Safety Information Regarding The Volcano Hybrid
There’s been a lot of chatter about users breathing in aluminum dust particles while using the recently released Volcano Hybrid. I’m sorry…what? Admittedly, we were skeptical about the reviews claiming this because the knock-off game is strong, and this is not the quality that we’ve come to expect from this brand. Turns out, the rumors were true, BUT when the complaints started rolling in, Storz & Bickel listened to their customers, adjusted the sails, and headed back in the right direction.
The Problem
The rings on the bottom of the chamber and the heating ring produce what looks to be aluminum dust after only a few uses. Rightfully, owners were concerned that the residue contains metal particles that could be inhaled.
What Happened?
Some Volcano Hybrid owners experienced friction issues with the Hybrid’s chamber housing, causing the component to warp, bubble, and leave behind aluminum residue. The aluminum filling chamber scratched the aluminum base unit, creating concerns about inhaling metallic dust. Storz & Bickel updated their User Guide, so we could keep using Hybrids while a permanent fix was found.
The Solution
In less than two months, Storz & Bickel designed, tested, and approved a replacement. The replacement parts are made of hard-anodized aluminum, coated in high-quality ceramic, that don’t scratch, but still conduct enough heat to maintain that signature Volcano vapor we’ve come to know and love. Storz & Bickel was also able to produce and distribute the replacement quickly and efficiently.
From Storz & Bickel
Straight from the horse’s mouth, “Storz & Bickel prides itself on world-class design and we recognize the need to improve upon the initial design to address the wear and tear on the aluminum parts as quickly as possible. The improved parts are now available and are made from ceramic-coated aluminum. After much testing and investigation, this choice of material provides the best results. The hard coating makes it very resistant to wear, while the aluminum core offers optimal thermal characteristics to ensure the best performance of your Volcano Hybrid. Customers who already own a Volcano Hybrid will receive the replacement parts free of charge.”
The Takeaway
When you make an investment in a lifelong product, you get top-notch service. This is why we exclusively recommend buying legitimate products from trustworthy vendors, like vapor.com. For current Volcano Hybrid owners, you can order your replacement part here. You’ll just need the serial number from your Hybrid, plug in your shipping info, and Storz & Bickel will get you squared away.
Ceramic coated filling chamber replacement part.
6.5 months and I STILL DO NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS!
Sent numerous emails & pics through their info at storz-bickel.com, emails just went unanswered. By this time the plastic filling chamber had melted, cracked and completely failed. So not only are you sucking in aluminium dust but melting plastic is likely introduced into the airstream also. Yeah, great. Had to purchase replacement parts via vapor.com (A+ company). This is a $700 piece of equipment with MANUFACTURING DEFECTS and I received no support.
Finally, I created an RMA at S&B. Heck I’m ready to send the whole thing back to S&B and let them sort it out… 3 days later I get an email “parts have shipped”. No indication of what parts shipped, no tracking… ugh. Parts shipped, rightttt… I’m calling shenanigans, again.
This company used to be considered top notch. VERY DISAPPOINTED with S&B customer service and the VH product quality. Don’t even get me started on their app… (facepalm).
We hate to hear that you’re having issues. This is why we recommend using Vapor.com – their customer service is always great. I wonder if COVID and work from home is negatively impacting S&B’s response times and customer service?
Yes I highly recommend vapor.com as well. I had never thought to approach vapor.com for the no-cost service parts for S&B’s manufacturing defect assuming it would be an expense to me. Then again… I never thought I would wait over 6 months to get the parts from S&B.
There’s a bright side to all of this. I received the S&B service parts yesterday! It pays to raise a sink once in awhile. They even provided a replacement chamber housing for the melted one I had experienced. Faith in humanity restored.
DepotEco Stocks most things S&B Volcano.. And I was able to get the Recall Part for the Hybrid in just about 5 days.. Make sure you go to the site and give it your Serial number.. It was very fast and Shipped from Oakland Ca. ..
Thank you for the information, Matt. As I responded to Vapormaster, I never thought to approach the distributer I purchased my VH from yet any other distributer… just assumed these service parts HAD to come from S&B. My bad.
S&B is the only place to get the Recall Parts for the Hybrid.. Thats not a part they have out for Resale to other vendors.. Keep on keeping on 🙂
https://www.storz-bickel.com/en-us/vh-filling-chamber-service
thanks for the update.,. I just had my parts sent.
https://www.storz-bickel.com/en-us/vh-filling-chamber-service
Awesome! Happy to hear it, Matt!
Is this the new OWNERSHIP? They sound terrific.
I would like to get the replacement ceramic filling chamber, however the link is dead! (http://You%20can%20order%20your%20replacement%20part%20here.) so where do I go now?
Thanks for letting us know that link was broken! Here you go – https://www.storz-bickel.com/en/cylinder-with-insert
They also said in their press release that: “This issue has been investigated thoroughly, both internally and by external laboratories as well, and we can assure you that the wearing of the aluminum parts does not pose any health risks to our customers.” Can we discuss that?
Yes, yes we can! Are you calling BS? I’m pretty impressed with the recall kit they sent, it’s an elegant solution to the problem.
I mean I’m not one to trust a corporation to do the right thing and release damaging information about possible health damage due to use of their product, especially one that would be liable for lawsuits if they said it could have negatively effected people health. I mean I like there products I just think a good amount of skepticism is healthy.
Did they provide the independent labs data and testing setup ect? Was it a transparent investigation or was this only something released via a statement without data.
A good amount of skepticism in this day and age is definitely healthy! We can’t find anything from Storz & Bickel that details specific data, so we’re taking their word on this one.
A little heavy on the p.r., but you’re doing the right thing.