Storz & Bickel Vaporizers

The Birth of An Icon 

It's true that one of the most iconic vaporizers of our times is the Volcano. Knowing the makings of the vaporizer that gave us the golden standard allows you to understand why products from Storz & Bickel are regarded as such and why they are placed on such a high pedestal and why to others, they’re practically untouchable.  

One of the forefathers of Storz & Bickel is the man himself, Markus Storz. Markus is a qualified graphic designer and, in his search to find the best vaporizer, he found that the quality he was looking for was something that the industry lacked. So, he started developing one himself. In Tuttlingen, a town located in Southern Germany, Markus Storz began conceptualizing what was to become the Volcano Vaporizer. Marks Storz was well-positioned to make a vaporizer with his background as a graphic artist and the available resources from his area as Tuttlingen was at the center of German medical technology. He was surrounded by companies and institutions which played a major role in the development of the Storz & Bickel Volcano Vaporizer.  

Markus Storz looked at vaporization from the medical standpoint and understood that vaporization is the most preferable means of consuming herbs and concentrates because it produces far fewer irritants and toxic byproducts compared to smoking. The practice of smoking involves combustion, a stage where the dried plant matter is consumed by heat through the process of burning. This produces thousands of harmful chemicals which can act as an agent that damages your system. On the other hand, vaporization is more preferred by medical consumers because it is considered far safer than smoking but has the same efficacy and speed in administering the therapeutic effects of the said plant matter.  

Furthermore, Markus knew that subjecting the herbs to the higher temperatures produced during combustion reduces the efficacy of the dry herb strains. The valuable glandular trichomes are destroyed and the active ingredients they carry are destroyed instead of having been extracted and inhaled by the consumer. Therefore, he concluded that smoking the herbs make for a less productive means of consumption. 

Because of Markus’ deep understanding of the plant matter and how it reacts to heat as well as his strong medical point of view towards vaporization led him to create one of the best vaporizers in the industry – the Volcano.  

The Volcano Vaporizer is a convection type vaporizer. It uses a gust of heated air to vaporize the herbs and the materials in it instead of using conduction or a hot surface to initiate vaporization. Markus describes these methods as the frying pan method and the air gun method respectively pertaining to conduction as the frying pan method and convection as the air gun method. The wanted his vaporizer to use the air gun method because he believed that other vaporizers that use the frying pan method required the force created by the suction made by the user to produce the vapor. He knew that medical patients will find it hard to create a force strong enough to give them good pulls, so he resorted to conceptualizing a forced-air vaporizer.  

The prototype was first created in Markus’ cellar. Markus first used a heat gun he found in his cellar though this was later discarded because Markus himself found the results to be unsatisfactory because of the residual remnants of carbon brushes found in the vapor. The then improved upon the design by using modern tools and dropping the Steiner he had in his cellar. Markus then added the notable balloon which completed the basic design for the company's soon to be a flagship device. The rest, we can say, is history.  

Storz & Bickel Through the Years 

It all started with Markus Storz in 1996 and his search for a suitable desktop vaporizer. 2 years later, in 1998, he registered a patent for the balloon bag attachment for the Volcano Vaporizer which was granted the year after. Soon followed international patent registration.  

After spending nearly 4 years perfecting his craft, Markus finally released and launched the Volcano Classic Vaporizer in 2000. This marked an important year in the vaping industry and hailed the birth of an icon. Many consumers have tried the Volcano Vaporizer and returned reporting great results. The forced air system used by Markus Storz allowed the disabled and the ill to reap the benefits that their therapeutic plant matter had to offer without having to strain and stress themselves. In fact, patients have been praising how well they can use the Volcano independently and only needing assistance when cleaning and maintaining some of the parts of the filling chamber. It produced great results and have achieved what it came to do as a medical vaporizer, after all, it had it in its DNA. In fact, four years after, the Volcano Vaporizer will end up making news as the only herbal vaporizer approved by the Canadian Government for medical use.  

2002 was the year that Markus’ old friend and a German civil engineer, Jürgen Bickel, entered the scene and the company Storz & Bickel was formed. Jürgen Bickel played a vital role in the company. He helped Storz & Bickel get the necessary funding as well as future patents and industry certifications. Their partnership led to the further advancement of Storz & Bickel.  

The year after, 2003, Storz & Bickel entered the American market. They outfitted their devices with 110-volt power adapters to conform to the American power settings. This further stretched Storz & Bickel’s influence and solidified their place as a superior vaporizer manufacturer. The same year, their hard work came to fruition as the Volcano Vaporizer was recognized and was awarded the Dr. Rudolf Eberle Prize for its outstanding technical innovation. The Dr. Rudolf Eberle Prize is an award given to small-scale companies for showing exemplary innovation in their products. It’s a prestigious German award and it was an honor for Storz & Bickel to receive such recognition.  

In 2005, Storz & Bickel have made it clear to the American market that they’re here to stay. They established Storz & Bickel America Inc. A subsidiary company that was based in Oakland CA and will stand as their headquarters for their operations in this region. It seems that at this point, Storz & Bickel has reached the peak of its career but that was to change two years later.   

2007 marked the modernization of desktop vaporizers and Storz & Bickel was one of the first to take action. They revamped the Volcano Classic and showed the world a second iteration of the industry’s golden standard. The Storz & Bickel Volcano Digital Vaporizer, the world’s first electronically operated vaporizer entered the global market. When we all thought that it was the best Storz & Bickel had to offer, they wowed us with a fully digital desktop vaporizer.  

It was 2009 when Storz & Bickel received its ISO certification. This means that their company passed the strictest and the most stringent requirements a company must have to operate at the top level. Storz & Bickel received both ISO 9001 and 13485 certifications which meant they had the approval for both superior management systems for producing high-quality products as well as medical-grade vaporizers. They were the first vaporizer manufacturer to have been awarded this and this meant a lot to both the consumers and the industry itself. It meant that it was possible, that the consumption of these materials is no longer just classified as for casual and for recreational use but vaporizers can also help in the administration of the effects and the benefits of these herbs for practical and medical use.  

It also spurred a boom on the medicinal market and the soon legalization of cannabis use in the United States.  

The year after, in 2010, Storz & Bickel produced the very first purely medical vaporizer, the Volcano Medic. Released in countries like Israel, Canada, and of course, Europe, the Volcano Medic was released into circulation.  

The industry though of Storz & Bickel as a brand dedicated to desktop vaporizers but the previous years they spent developing what was to be the counterpart of the Volcano model for the portable vaporizer platform. In 2011, Storz & Bickel released the Plenty Vaporizer. The Storz & Bickel Plenty Vaporizer was the first portable vaporizer to ever feature a combined air and radiation heating technique. It was granted an international patent and was the benchmark from which all portable vaporizers are to be measured thereafter.  

Storz & Bickel Did not hold back, they knew that the path to progress is forward, always forward. So, they launched two vaporizers in 2014 called the Mighty and the Crafty. Both the Crafty and the Mighty were portable vaporizers and was launched and released globally at the same time. Whilst other companies hold off their products to milk launch dates and release dates, Storz & Bickel gave the industry two devices at single launch date.  

Both vaporizers something different to offer. For the Storz & Bickel Mighty Vaporizer, it was power. It was aptly named the Mighty because it boasted massive cloud production with the help of two batteries. It also had several revolutionary features but that was more up Crafty’s alley. The Storz & Bickel Crafty Vaporizer had the capability to connect to a downloadable application via Bluetooth. While the Mighty was known for power, the Crafty was more known for control and customization. Both portable devices proved to be a success and were well received by consumers worldwide.  

I guess it was inevitable, like the Volcano, the Mighty also was bound to have the same fate and later had a transformation. Storz & Bickel released the Mighty Medic Vaporizer, a version of the Storz & Bickel Mighty Vaporizer that had medical-grade specs in 2015 and at this time, Storz & Bickel is still the only vaporizer company that can produce legitimate med-spec or medical specifications vaporizers.  

The following year, 2016, Storz & Bickel made the move that will solidify their name as a medical vaporizer brand. Back in Tuttlingen, they initiated the Storz & Bickel Vapor Factory. Situated in the heart of over 500 facilities that are responsible for manufacturing medical-grade and surgical-grade instruments. The Storz & Bickel Vapor Factory stood to be one of the first medical-grade vaporizer factories in the industry.  

In 2019, Storz & Bickel decided that they give the Volcano Vaporizer a major facelift. They created a third iteration and named it the Storz & Bickel Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer. A desktop vaporizer that has it all.  

From simple and humble intentions of finding a better vaporizer and making contraptions in Markus’ cellar dominating and even (based on many consumers) inventing the vaporizer industry, Storz & Bickel has been one of the best vaporizer brands on the market.  

They aren’t just the best of the best for nothing, here are some of the qualities that make the Storz & Bickel what they are today.  

Premium Quality  

It’s no secret that Storz & Bickel vaporizers boast superior quality overall. When we’re talking high-quality, medical-grade vaporizers, we’re talking Storz & Bickel.  

Storz & Bickel presents excellent build quality vaporizers with strong and durable designs, high quality and premium materials with minimal malfunctions and repairs. they use only the best quality raw materials the industry can offer and Storz & Bickel spared no expense in making sure that the vaporizers that leave their production facility are of the utmost quality. Storz & Bickel knows that in manufacturing medical-grade vaporizers, quality is paramount and to provide you with vaporizers that won’t fail you, they used some of the best materials available.  

In the case of the Storz & Bickel Volcano Classic Vaporizer, they used a food-grade aluminum heating block to keep the vapors clean and pure. Other companies use only materials of lesser quality and while they may produce relative results at first, the ones used by Storz & Bickel will prove to be the better of the two in the long run.  

They not only use the best materials to make components but they also utilize the best engineering for their products. German engineering is one of the best the vaporizer industry has ever seen. It’s no coincidence why German automobiles are the ones that last longer and are priced high on the car market and the same can be said with German vaporizers. They do not disappoint.  

Premium Vapor Production  

Equipped with a high-powered convection heating system, Storz & Bickel vaporizers lets you enjoy a smooth, dense, and perfect vapor quality you never knew was possible. Top vaporizer users have noted the exceptional effectiveness and efficiency of Storz & Bickel vaporizers as they give you the most of your select materials can offer.  

One good example is the Volcano Vaporizer. It's designed to maximize the potency and the concentration of your materials by 75%. That's the reason why it was acknowledged and approved by Health Canada, Canada’s Federal department helping its citizens maintain and improve overall health. The quality of vapors produced by Storz & Bickel products is renowned worldwide. They are, after all, manufacturers of medical-grade vaporizers.  

That's why Storz & Bickel vaporizers, especially the ones designed and engineered for medical consumption from the Medic family, are preferred by patients who rely on vaporizers as a delivery system for their select dry herb strains and wax concentrates. They allow patients to enjoy a more natural and non-synthetic means of managing their medical conditions. These vaporizers are built around data from numerous researches. They use a comprehensive evaluation of today’s current and most advanced clinical data as well as today’s extensive scientific knowledge of the effects and the efficacy of the active ingredients found on these materials.  

Storz & Bickel have learned to harness technology and their knowledge about the actual plant matter to help them manufacture products that offer stellar performance and unique vapor production. They’re always clean and pure – the likes that would enhance and uplift your wellbeing. The kind that a medical-grade vaporizer is made of! 

Simplicity and Ease of Use  

Storz & Bickel vaporizers feature controls that are simple and are easy to use. Even the Volcano desktop vaporizer requires very minimal learning curve making beginners and rookie consumers feel comfortable in using a desktop unit.  

While many individuals who want to use a desktop vaporizer often see it as somewhat of a daunting task, those who tried using and pulling from a Storz & Bickel vaporizer find that they are mistaken. The controls are intuitive and the fact that the Volcano models come in three different designs that offer three different interfaces and allow you to conveniently experience three different modes of control and adjustment is simply mind-blowing. The Storz & Bickel Volcano Classic Vaporizer allows consumers to operate it via a classic knob making it extremely easy to find your sweet spot and dial in your preferred temperature setting. The Storz & Bickel Volcano Digital Vaporizer lets its users find an ideal temperature profile with just a push of a button and the all-new Storz & Bickel Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer lets you operate this desktop vaporizer by just tapping on its touch screen panel.  

Overall, Storz & Bickel vaporizers are simple and are easy to use. It won’t require you to read and browse through manuals for hours or even spend your precious time browsing the internet for how-to videos and blogs when you can be spending that for watching cute cat videos and memes or vaping your favorite dry herb blends and wax concentrates.  

Longevity and Reliability 

And finally, one of the best thing consumers love about Storz & Bickel products is that they’re reliable and are almost indestructible – with proper care and maintenance that is.  

Storz & Bickel makes their vaporizers to last making them such valuable investments for both beginners and advanced users. They are made with longevity and reliability in mind that’s why these vaporizers go with you to hell and back, the components of the vaporizers don’t wear out easily as those from cheap and average vaporizers. The internal workings and electrical circuitry, as well as the programmable chips inside the unit itself, does not break nor affect the quality of the vapors the units produce.  

Storz & Bickel products might not be as cheap and affordable as other vaporizers but in this industry and in this market, you’re getting what you paid for.  

Wider Horizons, Brighter Future 

We speak for both the company and the vaporizer industry itself when we say that we’re to see wider horizons and a brighter future ahead.  

On December of last year, news broke out that Storz & Bickel has been bought by the Canopy Growth Corporation. Canopy Growth Corporation have acquired Storz & Bickel in an all-cash transaction. They paid cold cash upfront to buy out one of the best vaporizer manufacturers in the industry. Canopy Growth Corporation allegedly paid €145 million to acquire Storz & Bickel.  

The main proponents of Storz & Bickel, Markus Storz, and Jürgen Bickel, are to remain as principal members of the company and will continue to drive the company forward under Canopy Growth Corporation’s management. Canopy Growth Corporation is a company renowned worldwide for its commitment and passion for enhancing and perfecting diversified hemp and cannabis plant matter. They offer these materials in different forms like dried strains, infused oil extracts, soft gel capsules, and more. With Canopy Growth Corporation’s deeper knowledge and understanding of the plant matter and all its various forms, Storz & Bickel can further develop vaporizers and other products that are geared towards the consumption of these materials. We’re excited to see more vaporizers and other devices that can accommodate and cater to a wide array of materials.  

The recent acquisition of Storz & Bickel by Canopy Growth Corporation is probably one of the best things that have happened to the industry. Canopy Growth Corporation has an extensive international footprint and this can lead to the further development and progression of Storz & Bickel as a company. They’ll be able to incorporate other types of tried and tested engineering and other raw materials commonly used in vaporizers this day and age. Storz & Bickel can now better make experiments on future vaporizer models and it’s you, the end-users, who will benefit from this recent acquisition.  

It may be the best time to get a Storz & Bickel because of all the new things the company has to offer.  

Storz & Bickel Vaporizers  

Here at VapeActive, we are proud to carry some of Storz & Bickel vaporizers as well as replacement land upgrade parts. They are products that offer the best quality and are sought after by professional consumers. So, if you’re looking for a new vaporizer that’s going to hold up pretty well, you’d find that Storz & Bickel vaporizers will surely fit the bill.  

The Storz & Bickel Volcano Models  

This iconic desktop vaporizer is a solid product that offers superior vaporization fit for medical patients needing special attention. The Volcano models are arguably one of the best ones you can get. It has revolutionized vaping in more ways than one. The Volcano models are known for utilizing balloon bags, plastic balloon bags that can be filled with vapors and are outfitted with a mouthpiece attachment so you can draw and pull from the balloon instead of hitting directly from the vaporizer like what you’d do with a traditional whip-style desktop unit. This meant that you no longer have to force your lungs to suck hot air that comes directly from the heating elements of the vaporizer. The balloon bags are beloved by many casual consumers and medicating patients for two important reasons; convenience and cooler vapors.  

Instead of having to subject yourself into taking in warm and even hot vapors, the balloon bags ensure that you can spend as much time as you need to let the vapors cool down without having to risk damaging or ruining the overall quality of the vapors. The balloons are made from food-grade materials so they won’t react chemically to the hot vapors the balloon contains. The balloons are also heat-proof and are odor-proof so they’ll lock in the freshness and the aroma of the vapors till they cool down. This means that the vapors remain and retain their integrity regardless of how long they remain in the balloon bag.  

The balloons also offer convenient use, so, instead of having to wait until the herbs are vapor ready, you can just sit back and relax until the vapors are ready. You also don’t have to sit in front of a table or a desk just to inhale the vapor from the vaporizer. If you’re a patient having a hard time getting up or sitting still for a while, then you can easily pull from the balloon bag conveniently in a position you’re comfortable with.  

These are just some of the improvements Volcano Vaporizer models have introduced to the vaping industry and to this day, these enhancements and improvements remain relevant for most consumers.  

The Mighty, Crafty, and the Plenty Models 

Another side to Storz & Bickel vaporizers are the portable counterparts. Storz & Bickel knows that some consumers need to take the daily fix of their select medication even when they’re on the run. The portable vaporizer models made by Storz & Bickel offer similar vapor production from similar vaping technology packed in a small and portable unit so you can take them with you wherever you may go.  

The folks at Storz & Bickel know you won’t be able to carry your volcano around with you, that’s why they developed portable products like these so you can still enjoy Storz & Bickel-quality vapors on-the-go. Furthermore, these portable units are packed with features designed and engineered for a small and compact unit like themselves. You'd find that the Crafty model is capable of connecting and communicating with your smartphone via a downloadable Bluetooth application. You can enjoy precision temperature adjustments with the companion app on your phone.  

These portable models command the same respect as their desktop counterparts as they are also as capable and as reliable.