Volcano Classic Vaporizer Review

The Volcano Classic is a desktop vaporizer made by Storz and Bickel and one of my highest-rated desktop vaporizers. It’s built extremely well, produces top-tier vapor quality (taste, temp, density), and it’s one of the easiest to use.

Storz and Bickel make a few other vaporizers, including the new Crafty Plus, the Mighty Plus, and a couple of other versions of the Volcano. I will get more into the different Volcano versions later in this Volcano Classic vaporizer review.

The Volcano Classic ($479) is one of my highest-rated desktop vaporizers, just behind the Volcano Hybrid. You can click here to check out the Volcano Classic directly from Storz and Bickel. Read below for my full Volcano Classic Review with more buying options, coupon codes, and comparisons.

Volcano Classic Quick Synopsis

A CLASSIC for two decades… Not much has changed since the Volcano was first sold back in 2000. The biggest change is the fact that you can only get the Easy Valve system now. Other than that, it still uses basically the same internals and offers the same features. A power switch that turns on the heater, an analog turn dial for temperature control, and a fan switch to force air into a turkey bag or “balloon.”

My few complaints with the Volcano Classic are that it does take a few minutes to heat up, and the bags need to be replaced often if you are a heavier user like yours truly. Also, the fan and the bags are pretty loud. You couldn’t blow up a bag without someone in the other room knowing about it.

I’ve been running a version of the Volcano Classic or Hybrid daily for over a decade myself, and I’ve only ever had one issue. The power switch went out, and they had it fixed and back to me in under a week.

If you’re looking for a desktop vaporizer to satisfy all your at-home dry herb vaporizing needs, look no further than the Volcano Classic. Like I said earlier, Storz and Bickel offer a couple of different versions of the Volcano, which I’ll get more into down below, but you honestly can’t go wrong with any of them. Read on below for my full Volcano Classic Vaporizer Review.

Included + Accessories

The kits are the same in both the Classic and Digit Volcano vaporizers. The unit itself is the only thing that changes. The Gold Edition Classic vaporizer is the same as well but with a 24k Gold Plated shell.

Ease of Use

The Easy Valve system is a maintenance-free design. It offers a single, replaceable balloon size. They last me anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how much herb I’m vaping and if I clear out the bag every time.

Volcano Fan-Assist – The Volcano uses a forced-air system to fill balloons and even works with the whip system on the new Volcano Hybrid.

Volcano Classic vs. Hybrid

I like the Volcano Hybrid over the Classic Volcano because of the quick heat-up times and fast-filling balloons. I know it doesn’t make that big of a difference when you’re at home, but it’s nice to be able to get in a quick session without having to wait for the Volcano to heat up.

The digital display and big temp buttons allow for precise control over the temperatures you are vaping at, and the S&B app allows you to adjust all kinds of settings, like auto-shutoff times or turning on the Hybrid vape with your phone (Android Only). You can do it with the Storz and Bickel web app as well.

Price is the biggest difference here. While you don’t need all the bells and whistles the Hybrid offers, they sure are nice. In the end, my Volcano Classic has been running pretty much all day, every day, for the better part of 10 years. It’s still going strong to this day.

The Volcano vaporizers are the best desktop vaporizers that you can buy. They are long-lasting, safe, and backed by an excellent warranty. They also offer excellent customer service, which is something of a rarity in this day in age.

If you don’t have a budget for a desktop vaporizer, I recommend going straight for the Hybrid. It’s the best, the newest, and offers the most features, including a new whip system.

The bottom line is you can’t make a wrong choice. You will enjoy any of these vaporizers, just as I have for a decade. Read more about each of the Volcano vaporizers below.

Volcano Hybrid – The Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer is the newest upgraded version of the Volcano vaporizer, and it’s honestly my most used vaporizer of any I’ve tested. It heats up much faster, offers precise temp control, and now comes with a whip option! Check out my Volcano Hybrid Review for more info.

I wasn’t sure about the whip at first, but it’s honestly a game-changer. The amount of vapor I can get through the whip with the fan assist is almost too much. You can also use the whip without the fan if that’s not your thing, but I’m extremely happy with the new system either way. I’ve also been having a lot of fun using the whip with a glass bubbler at home.

If you decide you don’t need all the features the Hybrid offers, like quicker heat-up times, quicker fill times, and a digital temperature display for precise control, the Volcano Classic is, by all means, everything you need. The hybrid redesigned the filling chamber, and it honestly adds a bit more conduction to the hybrid system. I feel like the old classic offers more of a convection heating system which slightly improves the flavor.

Volcano Classic – The Volcano Classic is the analog version of the Volcano vaporizer, and it retails for $479. You don’t get the digital temperature display, but the turn dial is still straightforward to use and allows you to set the unit’s temperature ranging from one to nine. 1 is the lowest temperature setting, and 9 is the highest.

My favorite way to vape with the classic is to start the first few bags on 5 and end the last one on level 7.

Like I mentioned above, the Classic Volcano has stood the test of time and while it might not have all the fancy features, it doesn’t exactly what you need it to do, which is get you medicated safely and quickly. The Volcano vaporizer is by far my most used vaporizer and has been for the last 10 years.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Volcano Cleaning Frequency – I honestly clean my filling chamber once every couple of weeks. I’ve even gone over a month without cleaning anything. I don’t recommend this, especially if you value vapor taste, but it can basically function forever. It’s important to note that I brush out the chamber and the screen on the mouthpiece after every session. This helps keep everything cleaner for longer.

How To Clean the Volcano – Volcano vaporizers are easy to clean, especially if you keep clean out the chamber after each session. Check out a quick cleaning guide down below.

If you have an extremely dirty filling chamber, you can place the bowl and screens in some isopropyl alcohol for 30 minutes or so and then clean them off. Make sure everything is completely dry before you use it again.

Discontinued Volcano Models

Volcano Classic Gold Edition – The Classic Volcano, the Gold Edition Classic Volcano, and the White “Peace Edition” are all the same, minus the 24k Gold Plating or whatever outer shell they use. The filling chamber, balloons, internals, etc., it’s all the same.

The Gold is more of a connoisseur’s vaporizer and maybe the perfect vaporizer for “Goldmember.” “I loveeee gollllllldd”. They sent me one out with a nice note, and man, is it a beautiful vaporizer, but it’s exactly the same function-wise as the regular Volcano Vaporizer. This is definitely the vape to flex with and bring over to a party with all your friends. Believe me, when I say everyone will love the look of the Gold Classic Vaporizer.

White “Peace Edition” – Storz and Bickel released the latest White “Peace Edition” version of the Volcano Classic back in September of 2022, with 10% of proceeds going to relief in Ukraine. The Volcano Classic White “Peace Edition” is no longer for sale at Storz and Bickel, but some distributors might have some in stock.

The White “Peace Edition” Volcano Classic is exactly the same as the original and the gold version internally. There are no differences between these three other than exterior colors.

Volcano Digit – The newer version of this vaporizer is the Volcano Hybrid. The Digit was the upgraded version of the classic vaporizer offering a digital temperature display with precise temp control and an auto-shutoff timer that I wasn’t really a fan of. You can still find this vaporizer for sale out in the wild but proceed with caution because people will be trying to offload not only legit ones but fakes as well. Hit me up with any questions or concerns in the comments below.

The new Hybrid lets you change the auto-shutoff timer via the Storz and Bickel app. One of the perks of the Volcano is always having it on ready to go. The Hybrid also heats up in about 30 seconds. The Digit took over two minutes to get to temp. Again, not a huge deal but now we don’t have to deal with it.

Warranty Info

The Volcano Classic, Volcano Digit (digital), and the Easy Valve filling chamber are covered for three years from defects in materials and workmanship.

From Storz and Bickel: “Company warrants solely to the original purchaser of the Products that for the warranty period” (36 months), “the Products will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use,…“

Volcano Vaporizer Review Wrap-Up

Overall, if you’re in the market for a desktop vaporizer with a proven name and track record, the Volcano Classic is your best bet. Whether you choose the Volcano Classic or the Volcano Hybrid, you can’t go wrong.

Three words to describe the Volcano vaporizers… simple, reliable, and consistent. They just work, and they work well.

Concentrate Use: The only reason I wouldn’t get the Volcano is if I were using a lot of concentrates. It does work with the included mesh pad, but it’s definitely not the best. I would recommend something like the Ditanium. The Ditanium is a much better system if you use concentrates often but still want to use dry herbs as well. Check out my full Ditanium vaporizer review, and hit me up with any questions. I’ll be making a Ditanium vs Volcano Hybrid comparison article here soon and will update this article when it’s complete.

Classic vs. Hybrid – What would the Wizard do? If you don’t care about the faster heat-up time, quicker fill times, Bluetooth options, on-vape digital display with temp adjustments, or the new whip system, basically all the bells and whistles, then go with the Volcano Classic. When it comes down to it, they basically function the same way and produce similar results.

If you enjoy the finer things in life and get excited about the bells and whistles (like yours truly), go straight for the Hybrid. The whip system is a nice addition and a good alternative to using the bags. Sometimes it’s just easier to fill a chamber and use the whip, especially if you’re trying to conserve herb and not fill an entire balloon.

Just to be clear, this is more than likely the only desktop vaporizer you will ever need or want to buy. So keep that in mind when deciding between the Hybrid and Classic. Over time, I think you will truly come to enjoy the quicker heat-up times, faster fill times, and ease of use when it comes to changing temps.

Budget Desktop Options: If you are still looking for a quality desktop vape but cannot justify the volcano price, I recommend looking at the newly released Arizer XQ2 Vaporizer, which is an upgraded version of the Arizer Extreme-Q. Check out my Arizer XQ2 Review for more info.

It offers both a balloon and a whip option. I don’t feel like it offers anywhere near the same vapor quality as the Volcano, and it has a few design flaws, but it is less expensive. You can also check out my buying guide for the best desktop vaporizers for more at-home vape options.

If you think you might want a portable vaporizer instead of a desktop, check out my Mighty+ vaporizer review. Storz and Bickel also make the Mighty, and a lot of people jokingly call it the portable Volcano because of the rock-solid performance and consistency, which portables are not generally known for.

Buying Options + Coupon Codes

Volcano Classic Review Video

Check out my Volcano Vaporizer Review video on youtube here.

Technical Specs

Name:	Volcano Classic Vaporizer
Manufacturer:	Storz and Bickel
Price:	$479
Materials:	Dry Herbs and Concentrates
Temp Range:	226F – 446F (108C – 230C)
Heating:	Hybrid
Warranty:	3 Years

Pros and Cons