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: the classic balloon and the newly added whip system. 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.

Storz and Bickel also manufacture the new Veazy, the Venty, the Crafty/Mighty Plus and the OG analog Volcano Classic or “original analog” version of the Volcano vaporizer. Check out reviews for all Storz and Bickel vaporizers below in the suggested reviews section.

Volcano Hybrid upgrades (compared to Volcano Classic) include 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 it’s always turning off on me because of the auto shutoff timer. With that said, 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. That’s exactly why it’s sat on the top of my best desktop vaporizer list for

Scroll down below to get my full Volcano Hybrid vaporizer review including pricing options, features, new upgrades and whether it’s worth upgrading from the Volcano Classic.

What’s Included + Accessories

The Storz and Bickel Hybrid weighs roughly 4lb (1.8kg), stands 7 inches tall, and almost 8 inches wide. Exact: 7.9” x 7.1” x 7.9” (20 x 18 x 20 cm). The Volcano Hybrid also comes in three different color options: Silver, Onyx and the new Evergreen. They are all 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. Read More – How to Use Vaporizer Dosing Capsules

Hybrid Wear and Tear Set – I do recommend picking up the Hybrid Wear and Tear Set. The screens in the filling chamber are easy to clean but it’s nice to just replace it with a fresh one and clean them all at once later. This is the most replaced accessory other than the balloons.

Replacement Balloons – If you’re a daily user like yours truly I recommend picking up the extra balloons now and just keep them stored. It does come with three bags but you’ll get to one left and wish you would have just ordered extras. They do last quite a long time, especially if you don’t leave any vapor in the bag on accident which happens more often than you think! More info about the balloon types and sizes in the Balloon + Whip section below.

Weed Grinder – I also recommend picking up a good weed grinder to break down the herbs before loading into the chamber. Breaking down the herbs helps distribute them more evenly in the chamber and you’ll get more efficient / even extraction. Check out my guide for the best weed grinders and hit me up with any questions.

Bubbler / Water Piece – The Volcano balloons double as a water pipe adapter and work perfectly with the majority of water pieces. The whip mouthpiece doesn’t work the best but you can pick up a water pipe adapter from POTV and plug it into the end of the whip to use with glass pieces. The entire system is crazy when you have the whip pumping forced air into a bubbler.

Hybrid Upgrades (Volcano Digit)

The Volcano Hybrid is actually an upgrade from the Volcano Digit while the OG Volcano Classic is still rocking the same design from its inception back in 2000. The original “Digit” Volcano (short for digital) was released back in 2007 and offered a “high tech” version of the Volcano Classic.

The Volcano Hybrid replaced the Digit in 2019 with the original Silver color. S&B added the Onyx in 2021 and the new Evergreen at the end of 2025. Check out my blog post on the History of the Volcano Vaporizer for more info about each unit and a timeline of events with Markus Storz and Jurgen Bickel.

The new Hybrid features an upgraded heater with more precise temperature (faster heat up times), new filling chamber, LCD touch screen display, a newly added whip system and webapp support for custom session settings. I’ll go over the upgrades and more with comparisons to the Volcano classic below.

Hybrid Filling Chamber

The new Hybrid Filling Chamber has had mixed reviews when compared to the old solid valve system but overall it’s a slimmed down design that’s easier to clean and offers a larger bowl for more session options.

The Hybrid filling chamber will now hold roughly .5g of flower and with the larger filling chamber comes efficiency questions but I’ve found that a small amount to line the bottom of the chamber (roughly .15g) is more than enough for a full balloon.

You can also pick up the filling chamber reducer and/or the Storz and Bickel dosing capsules to reduce the overall size of the chamber. The dosing capsules also help keep things a lot cleaner and cut down on the maintenance required over time.

The two biggest things to remember with this new filling chamber are to remove the filling chamber from the heater immediately after filling a balloon and unscrew the top part of the filling chamber from the bottom. This helps conserve flower because the heat is released from the filling chamber and it helps keep both pieces from sticking together from the resin left behind.

You can check out my guide on How To Use the Volcano Vaporizer if you decide to pick one up. I have a lot more tips for different session styles, cleaning, water bubblers and more. You can find more info about the different Volcano vaporizer filling chambers down below in the Hybrid vs Classic comparison section.

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. You can also just sandwich a small amount of concentrates between the flower in a dosing capsule and crank up the heat.

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.

Balloon + Hybrid Whip System

Volcano Vaporizer Balloons – The Volcano balloons have seen some upgrades over the years and a complete replacement of the Solid Valve system to the new Easy Valve system.

The Easy Valve system has two options, the “Easy Valve Replacement” which as the name implies, you simply buy replacement balloons that each come with its own mouthpiece and balloon system.

There are two different sizes available in this Easy Valve option: “Standard”, which is perfect for 1-2 people and the best size for every day use and “XL” which are massive and really best for group gatherings, parties, or if you want a long Netflix and chill session.

The other option is the “Balloon with Adapter” which allows you to make custom bag sizes kind of like the old Solid Valve system without all the heft and pieces involved. You just buy a roll of “Balloon Tube” (as they have it labeled) and it’s enough to make 5 standard size balloons or whatever size you want.

I prefer the standard size easy valve replacement option and I just bulk order a few of the 6-pack options during 4/20 or Black Friday Cyber Monday sales.

Lastly, the mouthpiece on both balloon options doubles as a water pipe adapter and can connect easily to a vast majority of water pieces. The vapor does get warm and can dry out in the bag so water helps add some moisture + drop temps a bit.

Volcano Hybrid Whip System – 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.

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 gravity 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 and you can add a WPA to the end of the whip to connect to different water pieces as well. Overall, the Volcano Hybrid upgrades to the balloon and newly added whip system have brought an entirely new vaping experience to an old-style classic.

Volcano Classic and the Whip System – Technically, the whip works on both classic and hybrid vaporizers, but you can tell it was designed specifically for the Hybrid. The whip system doesn’t lock on to the Classic filling chamber 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. So while it can be done if you want, I don’t really recommend it.

Cleaning, Maintenance & Warranty

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.

I’ve found the bags to last anywhere from 2 weeks to a month or more. It all depends on how much you are using on a daily basis.

The whips can last a long time as well but it all depends on again your usage, but also how you store the whips. Once they are used, the insides are often sticky with resin and will collect dust and other particles if left in the open. I’ve found the best thing to do is just replace vaporizer whips. It’s nearly impossible to clean them. Check out my blog post on replacing/cleaning vaporizer whips for more info and replacement options.

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.

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.

Volcano Hybrid vs. Classic

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 90 seconds which makes it that much easier to get in a quick session and go about my day. The Classic heats up in around 3-5 minutes which isn’t all that big of a deal for plug-in type home use vaporizers. But if you’re in a hurry and want a quick bag, the quicker heat up time are nice.

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 Bluetooth + APP is available for Android users and the Storz and Bickel Web App for everyone else. Apple banned all vaporizer related apps from the app store. 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.

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

Technical Specs

Name:	Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer
Manufacturer:	Storz and Bickel
Price:	$699
Materials:	Dry Herbs and Concentrates
Bowl Size:	.5g
Temp Range:	226F – 446F (108C – 230C)
Heating:	Hybrid
Release Date:	2017
Warranty:	3 Years

Pros and Cons

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