like the SOLID VALVE. The EASY VALVE is not intended to have the user change the balloon. Simply discard the old EASY VALVE Balloon and replace it with a new one.

It takes between 30 seconds to 1 minute to fill the balloon, depending on the size (volume) of the balloon?

The VOLCANO Vaporization system is made of high-quality, food-safe materials:

Heating Element: Steel clad ceramic
Heat Exchanger: Aluminium alloy
EASY/SOLID Valve: Steel; Heat tempered ABS polymer
Balloon: 100% polythene (food grade)
Insulation: Cellulose
Air System: 100% silicone (food grade)

No. We have applied the maximum care and diligence when selecting the materials which come into contact with the hot air.

The VOLCANO balloon material is made of 100% pure and robust polythene. The polythene is verified suitable for this application. This material is normally used to cook food in the oven at temperatures up to 200°C (392°F). The hot air temperature of the VOLCANO reaches a maximum of 130°C (266°F) when it enters the balloon. The large surface of the balloon allows the air to cool down during the vaporization process. The content can be applied immediately after filling the balloon.

The VOLCANO Balloon does not contain any softeners (hence the distinctive ‘crinkle’ sound). The balloons are food-safe, flavorless and heat-proof. You may use similar oven hoses or oven bags from other manufacturers. Please do not use any normal plastic bags or plastic wrap under any circumstances. These bags are not heat resistant and may damage your VOLCANO.

No. The heating block can reach a maximum temperature of 240°C (464°F). This temperature is well below the temperature threshold required to emit any substances from the material. To ensure user’s safety, we use heat resistant materials such as aluminium alloy AlMgSi (melting point 660°C (1220°F); boiling point 2519°C (4566°F). The University of Leiden in Netherlands made an independent study of the maximum air temperature produced by the VOLCANO, indicating it was below the minimum for substance release.

There is a 30 minute automatic shutoff on the VOLCANO DIGIT. There is no auto shutoff on the VOLCANO CLASSIC.

In general, it is appropriate to leave the VOLCANO on only when it is being used. Do not leave the VOLCANO on if it is unattended.

Because of the many applications and broad range of user preferences, there are many appropriate temperature settings. Use the plant list as your reference. Select your temperature as low as possible to start to avoid over roasting you material. Incrementally turn your setting up or down dependent on your preference.

You can easily determine the appropriate temperature setting by observing the vapor generated in your Valve Balloon. The setting is perfect when a fine, white mist is seen. If you see vapor which is barely visible, you will know that either the temperature is too low. Thick, very dense vapor may be unpleasant to apply.

The VOLCANO ensures that the ingredients of a material are released gently in the balloon. This allows you to repeat your vaporization with the same material in the filling chamber. You can reuse the material in the filling chamber several times until all flavor and aroma is completely released.

The flavor has little to do with the effect. Flavor inducers such as volatile essential oils vaporize much quicker than other ingredients. The initial flavor vanishes after the first few procedures, but the effect is undiminished. Flavor always depends on what you put in your vaporizer. The vaporizer does not influence the flavor in any way.

Every VOLCANO is hand built in Tuttlingen, Germany. Please see About to learn more.

The VOLCANO is quite durable and cannot be damaged with normal use. It may be damaged if it is improperly used. Do not physically traumatize the VOLCANO by excessive force or dropping. While this damage can be repaired, it is not covered by the warranty.

No. The balloons are not designed to be washed. They are intended to be discarded after heavy use.

Always use two hands to carry the VOLCANO, just like a microscope in Junior High science class.

Like any high-tech equipment, you should handle your VOLCANO with care. Make sure it is in a place where no one will trip over the power cord.

If you plan to transport the VOLCANO, it is important to make sure it is securely packaged. The original box and Styrofoam is best. There are some aftermarket cases available, but these are not recognized as original VOLCANO merchandise.

If the VOLCANO is not working as well as it did when it was new, it may be necessary to repair it. Sometimes a machine may be physically damaged and not work properly, or dirt may get inside the machine and need to be cleaned out. We can always fix a VOLCANO.

For Repair of a broken Volcano Base unit, please send us:

• The malfunctioning machine;
• A copy of the invoice or proof of purchase showing the date of purchase (if you do not have this info, please just let us know when you bought it, from whom);
• Your name, phone number, complete mailing address, and email address
  (We do not deliver to P.O. Boxes and require signature confirmation at the time of delivery so please include an address where someone will be available to sign for it)
• A detailed description of the problem.
• A list of any spare parts you need to purchase. We will call/email you to receive payment info.
• We recommend shipping with the United States Postal Service- the PRIORITY rate is quick and affordable.

Please send the Volcano in its original box with the Styrofoam inserts firmly in place. If you no longer have the original box, please package the volcano securely and make sure it is well protected. We are not responsible for any damage that occurs in transport due to improper packing. Please purchase insurance for shipping, include a tracking number and send it to:

STORZ & BICKEL AMERICA, Inc.
1078 60th St. Suite A
Oakland, CA 94608
phone: 510-451-1553
oakland@storz-bickel.com

When we receive your Volcano we will inspect it to determine whether the malfunction is covered under our 3 Year Warranty for the VOLCANO. If it is a warranty issue, we will repair and return it to you free of charge. (Please refer to Owners Manual for warranty information.)

For a non-warranty repair, we will notify you of the estimated cost of repair; including parts, labor and shipping.

Depending on the service, repairs cost about $80.

When we receive your Volcano we will inspect it to determine whether the malfunction is covered under our 3 Year Warranty for the VOLCANO. If it is a warranty issue, we will repair and return it to you free of charge. (Please refer to Owners Manual for warranty information.)

For a non-warranty repair, we will notify you of the estimated cost of repair; including parts, labor and shipping.

Repairs are quick and usually done in 3 – 4 days. Return shipping from California is via UPS Ground.

When we receive your Volcano we will inspect it to determine whether the malfunction is covered under our 3 Year Warranty for the VOLCANO. If it is a warranty issue, we will repair and return it to you free of charge. (Please refer to Owners Manual for warranty information.)

For a non-warranty repair, we will notify you of the estimated cost of repair; including parts, labor and shipping.

In addition to repairing the malfunctioning part, we clean, test the diagnostics, and replace any other parts that may need service. Our specialized technicians will restore any VOLCANO back to life.

Send your malfunctioning VOLCANO to:

STORZ & BICKEL AMERICA, Inc.
1078 60th St. Suite A
Oakland, CA 94608
phone: 510-451-1553
oakland@storz-bickel.com

The warranty covers manufacturer defect for 3 years after purchase.

In the event of warranty service, please present a copy of the invoice or proof of purchase showing the date of purchase. If you do not have this info, please just let us know when you bought it, from whom.

No. A copy of your invoice or receipt is enough.

Unfortunately, we do not have a repair facility in Canada. The VOLCANO must be send to the USA for repairs. Please declare the value for the repairs, not the machine, for less than $100.00 USD. Clearly state the shipment is for a warranty repair issue.

Send your malfunctioning VOLCANO to:

STORZ & BICKEL AMERICA, Inc.
1078 60th St. Suite A
Oakland, CA 94608
phone: 510-451-1553
oakland@storz-bickel.com

Yes. Please send us your name and address and we will mail you a kit with replacement screws and a tool to install them. [CONTACT]

The most common problem with the VOLCANO is dirty or misassembled spare parts. Please refer to the operating manual for instructions.

Another problem is physical damage to the machine. Protect your investment! Place the VOLCANO where no one will trip over the cord, always carry it with two hands, and transport it in its original box with Styrofoam inserts in place.

Payment is easy with debit and credit cards, money order, and PayPal accepted. The best method to provide this info is over the phone or email:

510 451-1553
oakland@storz-bickel.com

No. Opening the machine will void the warranty. We do not send out any spare parts for the VOLCANO heat base, including switches, heating elements, thermostats, or pumps. Please refer to the repair instructions.

Only Storz & Bickel Company is authorized to carry out repairs to the electrical devices.

You can purchase your VOLCANO directly from us on our website or by calling our phone number. We ship the VOLCANO for FREE via UPS Next Day Air Shipping to all US addresses. We ship all worldwide orders via UPS Expedited Service. We deliver the VOLCANO worldwide.

Visit our Shop or give us a call!

You will also find the VOLCANO in well-supplied specialty stores.

The VOLCANO CLASSIC is $539.00. The VOLCANO DIGIT is $669.00

No. The VOLCANO is not a discount product.

No. All sales are final.

Yes, you can order any spare parts directly from us on our website or by calling us. If you lose any parts of the Valve Set (e.g. Valve, Filling Chamber, Mouthpiece), simply place your order in our shop.

If parts of the VOLCANO (Hot Air Generator) have been damaged or not functioning properly, you would need to send your VOLCANO to our repair facility in Oakland, California or Germany.

If you are missing a piece that is spare part, simply place your order in our shop. If you are not sure what piece you are missing or if you don’t see it on our website as a spare part, please call us directly for assistance. Please note: We do not send out any spare parts for the VOLCANO heat base, including switches, heating elements, thermostats, or pumps.

Yes, you can purchase the Filling Chamber Housing by itself. Please refer to the Filling Chamber housing for SOLID and EASY VALVE.

Your order is packaged in a brown shipping box with no product description. The shipping label includes the return shipping address.

CVC- no match (CVC or expiration) – If your order was rejected due to CVC no match, please verify your CVC code on the back of your credit card and the expiration date of your card.

AVS rejected (billing information ZIP) – If your order was rejected due to AVS no match, please verify your billing zip code with your bank.

Issuer declined – If your order was rejected due to Issuer declined, please contact your bank to resolve the issue.

Insufficient funds – If your order was rejected due to insufficient funds, please make sure to deposit the needed funds first before processing your payment again.

Where are orders shipped from?

We ship US and Canadian orders from our facility in Oakland, CA. All other international orders are being processed in Germany and shipped directly from there.

We ship the VOLCANO Vaporizer via UPS Next Day Air FREE of charge to all US addresses. We ship the VOLCANO via UPS Expedited Service FREE of charge to our Canadian customers. We ship the spare parts via UPS Ground Service FREE of charge to our US and Canadian customers. All other international orders are shipped directly from Germany. Please refer to our website at www.storz-bickel.com for the international orders and shipping.

The estimated delivery for UPS Next Day Air Shipping is 1 business days. The estimated delivery for UPS Ground is within 2-7 business days.

Yes, you can trade in your machine if it is in fair to good condition. You can purchase a new machine and receive a trade in value for your machine. We will determine the trade in value for your machine after the inspection. Once we determine your trade in value, we will be able to apply that amount towards your new VOLCANO purchase.

Yes, we offer wholesale to our distribution partners. If you are interested in becoming a distribution partner for the VOLCANO, please submit your written request to our Oakland office via email at oakland@storz-bickel.com.

Yes, we do require an adult signature for all VOLCANO purchases. We also require a signature for all purchases above $75.00.

We safely and securely store your personal information. All your information remains with us.

We do not store your payment information in our shop. Also, we will shred your payment information immediately after taking your payment over the phone.

The company is based in Germany and California. In Germany, the company is located in Rote Strasse 1 78532 Tuttlingen, Germany. In California, the company is located in 1078 60th St. Suite A, Oakland, CA 94608.

Storz & Bickel designs and manufactures state-of-the-art electric vaporization system called VOLCANO Vaporizer. The VOLCANO Vaporizer releases flavoring and active ingredients from herbs through hot air vaporization. The VOLCANO combines simplicity of use, a high degree of safety and particularly good efficiency.

Markus Storz began with the development of vaporizers in 1996. In 1998, Markus filed a patent for the removable valve balloon of the “volcano inhaler”. In 2000, he filled another patent for his invention of the heating block as a heat exchanger for “hot air extraction inhalers”. The same year, Markus founded the company “Vapormed Inhalatoren” and began with the production and sale of the “VOLCANO” vaporizer. With increasing demand, the company was restructured and as the result of this restructuring “Storz & Bickel GmbH & Co.KG” was founded in December of 2002.

Markus Storz and Jürgen Bickel are equal partners of the company.