Volcano Hybrid

The Volcano Hybrid drives hot air up through a two part filling chamber, so resin collects on the two screens and inside the cap cylinder long before the outside of the unit looks dirty. Whip users get a second problem area, because the tube flexer and mouthpiece on the Tube Kit catch condensate that the balloon path never produces.

1. Let everything cool: Storz & Bickel ask that the filling chamber, its cap and the Tube Kit cool down fully before disassembly. Switch the unit off and unplug it first.

2. Open the cap: Press the upper screen out from top to bottom with the handle of the supplied cleaning brush, pull off the cap ring, then push the cap cylinder downward out of the cap housing.

3. Open the chamber: Press the filling chamber cylinder, with its lower screen or drip pad still seated, upward out of the filling chamber housing, then press that lower screen up and out of the cylinder.

4. Split the Tube Kit: Pull the tube flexer and the mouthpiece off the one metre tube. Unlike the balloon, these are parts the manufacturer expects you to clean regularly.

5. Clean the parts: The two methods the manual allows are isopropyl alcohol applied with paper or cotton cloths, and warm water with dishwashing detergent. Plastic parts should never sit in isopropyl for more than half an hour. Rinse in warm water and dry completely.

6. Wipe the body: Use a soft, only slightly damp cloth on the housing. The Hybrid must not get wet, and steel wool, metal brushes, needles, coarse plastic sponges and aggressive cleaners will all damage the finish.

7. Reassemble in reverse: Snap the cap cylinder back into the cap housing, fit the cap ring, then press the upper screen up into its groove until it locks. If that screen is not properly seated, ground material can travel into the balloon or tube.

8. Treat balloons as consumables: Easy Valve balloons and their mouthpieces are not cleaned at all. Storz & Bickel recommend replacing them every two weeks, keeping one balloon to one person, and cleaning the filling chamber whenever a fresh balloon or tube goes on.

9. Screens and air filter: Six standard screens come in the box, so replace one that stays dark after a soak rather than scrubbing it. Two spare air filters sit behind the sprung door on the base. With daily use, check that filter monthly and swap it once it discolours or the balloon starts filling slowly.

The S&B Web App connects over Bluetooth and handles firmware updates along with the auto shut-off timer, which leaves the factory set to 30 minutes.

This powerhouse excels as a session vaporizer and is perfect for groups, offering both balloon and whip delivery systems. Its legendary build quality makes it one of the best vaporizers for heavy use, while the easy-to-clean design ensures long-term reliability.

For newcomers to high-end vaping, check out our beginner's guide to understand why the Volcano remains the benchmark. Learn about optimal temperatures to maximize the Hybrid's precise digital controls.