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Frequently Asked Questions
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| Why does the Volcano cost more than other
Vaporizers? |
In developing the Volcano 'Storz and Bickels' aim was to offer a Vaporizer
with in all respects outstanding features. They not only focused on
top-quality material and workmanship - a matter of fact for them -
but primarily on offering the user a safe device for convenient application
which is easy to operate. In addition, it was their intention to create
the prerequisites for an efficient and controlled vaporization.
In order to achieve optimum results, a Vaporizer requires a membrane
pump to evenly pump air, a heat accumulator to evenly heat the air
and a valve technology to ensure a simple, reliable and convenient
application. If you read through the section on the Volcano technology
you will see why that is the case. Those features are only offered
by the Volcano.
Other vaporizers which are supposedly "equally good“ can
be a heavy pull on your purse if you decide to stop using them, because
you are dissatisfied with their performance and then simply leave
the equipment standing around unused.
After a lot of experience with vaporizers and being familiar with
all models available on the market they are absolutely convinced that
the Volcano offers the best price-performance ratio.
For the rest, we would like to draw your attention to the "The
common law of business balance" which the English social reformer
John Ruskin (1819-1900) worded over 100 years ago and which is as
relevant today as it was at that time:
"There is hardly
anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and
sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are
that person's lawful prey.
It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When
you pay too much, you lose a little money - that is all. When you
pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you
bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.
The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting
a lot - it can't be done.
If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for
the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for
something better." |
| Which parts of the Volcano-Inhalator are subject
to wear and tear? |
First of all the balloon, which has to be replaced by a new balloon
after cleaning the valve set in regular intervals (after 50 - 100
balloon fillings). The balloon used is a Melitta® Toppits Bratschlauch
Type "extrabreit". (Melitta® Toppits oven hose - type
extra-wide). You can purchase that product at many drugstores and
supermarkets at a low price or directly from us. A roll with 3 metres
of this product is enclosed with each Volcano, that is sufficient
for 5-6 balloons. You may also use other oven hoses or oven bags,
e.g. in the U.S.A. use Reynolds® oven bags Type "large".
By far less seldom (approx. 1x per year in everyday use) it may be
necessary to replace the filling chamber screens. Each complete set
is furnished with 4 top and 4 bottom screens. That will last a long
time. No other parts are subject to wear and tear. |
| Can herb particles from the filling chamber
enter the balloon? |
We deliver all new Volcanos with a screen brace disc which reliably
prevents the screen from being bent when it is inserted. The owners
of older Volcanos can contact us to order this screen brace disc free
of charge. It fits into all previously delivered Volcanos.
If the top filling chamber screen is bent (by using it without screen
brace disc), that will create a gap between the screen and filling
chamber cylinder through which particles can be blown into the balloon.
Ensure as described in the operating manual, that the top screen is
always flat and not clogged. You will always enjoy an untroubled application,
if you ensure that the filling chamber, valve and mouthpiece are regularly
cleaned. |
| What do the numbers on the temperature scale
of the Volcano stand for? |
The scale ranges from 1-9, corresponding to temperatures of 130°C
(266°F) to 226°C (439°F). You will find a full overview
on the temperature table.
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| Can the vaporization goods burn in the Volcano?
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No. That can happen with other Vaporizers, but not if you decide in
favour of the Volcano. The user's safety has always been top priority.
The critical air temperatures above 230°C (447°F) in the filling
chamber cannot be reached. An effective vaporizer should be constructed
in such a manner which rules out the combustion of herbal material
from the beginning on. |
| How long can the vapors be stored in the
balloon? |
The vapors in the balloon condense in the course of time at the balloon
shell. But that is a process which takes hours. If you inhale the
balloon contents within 5-10 minutes you will have more or less no
loss at all.
The valve balloon is not designed to "store" vapor, it allows
moreover the user to conveniently inhale independent of the device
in line with the user's individual requirements, making it comparable
with a glass which is easier to drink out of than directly from the
water tap. |
| Which factors determine the vapor build-up
in the balloon? |
The proportion of flavour and active ingredient vapor in the balloon
primarily depends on the quality and quantity of herbs with which
the vaporizer is filled. Other important factors are the surface area
of the herbs and the vaporizing temperature.
It is clear that the quality of the material being vaporized is important,
as is the quantity involved - more herbs means greater vaporization.
One should note that a minimum quantity is required to generate sufficient
vapor, a fact which brings us to the question of surface area.
Anyone who e.g. rolls ½ g of herb into a ball and deposits
it in the vaporizer will be sorely disappointed with the result, as
practically no vapour rises and an equally negligible effect is achieved.
Shreding the same amount of herb into small particles, and the subsequently
greater surface area achieved, will, in contrast, generate strong
vapor, the effect achieved being also greater as a consequence.
Flavours and active ingredients can only vaporize from herbs if they
are close enough to the surface. Grinding the material occasionally
with ones fingers between vaporizing procedures is thus advantageous,
as this exposes the material previously concealed in the interior.
The herb should not be packed into the filling chamber, as loosely-deposited
material facilitates the free circulation of hot air.
The vaporizing temperature also plays a significant role, as already
mentioned. The higher the temperature, the greater the volume of flavours
and active ingredients released in a single procedure. However, temperatures
higher than really necessary adversely effect the flavour. An increase
in temperature is thus particularly advisable if the effect achieved
is diminished and considerably less vapor is generated after several
procedures.
This enables one to obtain the residual benefit from the material.
Incidentally, the flavour has little to do with the effect. Flavour
inducers (relatively volatile essential oils) vaporize much quicker
than active ingredients. The initial flavour vanishes after the first
few procedures, but the effect is still undiminished. Flavour in any
case primarily depends on that which is deposited in the vaporizer.
An effective vaporizer does not influence the flavour in any way. |
| Which temperature should I select? |
The temperature is only one of the four factors for vapor build-up.
The temperatures recommended for the various herbs only serve as reference
values. The temperatures should be principally selected as low as
possible, so that vapors only just develop.
The accuracy of temperature indicators on vaporizers should not be
relied upon. Even digital displays which appear to be extremely accurate
are misleading if the display does not correspond to the actual temperature
in the filling chamber. Conducting ones own observations is better
in this respect.
Exactly in connection with this issue the Volcano offers you an additional
unique advantage of the valve balloon. The vapor build-up in the balloon
is very easy to observe and the user learns within a very short space
of time to reliably handle the device and the various herbs. The Volcano
with its valve balloon is the only device to offer you this optical
control feature!
The temperature setting is perfect when a fine, white mist is seen
to rise. Vapor which is barely perceivable indicates that either the
temperature is too low or the material to be vaporized has nothing
left in it to give off.
Thick, even yellowish fumes are not vapors, but smoke, and the material
in the filling chamber is discoloured (dark brown or black) as a result
of the excessive temperature. Material can even burn in low-quality
vaporizers. An effective vaporizer should be constructed in a manner
which rules out the combustion of herbal material from the outset.In
less carefully constructed vaporizers material may even burn. |
| Does the balloon material give off any substances
to the vapors which are then inhaled by the user? |
No, none at all.
As balloon material we use Melitta® Toppits oven hose which is
optimally suitable for this purpose and which can be purchased almost
everywhere. This or other oven hoses or bags are normally used to
cook food in the oven at temperatures up to 200°C. If it is used
in the Volcano the hot air only has a temperature of max. 130°C
when it enters the balloon. Due to the large surface of the balloon
the air is cooled on filling the balloon so that it can be inhaled
immediately after filling the balloon. The oven hose does not contain
any softeners (therefore the crackling noise of the product); it is
food-safe, tasteless and heat-proof.
Of course, you can use similar oven hoses or oven bags from other
manufacturers, but do not use normal plastic bags or plastic foil
under any circumstances. |
| What about odour development? Do e.g. non-smokers
feel bothered? |
No. There is only a minimal development of odours compared to smoking.
No bothersome smoke is created, and non-smokers are not subject to
any adverse effects when sharing rooms with users. Only a few minutes
after the application you will not notice any odour in the room. |
| How can I inhale optimally? |
Vaporized herbs hardly irritate the respiratory tract in comparison
with smoked or fumigated substances, but are not totally irritation-free
in any case. The material used, the quality of the vaporizer and the
inhalation technique are factors which play a decisive role.
You are therefore recommended to inhale deliberately, hold your breath
for a few seconds and then exhale again. Only inhale about half the
amount you normally can inhale. Avoid speaking during the inhalation
process; maybe you would also like to have a glass of water within
reach.
After a certain individual acclimatization phase you will then find
that the vapors can be inhaled optimally at the user's ease. |
| Why do no vapors initially develop in filling
the balloon? |
Not only the vaporization goods, but also the filling chamber cylinder
has to reach the vaporization temperature.
Our recommendation: Position the filling chamber on the Volcano first
of all without the valve balloon, allow hot air to flow through for
a few seconds before placing the valve balloon on the filling chamber.
That ensures that the balloon is filled completely with aromatic compounds
and active ingredients from the beginning on. |
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