Vaping solo. Volcano appropriate ?

[Maj rosebud]

I am thinking about upgrading to a volcano. Currently use a Kia vape which I do love. Discreet and easy to use. Would the volcano be overkill for solo use? Btw there is an older gentleman on YouTube that you should check out reviewing the Kia vaporizer. Really funny.

 

[lwien]

I'm curious. Why do you think that the 'Cano would be an upgrade?

 

[Maj rosebud]

Ya know, it just might not be. Just asking the question. I do like my Kia.

 

[max]

Do some reading on the popular vapes- http://fuckcombustion.com/forums/plug-in-vaporizers.4/ You'll find some excellent models to consider.

The Volcano is an excellent model too, and Storz&Bickel's attitude is probably 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', but the vape industry has had 14 years to catch up, and catch up it has. There are many quality models out now and quite a few of 'em have had years and years of reliability under their belts. If you want bag fill there are models like the Extreme, and the even more rugged herbalAire, that will provide good performance and reliability, and direct draw as well, at a much lower price. Many people move from the Volcano to a direct draw or combo model. Few experienced vaporists move to the 'cano and bag fill only. Bagged vapor is consistent and easy to produce, but also boring and ever so slightly stale to the taste.

As for the 'cano being overkill for solo use, it's not the brand/model that can be overkill, it's the bag fill. I've wasted more than one bag o' vapor because I loaded too much or too many and was too wasted to vape anymore. Bagged vapor will keep for a little while but vapor dissipates and condenses as soon as it's produced. With a direct draw model it's easy to remove the herb or the heat and stop the vaping process.

 

[Chilled.]

I feel that while owning a glass vaporiser, nothing will come close to the efficiency of a volcano. Each evening I use 0.15g on three runs in my volcano (5.5, 7.7, 9) and lasts me a whole evening. I love how easy it is to use and a whole bag feels like a massive bongs after about 5 mins. My use has gone to 30% of when I was smoking bongs so way more affordable and get equally high.

When I use my Herborizer XL in my EHLE bong with some ice, I get very stoned but not going to get the same about vapor I can spread over an evening with as little bud as the volcano. I also find the Herborizer can take a good while to warm up and takes more skill but also more bud. Also ended up taking rather large bong like hits and would end up super stoned!

For me these days I can something efficient and easy to use without getting excessively wasted and Volcano is my daily user and will be for a long time to come. Got the solid valve and being able to change bangs and control length of bag is also great.

I use my volcano solo and ideal for. As someone who used to be a huge fan of smoking out of glass, the bag is fine and dont mind it at all.

 

[lwien]

For me, I've found that bag vapes in general are the least efficient of any of the vapes that I have ever used and the taste from the high air to vapor ratio along with the condensation and staleness that begins to happen as soon as the vapor enters the bag left me wanting more.

 

[RUDE BOY]

If your just really beginning the search to 'upgrade' from the Kia, I would suggest you look at a vape like the
Underdog, EV-2 or E-Nano before getting a vape that blows bags although as Chilled said above bags work for them. I find the underdog perfect for solo vaping and it truly helped cut down my herb consumption, loading .005-.008 per stem leads to zero waste. The EV-2 is a whip style with the ability to do direct draw and would probably feel pretty familiar since you use the KIA.

Lots of options. Like max suggested read through a bunch of threads on this forum and you'll find what's right for you now and a few ideas for the future.

Good luck on the quest.

 

[MinnBobber]

I am thinking about upgrading to a volcano. Currently use a Kia vape which I do love. Discreet and easy to use. Would the volcano be overkill for solo use? Btw there is an older gentleman on YouTube that you should check out reviewing the Kia vaporizer. Really funny.

Maj rosebud,
I'm in the process of moving up in vapes so also considered the Volcano but after much research thought it was not the best (for my needs) anymore. IMO, the Volcano would be great for group vapes, fill the bag and everyone dive in. It also looked a cumbersome for 1 or 2 to vape.

My choice, on order now, is the miniVAP which I feel melds the best features of desktop plugins and portable vapes for maximum taste, efficiency, ease of use, versatility, build quality.
This site has a section / thread on the miniVAP, check it out. Search for youtube video tests of it also.

It' s made from medical grade materials (like your kia) and patented features. It uses convection (hot air)
to precisely vape the herb--not sure what your kia uses. You can attach plug in base and use as desktop. Battery time is huge, like 3+ hours/ don't think any other brand comes close.

Negatives- slightly bigger than most portables. I don't care, will rarely use where it needs to be concealed.
Price was big neg. I think it was introduced at $1000 but now some stores have it for mid $500.

IMO, it is the best features of all types, rolled into one.
I have not received mine yet so above is based on dozens of others experiences
and what I feel is accurate.

 

[max]

I feel that while owning a glass vaporiser, nothing will come close to the efficiency of a volcano.

I feel that you left out a word or two in that sentence.

The Volcano can't be beat for maintaining a steady temp, especially the Digit version, but for tops in efficiency you have to consider a short vapor path (to minimize condensation) and direct hits (to minimize vapor dissipation). Vapor will condense on everything it contacts and it also starts to dissipate as soon as it's produced.

 

[Chilled.]

Yea sure it will but for 20-30mins its will stay in there with little loss of weed. If what you said is true the the bags would last days not weeks and even one I changed recently had very little condensation on side of bag and not very sticky at all.

I am not saying it's the best, but is up there with the best and for how I use it uses very little bud to get me really high.

 

[Mrmrmrmr]

The arizer solo is more than appropriate for vaping solo

 

[VaporsVaporizer]

I've had my Volcano since 2002, it still works great , BUT in IMHO, there are better vapes out there now that cost a lot less.I really didn't have any other good options back in 02 and it was the first vape i tried. I've been strictly vaping since that time and there are so many other good choices these days. For me, the Volcano is very harsh compared to my Solo or Lotus. It's basically gathering dust, i won't get rid of it because it still works, but it's more of a party vape. You can get 2-3 really good vapes for the price of a Volcano

 

[Chilled.]

Really interesting to hear about that! In terms of harshness then my glass vape is way smoother, just seems to take more weed. I'm planning to get a solo for portable use so will be good to compare.

 

[VaporsVaporizer]

Really interesting to hear about that! In terms of harshness then my glass vape is way smoother, just seems to take more weed. I'm planning to get a solo for portable use so will be good to compare.

Glass is tastier than the Volcano IMHO and i use less weed in my Solo. I love that vape, but now i find myself using the Lotus with a J-hook more than the Solo. I use even less in the Lotus. It's quicker than the Solo , but it does have a learning curve. It's not a huge learning curve, but getting the J-hook solved me scorching occasionally . I was skeptical of the Lotus having hated the Iolite and the butane, but i'm a believer now

I've bought many vapes since 2002, and every year better vapes come on the market. I used to rush right in and buy them, now i wait and let the good people at FC run em through their paces before i purchase I almost sprung for an Ascent during the preorder, but since i hated the DaVinci that i paid $$$ for, i'm glad i didn't. Now i'm looking at the FF, still on the fence VAS is a bitch.

 

[Maj rosebud]

Here's Richard. Love this guy. Bought the Kia on his reccomendation.

 

[lwien]

I think I read that he passed away awhile ago.

 

[Mynameismud]

Yeah i hated the aluminum heating element on the volcano. Really ruined the taste. Is it a waste for solo use, no. I used mine alot solo when i had it, but for the money there are many other suitable cheaper tastier options. If your looking for bag use, my favorite has been the vivape by vaporfection. Glass heating element, glass airpath amazing customer service and is around the same price as extreme q and herbleaire. Downside is the fan is always on and theres a few minute cool down session afterwards.

If your not necessarily needing a bag use function anything by 7th floor is great and extremely reliable. SSV, Da Buddha, LSV....

If you want something portable, right now my favorite is the FireFly. But be on the lookout over the summer cause i think the mivape might finally be released and looks to be a game changer