User:Delarossa/Volcano Vaporizer
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The Volcano Vaporizer is a device used to vaporize substances, including eucalyptus, hops, chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, sage, thyme, as well as other herbs and liquids. Instead of combusting the material, the VOLCANO Vaporizer pumps very hot air heated with an aluminum heating element through the substance, which causes the release of the herb's active ingredients. It is manufactured by Storz & Bickel, a German company.
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[edit] Volcano Vaporization System
The Volcano vaporizers are medical-grade devices intended to vaporize the active and/or aromatic compounds of herbs without allowing combustion. The vaporizers are used to release those compounds from a wide variety of herbs, including cannabis, for medical purposes though the device has also become popular for recreational use.
[edit] VOLCANO CLASSIC
The original model was introduced in 2001 but after a digital version was released in 2007 it was re-marketed as the VOLCANO CLASSIC.
The original design used an bimetal thermostat and could be adjusted to produce temperatures ranging from 130 °C (266 °F) to 226 °C (439 °F) -- high enough to release the active substances and aromas, but insufficient to cause the material to combust.[1] The VOLCANO Vaporization System uses a heat-resistant oven bag with an attached check valve to hold the vapor. Once the balloon is filled it is removed from the chamber and the mouthpiece is attached for vapor inhalation.
[edit] VOLCANO DIGIT
In 2007 Storz & Bickel began offering a digital version named the VOLCANO DIGIT. It features a large LED display which shows the set and measured temperatures in either °Celsius or °Fahrenheit. This electronic control increased the temperature precision to ± 1.5°C over the ± 5°C accuracy of the original model. The temperature range also increased to 40° and 230°C (104° and 446°F).
[edit] EASY VALVE
In 2007 the manufacturer also introduced a new valve design dubbed the EASY VALVE and the original valve system was subsequently referred to as the SOLID VALVE. Both valve system continue to be sold and both systems work with either model of the vaporizer. The EASY VALVE was designed to provide simpler operation and greater efficiency over the original valve design. The new valve design featured a disposable balloon/mouthpiece assembly which allowed users to avoid the occasional cleaning required in the original design. The disposable valve system also made it more practical to have multiple balloon/mouthpiece assemblies on hand, thus facilitating multiple simultanous users.
[edit] Health Benefits
Due to the sub-combustion temperatures, the vaporizer user is not exposed to the same level of pollutants and cancer-causing agents as smoking, e.g., carbon monoxide and other combustion by-products. The reduction of toxic combustion by-products makes the Volcano an alternative delivery system with rapid onset and an efficient extraction of active ingredients.
Overview of plants suitable for vaporization in the Volcano:
| Plant Name | Part of plant to be used | Temperature setting | Volcano® Setting (± 5º C) |
| Eucalyptus | leaves | 130°C (266°F) | 1 (130º C) |
| Hops | cones | 154°C (309°F) | 3 (154° C) |
| Chamomile | blossoms | 190°C (374°F) | 6 (190° C) |
| Lavender | blossoms | 130°C (266°F) | 1 (130° C) |
| Lemon Balm | leaves | 142°C (288°F) | 2 (142º C) |
| Sage | leaves | 190°C (374°F) | 6 (190° C) |
| Thyme | herb | 190°C (374°F) | 6 (190° C) |
| Cannabis | herb | 180°C (356°F) | 5 (180° C) |
Furthermore, a study conducted by marijuana law reform group NORML found that when used with cannabis, the VOLCANO produced "high THC concentration" with only "minimal" toxins.[2] THC becomes active at temperatures above 100 °C after 10 minutes of heating, and will vaporize most efficiently from 140 °C - 190 °C. Above 200 °C, benzene and other toxins may begin to vaporize as well. The optimal vaporization setting on the volcano for THC is anywhere from 2.5 - 5; 5.5 and above being more rapid but producing much higher quantities of toxins.[3]
The perfect temperature to set free THC is about 202 °C (396 °F), about 6.5 points on the VOLCANO scale[citation needed].
[edit] Efficiency
The manufacturer, Storz & Bickel, claims that the VOLCANO is "3-4 times" more efficient in its exploitation of active ingredients than smoking.[4]
A NORML-MAPS study published May 2, 2003 found that the VOLCANO Vaporizer was remarkably clean, its vapor consisting 95% of THC with traces of cannabinol (CBN), another cannabinoid.[2] The remaining 5% consisted of small amounts of three other components: one suspected cannabinoid relative, one suspected PAH, and caryophyllene, a fragrant oil in cannabis and other plants. The euphoric effects of the high "are incredibly amazing" says JCL, editor and reader of High Times, a popular cannabis magazine. Despite the high efficiency of the Volcano, the used product still contains relatively high contents of constituents compared to ash. This can be observed when reusing it to cook traditional marijuana food recipes.[5]
[edit] External links
- Manufacturer: Storz & Bickel
- Leiden University: Evaluation of a Volcano for the administration of THC
- HenrickMedia Video: A C-5 quadriplegic demonstrates how he uses Medical Marijuana with the Volcano Vaporizer
- Video Demonstration of Digital Volcano Vaporizer Easy Valve Set.
- POT-TV: Cannabis Common Sense #268 features segment demonstrating use of the Volcano Vaporizer
- Operating Manual (PDF)
[edit] References
- InfoFlyer (PDF)
- "Cannabis Vaporizer Combines Efficient Delivery of THC with Effective Suppression of Pyrolytic Compounds" Dale Gieringer, Joseph St. Laurent, and Scott Goodrich in Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, Vol. 4(1) 2004
[[Category:Cannabis smoking]]
