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!
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…
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!