There are several schools of thought on temp settings for your volcano vaporizer.
The THC in cannabis 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 classic vaporizer, this range is between 4.25 and 6 on the temperature dial.
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 4-6 bags of vapor. You’ll notice a change in taste and the density of the vapor mist in the bag. When it’s done, the vapor will be very light and have little to no flavor left.
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! Make butter or coconut oil and you can get even more value out of your stash.
Love reading about different volcano techniques. I’m sure strain, quantity and cleanliness of the machine plays a huge role in the quality of vapor you can get. I first got my digital in 2007 and it’s going on ten years strong!
I usually pack a pretty small amount (0.25 – 0.50) and start at around 370F. After my first bag i usually raise the temp one degree so i remember how many baggies i’ve done. Then for my third bag i usually stir the herbs with the butt-end of the little wooden brush that the unit came with. I’ll vape that bag at around 387F. Then, depending on how much i’ve put into the chamber, I’ll stir it again and do a fourth bag at 420F.
Does anyone else call their leftovers ‘duff’? Not sure where i picked that up from but thats what i call it. After i’ve accumulated about 20 grams of duff I make a coconut oil extract with it, which i pour into capsules. It yields about 40 – 60 capsules and just 2-3 of them on an empty stomach get you pretty nice.
Hi guys, just wondering if you could give a bit of advice. After searching for a long time I finally found a second-hand Volcano Classic solid valve on eBay. I paid £92 ($147) which as you can imagine I was pretty happy with.
However, when I got the unit I noticed that some things were different to the pictures on Storz and Bickel’s website. Firstly, the ring at the top of the device where you place your filling chamber was beigey in colour. I’ve since done some research and found that the beige coloured ring suggests that it was a model produced before 2005, which is fine but… I find that with an approx 60cm long bag, it takes a good 3 – 4 minutes to fill up the bag. It still prodcues nice vapour but I imagine that taking this long to fill up a bag would have a detrimental affect on how many times the same lot of herb can be used. As far as I’m aware a brand new device will fill up a balloon in roughly 30 seconds.
I have cleaned all the parts of the device, including taking off it’s shell and cleaning inside and the tiny little sponge filter located at the base of the motor. All this has done very little to change how it works. I’ve contacted Storz and Bickel and they’ve just suggested that I send the device off to them so that they can take a look at it and send me an invoice for any potential repairs. However, before I do that (and potentially pay through the nose) I’d like to ask if you guys have any suggestions as to what might be wrong with it.
Thanks
I would imagine that the air pump needs to be replaced. You are right to assume that you are not getting optimum vapor with it taking so long to fill. Unfortunately I don’t think this is something you can fix yourself easily. Good luck!
I would like to suggest you remove the fan from the unit and clean the actual blades as they are probably gummed up with 10 years of residue and just normal stuff in the door… the littlest bit of crap on the edge an make a fan loose as much as 30 to 40% of its efficiency… they are also for sale as replacement parts on ebay for under 10 bucks from my search
Hi all,This site has been a fascinating insight into the art of vaping for me.
Ive combusted either through water or normally mixed with tobacco for over 10 years now, but such lifestyles don’t come cheap in my part of the world. I was a heavy smoker from early teens which I stuck to during the days but night times I would mainly replace my regulars for a blend instead. I then stopped altogether before turing back to smoking a blend only. I’m at the point in my life now where I don’t want to continue intoxicating my body to the extent I am, but I’m not ready to tear up my “prescription” just yet so a volcano is the obvious next chapter.
My friend took the plunge a few years ago and I had maybe 5 bags through it over a couple of gatherings. I loved the effect (I believe he was on 186c) it was certainly more uplifting than my normal payback. The only thing that put me off (and has continued to till now) was the economy…when I roll, I go for quantity over quality sometimes (my bodies way of still getting its nicotine hit i guess) and I would guess I make 4-6 out of 1gm.
We were wrongly under the impression that once you vaporised your 0.4gm and filled one bag, you simply tossed it away, adding another helping of fresh ground to fill the 2nd bag!!! at $15+ per gram you can understand my concern. I big bag would cost $10 for 5-6 tokes and realistically I wasn’t warmed up till I’d had a few! I’m not a big fan of baked goods normally but it would be rude not to make good use of all that dud.
I understand that quality and moisture/oil content will be the main variable in any given batch, lets say I have dense bud with clearly visible crystallisation on the surface, the kind that doesn’t just pass straight through a grinder, but also doesn’t get stuck up in there too long either. If I were to use, say, 0.3g starting on 6.5, how many bags would you expect to get before you changed stock?
I would expect 6-8 bags. Different strokes for different folks, some people find it gets to harsh around 5 or 6. But certainly more than 1 bag per load!
Just got my volcano digi. just reading now have not used yet.
What do all these people mean when they talk about all the bags they fill. I was just going to use one bag. If I fill multiple bags do they stay inflated and potent for an extended amount of time? It is just me how could I use so many bags at one sitting? Am I wasting if I do not fill numerous bags.
Over time and with many uses of the same bag, you will need to replace it. I replace mine about once a month or so. Whenever all the parts get too sticky and don’t want to move very well… that is the time I clean everything and replace the bag with a fresh one. Other than that, I don’t know about multiple bags, unless they use more than one to pass around at parties. But then you’d need all the extra mouthpieces as well which would get expensive.
I think they’re talking about used bags which, after being replaced, can be sliced and heated to recover oil that has accumulated on the insides thereof.
I cut two or three 1cm slices, roll them into a single tube, and vapourise that. It’s not as effective as fresh herb, but it is free.
Hmm, never thought of that. Have you ever had issues with the cut bags melting or emitting plastic fumes etc? Temperature recommendation?
Thanks!
thx mate ill try it out
The bags won’t melt, if they did they’d probably already melt through normal use. But no, they’ll be fine, made to endure high heat.
I crank the heat up for that prcoess of vaping the used bag strips, like vaping pure oil. 🙂 jsut look at the bags when you replace them, you’ll see where all the oil builds up at the spot where it was attached.
oops…meant ‘process’, not prcoess…lol
Check out this link for info on temps: http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/vaporization-temperature-dependent-selection-of-effects.1637/. If you’re a medical patient like me, you’re wasting your herb if you start up high. You’d do just as well to smoke it! I start at 130C and move up by 15 degree increments, 3 to 4 bags per temp setting, and I often fall asleep on a bag of 205… I just keep moving the temp up on the SAME half a gram of goodies, 3 to 4 bags per temp setting, and it’s good all the way up, bc at each TEMP, it’s letting out diff compounds. Try it before you comment…
Interesting. So are you saying you get 15-20 good bags out of a half gram of material??
Wish that I could get 30 to 40 bags per gram!
I get 6 to 8 high temp bags per 250mg load.
That’s gross. Worse than microwaving food in plastic bowls.
I can’t see why you would think so. The bags are being re-heated by the same equipment, and at the same temperature, as for the original N uses, where N is typically quite a large number. The oil that is recovered from the bags is the exact same oil that you wanted to inhale on the first N uses of the bag. The only difference is that for the N+1th heating they are first sliced. If you find it gross you’d honestly have to say you think the Volcano system itself is gross.
I disagree. The bags never attain the temperature of the heating element in normal use. By the time the vapor hits them it is relatively cool. I would not recommend putting the plastic bags (or anything plastic) into the vaporizer chamber ever, for a number of reasons. My health being one of them.
Your point, that the temperature is higher inside the chamber than immediately outside of it, seems valid, but not a realistic cause for concern. These are oven bags, intended for roasting food inside hot ovens, at temperatures above what a Volcano produces.
I agree with David on this. The bags can endure much higher temps than what I set my ‘Cano at. ANd the bag strips are in the chamber not on the heating element which is inside. Probably safe to say the chamber doesn’t get as hot as the temp you set. I’m able to pull out the ‘plunger’ piece pretty quickly after use so temp is pretty much a non issue with the proper bags.
Geeze no that’s crazy. Multiple bags mean filling the bag, inhaling its contents and then filling it again.
Multiple bags is easy if you have the easy valve. You get them in 6 packs, and yes you can replace the bags if you are careful. But I fill 3 bags @ 165C, let the bud cool off, then when I am done, I fill 3 @ 172C. Then it is toast, sometimes if I use just about half the bowl I might just do the first 3, depends on how the bud looks.
As it were you can make some pretty good green dragon out of the “browns” (as I call them). Of course you need rather a lot of browns to make a worthwhile amount but it would otherwise be throwaway waste.
i just toss my browns out haha. and to all the other people i have been just starting it off on 8 lately to get that dank vapor. when i first got it i only vaped at 7. then i started doing it on only 6. no i know the best method. start on 8 and work your way up to 9. so preem. ive had mine for 2 years. lotta kms on her haha
Had mine about 6 weeks now and love it, I like .25g on number 6 then 6 and a half for the next bag. I made some butter/cookies from a oz and half of poo, yesterday I ate 2 cookies and was stuck to my chair all day and found it very easy to sleep.
how do u do hash in the volcano
Try using the liquid pad (looks like steel wool), or use a bed of vaporizer leftovers to support the hash.
Smart man right here, worked like a charm
Hey guys!
Its been very helpful reading your posts.
Ive got one question.. Most of you talk about using 0.25-0.6 of a gram.
I usually put in about 0.3
And then I put on that the liquid pad. Because Ive read that the stuff in the chamber needs to be quite compact (off course not too much, but still just as much, so that the stuff doesn’t move freely around the chamber).
So am I doing it the right way?
or is it OK to just put as little as 0.25 in without the liquid pad?
Ah, I was wondering what the wire wool pad was for. I assumed it was for cleaning.
I am a brat. I use the first bag only. Using good product, a half-dozen hits per easy bag is plenty for one person. With guests, I use the solid valve rig. People who are astounded at my wastefulness are welcome to punch the digi past 350F and knock themselves out.
A number of canna docs have told me 350F should be the maximum, or else you’re getting into smoke. Smoke-wise, those whited-out bags are a little better than smoking a J. Oh, I’m sure they are effective. But ick.
With hash I go 360F – 370F, and yes, I will fill a second bag depending how dry the chunks feel after a blast.
I use a microscope on 30X to observe the changing color of the oil beads. after the first bag, it goes golden, which is pretty. Subsequent bags bring it towards brown. There is plenty of oil in a once-used canna batch. I will try the butter.
I like the health benefits from low temps and single bag. I find I get just as baked. But here’s the deal: On the first bag, the vapor tastes delicious. The lighter the vapor, the better it tastes. This is part of the experience for me.
It’s not even close to smoke at 350f to 385f. Whip vapes are better for flavour since flavour and potency are two different things in vaporizing. Just because there’s less flavour at higher temeperatures doesn’t mean that’s a bad temperature to be using
Also vapor doesn’t need to be invisible to be healthy
Re-using stuff to fill a few small bags seemed like the wrong strategy to me and my pals. The first bag was fine, but subsequent ones tasted increasingly foul and were of diminishing effectiveness. By the third bag I might as well have been sucking air.
This is not surprising. The highest concentration of oil is produced when the material is initially heated, but with constant heat and air-flow, emissions diminish to zero. I view it this way: half the oil comes out in the first N seconds; half of what remains, which is one-quarter of the total, in the next N seconds; another halving, that is one-eighth of the oil, in the third N seconds; and so on. Flavour diminishes the longer heat is applied; and stopping the process mid-way, to continue later, doesn’t avoid that.
The strategy I use is to heat once, continuously, until output is low. I figure to be getting about seven-eighths of the original oil; collecting more than that dilutes the bag too much. This means long bags; mine are about 1.5m (5′) long and take a few minutes to fill using a newish digital Volcano. Flavour is good, although it has a hint of the mustiness which dominates the taste from third re-fill of a small bag (i.e. re-using same material.)
After filling a bag, what was originally green has turned a dark-brown colour, similar to tobacco, and retains, according to my logic, about one-eighth of the oil that it started with.
Chris in WI suggested cutting old bags into strips and vapourising them. I also recommend this practice. I find the Volcano to be a very efficient process; this final step feels like I’m getting a free lunch.
I have a digital and have used it daily for a couple years. Here is what I’ve learned. My name is Chris, and I am a hype… really. I like only the dankest and I fill the entire chamber to the top and turn it up to 400F. I fill the bag until it looks way too dense and then stop no matter how full it is. It’s the density of the vapor in the bag that gets you baked, if you didn’t know already. I super hit will take you places that 20 smaller hits (on the same amount) ever would.
The leftovers… I save them until I run out and rerun the hell outta them at 420F until done and toss. If I’m going to bake I’ll use trim to make butter before I use vaper poo personally.
The bags: The bags are made out of the material they are, because that material is heat resistant at the temperatures the Volcano operates at. Soooo… cut strips outta the bag and put them in the chamber… you will be way higher after a few bags then the buds that made that oil residue ever got you. Then I have a shot glass with iso in it and dip the strips after I’m getting thin bags. You want to harvest the last of that precious honey oil. Use a razer and ISO your parts, and anyone who tells you there is bad stuff that will be left on your chamber from iso is ignorant of the facts. iso evaporates at room temperature and the “other” ingredient is water.
Side note… someone mentioned not burning THC at 350F, that isn’t true do to the venturi effect. THC does boil off at these lower temperatures due to the dynamics of the chambers design.
Chris, I fuckin love you haha. That’s exactly what I do with my volcano. But I always wondered what the hell to do with the left over bags. I thought about soaking them in iso also but cutting them in strips is a brilliant idea! I just fixed the thermostat in my volcano and I think I calibrated it way too high. It got hotter than ever before at 5 so I readjusted it and turned it back on now there is no control light. I think I read somewhere about someones volcano doing the same thing and they tried it the next day and it worked again. If you or anyone can confirm this to be the case I would really appreciate it!
Thanks
PS I read somewhere on the Storz and Bickel site that the volcano cannot physically get hot enough to burn weed. No matter how high you turn it up. (Burn as in combust)
How did you fix the thermostat. i have the same problem. How much did it cost you and where did you take it for repair?
Fixed it myself for free. I didn’t completely fix it until a couple months after that comment lol. I sold it a few weeks ago so I’m gonna have to go off memory. Well I took off the metal cover of it then unbolted the thermostat itself. After taking it out I noticed a white piece of plastic sitting below it on the foam insulator. I put that back in place, it was holding part of the metal structure apart where the contact piece was adjusted on the thermostat. There should be a gray piece of plastic secured on the top as well. You can take the knob off the thermostat and adjust the calibration of the temperature but I would just leave it where it is to keep the original setting. I got the thermostat set back up but I turned it up way too high after adjusting the calibration for some stupid reason. It overheated the fuse on the other side of the thermostat. I had to change where the wires plug in and bypass the fuse and wire it straight to the thermostat. I didn’t figure that out for a couple months. And to take off the cover I had to use the perfect sized flat head to fit right into the screws. Good luck with yours. Could be either the fuse or thermostat problem I both had to fix, I don’t know what else it could be
Thanks a lot
Your explanation helps a lot. BTW, if I need a new thermostat or the fuse, where would I buy it? I assume i can find the fuse at any electronic shop but what about the thermostat?
Mike
Well I never really looked closely at the fuse itself. It’s only there in case the volcano starts overheating which causes the fuse to blow. At least that’s what I’m guessing cause of what happened when I turned it up really high. I never tried replacing it so I don’t know how to. As for the thermostat, you’ll have to send it in to the shop and have them replace it. They don’t sell any parts since they are very serious about their warranties and insist on taking care of it themselves to make sure it’s done right. Which is understandable, just not favorable to the consumers on a tight budget.
Thanks again
That is what they said when I called the company in US. I was hoping you had a different answer. Thanks again
Chris
How dirty do you allow your bags to get before cutting and vaping? Or give me an idea of how many uses before cutting. Also, when you Vape the bags, will you see the vapor?
Thanks
Eventually the bags develop leaks. That’s the time to recycle them.
I guess you may have figured it out by now as your post is 2012 but…
You’ll tend to notice the bag getting sticky after time and some oil will begin to appear near the base of the bag. A few more uses at this point and then a fresh bag. As for seeing the vapor, yes, and at various temps you will notice a difference in density of the vapor.
How do you use the left over vapor poo to make edibles I vape at 369 with the digital and have saved most of my leftovers not sure what to do
Check out the butter or glycerin making instructions – https://volcanotips.com/category/cooking/
Thanks – great site I have another question can you vape kief?
Try using the liquid pad (looks like steel wool), or use a bed of vaporizer leftovers to support the kief.
I make a little sandwich out of weed. Few pinches of weed on the bottom of the chamber, then a nice layer of kief and then a layer of weed on top of that. I like to think the top layer of weed stops any kief sticking to the metal bits and getting wasted somehow. Anyway, the sandwich works for me when vaping at about a 6.5 on my oldschool volcano.
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!
Hey Vapormaster,
I’ve owned a volcano for a little less than a year now, and principally had it set on about 8 or 9 each time my friends and I used it. We found that the denser bags achieved only with that setting gave us the desired results, as opposed to lower numbers. Now, either as a result of repeating this or not, I’m noticing that the Volcano cannot get as hot (as that setting at least). What should I do? What happened?
That’s a little hot for my taste, but to each their own. Regardless, it sounds like you have a problem with your thermostat. Since you have had your Volcano for less than a year, I would recommend contacting Storz & Bickel about a repair. Good luck, and let us know how it works out.
Hello Vapemaster,
I appreciate yours and everyone else’s comments in response to my question. My next request is for my comments to be deleted/removed from this site. I did not realize that a google lookup on my name would include this commentary, so please remove my name and commentary from this website, as well as my comment subscription, as soon as possible. I have subscribed to a follow-up comment for the sole purpose of seeing your confirmatory response. Thank you.
Your comments have been anonymized. It may take some time for the information to be removed from Google – unfortunately that’s beyond my control. You can control you comment subscriptions using the links in the email at the bottom. Happy vaping.
thx man im getting it in a few days i think i will use your method the first time see if i like it
I bought my classic Volcano about two weeks ago. The very first bowl had that minty-fresh taste. However, ever since then I feel like the first draw is “fresh” and all the rest have that “too-toasted” taste. Has anybody else had this experience. Any suggestions? My setting started at 5/ 5.5 and I’ve tried dropping it to 4. Thanks
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.
Rehydrate your product. To do this:
1> Go to your local tobaconist and get a small disc about the size of a US Quarter $.25 it’s about as thick as a stack of about 4-5 coins and has holes on both sides. Put this in water for about 5 minutes then put in the container with your product. It has been my experience that more water means more vapor. They also sell premade gell containers or bags that are designed to keep cigars at 68-72% relative Humidity they work also.
2> Next time you peel an orange put some of the peel in your product. This changes the flavor of the product.
Re-hydrating will only increase amount of water vapor but not the active ingredient. Dusty dry and finely powdered product will vaporize more efficiently.
correcto
Rehydrating won’t help. You would have to “re-oil-ate.”
I hate dry herb. I empathize. You were on the right track going to lower temps. You have to experiment which you have done.
I urge you to do some local networking or plan a trip to safely obtain better stuff. Those doofuses selling to you are doofuses. If it’s safe, ship a vape in advance of an herb vacation. If you can’t afford these options I am sorry for offending you. My heart is out to anyone smoking the kind of weed I tolerated in high school.
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. 🙂
cotton bsll moistened and wrapped in aluminum foil will release moisture at the right rate and will not get your stuff wet
The best way to rehydrate herb is with orange peels in the bag. It gives it a nice citrus taste. Also, apple skins or potato skins work well to. Apple sometimes gets sticky but orange works best!!!! Enjoy!!:):)
The only thing with rehydrating is be careful its very easy to make your weed go mouldy… a proper cigar humidifier would probs be best. but instead of keeping cigars in there keep your weed in there and keep it clean cos bacteria grows good…. i dont know though im not an expert of any kind just got some common sense.. i want a volcano but they are to expensive D: ill have to try and make one out of an old popcorn machine. some handy work but they work as good from what i have read.
Keep it bone dry, it will help with grinding it fine (very important) so the will be able to evaporate evenly and quickly. Adding moisture produce more water vapor and add to visual effect only.
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.
Ya man likwise, I use .3 of a g in 3ft bags and if real good quality bud I will get 3 bags of tasty vapour.
1st bag @ 6 2nd and 3rd @ 7
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.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahah
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.
Better that a Humidor is a Humibag. It has a contraption that is designed to keep the product at a specific range of relative humidity 68-72% usually.
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.
Why don’t you try turning it up past 7 if it’s not hot enough for you?
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!
This is exactly what I do, after many, many experiments. Hotter temperatures make me cough, especially on the 4th or 5th balloon.
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.
yeah i tried running a few seconds of hot air through it one time and it blew the metal thing up spraying shake everywhere. so i use the same method you use. but i have been just starting it off on 8 lately to get that dank vapor. when i first got it i only vaped at 7. then i started doing it on only 6. no i know the best method. start on 8 and work your way up to 9. so preem. ive had mine for 2 years. lotta kms on her haha
citizenJ has the right idea you get everything u need out of ur weed at 180C. THC can vaporize as low as 157C and CBD anywhere from 160-180. CBN a product of the breakdown of THC vaporizes at 185; good fresh bud can have damn near no CBN in it so use your own discretion on wether you go above that point but really all your doing is getting what you want abit faster plus abunch of other shit you DONT want when you go above 180. i own a digital volcano and vaporize anywhere from 158 to 180C depending on the type of weed i have and the type of high i want. even with indica you can turn it down to 158 and get a good light flying cerbral sativa-like high (try this temp with a whole g or more and see what i mean 😉 and ur leftovers will keep all that CBD for a hardcore body stone from ur brownies later. i usually use multiple temps in a session depending on my mood the weed and atmosphere/what im doing at the time etc. CBD lenghthens ur high and reduces some of the psychotic effects of THC so if your someone prone to burning out and/or tripping you may want to stick with 180. I often either start with 180 toke till im goon n’ stoned then blast one at 160 when i get bored lethargic or whatever, or start with a few at about 160 for that soaring high i love then hit up 180 about an hour or more before i expect to burn out for an extended high. so many combinations… try em all yourself 🙂 and make sure your weed is completely dry and very finely ground for more intense bags at lower temps. P.S. i dunno what all you guys have been vaping but i use 1/4-3/4 of a gram per bowl and get anywhere from 5 to over a dozen bags depending on amount/tempurature. (And Mike dude the second bag is always thicker than the first regardless. why would you turn it up? i usually just vape at one tempurature till my vapors getting thin and if that happens to be a low one it only means better brownies for later)
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.
In my own personal experience, the best utilization of the volcano waste matter is to use isopropyl alcohol to extract the last of the thc to make oil. then pour some of that oil on top of your next bowl. Tt will soak into the plant matter and the bowl will last much longer.
been using multiple vaporizers for a while now,the vaportower and volcano are the best id say,in the uk we call the “poo” dud,as in dud bud lol,also make butter from it and bubble hash through the crystal filtration system,that lovely throguh the cano.
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!
Hey guys!
Its been very helpful reading your posts.
Ive got one question.. Most of you talk about using 0.25-0.6 of a gram.
I usually put in about 0.3
And then I put on that the liquid pad. Because Ive read that the stuff in the chamber needs to be quite compact (off course not too much, but still just as much, so that the stuff doesn’t move freely around the chamber).
So am I doing it the right way?
or is it OK to just put as little as 0.25 in without the liquid pad?