For years the Storz & Bickel Volcano Vaporizer has been the gold standard in smoking accouterments, but at $670 for the “Digit” model, it’s for connoisseurs (or well-heeled dealers) only. Even the “Classic” is over $500.
But the $190 “V-Tower” [left] gets you nearly all the way there, I’ve heard, complete with LCD temperature display and a long whip attached to a swivel, although it doesn’t have the fancy blower fan that will inflate balloons with smoke like the Volcano. For that you’d have to move up to the $300 “Extreme-Free” model, which also includes what I presume to be annoying “cool blue lights, for pleasure and relaxing.”
I’ve not used any of these, so check with your local heads for a recommendation. (I’m not being coy here, either; I really haven’t tried any of these out. I just wanted to pass on that I’d been told that there were decent vaporizers out there for far less than the lustworthy but overpriced Volcano.)
Or instead bank on artificial lung replacements being cost-effective 50 years from now, given that whole accelerating change thing.
Zuzu, these are healthy alternatives, vaporization is not bad for you. There is no smoke. Put in some sage, mint, lavender, or whatever. Healthy.
I have been waiting for the price to fall on these for years. I think I will go celebrate by funking my Zoopy.
Addendum: These work beautifully, if you can handle the different taste. You use less product, and its 93% effective, compared to joints 73%, and bongs, 75%.
These statistics are almost accurate, but not exact. MANswers could not be wrong, eh?
Even the < £50 vapourizers offer a far more superior “smoking” experience.
The only differences I’ve noticed are in form factor…
Although the blower to inflate balloons is a cool feature for parties!
The Silver Surfer Vaporizer, handmade in Colorado.
And you know how those CO people are so healthy.
Joel, your second link “V-Tower” points to the same location as the first link.
Ah, but at what cost efficiency? The preparatory ritual, the bitter milky smoke in your throat, the primal satisfaction of burning something. I suggest to you that the self-righteous are also susceptible to cancer. And when my day comes, I want to go out in a blaze of Glory (Glory, of course, being the hot designer strain of the times).
vaporizers are very cool a good selection is at vapir.com they hav nice handhelp cheap ones with battery packs as well as larger fan driven models ranging from price of %90-600
You missed my point.
I’m saying, save your money and inhale smoke now, then buy replacement lungs instead later.
Herbalaire is best, IMO. Designed for direct draw, but you can use a balloon if you prefer.
Marketplace.org had a story on how they’re pushing the Volcano as a tool in the high-end kitchen. Which will drive the price up more, the drug culture or the haute cuisine culture?
Maybe Viking will come out with a chunky retro version. ;^o
@claud9999
Serious question: What application could a vaporizer possibly have in cooking?
GRIMC:
Over on the DrinkDogma blog, they did a story a while ago about infusing various alcohols with smoke (like, BBQ smoke). I imagine that you could do something similar with one of these if you really wanted to.
Serious question: What application could a vaporizer possibly have in cooking?
As opposed to baking?
@scuba sm
Ahh, thanks.
@mdh
Silly mdh, bongs are for baking.
Joel’s been in Oregon for less than a month and already with the paraphernalia…
@claud9999:
“Maybe Viking will come out with a chunky retro version.”
Vapir beat them to it.
It’s very pretty. The original Vapirs got mostly abysmal reviews, but that was largely due to problems caused by the portable form factor and shouldn’t be an issue with the tabletop Vapormatic. I haven’t tried any vaporizer, but the Vapormatic seems to garner pretty good reviews.
Good posting, I’m assuming this is the influence of living in Eugene OR, Joel. I spent 6 years there, and am glad to hear gadgets getting blogged about that appeal to the oregon sensibility
nah, team volcano for life.
Bah, $50 for a soldering iron with a plate mounted on the tip. In a jar.
I’ve never seen such fancy vaporisers, but I do know they get you so very, very stoned… it’s subtle at first, but totally floors you after a while.
I guess they didn’t come with LCD temperature displays, but a lighter, a lightbulb, and five minutes work always served my friends and I plenty well.
Vapor Brothers makes a lovely wood case unit that takes up less space and is a little prettier to look at, if you’re into that sort of thing. They’re really popular in Humboldt County, where I live. My fiance etched a Norse dragon design onto the sides our unit with his wood burning kit and it looks amazing. These guys make an exquisite product, and you can tell they love what they do. http://www.vaporbrothers.com
I’ll have to agree with the Silver Surfer, i just got mine from http://www.vaporizerkits.com and I’m enjoying it like no other! I got a free chromium crusher too
For value the Silver Surfer is the way to go. It’s much more affordable and made in America. If you’ve got the money and wanna be fancy and show off your cool toy, then the Volcano or Extreme are for you.
This top 10 weed vaporizers site has some entertaining reviews, though I think the Silver Surfer should be ranked higher.
The silver surfer is definitely the best value buy. If you’ve got the money and want something fancy to show off, then the volcano or extreme are for you, but if you want something solid, low key and made in america then go with the silver surfer.
This top 10 weed vaporizers site has some entertaining reviews, though IMO the silver surfer should be higher than #4.