Volcano Easy Valve vs Solid Valve: Which Parts Fit?
In short: the Volcano has two valve systems, and their parts do not swap. The Easy Valve uses balloons with the valve integrated, a wider filling chamber and 30 mm screens. The Solid Valve uses a reusable valve that you strip down and re-bag yourself with a holder ring and slip ring, a separate mouthpiece, and its own filling chamber with separate upper and lower screens. For balloon use, the Volcano Hybrid takes Easy Valve; Storz & Bickel lists its Solid Valve Set for the Volcano Classic and Digit. Work out which one you have before you order bags or screens.
If you are weighing up Volcano Easy Valve vs Solid Valve parts, the first job is to know which one you own. Our Volcano replacement parts guide covers what to replace and when. This article goes a step back: how the two valve systems differ, how to tell them apart, how much upkeep each needs and which parts belong to which. The facts on how each system works come from Storz & Bickel's own support pages; the parts we link are made by The Vapetrix and are not official Storz & Bickel products.
- Which system do you have?
- How the Easy Valve works
- How the Solid Valve works
- Which Volcano takes which
- Using each system well
- Parts map
- Running costs and upkeep
- Should you switch?
- Quick answers
1. Which System Do You Have?
Three quick checks will tell you:
- Look at the valve. A Solid Valve clicks onto a separate mouthpiece before you inhale, and its balloon is held on by a balloon holder ring and slip ring. If your valve has neither a separate mouthpiece nor those rings, it is likely an Easy Valve; if in doubt, send us a photo.
- Look at the filling chamber. A Solid Valve chamber has a removable insert with a pin on top; pressing the pin lowers an upper screen onto the dry herb, and the screens come in upper and lower sizes. Easy Valve screens are a single 30 mm round size.
- Check your model. If you use balloons on a Volcano Hybrid, you are on Easy Valve, as the Solid Valve Set is listed for the Classic and Digit only.
2. How the Easy Valve Works
Storz & Bickel describes the Easy Valve as developed for ease of use and minimal maintenance. Our replacement Easy Valve balloons come with the valve integrated, so there are no rings to fit: you place the balloon on the filling chamber, fill it and take it off to inhale.
According to Storz & Bickel, the Easy Valve filling chamber has a larger diameter than the Solid Valve chamber for better airflow, and fewer metal parts, which means less condensation and less frequent cleaning. For hygiene, it recommends replacing the balloon every two weeks. Storz & Bickel also describes an Easy Valve Balloon Adapter, an integrated part of the Easy Valve that lets you pull off a used balloon and attach a new one, as set out in its Easy Valve quick start manual.
3. How the Solid Valve Works
The Solid Valve is the original system. Storz & Bickel calls it robust and durable, with replaceable parts and easy one-handed operation, but says it needs a bit more maintenance than the Easy Valve.
The valve is reusable and comes apart into a cap, sealing ring, cylinder and spring for cleaning. You fix a balloon to it with a balloon holder ring and slip ring, pull the balloon taut and place it vertically on the filling chamber until the two grips snap in. When it is filled, you press the grip recesses to lift it off, which closes the valve, then click the valve onto the separate mouthpiece and press lightly with your lips to open it. The filling chamber is different too: you load the material, refit the filling chamber insert and press its pin down, which lowers the upper screen so the contents sit loosely held between two screens. The insert itself is held together by a hex nut.
That extra hardware is why the Solid Valve has more parts to clean. Our Solid Valve screen sets include a nut and washer so you can refresh them at the same time as the screens.
4. Which Volcano Takes Which
| Model | Easy Valve | Solid Valve |
|---|---|---|
| Volcano Hybrid | Yes | No |
| Volcano Classic | Yes | Yes |
| Volcano Digit | Yes | Yes |
Storz & Bickel lists its Solid Valve Set as suitable for the Volcano Classic and Volcano Digit only. Filling chambers can differ between Volcano generations, so if you are buying a chamber, check which model it names, and check with us if the listing is not clear. Our guide to Volcano Hybrid filling chambers and reducers covers the Hybrid side.
5. Using Each System Well
Storz & Bickel's support pages include a few practical tips that are easy to miss:
| Tip | Easy Valve | Solid Valve |
|---|---|---|
| How much to fill | No figure in the cited Easy Valve page | Fill only as much vapour as you will use in the next ten minutes |
| When to stop the pump | No figure in the cited Easy Valve page | Switch the pump off at around 90% full to avoid back pressure |
| Placing the balloon | Place the balloon on the filling chamber | Pull the assembled balloon taut and place it vertically on the chamber until the grips snap in |
| Inhaling | Inhale from the balloon's valve | Click the valve onto the separate mouthpiece, then press lightly with your lips |
| Cleaning | Fewer metal parts, so less frequent cleaning; balloon replaced every two weeks | Unscrew the insert's hex nut to strip it; push out the lower screen; strip the valve |
The ten-minute and 90% guidance is Storz & Bickel's own for the Solid Valve. For step-by-step filling on the Hybrid, see how to use the Volcano Hybrid.
6. Parts Map
Each screen set and balloon below is listed for one system only, so match it to your valve before ordering. Everything is also in our Volcano accessories and replacement parts collection.
Easy Valve
- Normal screen set for Easy Valve: 30 mm round screens, 0.1 mm thick, six per pack.
- Fine screen set for Easy Valve: 30 mm, six per pack, with a finer mesh.
- Easy Valve replacement balloon: a bag of about 60 cm with the Easy Valve integrated; not for Solid Valve.
- Easy glass water bubbler: sits between the filling chamber and the balloon or whip on Hybrid, Classic and Digit setups, and is listed for Easy Valve and Hybrid-style configurations.
- 14 mm bag adapter: connects a filled Easy Valve or Hybrid-style balloon to a 14 mm water pipe.
Solid Valve
- Normal screen set for Solid Valve: three upper screens (about 24 mm), three lower screens (about 26 mm), plus a nut and washer.
- Fine screen set for Solid Valve: three upper and three lower screens with a nut and washer, in a finer mesh.
Solid Valve or reusable Easy Valve adapter
- Loose balloon bags, 58 x 38 cm, pack of 12: bags only, listed for use with a Solid Valve or a reusable Easy Valve Balloon Adapter. No valve, adapter or mouthpiece is included.
7. Running Costs and Upkeep
Here is how the upkeep compares:
- Easy Valve: fewer metal parts and less condensation, so less cleaning. A ready-made Easy Valve balloon includes the valve, so on the two-week schedule you are buying more than film each time.
- Solid Valve: built for long-term use with replaceable parts, and you only replace the balloon film. In return, the valve, insert and chamber come apart into several pieces and need more maintenance.
- The middle route: loose bags on an Easy Valve Balloon Adapter let you re-bag an Easy Valve setup, including on the Hybrid.
8. Should You Switch?
- Hybrid owners stay on Easy Valve for balloons, but can re-bag with loose bags on an Easy Valve Balloon Adapter.
- Classic or Digit owners who want a low-maintenance routine will find that is exactly what the Easy Valve was designed for.
- Classic or Digit owners who use it daily and do not mind cleaning steel parts are the users Storz & Bickel describes the Solid Valve as suiting: frequent users who value long-term use with replaceable parts. Switching means buying the Solid Valve set with its own filling chamber and mouthpiece, so check what is in the set first.
9. Quick Answers
Can I use Solid Valve screens in an Easy Valve chamber? No. They are different sizes and designs. Our listings mark each set for one system only.
Does the Volcano Hybrid take a Solid Valve? No. Storz & Bickel lists the Solid Valve for the Classic and Digit only.
Why does my Solid Valve screen set include a nut and washer? The filling chamber insert is held together by a hex nut, so the set lets you refresh the nut and washer when you change the screens.
How often should I replace an Easy Valve balloon? Storz & Bickel recommends every two weeks for cleanliness.
Can I put a loose balloon bag on an Easy Valve machine? Our loose bags are listed for use with a reusable Easy Valve Balloon Adapter. Our 58 × 38 cm bags have no valve, so they need either that adapter or a Solid Valve.
