If you want to have a great session, you need to be on your cleaning A-game. Can you use the Volcano Hybrid without cleaning it? …Sure. But that’s gross and the flavor you’ll get will be majorly subpar, not to mention the air quality going into your lungs will not be doing you any favors.
Cleaning will never be my favorite part of owning an epic vaporizer, but the experience I get from having one that works at optimal levels makes it worth it! Our friends over at Vapor.com have a great way to keep all your devices clean here.
How to clean the Hybrid’s base
I recommend wiping down the base on your Volcano any time it gets dusty or dirty. This will vary, but basically I just like to keep mine looking nice, so I’ll do this every few weeks.
The base of the Hybrid is nearly identical to the Classic/Digit, minus the external buttons and dials that stick out. Those buttons and dials tended to collect dust around them, so the sleeker design of the Hybrid is great because all you need is a damp cloth to wipe down your machine, with no added attention getting around the crevices of the buttons and dials.
How to clean the Hybrid’s balloon
Moving upward on the Volcano, you’ll see the same Easy Valve balloons on both the Hybrid and the Classic, unless you have been a Solid Valve user on the Classic. The Easy Valve balloons don’t need to be cleaned, so if that’s what you’re using on the Hybrid, you’re looking at pretty minimal maintenance! For tips on how to clean the Solid Valve balloons, check out my other cleaning articles.
The valve itself should be cleaned, but that’s easy to do, and again you can read about that in my other articles.
Cleaning the filling chamber
The filling chamber will always be the one part that requires a bit more deep cleaning than the rest of the Volcano. Once you’ve disassembled everything, set aside the silicone rings and plastic parts. You can soak these specific items in warm soapy water if you’d like. I prefer to put them in a mason jar with warm water and sea salt and shake it all up for a bit. You can put the remaining bits of the filling chamber in isopropyl alcohol. I recommend soaking for no longer than 30 minutes. Just make sure to rinse everything well in warm water and let it all dry out before re-assembling.
Do you have to clean the Volcano’s tube/whip?
One thing you might be wondering about is how in the heck you’ll clean that long, skinny tube if you use the tube inhalation method. This was actually a hesitation I had before getting my Hybrid. But it turns out you don’t have to clean it at all! The tube is meant to be used and replaced.
The funny thing is, you’re supposed to replace it every 2 weeks. AND it’s not considered hygienic to share one with someone else. So suddenly we’re looking at buying lots and lots of these tubes, and I almost wish I could just clean them and be done with it.
I love the idea of a maintenance-free system. But unfortunately in the case of the Hybrid, it comes with a cost. A 3-pack replacement set costs $35 and as of now, that’s the cheapest option.
Is it easier to clean the Volcano Hybrid or the Volcano Classic?
While there’s not a huge difference in the amount of time it takes to clean the Classic vs. the Hybrid, the Hybrid is definitely the more low-maintenance of the two. Between not having to clean the tube or Easy Valve balloons, to having a simplified base that only requires a quick wipe-down, your life with the Hybrid will be spent doing better things than cleaning.
And while there are ways to decrease your cleaning time with the Classic (like using the disposable Easy Valve balloons instead of Solid Valve balloons), there’s still that obvious dust build up around the buttons and dials, which after years of use just looks pretty gnarly.
So if cleaning isn’t your jam and you’re looking for a Volcano vaporizer, do yourself a favor and get the Hybrid. As I said, it’s not a deal-breaker amount of difference in cleaning, but it’s enough that you’ll be glad you made the upgrade.
Cleaning Supplies
Both the Classic and the Hybrid come with a full cleaning kit including a cleaning brush. I recommend you use the included cleaning products until they run out, and then use simple cleaning products you likely already have around the house. However, if you’d like to have dedicated cleaning supplies, don’t forget about our friends at Vapor.com!
Check out the other cleaning articles I’ve written for step-by-step cleaning guides.
Can you not soak the plastic pieces of the filling chamber in ISO – alcohol? I just did this with him and wondering if it’s harmful for whatever reasons…
Over time it could damage the plastic. Doing it once shouldn’t be a problem.
Why shouldn’t you soak the plastic pieces of the filling chamber in iso-alcohol along with the metal pieces? I just did this when cleaning my filling chamber and wondering if it’s not a good idea / can damage the plastic pieces?
I soaked all pieces of the filling chamber in 70% iso for a few minutes, then put all pieces into warm soapy water for 20 minutes, rinsed, then let air dry overnight.
Sounds like you have a good process! I personally like to just wash the plastic pieces with hot soapy water, because some hippie once told me that the iso would regrade the plastic and make it brittle. “¯\_(ツ)_/¯“
Hi, thanks for all the information, what about the tube, im considering the hybrid to use the tube, but im not so sure about the 2 weeks of use and replace, is it essential? or is there a way so I can clean it, it will be just for my own and home use, regards!
A lot of people have success washing the tube in a gentle warm water and soap rinse every couple of weeks. Just detach and run some hot soapy water through it and rinse thoroughly.
Is there a way to clean for air flow? If filter is clean and chamber is clear, how do we clear the air flow?
Hi, Cory – The airflow has a foam filter on the bottom of the machine that keeps it exceptionally clean. We like to use a PC cleaning attachment (https://amzn.to/3BBzjbc) for our vacuum to clean the top of the cone around where the filling chamber sits, and also use that to vacuum through the air port when changing or cleaning the foam intake filter. Thanks for your question!
Personally I break down the filling chamber separating all the plastic, including the o-ring, and the metal components. I wash the plastic & o-ring in warm soapy water, rinse and set aside.
The metal bits (filling chamber, upper and screens) I soak in +90% isopropyl a bit of course salt. I agitate this breaking down the resin buildup. Depending on your cleaning interval and use this may take agitation and some detail work with a small brush and a toothpick. Once all clean a once over with soapy water, rinse, dry and reassemble. Like brand new…
How do you clean the filling chamber? Do I soak all the pieces in iso or are some bits not ok to soak? This is the kind of info I was hoping to find in an article about cleaning the volcano.
Neil! Thanks for the question. I’ve updated the How-To to include this. “The filling chamber will always be the one part that requires a bit more deep cleaning than the rest of the Volcano. Once you’ve disassembled everything, set aside the silicone rings and plastic parts. You can soak these specific items in a warm, soapy water if you’d like. I prefer to put them in a mason jar with warm water and sea salt and shake it all up for a bit. You can put the remaining bits of the filling chamber in isopropyl alcohol. I recommend soaking for no longer than 30 minutes. Just make sure to rinse everything well in warm water and let it all dry out before re-assembling.”
terrible review!
Sorry you feel that way Neal! To be fair, it’s a how to…. not a review.