Volcano Temperature Setting Basics
There are several schools of thought on temp settings for your volcano vaporizer.
The active ingredient in popular herbal mixtures vaporizes when heated to between 338 F and 372 F. This is not hot enough for the plant material to burn so many of the toxins associated with smoking are not released.
On the original Volcano vaporizer, this range is between 4.25 and 6.
Some folks prefer a lighter less dense vapor – they’ll set at 5.5 and get a very light mist in the bag, and probably get more bag fillings.
If you prefer a “smokier” experience, start at 6.5 and ratchet it up a notch with each successive bag filling.
How do you know when it’s done? Depending on the quality and the quantity of the material in the chamber you may get 3-4 bags of vapor. You’ll notice a change in taste and the density of the vapor mist in the bag.
IMHO, anything above 6.5 you might as well be smoking the stuff. I’d rather get nice tasty non-lung irritating bags and save my leftovers.
What to do with your leftovers? Volcano – poo as we call it? Whatever you do – don’t smoke it! and don’t throw it away!
Tags: temperature settings, vaporize, volcano vaporizer
August 6th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
very interesting post.. im definately coming back for more!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I used to use volcanoes at the 7.5-8 level.. as by the recommendation at the Toronto Vapor lounge. This was before i bought my own. I found it WAAAAYYY too harsh, started vapeing at 5 to 6.5. As for my “duff” (volcano poo), I save it to bake with… I have read that most of the CBD’s are left in the duff, making for good muffins/cookies etc… You don’t ever really get that “heady” high with eating your thc products anyways, just a body buzz, so I find cooking with the duff gets surprisingly good results.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:13 am
Question…….so some folks say they get on average 2-3 bags b4 saving the poo correct? My main question is do I need to move the dial up a tad each time I am trying to get that 2nd or 3rd bag? And I have read somewhere that you should move(shake,stir,etc) the herb around b4 the heating of the 2nd or 3rd bag? Thanks!!
April 16th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Hi MIKE – I usually get 2 bags at 5.5 on the dial, then stir and sometimes grind again and get 2 more bags at setting 6, then I save the poo. Of course your mileage may vary based on bag size, and quality of the material you’re using. You’ll know when it’s kicked – there will be no mist in the bag and it will taste different.
August 18th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
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March 12th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I just got a volcano about a week ago, at first it my experiences with it were nothing but pleasurable. See, I have been sick for about two weeks, so, smoking blunts and pipes has been very harsh and pretty unbearable. after a few days i felt my cough getting better so i assumed the vape was doing a good job. since yesterday every time i hit the bag i feel a strong irritating discomfort in my throat that causes me to cough violently for long periods of time. Does anyone know why this is happening to me? how much grass am i supposed to put in the bowl?
April 9th, 2010 at 7:44 am
@napster – perhaps it’s too dry and that’s what’s irritating your throat. you could filter the vapor thru water or add some moisture back to the material you’re using – small piece of lettuce or citrus rind in jar for a short time will return a lot of hydration to the herbs.
April 17th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Hi, Just got a digital Volcano and was wondering about temp. I heard 170F was ideal, but was getting just flavor, virtually no vapor. I went as high as 220F, a bit better, but I was afraid of burning it. Too low? 338-372F seems REALLY hot! Also, what do you use the poo in? Making butter? Or just through the poo directly into ‘goodies’ before baking… Just wondering. Thanks a ton for info. I’m hoping to use the crackers out of this thing!!!!
April 19th, 2010 at 7:26 am
@Mary896 – Congrats! You have the temperature waaaaay too low. You will not even begin to vaporize the active ingredients until you’re in the 338 – 372F range. It seems really hot, but trust me it’s what you need. Start at the low end of the scale and ratchet it up slowly to what works for you. Whatever you vaped at 170 could be vaped again – the active ingredients are still in there. I have never burned anything in my Volcano within this temp. range.
You need to make butter with the Poo. I would caution against just eating it or tossing it in anything.
Please report back and let us know how it goes with your new Digital!
April 20th, 2010 at 11:05 am
just a few words on my new digit model;have a classic as well and please people if you do up grade from classic model donate your old one! and help some one who has not the means to own one and make there life better! thanks from new orleans!!
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Got a digi volcano a few months ago and I have to say it’s the best purchase I’ve made in quite a while- I love it.
I started at 355, that worked pretty well. Decided to move it down a touch to 345 and I’ve been very pleased with the results.