Volcano Vaporizer Review – Classic vs Hybrid

Here’s a fun fact: Volcano is the first-ever vaporizer recommended by Health Canada.

Volcano vaporizer is a sturdy gadget that people can use for years and maybe decades.

So, in some way, it’s not just a vaporizer — it’s an investment.

Storz & Bickel began their story in 2000, with the launch of the first Classic model which became a must-have gadget among cannabis connoisseurs.

In 2007, this German company released a modernized version of the Volcano Classic — the Volcano Digital.

They upgraded the old model with a digital display, but managed to keep the retro vibe of the Classic.

They didn’t stop there. Storz & Bickel kept working on their signature heating system which earned them a medical grade certification in 2009.

Finally, in the summer of 2019, Volcano Hybrid came in the place of the Digital, featuring a powerful combination of the Classic and Digital characteristics.

Though the Hybrid is a real beast, there are some good reasons for choosing the Classic instead. Read about both Volcano versions, and then decide which one’s right for you.

Volcano Hybrid vaporizer review

Volcano Hybrid produces smooth, outstanding vapor and is ideal for both medical patients and health-conscious recreational users.

It is compatible with dry herbs and solid concentrates and comes with a 3-year warranty.

Inside the box you will find:

• Volcano Hybrid vaporizer
• Volcano Hybrid hot air generator
• Power cord
• 3 Easy Valve balloons with mouthpieces
• 1 Easy Valve balloon with adapter
• 1 Tube system
• Filling chamber – cap ring, normal screen set, drip pad, cleaning brush
• Air filter set
• Herb mill
• Instruction manual

Volcano Hybrid temperature control

What makes this vaporizer so popular is its precise temperature control which lets you customize the vapor to your preferences.

The Hybrid has a very wide temperature range: You can heat the material to any temperature between 40°C and 230 °C.

Its slick, innovative display lets you easily monitor the temperature and the heat up progress.

To use it, you just need to turn the device on by pressing the heat button and set the temperature by tapping the plus and minus buttons.

Depending on the temperature, the device takes about 40 seconds to heat up. Compare that to 3-5 minutes, which is how much it took the Volcano Digital!

How to use the Volcano Hybrid

Will you believe us if we tell you the Hybrid is really easy to use?

First, you need to sterilize it. You do that by pressing the heat button to turn it on, and you press the + sign all the way up to reach the maximum temperature.

Keep it like that for 5 minutes, then turn it off. Turn it on again and repeat the process twice more.

Now that the device is sterile, you can start using it.

There are two ways to vape weed using the Hybrid: using a balloon, or using a tube attachment, which is an excellent new thing the company introduced with this model.

The difference between these methods is in how you draw in the vapor. With the tube, you need to draw the vapor yourself, and the force of your draw will inhale it into your lungs.

When you attach the balloon, the device’s built-in fan will fill the bag with vapor, after which you need to turn off the fan, take the balloon off the vaporizer, put the mouthpiece on it and use it to draw from the balloon.

The balloon will keep the vapor fresh for up to 8 hours, and you can use it 50-100 times before you have to replace it.

Volcano Hybrid vapor quality

As with previous models, Volcano Hybrid provides clean and smooth vapor without any or fewer toxins—all you get is rich flavor and potent hits.

One study showed that Volcano retains 95% of cannabinoids, so it’s no surprise that this device is loved by its users.

Volcano Hybrid design

The Hybrid’s design is almost the same as the Classic’s. It resembles a volcano, and it looks very sturdy. There is some retro vibe about it.

All the materials used on it are heat resistant so the device can last for decades (literally).

The exterior of the unit is made from stainless steel, which makes it very durable and ensures it keeps working for years to come.

Volcano Classic vaporizer review

Volcano Classic is the analog version of the Volcano Hybrid. There are a few minor differences between the two, but they are basically the same inside.

Inside the box you’ll find:

• Volcano Classic (hot air generator)
• 4 Easy Valve balloons with mouthpieces
• Easy Valve balloon with adapter
• Easy Valve filling chamber for herbs
• Normal screen set
• Pad to vaporize liquids
• Volcano air filter set
• Cleaning brush
• Herb mill

Volcano Classic temperature control

The major difference between the Classic and the Hybrid is that the Classic does not have a digital temperature display.

Instead, it has an analogue turn dial which allows you to set the desired temperature to a scale of 1 to 9.

With the Volcano Classic, you don’t get as precise and as complete control over the temperature as you do with the Hybrid.

Here are the temperature ranges for the Volcano Classic vaporizer.

The process of heating the device up is the same as on the Hybrid.

Turn the dial to your desired temperature and press the red button to start heating the unit up. The control light will turn on, signaling that the system started to heat. The light will turn off when the device has heated up.

How to use the Volcano Hybrid vaporizer

Put your dried herbs in the botanical chamber, attach the balloon bag and hit the green button to start filling the bag with the smoothest vapor ever.

The chamber itself is quite large: It can fit up to 2.5 grams of ground weed, which makes it perfect for group sessions.

However, as mentioned already, you can store the vapor inside the balloon for up to 8 hours, which is simply a mind-blowing feature.

Volcano Classic vapor quality

When it comes to vapor quality, there are basically no differences between the two. Clean, smooth and full of flavor—what more can you ask for?

Volcano Classic design

The Classic’s design is pretty much similar to the Hybrid’s.

It’s also made from stainless steel, with the only difference being the analog dial for temperature control, instead of the digital display.

Everything else is pretty much the same.

In my opinion, if you’re looking for a retro look, you should definitely go for any of the Volcanos.

Volcano Classic vs Volcano Hybrid: Which one is better?

These two devices are very similar, with a few more or less important differences.

To decide which device to buy, just answer one question:

Do you want the fine-grained temperature control that the Volcano Hybrid offers or are you fine with the Classic’s old school, analog dial?

Volcano Classic has a wide range of temperatures to choose from, but you can have more precise temperature control with the Volcano Hybrid.

If you are not that big on temperature control, the Volcano Classic can save you about $200, which is a lot.

Two important advantages the Hybrid has over the Classic is the automatic, 30-minute shut-off timer, and the tube attachment.

The Classic does not have those features, so make sure you don’t forget to turn it off when you are not using it.

The only downside to the Hybrid is its price. So it’s up to you to decide if the precise temperature control, the automatic shut off timer and the additional vaping attachment are worth $200.

You won’t regret buying any of these two awesome desktop vaporizers and they will last you for years to come.