Volcano Dab Guide: How to Rip Dabs from a Volcano Vaporizer

The volcano vaporizer is built for dry herb vaporization but have you ever ripped a volcano dab? It is possible, but there are some things you need to know to ensure you do not damage your device. 

How to Rip Dabs from a Volcano Vaporizer

When it comes to ripping dabs from your volcano, you cannot use the normal screen that you use for flower. You must purchase the drip pad that is meant for tinctures and oils. This pad has a steel wool feel and is much thicker than the typical screen. This helps the dabs from dripping down into the fan and motor of your Volcano Vaporizer.  

What You’ll Need for Volcano Dabs

• Volcano Vaporizer (Classic, Digital, or Hybrid)
• Concentrates (wax, shatter, etc.)
• Drip pad (comes with the Volcano)

Steps to Dab with Your Volcano Vaporizer

1. Prep the Drip Pad: Replace the bottom screen of the filling chamber with the drip pad. This pad will catch the melting concentrates and prevent them from seeping into the heating element.
2. Preheat the Volcano: Set the temperature to the highest setting (around 446°F or 230°C). Place the empty filling chamber on the Volcano and let it sit for 30 second.
3. Continue the preheating by turning on the hot air for 20 seconds. This ensures the drip pad is properly heated.
4. Load the Concentrate: Remove the top half of the filling chamber to expose the hot drip pad. Place a small amount of your concentrate on the pad. Replace the top half of the filling chamber.
5. Fill the Balloon: Attach your balloon to the filling chamber. Turn on the air flow and let the bag fill up.
   Two huge callouts for filling vaporizer bags with dabs
   1. When filling the bag, pinch off the bag about 12 inches above the mouthpiece end so that the bottom of the balloon fills first. This is critical, as with dabs, there is high heat and sticky residue. Typically people just let the excess bag fall to the side of the volcano and let the air lift it up when it’s filled. The folding of the bag makes the plastic nearest to the mouthpiece get hit with direct heat and any substance that makes it through the filter. By letting the bottom of the bag fill first, you let the air push the bottom of your plastic bag away from the heating element. Once the first 12 is filled, you can either stand and hold the bag while it fills, or grab opposite edges of the bag and pull down over the body of the volcano. This pushes the 12 inches you filled to the top of the balloon, and the bag should inflate without the heating element getting too close to and edge. 
   2. Concentrates produce less visible vapor than dry herbs, so don’t be fooled by the lack of cloud density. I would recommend filling one extra bag after you stop seeing milky output. Give it a try, determine if the potency is there, and adjust accordingly.
6. Enjoy Your Dab: Detach the balloon and inhale the vapor. Remember, concentrate vapor can be very potent, so start with small amounts and take it slow.

Tips for the Best Volcano Dab Experience

• Less is More: Concentrates are strong. A little goes a long way, so start with a small dab.
• Clean Regularly: Concentrates can leave sticky residue. Clean the drip pad and filling chamber regularly to maintain the best flavor and performance.  You can clean the drip pad with ISO but make sure to rinse it very well and run it through multiple heating cycles with air after it dries, before loading it again. You do not want to inhale ISO. 
• Experiment with Temperatures: While higher temperatures are generally better for dabs, you can experiment with slightly lower settings to find your perfect balance of flavor and potency.

Are Dabs on the Volcano Vaporizer as Good as a Dab Rig?

I may be the most biased Volcano user on Earth and the straight answer is no. A volcano vaporizer can rip dabs, and a volcano dab is a lovely experience. However, the design and build of the Volcano was optimized for cannabinoid release of flower, not vaporization of concentrates. 

The temperature restriction of 460 degrees Fahrenheit is a primary example of this. Dab rigs can put out temperatures up to 800 degrees, and most dab veterans will tell you that 450 is on the very low range of ripping quality clouds. At these temperatures, you get excellent taste and decent potency but it’s not the ideal temperature range. 

Another reason why volcano dabs are not as good as a rig is the conduction element that is used. Most dab rigs use quartz at a minimum for their bangers because of it’s high thermal conductivity. Remember, even if a volcano can heat to 460 degrees, doesn’t mean that all that heat is making it to your dab. The heat transfers into the metal in the basket and through that into your concentrate. The drip pad is not made of super high conductivity material and thus your real temperature is much lower than 460. 

My Final Take on Volcano Dabs

Personally, I have a Dr.Dabber Switch that I use for concentrate and a Volcano Hybrid that I use for flower.  The temperature range and conductivity of the banger are truly necessary to a great dab session and if you have a rig, you should use it. 

But not everyone has a rig! And for those people, taking dabs with your Volcano Vaporizer opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Add to that, ripping volcano dabs is fun and delicious so more power to you. 

If you could only choose one machine, a Dabber Switch or Volcano Hybrid (both can rip both) I would choose based on where I wanted to rip flower or dabs more. More dabs, hit the switch and more flower, buy a volcano. You can’t go wrong either way. 

Whether you’re a seasoned vaper or new to the game, I hope this was helpful. Happy vaping!

For more tips and accessories, check out the complete guide on Best Boons.