Why the „Bickel Tickle“ Might Be Caused by Plastic in S&B Vaporizers My Experience

[Adam Saltman]

Hi everyone


I wanted to share my thoughts on the well known „Bickel Tickle“ that scratchy dry throat irritation many experience with Storz and Bickel devices like the Volcano Mighty and Crafty


Since I got a ceramic vaporizer from Jaxels Art my Volcano Hybrid has basically been sitting in the closet Using the ceramic vaporizer I do not get any throat irritation or tickle even at similar temperatures and with the same herbs


This leads me to strongly suspect that the „Bickel Tickle“ is not just caused by the heat or dry convection vapor but also by the plastic parts in S and B devices While S and B uses temperature resistant plastics such as PEEK PPSU PA12 these materials are not inert when inhaled At high temperatures they can release tiny molecules that are not necessarily toxic but can irritate the throat Some users even notice a very subtle plastic taste or feeling in the vapor


In contrast vaporizers with glass ceramic or stainless steel vapor paths provide a noticeably smoother experience without that tickle


If you are sensitive to the „Bickel Tickle“ I would recommend trying a plastic free vaporizer or modifying your S and B with glass adapters water filters or custom vapor paths


For me personally the fact that my Volcano Hybrid is now unused after switching to the ceramic vaporizer really confirms this


Hope this helps someone else make sense of the issue


Cheers

Adam

 

[Shit Snacks]

I'm glad you found something that is working much better for you, but it is unfortunately not that simple... There are way too many other differences between these two devices, and there are so many more factors that could cause throat irritation... It is actually highly unlikely to be what you describe at all... The build between the two of these products is so different, I don't think they're even remotely comparable... Even if you were running whatever they call the Vapbong now dry, I still think they have about absolutely nothing in common... Yes it is a pure experience with the steel ceramic heating element cartridge, within the full glazed ceramic vape and pathway, but the peek pathway of the mighty does not really cause the effects you describe honestly (I find more irritation like that with any hybrid heating device, VB is much more pure convection, which I find much smoother along with the air flow) The different materials more so have an effect on taste, or the chamber itself, like comparing ceramic or glass chamber to titanium and aluminum chambers...

 

[Adam Saltman]

I'm glad you found something that is working much better for you, but it is unfortunately not that simple... There are way too many other differences between these two devices, and there are so many more factors that could cause throat irritation... It is actually highly unlikely to be what you describe at all... The build between the two of these products is so different, I don't think they're even remotely comparable... Even if you were running whatever they call the Vapbong now dry, I still think they have about absolutely nothing in common... Yes it is a pure experience with the steel ceramic heating element cartridge, within the full glazed ceramic vape and pathway, but the peek pathway of the mighty does not really cause the effects you describe honestly (I find more irritation like that with any hybrid heating device, VB is much more pure convection, which I find much smoother along with the air flow) The different materials more so have an effect on taste, or the chamber itself, like comparing ceramic or glass chamber to titanium and aluminum chambers...

Thanks for your detailed feedback! I totally get that there are a lot of differences between the Volcano Hybrid and my FlavorMaster from Jaxels Art, and throat irritation can come from many things. I wasn’t trying to say I have a definitive answer just sharing what I’ve noticed myself. What really caught my attention is that even with similar temps and herbs, I only get the „Bickel Tickle“ with the Volcano Hybrid, which has plastic parts in the vapor path, while my all-ceramic setup feels smooth and irritation-free. I know PEEK is supposed to be a really good, heat-resistant plastic, and a lot of folks don’t have any problems, but for sensitive people like me, even tiny trace emissions can be enough to cause some discomfort. I also agree that airflow, heating method (hybrid vs convection), and chamber materials play a big role in the whole experience and any irritation. Still, from my experience, the plastic vapor path is definitely a factor worth considering.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts it’s always good to get different perspectives on these things.

 

[Shit Snacks]

What really caught my attention is that even with similar temps and herbs, I only get the „Bickel Tickle“ with the Volcano Hybrid, which has plastic parts in the vapor path, while my all-ceramic setup feels smooth and irritation-free. I know PEEK is supposed to be a really good, heat-resistant plastic, and a lot of folks don’t have any problems, but for sensitive people like me, even tiny trace emissions can be enough to cause some discomfort

I'm just not so sure about similar temps and herbs, temps across vapes that are so different are rarely comparable, along with the chambers and extraction types, even trying to use same amount same way the same thing... In my experience using dozens of widely different vapes at least, I don't think it's as simple as that material in that final vapor pathway, that affects the vapor quality a lot however, so definitely related...

also agree that airflow, heating method (hybrid vs convection), and chamber materials play a big role in the whole experience and any irritation. Still, from my experience, the plastic vapor path is definitely a factor worth considering.

Certainly, but my point is it is more minor, part of everything together. Because within the mighty and volcano hybrid (which has different pathway too?) there is more materials and stuff going on, imo what makes the FM so much better for you (jaxel made all my vapbongs and bandits too, there's a lot more posts about them in that thread, before they split off btw) is the overall simplicity, yes in the materials used and their quality, but also the design itself and the power, also in its extraction method.

I'm not much one to defend the mighty or use of plastics, I just have not seen this about peek as you describe, anywhere else before, I don't think? Just perspectives!

 

[Adam Saltman]

I'm just not so sure about similar temps and herbs, temps across vapes that are so different are rarely comparable, along with the chambers and extraction types, even trying to use same amount same way the same thing... In my experience using dozens of widely different vapes at least, I don't think it's as simple as that material in that final vapor pathway, that affects the vapor quality a lot however, so definitely related...



Certainly, but my point is it is more minor, part of everything together. Because within the mighty and volcano hybrid (which has different pathway too?) there is more materials and stuff going on, imo what makes the FM so much better for you (jaxel made all my vapbongs and bandits too, there's a lot more posts about them in that thread, before they split off btw) is the overall simplicity, yes in the materials used and their quality, but also the design itself and the power, also in its extraction method.

I'm not much one to defend the mighty or use of plastics, I just have not seen this about peek as you describe, anywhere else before, I don't think? Just perspectives!

Thanks for your input, I really appreciate the perspective. You’re absolutely right that comparing temps, herbs, chambers, and extraction methods across different devices is tricky and never a perfect match. The overall design, simplicity, and power definitely play huge roles in how smooth or harsh a vaporizer feels. I totally get that the plastic vapor path is probably just one small piece of the puzzle, but from my own experience, it feels like a significant factor especially since switching to a fully ceramic device completely eliminated the throat irritation for me. I haven’t come across many detailed reports about PEEK causing irritation either, so it’s definitely a personal sensitivity thing, or maybe related to the whole vapor path setup as you mentioned. Always good to hear different takes and keep an open mind.

Thanks again for the thoughtful discussion! <3

 

[Xenkishøtz]

For the record, whilst I abhor plastic in thermal devices, especially those for inhalation, the Tinymight 2 which has an all glass/metal airpath also suffers from the "bickel tickle" or rather the "phinnish phlegm", so I'm not entirely sure if plastic is the sole cause.

Personally I think a lot of it is down to individual lung function, inhalation force and the herb itself, however I am certainly no Storz and Bickel shill, I refuse to buy into their vape ecosystem after the Venty debacle. Unacceptable for such a big brand but that's another topic.

 

[2tiki]

I own many vapes that don't have plastic in the air path. Some cause that throat tickle and some do not. Some cause it some times, and not others.
I don't see how you can form such a strong opinion that it's just plastic (or any one thing that is different) by just comparing 2 completely different vapes. But everyone's minds work differently.

I generally avoid vapes with plastic for my own reasons.

 

[Adam Saltman]

I own many vapes that don't have plastic in the air path. Some cause that throat tickle and some do not. Some cause it some times, and not others.
I don't see how you can form such a strong opinion that it's just plastic (or any one thing that is different) by just comparing 2 completely different vapes. But everyone's minds work differently.

I generally avoid vapes with plastic for my own reasons.

Totally fair point, and I get what you're saying. I’m not claiming it’s just the plastic, just sharing what stood out in my case. The throat tickle was always there with the Volcano Hybrid and completely gone with the ceramic vape. Could be materials, airflow, extraction, or a mix of all that. Appreciate the different perspectives, they help round out the picture.

 

[RustyOldNail]

Do a quick google search on “is peek plastic inert”:
“PEEK is used in medical implants, bearings, gears, and components in harsh chemical environments”

While I don’t dismiss what works or doesn’t for you, the tickle is most likely another source in the device, or something else.
S&B uses some aluminum in their products, never bothered me, but some have reactions to that material.
Far too many variables to single out “peek” in my opinion, but I’m not a scientist. Peek is more expensive to use and is considered “inert”.

For the “purist”, that is concerned with any materials, they seek out all glass vapor paths.

 

[AJS]

The Arizer Air and Solo 2 I'd say made it more difficult for repeat hits compared to the Crafty+ for me.
Both are bad in that regard though.

They both give me that, if I take a deep breath of air I'm going to erupt, type of feeling after a few hits.
Typically, hybrid vapes with direct draw mouthpieces do this for me.

I agree with the others that say it's not the plastic.
I have plenty of different vapes with varying characteristics, and the plastic isn't the common factor in my experience.

I won't argue the science though, no clue there, just my experience.

 

[R1ng0]

If you goto the french touch vaporiser company you can buy a stainless steel top I have done this for both my mighty and crafty + much better experience though the top gets damn hot. I'd never use either without it turns a good vape to a totally premium one plus looks so cool

 

[Dougmeister20]

Thank you for your insight this was really well written. I agree the plastic may be to blame to the heavy conduction air intake mixture. I had a vent briefly and found it to be a lot better adding more air in.