Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer Review

The Volcano Hybrid is a dry herb desktop vaporizer made by Storz and Bickel. As the name implies, this beautiful machine spews out lava in the form of vapor via two different delivery methods; a newly added whip and the tried and true method, a bag.

The “Volcano” desktop vaporizer has stood the test of time. You can ask pretty much anyone in the cannabis community if they have tried a Volcano, and the answer will be yes. You will also find most volcano hybrid vaporizer reviews talking very highly of the device and for good reason.

Storz and Bickel also manufacturers a few different portable vaporizers, including the new Venty vaporizer (read review) and a classic or original analog version of the Volcano vaporizer.

I use the Volcano more than any other vaporizer and I have over 200 at this point. There are a plethora of good things I can say about the Volcano Hybrid, but honestly, the best thing I can say about it, it just works.

You can click here to pick up the Volcano Hybrid directly from Storz and Bickel. Scroll down below to get my full Volcano Hybrid vaporizer review.

What is the Volcano Hybrid?

The Volcano Hybrid is a dry herb desktop vaporizer that uses a conduction and convection heating method (hybrid) to fill balloons with vapor. The new Hybrid vaporizer also includes a whip system that attaches directly to the top of the bowl and can be used with or without the fan. The changes are quite noticeable (in a good way), and anyone considering an upgrade from the older models will appreciate the upgrades.

I will get into all of the details later on in this Volcano Hybrid vaporizer review, but for now, the upgrade list includes quicker heat up times and faster fill times due to the new heat exchanger, an easy to use/read digital display with on vape temp controls, a new smartphone app with all kinds of programmable features and last but definitely not least, the addition of the whip system.

Downsides for me would be that the fan is still pretty loud and has audible clicking sounds now as well. The chamber also gets extremely hot now. It’s important to remove it while not in use.

Why Change a Classic?

When Storz and Bickel first announced the new Volcano and the addition of a whip, I was not overly excited about it. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” was my motto going into this. I have truly grown to love the balloon system from the previous Volcano models and its ease of use/reliability. No other system allows you to toss around a bag full of vapor without wasting some or most of it in the process.

Tests have been done to see how long the potency lasts while sitting in the bag, and over 90% of the THC will last for 30 minutes or more. The bag system works out great for me because I have a huge problem with turning a vaporizer on, taking a couple of rips, and completely forgetting about the rest of the bowl.

Hybrid Whip Option – With that said, I’m happy to report that I thoroughly enjoy using the whip system. The new Volcano Hybrid whip delivers cool, smooth, tasty vapor, and if you’re a heavier user, the fan + whip combo will absolutely crush you. It basically forces vapor into your lungs. If I had to compare it to something, it would be similar to a beer bong. You have no other choice but to take a massive rip. You can also use it without the fan for those of you that don’t like massive rips or vapor being forced into your lungs.

Overall, the Volcano Hybrid is everything you would expect out of Storz and Bickel. The Hybrid vaporizer is beautifully crafted. You can easily see that this is a quality-made product.  While the Hybrid Volcano is not really a new unit, the new features and the filling chamber + whip combo have brought an entirely new vaping experience to an old-style classic. See what I did there?

What’s Included + Accessories

The Storz and Bickel Hybrid weighs roughly 6.5 pounds, stands 7 inches tall, and almost 8 inches wide. The Volcano Hybrid also comes in two different color options, a silver shiny finish or an “Onyx” black color. They are both exactly the same but just different colors.

Although the Volcano Hybrid comes with everything you need to start using it right away, there are a few accessories/extras that I recommend picking up, especially if you will be using the Hybrid for single person sessions.

Filling Chamber Reducer – The Filling Chamber reducer is great for single-person sessions because it shrinks the size of the chamber. The downside to this is that there is quite a bit more conduction taking place so the herb can taste a bit more cooked. I try to just spread a thin layer to cover the bottom screen and it works great.

Storz and Bickel Dosing Capsules – The Dosing Capsules are basically the same thing. You are shrinking the size of the chamber essentially to use fewer herbs but again, more conduction and I’m not a fan of the taste.

Hybrid Wear and Tear Set – I do recommend picking up the Hybrid Wear and Tear Set. I’ve had some issues with the plastic parts of the filling chamber and I just ordered a replacement setup. Right now, every time I dump out the AVB from the chamber, the bottom bowl falls out too. Kind of pain and the lesson learned was don’t leave your chamber on the heating element for long periods of time!

Magma Industries Bubbler – Last but not least I recommend checking out the Magma Industries Bubbler. This is a great addition for everyone because it cools the vapor and adds moisture but heavier users that like higher temps will especially like this. It’s a bubbler that attaches to the top of the chamber while it’s attached to the heating element. So the vapor coming into the bag is already cooled! It’s a pretty neat accessory and can really help out if you have a sensitive throat or lungs.

Filling Chamber

Conduction + Convection = Hybrid – The new filling chamber heats up fast and carries heat for long periods. This isn’t the type of whip system to set down and forget about it. You want to load a bowl with the intent to use it all or remove the chamber from the top in between draws. I’ve found it easy to waste herb while the chamber is sitting over the heating element.

Lastly, the new chamber is similar in design to the Plenty and uses a larger bowl. I recommend picking up the new chamber reducer if it will be mostly 1-2 people vaping. This will help you save herb. You could also pick up the dosing capsules if you wanted to be precise with dosage amounts.

Hybrid Filling Chamber and Concentrates – The Hybrid does come with an option to vape concentrates via a mesh pad. I personally don’t use the Volcano for concentrates because it’s a bit of a mess to deal with, and the extraction is not the best. It does, however, shine as a dry herb desktop vaporizer.

If you were looking for something that can do both dry herbs and concentrates, I would check out the Ditanium (review) or just pick up a wax pen along with the Volcano Hybrid.

The Hybrid vaporizer did away with the Solid Valve chamber. The new chamber system is similar to the Plenty which is bigger than the Digital and Classic vaporizers. You can fit a massive amount of herb in the chamber but I prefer to stick with around .25 grams or enough to cover the bottom of the screen. Storz and Bickel sell a chamber reducer as well but I’ve found it to get pretty hot and create a bit more conduction than I prefer. A good grind goes a long way as well.

Whip System

Whip it up! – One of the main reasons I liked the Volcano in the first place was because of the bag delivery system. It’s easy to use, holds vapor for a long time and it’s super easy to toss around the room in group scenarios.

Never did I think that I would enjoy using the whip option but the whip has now become my preferred delivery method. The amount of vapor that pushes through this whip is insane. Everything fits together nicely with the Hybrid whip system and attaches securely to the new chamber.

Classic Vaporizer and the Whip System – This is a downside to using the whip with the classic. The classic doesn’t lock on so it could potentially fall off. It also gets hotter when left over the heater. The new chamber system has an outer rim away from the chamber that doesn’t get hot. It makes it easy to grab off the top.

Technically, the whip works on both classic and hybrid vaporizers, but you can tell it was designed specifically for the Hybrid.

Bluetooth and App Info

You don’t need the app to operate the Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer. The app was removed from the Apple Store but again, it’s definitely not needed and they have a desktop version of the app now if you truly need to try out some of the features. It is pretty cool to be able to turn on your vaporizer with your phone!

Android users won’t have any problems accessing the Storz and Bickel app. You can also use the app for the Volcano if you already had the App for a Crafty or Mighty.

Vapor Quality

The main reason I always find myself coming back to the Volcano is the vapor quality and the new Hybrid vape setup is just as good as the previous Volcano models. I’d say the two main things I look for in a vaporizer are reliability and consistency. The Hybrid is exactly that. I can always count on it to produce the same consistent results every time.

One thing to note about the Volcano is that the vapor can get a bit hot and dry. Lower temps will help with this but you can also filter the vapor through a water piece.

Cleaning & Maintenance

How to clean the Volcano Hybrid – The only part you need to clean is the chamber. The bag system is replaceable and the unit comes with a couple of extras. I recommend picking up a few more if you like a cleaner taste and be sure to extract the vapor as quickly as possible if you are looking to make the bags last.

The chamber is extremely easy to clean. Place the bowl and the inner mouthpiece into some Isopropyl Alcohol and throw everything else in some warm soapy water. You can put the screens in some ISO as well or you can just replace those with the extras that come with the unit.

All in all the Volcano has always been easy to clean and the Hybrid is no different. I can go for a very long time in between cleanings without losing any performance. If anything, you’ll notice that the taste isn’t as clean but a quick clean of the chamber and everything will be back to normal. Be sure to let everything completely dry before throwing herb back into the chamber.

Warranty Info

Hybrid Volcano Warranty – The Volcano Hybrid desktop vaporizer comes with a three-year manufacturer warranty. Storz and Bickel have always taken care of me with any issues quickly. They definitely stand behind their products and want you to have a good experience. I can’t talk highly enough of Storz and Bickel products.

Hybrid vs. Classic Volcano

What’s different? Volcano Hybrid vs Classic – The previous Volcano models, both Classic and Digit, used a balloon extraction method, which was the pinnacle of the device. It’s easy to fill a bag, toss it around, or even let it sit around a bit for a rip here and there.

The quicker heat-up times have made all the difference in the world. While my Hybrid is kept on for the majority of the day, it doesn’t need to be. It’s just a habit. The new Hybrid can heat up in around 30 seconds which makes it that much easier to get in a quick session and go about my day.

The new Hybrid Whip System is a pleasant surprise. As I mentioned above, I didn’t think I would like it at all but I’ve really enjoyed using the whip system. My Hybrid sits a couple of feet from me on the right-hand side of my desk and I can just throw the chamber on, hook up the whip and have a massive rip basically on command. It’s completely changed the game and it’s the main reason I’ve started using it again over the Ditanium.

The only reason I’m able to use the Bluetooth + APP is that I had it before they banned all vape apps from the Apple Store. So while I do have it, I never use it. There are a ton of great features and it’s nice to be able to turn on your vaporizer from your phone but definitely not needed. Everything you need to operate the Volcano Hybrid is located on the front of the device. It’s a big beautiful display with easy-to-read, easy-to-use buttons.

The added benefit of precise temp control on the digital display is huge in my opinion. I tend to be slightly more analytical than most and certain strains are better at certain temps. It’s easy to adjust temps, fan assist, and heat via on-screen buttons.

Lastly, the new filling chamber is massive! This is great for a group session and multiple bags but not the best for single-person sessions. I’ve also found that the new chamber uses slightly more conduction which can lead to a different taste, especially if you leave the chamber on the heater for too long.

Volcano Hybrid Review Wrap-Up

Who is the Volcano Hybrid For? The Hybrid Volcano is likely the last desktop vaporizer you will ever buy and even if you were to get something else, you’ll find yourself wishing you would have just bought the Volcano Hybrid. Or you’ll find yourself coming back to it shortly if you’re using another vaporizer. I switched the using the Ditanium for a few months and then I got my hands on the new Hybrid. Let’s just say the Ditanium is collecting dust until I want to bust out some concentrates again.

The Volcano vaporizer is reliable, consistent, easy to use, and easy to maintain. It just works and it works well. It’s great for solo person sessions and even better in group scenarios. It’s extremely easy to pass the balloon around and the whip system is actually very good in group scenarios as well.

It does make quite a bit of noise when it’s blowing up a bag or when the fan is on for the whip. So if you’re in a place where you can’t be making too much noise then maybe you will want to stick to using the whip without the fan.

I’ve been using the Volcano vaporizer by Storz and Bickel for the better part of the last decade. I’ve had one issue with my Classic seven years in and they had it fixed and back to me within a week. They are pricey units but you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to a Storz and Bickel vaporizer.

The Volcano Hybrid retails for $699 and you can click here to pick it up directly from Storz and Bickel.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Volcano Hybrid Review and be sure to leave a comment below or hit me up on my contact page with any questions about the Hybrid vape or any other desktop vaporizer. Have a great day!

Buying Options + Coupon Codes

Technical Specs

Name:	Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer
Manufacturer:	Storz and Bickel
Price:	$699
Materials:	Dry Herbs and Concentrates
Temp Range:	226F – 446F (108C – 230C)
Heating:	Hybrid
Warranty:	3 Years

Pros and Cons