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!
I love my volcano.
.3g volcano Grinder
On 6.5
3 bags
Poo is for butter for Halloween brownies
Hey everyone!
Ok so I’ve had my volcano for a while now, you guys were a great resource when i was getting started so I thought I would give back a little and share my experiences.
So as I mentioned before, the stuff I’ve been getting of late has been pretty much bone dry. So these settings are probably specific to that. Also my bag is the size it came pre loaded which I guess is about 40cm tall. As for the amount I put in, enough to cover the bottom of the chamber plus an extra wee pinch
Bag 1) What I do is set the dial to 6 to pre heat. When I’m ready to fill a bag, I put the chamber on with the bag attached and turn the dial up to 7. When the light goes off I turn on the fan and fill the bag.
Bag 2) give the chamber a shake and re-attach the bag. Put it on the volcano, and turn the dial up to 8. When the light goes off, turn on the fan.
Bag 3) give the chamber a stir with the wooden end of the brush, re-attach bag, p tut on volcano, turn to 9, wait for light to go out, turn on fan.
A few other notes…
Don’t forget to put the little screen in the chamber once you’ve filled it. Product everywhere, including in your bag. Total nightmare!
I also cooked with my vape poo. Made some biscuitty truffles. The butter recipe on the site worked brilliantly, however I think I need to save up way more poo and put more in in future as i didn’t really get much off it although I could taste the green really strong.
All in all, I love my volvano, and so do my lungs!
Thanks for the update Cactus. Happy vaping!
Hi everyone, got my vape in the mail today, going to be giving it a blast tonight. I should clarify, I’m from the UK, the stuff we (or maybe I) mostly get is bone dry. Does anyone have any temperature guidlines for very dry product?
Reading through the posts on this page, 6 seems to be the average suggested temperature for not to smokey, and probably a good starting point for dry green?
I’m going to start on that. I’ll keep you posted.
Hello everyone! I’m going to be putting in my volcano order in the next couple of days. The comments here have been super helpful in understanding the pros, cons and effects at different temperatures. I’m going to be completely new to vaping so ill probably be looking for a lot of advice. But in return ill hopefully be able to provide some good insight for noobs like me! One question I have right off the bat is; in the UK we seem to get 2 extremes of either really dry (crumble with your finger) stuff or wet (almost gooey) stuff. Could someone perhaps outline some temperature sets for each? Thanks in advance, ill keep you posted.
Bone dry maybe try 5 to start. If it’s really wet, I’m not sure of a temp for that but maybe just dry it out a little before vaping. Experimenting with the volcano is a wonderful process
Higher temps will definitely give you more of a ‘couch-lock’ buzz, settings of 8 and up.
Try a piece of bread in with the dry weed for awhile…fresh bread mind you, so the ‘green’ will suck the moisture from the bread. Someone else mentioned another trick on the site here somewhere…trying to find it still. But anyway, Congratulations on getting a vaporizer.
yes…further down on this page…Vapormaster mentions a piece of lettuce or also orange peel to restore moisture.
The boiling points of the three cannabinoids measured are as follows:
THC 200 C (392 F)
CBD 190 C (374 F)
CBN 185 C (365 F)
…Meaning you need your temps to be at least this high to activate the 3 main cannabinoids.
You may be feeling the effects from your product, but it is not from any of these 3 main cannabinoids.
I notice also that most people are not mentioning how much product they are using, which also affects taste and vapor density.
Studies I have read were all done with 250mg or 1/4 gram of product. I use about that or a little less usually. About the thickness of a quarter, just enough to cover the screen and my bags are 3 ft long.
Have you had any success vaporizing at those temperatures without any combustion? I wonder what the value of the Volcano is if it can’t vaporize the active ingredients without any combustion.
I wonder which cannabinoids are getting released in the 300-350F range that make me feel so good. Because I avoid the smoke, I get very uplifting, functional highs. But there is no doubt I’m getting very high and enjoy the effects. Normally, I would say no other cannabinoids beat THC, but I’m not missing THC (that I’m evidently not getting) when using the lower temps.
Based on the temperatures that many of you are using, I have to wonder if the vapor if you’re referring to is actually just smoke. I mean, are any of you actually seeing the vapor in a well lighted room? If so, then what you are seeing is simply smoke. Depending on how dry the herb is, I’ve seen small amounts of smoke produced at temps as low as 320F. I’ve been able to produce a very noticeable amount of smoke at 350F using some drier herb (but not “crumble apart dry”). I’m currently using 350F with some herb that is producing almost no smoke at all. But there are still occasional pulls that produce a little amount of smoke. And of course, even when I’ve seen a very noticeable amount of smoke, it’s no where near the amount of smoke produced by smoking. But the point of vaporizing (for me at least) is to avoid ALL smoke. Also, I disagree with those who say you can’t release cannabinoids at lower temperatures (< 325F). I've been a toker for over 20 years and I assure I've had meaningful effects vaporizing as low as 300F. For me it all depends on the dryness of the herb. I assume you could go lower than 300F but I only go low enough to avoid smoke.
So how much smoke are you guys producing at these higher temps (350+)? If you're really not producing ANY smoke, then you must be using moist herb or I must have an alien Volcano.
My apologies if I should not have mentioned the special ingredients. I’ve been on too many public and private forums that openly discuss the topic. Please edit my post if it is unacceptable in any way.
For example, I just placed the chamber on the heat (at 360F) for about 20-30 seconds. I then filled a bag and I am getting a very noticeable amount of smoke. For this particular batch, I will stick to 350F w/ no preheat.
Jim, just because you ‘see’ it, doesn’t mean it is smoke and not vapor. There can,is and are different densities of vapor, just as there are different densities of smoke.
As far as your other comment of.. “but I’m not missing THC (that I’m evidently not getting) when using the lower temps.”…If you don’t know what you’re missing, how do you know you’re not missing it?
The Volcano only goes to a certain temp for a reason, just so you all know.
If you’re coughing at higher temps, use less product and/or inhale about half of what you normally would.
I agree it is possible to see the vapor of cannabinoids in proper lighting. But I know the difference between the taste and look of cannabinoid vapor and smoke. I consistently produce smoke when “vaporizing” at temps of 365 and higher. I highly doubt a vaporizer could produce cannabinoid vapor that appears as dense as smoke. I’m not saying the vapor is invisible. It is definitely visible in the right lighting. But cannabinoid vapor does not look and taste like smoke.
How do I know I’m not missing the THC? Because I’ve consumed THC for over 20 years via combustion and oral ingestion. I’ve grown my own for 8 years and harvest when the trichomes are clear for maximum THC. I definitely know the effects of THC. I’ve felt like I’ve been getting THC at lower vaporization temps. But since you stated THC vaporizes at 392 F, I had to consider I wasn’t getting any THC when vaporizing at temps like 330 F. The batch I have right now is very old and a lot of the THC has been converted to CBN and CBD. So I never found it very odd that the effects of THC haven’t been prominent even when combusting this particular batch. The point I was originally trying to make is I am getting good amounts of cannabinoids and their effects at lower temps that do not produce any smoke.
As it turns out, vaporization was tested by NORML and shown to produce THC in the vapor at temps as low as 284 F. So based on real test data, I’m still extracting some THC at lower temps like 325-350 F. And that explains why I been getting great highs and not missing the effects of THC.
The only reason I want to avoid smoke is because I’m under the impression that smoke contains the majority of toxins when “vaporizing” at higher temps (365+ F). I’ve always expected I am getting toxins when vaporizing at lower temps (325-350 F), but I thought the percentage would be very low relative to cannabinoids. Per the following research from NORML, it looks like I should start vaporizing at 446 F: . I would have never thought I could get a lower percentage of toxins (relative to cannabinoids) while producing that much smoke, but NORML seems to be saying that.
So maybe this is why so many here are vaporizing at higher temps? I wish you guys would have told me about this sooner.
Put the following together with a forward slash in place of the comma and to see the article I’m referring to. Click on the small images to enlarge: http://stash.norml.org/new-study-examines-cannabis-vaporization/
The research used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the amount of cannabinoids and by-products produced by vaporization using the Volcano. They tested the Volcano at the following temps: 170C, 185C, 200C, 215C and 230C. They found 230C (446F) to contain the highest (optimum) ratio of cannabinoids to by-products. And even though no smoke is produced at 170C (338F), it has the lowest (worst) ratio of cannabinoids to by-products.
So if the research is accurate, I’ve been actually getting a higher percentage of by-products by vaping at lower temps (325-350F). Per the research, 185C (365F) appears to be a good temp for a lower percentage of by-products. But the lowest percentage of by-products is actually produced at 230C (446F).
I just filled a bag at 446F without pre-warming the chamber. It was a lot of smoke but no where near as dense as that from full combustion. And although a notable amount of smoke is produced, the leftover herb (after 1 bag) does not look burnt. It appears the very initial combustion taking place is not where the majority of smoke toxins are created. Evidently full combustion temperatures are higher than 446F and that is where the majority of smoke tars, carcinogens and other toxins are emitted.
Sorry Jim, spam filter strips the links. Corrected for you. Thanks for all the info!
From Cannabis Culture:
Bring up the heat a bit because THC has a boiling point of 392°F, but with the Volcano Digit having the help of the venturi effect, you can vaporize efficiently with temperatures as low as 350°F. But problems start for the Vapor Head when you reach 451°F, combustion.
Jim, do you have a digit or classic? If you have the digit, what does your temp max out at? Mine goes up to 446F/230C. Just wondering how consistent they are to each other. (anyone else?)
Also , scroll down a little and see my post about couchlockcafe . com and Dr. Hornby.
Sorry…thought I mentioned that article from MORML already. Let me know how you’re finding the higher temps. or if you are staying lower. Kinda strange, but I find 420F/215C to be pretty enjoyable for both flavor/high. Flavor is still pleasant with a lesser amount of product.
I’ve got the digital and my max temp is also 446F. You probably did already mention the NORML article but I didn’t notice it. I’ve been enjoying herb for many years but I’m a newbie to vaporizing. I think you’re right about seeing some dense vapor produced. My preferred temp right now for catching a buzz is 392F. It sure looks like there is some smoke being produced but maybe it is all just very dense vapor. At 365F, I produce a much less dense vapor that I cannot see in bright light (unless I have a black background). I can easily see it if using only the light from my laptop (which allows me to have a very dark background). So I’m still struggling to identify when smoke is being produced and when it is just vapor. My throat is not irritated at all at 365F but because of the denser vapor (and possibly some smoke) my throat gets irritated after a few bags at 392F. I am also content with the results at 440F but have a lot of trouble believing that a lot of what I can see is not smoke. Assuming the info we’ve received from NORML is accurate, I think 420-440F would be a good temp range for my first bag or 2. Then I’ll bring the temp down as low as 365F for much less irritating bags that still pack a reasonable punch.
I appreciate the info you and others have provided. I’ve gone from vaping at 320-350F to 365F+. Still have much to learn though …
I just want to add that vaping temps are greatly affected by the moisture level of the herb. At 392F, I was apparently getting very little to no smoke for a current batch of herb. After grinding some from the same batch and letting it sit out (in low humidity) for a day or 2, it got much drier. Vaping that at 392F produced a noticeable amount of smoke. Unfortunately, there will never be a magic temp that works for all herb. Temp, along with the herb’s moisture level, are the 2 main variables that determine how much vapor and smoke you’re getting.
From Cannabis Culture:
Bring up the heat a bit because THC has a boiling point of 392°F, but with the Volcano Digit having the help of the venturi effect, you can vaporize efficiently with temperatures as low as 350°F. But problems start for the Vapor Head when you reach 451°F, combustion.
However the heater on a joint or cherry in our bong can reach temperatures of 800°F or higher. With a bonghit or jay we’re going well over our needed burn rate, causing plenty of THC loss and unwanted carcinogens hampering our high and weed taste. Low heat is best when burning your bud.
Depending on material, the highest THC efficiency is extracted slightly below combustion around 440°F.
Flash-frying herb above 420°F immediately creates a thick, heavy toke. Flavor takes a back seat in a cloudy cannabis mix that puts an emphasis on blasting bud quickly. Higher temperature burns up a lot of THC on initial boil, while disintegrating flavinoids that would have boiled at much lower temps.
Interesting article about temp…go to couchlockcafe and do a search for
Dr Hornby’s Volcano Settings Experiment
I personally believe that any temp above 5 is fine, depeninding on what your wanting your volcano to do. if you want a light steady feeling then 5 is fine. the more i crank it up the harder the bags seem to do but the more inense i find it. I find on about 6.5 that it takes about 3 bags to reach a point i feel happy with but if i turn it past 9 i can get to that point in 1 bag. personally i keep it at 9 because If im using the machine it normally means i’ve got an hour or 2 to kill with it and i might as well get as much of an effect as i can with as little effort, im a smoker anyway so the health effects don’t bother me that much as i know that 1 bag past 9 is probably alot less damaging than a cigarette for my lungs. Would quite like to know what people believe a lower tempreture achieves that a higher tempreture doesn’t (except being healthier) as it appears to be a more common method of using the volcano. I confess to still being an amature (only had the volcano since november) so welcome the opinion of others on this matter.
i am not using the bag when i vape ijust put a small amount in the chamber and take a couple of pulls. i have not read any coments on using the vaporizer this way am i going in the wrong direction?
Wait – you’re not using the bag? I can’t imagine that. Can you explain in detail how you use the Volcano without the bag?
You mean you put your face right over top of it, mouth over chamber and inhale away? Yes, please explain.
So glad to hear all of your experiences – thank you. So I come to you with a question, keeping this in mind:we are on a very conservative budget. I have tried almost every temp from 299- 400fh. At 400 I actually coughed and I’m sure I was wasteful but I finally settled on 376 -377. Also, what I put in only just barely covers the screen. I’m still experimenting and our bag is small so I don’t know but do you think this temperature is too high? At lower temps I wasn’t sure when it was done because it was so hard to tell if we were even getting anything, so I do like to be able to see a little something in there. I have an e-cig which is also considered vaporizing and each puff emits a good amount of “smoke”/haze. It’s a different substance though so I don’t think asking them what the temp is will help- I can tell you from having one in my pocket, that it gets REALLY hot.
Hi,
I’m about to receive my new volcano digit vapourizer in the mail any day now, can’t wait!
I was wondering, first time I use the volcano do I need to heat it up and let the fan run for 10-15 mins or so? I heard this piece of advice on another website but it was in reference to a different vapourizer, not one produced by Storz & Bickel.
Let me know what you think, thanks!
My new digi did have a different taste to it than others I used. smelling it up close I could notice it as well. But after a few uses…gone…and tastes like the others I’ve used:) Just was a “burning off” phase I guess for a new prduct.
Hi,
I’m using it for about 2 months, I’ve been searching for best temperature, At this time, I find 400F about very good to get the punch out of it.
However I don’t yet know it this might be bad or toxic someway for my lungs or so…
I speak french : Je trouve donc que 400F donne un sensation assez proche du “bong” ou pipe à eau qui reste plus forte. J’ai lu dans les commentaires plus bas qu’on pouvait monter jusqu’à la temperature 8, donc 417F… j’essayerai…
Higher temps will not be bad for you. You will get a good punch indeed at that temp but not bad or toxic.
Will a Humidor bring back the moisture to my material. And do you keep new moist material
in a humidor or is it best to let it dry?
Yes, but you need to be careful not to make it too moist – then you’ll run the risk of mold and material that doesn’t produce good vapors.
You can experiment by putting a small piece of lettuce in a bag with your material. The moisture will equalize and you’ll have wilted lettuce and moister material. Or for extra flavor you can use an orange peel.
Also a small piece of bread works amazingly well. If you don’t mind a few bread crumbs, but does work great for dried bud though.
I have found optimal temperatures are to start at 6.5, run through 3 or so bags, then 7 for a bag or two then 7.5 for the final bag or two. Depending on how much you put in, I like .5, you can do around 6 or 7 bags, although if you throw in like .8 you can get up to 9 or 10. If you want to push it you can go up to 1.2+ and get like 12 bags.
If your bags are the size they recommend in the manual (approx 24″), you are using too much product. Try .25 or so and it should give a little better taste too. This is what they recommended.
More is not really better with the Volcano.
hello, so i tried the volcano at 2007 for the first time. its 2012 now, so my experience with using it is follows:
-setting 9 will get me brutally fast spinning high
-setting 6 is optimal, it lets you think, and that is good i guess, i just cant think when i have it on 9
Been starting at 7-7.5 for the year or so that Ive had the classic, up it to 8 for 2nd and third vape, after that its too dry
I find lower than 7 gives no visible stuff at all but might geta hit
also find it can be really dry and coughing sometimes for no obvious reason
How often should we change the bag – mines still going on the original
use it maybe once a week on average
Change the bag as needed, it will usually start to leak when it gets too old – and you will notice it discoloring.
Volcano Classic. I usually start it out @ 385 (6.5), then turn it up as the bags get less dense. Usually get 6-8 bags @ 385, then 4-6 more @ 400 (7) and 3-4 more at 420*F (8). That’s with very dank, dense herb material. For me I don’t make brownies that often so I might “burn” the material, but using an oz+ in brownies still works anyways. And when I’m vaping I’ll usually put the bowl on the vape for 5 minutes to let the material warm up, then start the fan right when the control light turns off. Then I’ll let it run until vapor starts comes out and put the bag on it.
TBH, the Volcano doesn’t get as hot or as thoroughly extracted as many other vapes, such as the Herbalaire.
Volcano material even at setting 7 is not what I would consider completely extracted. While you can shoo this concern away by saying you can make edibles, what if you want all the high-temp goodies for medical or recreational reasons? Not having proper access to them in a bummer.
I’d have to disagree with these comments completely. You don’t need all the ‘high-temp goodies’ for medical reasons.
At setting 7, which I believe is around 202C/395F, the main Cannabinoids are being released, including thc, so it gets more than hot enough.
I have had my Volcano for about a yr. I have been setting it at 385F for a while. I am glad to see your postings. I just turned it down to 372F see what happens.
I Like my vaporizer for health, economy and its easy to use.I will agree tho the occasional toke is still in order.
Been runin at 5.5 or 363. I turn the fan on for a second or two before putting the herb chamber on, and give the herb chamber a count to five, maybe 3 seconds before bagging. Just shake the chamber in between bags, instead of stirring. I take 3 bags max(2 for big bags) and dont adjust the temp, generally. Seems to be perfect compromise between potency/taste now, and decent brownies later. I love my volcano!
I have a question right now I am running my digital volcano at 365 F. How long am i suppose to set the head unit that has the material being vaped on the volcano for before pushing the air button? also do you increase the temperature after every filled bag?
The Volcano instructions recommend running a few seconds of hot air through the material – without the bag attached – to warm it up. Personally I hate to waste anything, so I sit the chamber on the heat unit for a minute or so to warm it up a bit. Then when I turn the air on, I get vapor almost right away. Some folks increase the temp as they go – it’s all really a matter of preference.
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.
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!!
Now that is a fine idea. Can’t afford to upgrade, but if I was I’d follow yr lead . . . good work good dr, well done!!!
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!!!!
@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!
I lost my link to this site, but just found you again! You were totally right, the temp was too low, by far. Learning curve!! What a blessing this silly machine is, thank goodness for it. We upped the temp to 276F, but that is also too low. But it works, just need to crank it a little more.
Cheers and thank you Vapormaster!
170 degrees would only be if your model was set to Celcius.
And even 170C would be too low…Try at least 190C/395F.
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?
@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.
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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!!
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.
Wow, only 4 bags? I’m getting up to 10-12 bags at 5.5 (I’ll call it the “factory setting” because that’s how it arrived) using only 1mm deep, that I stir around after each bag. It’s crazy efficient.
i would venture it’s beat much sooner than you realize. 10 bags is an awful lot and i personally have never been able to get more than 4.
Agreed. I’d say by bag 10 that it’s maybe bag 4 starting to catch up on ya.lol.
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.
very interesting post.. im definately coming back for more!