The primary requirement of a vaporizer is the capacity to maintain the temperature of a hot air stream just above the point of vaporization in order to obtain an optimum level of both efficiency and flavor or aroma, along with minimized production of harmful substances, while stopping short of burning and combusting the material. Other important factors are the greatest level of safety for the user and ease of operation.

The Volcano solves the problem of hot air generation by employing an astoundingly simple principle: the air is pumped through a large heating block and then through a smaller channel and with the right air flow and dimensions, the Volcano inevitably assumes a constant flow of the desired temperature. A diaphragm pump ensures that the air flow remains constant, and volumetric flow fluctuations are ruled out with careful design. 

This functions so effectively that electronic controls are not critical. A bimetallic control mechanism is sufficient to ensure a maximum air temperature fluctuation of +/-9°F in the filling chamber with the "workhorse" Volcano Classic. This means that the Volcano has the most accurate temperature control of all vaporizers.

The Volcano comes in two variations. The "Classic" and the "Digit". The new Volcano Digit uses the same set-up as the Classic. The difference is that a specially made digital integrated electronic control allows for the fastest possible response from the heating element.

The temperature range in the chamber is +/-9°F for the Classic Volcano Vaporization System and +/-2.7°F for the Digit Volcano Vaporization System. The temperature is adjustable from 266°F to 449°F. All of the active ingredients in the Volcano Vaporizer chamber are vaporized below 455°F, the lowest possible spontaneous combustion temperature for cellulose.

The Digit also has an LED readout which shows the actual temperatures, whereas the Classic does not have a temperature readout. Instead the Classic uses an analogue dial with bimetal regulator. The user must refer to a temperature table to "figure-out" the actual temperature.

The complete electric set-up of the Volcano has been kept as simple and robust as possible, and only proven components are used to ensure an unproblematic reliable operation and a long life of the product.

A distinguishing feature of the Volcano is the valve balloon into which the vapor is pumped. The valve balloon can be completely detached from the device after filling. This ensures that the application is absolutely safe, as vaporization occurs previously and the user does not come into contact with glass, heat or electricity during inhalation. 

This device is manufactured in Tuttlingen, a town in Southern Germany which is regarded internationally as a center of medical technology. The know-how in the area of medical technology which is available in this town has already been utilized in the development phase of the Volcano and makes this vaporizer the first choice for discerning users.

The Volcano is designed to heat material to temperatures of 130° to 230° C (266° to 446° F) where medically active vapors are produced, but below the threshold of combustion where smoke is formed. 

In tests, the vapors from the Volcano have always been found to consist overwhelmingly of the major active components, whereas combusted smoke contains over 100 other additional chemicals, including several poly-nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, toxins that are common in smoke.

Please note that the Volcano Vaporizer  is a consumer product. The Volcano Vaporizer is not a medical device and is not FDA approved.

Following studies conducted in recent years, manufacturer of the device - Storz & Bickel - suggests vaporizing herbal alternatives such as sage leaves, hops cones (humulus lupulus), and the flowers of chamomile (matriarca chamomilla). Vaporizing thyme herb (thymus vulgaris), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and eucalyptus (eucalyptus globules) leaves, and lavender (lavendula angustifolia) flowers, also works well, according to the company's test results.  

The Volcano may reduce harmful toxins from smoke, as well as reduce potential toxins from a wide variety of other medicinal and herbal substances. However only recently have studies analyzed the gas phase of the vapor for a wide range of toxins from various types of plants. Research is therefore only in its fundamental stages.

The Volcano is effective for much more than simple plants. The device shows potential as an alternative for transfer of not only plant materials but also a wide range of compounds.

Vapor (gas) has long been accepted as an effective means for transfer of several kinds of medicinal compounds. The Volcano provides the most basic and inexpensive way for accurately turning compounds into gas. More advanced methods of heat control and density control over the vaporized materials will surely follow in the footsteps of the Volcano.

The Volcano is more appropriate for releasing aroma's and aromatic flavoring from spices, potpourri style plant materials, or incenses. The Volcano releases the pure aromatic essence of the spice or other essential oils or plant materials which can potentially be used for a wide variety of applications from flavoring foods to creating aroma's for ambience or air freshening. The unique feature of the Volcano in these applications is the purity of vapor transferred. Material is never burned, it is vaporized, and other devices can't produce the same level of purity. Therefore, the Volcano represents a more sound and healthy way to approach these applications.

In conclusion, the Volcano uses a basic principal of heating and blowing air to create vapor, but takes the precision of heat control to a level previously unknown. The basic technique mastered by the Volcano allows for a wide range of potential applications.