Obsidian Volcano Bubbler Review: Magma Industries Water Pipe For The Volcano
The Volcano already makes some of the cleanest vapor you can get from a desktop vaporizer. What it doesn’t do on its own is cool that vapor down. The Obsidian Volcano bubbler from Magma Industries fixes that. It’s a hand-blown glass water pipe that attaches to your Volcano’s valve, so every draw passes through water before it reaches you
This review covers what the Volcano Obsidian actually changes about your sessions, which Volcano setups it fits, how to use it without soaking your bag, what’s not to like, and whether you should pick the Obsidian, the Obsidian XL, or the Sapphire.
The Short Version
- What it is: a two-chamber glass water bubbler made for the Volcano vaporizer
- What it does: Magma rates it at up to 100°F cooler vapor with more than 93% more humidity
- Fits: Easy Valve and Hybrid Valve herbal chambers (Volcano Classic, Digit, and Hybrid)
- Doesn’t fit: the Solid Valve system
- Sold by: Magma Industries direct, with a warranty
What Is The Obsidian Volcano Bubbler?
The Obsidian is a Volcano bubbler, also called a Volcano water pipe adapter, made by Magma Industries. It’s hand blown from laboratory-grade borosilicate glass, the same heat-resistant glass used in lab equipment, and it sits between your Volcano’s herbal chamber and your balloon or mouthpiece.
Magma Industries has been making glass bubblers for the Volcano for years. The original Magma came first. The Obsidian is its refined successor, and the biggest change is a second chamber.
Why The Two-Chamber Design Matters
Most bubblers have one chamber: vapor goes in, bubbles through water, comes out. The Obsidian adds a secondary water trap. If water splashes or gets pushed backward, the trap catches it before it can reach your herb.
That matters on a Volcano more than on a bong. Wet herb doesn’t vaporize well, and water in your Easy Valve chamber is a mess to clean up. The trap is the reason the Obsidian is the upgrade most people buy, instead of the original single-chamber Magma.
How The Obsidian Changes Your Vapor
Water does two things to vapor: it cools it and it humidifies it.
Cooler vapor. Volcano vapor is already cooler than smoke, but at higher temperatures it can still feel hot and dry in your throat. Passing it through water pulls heat out. Magma Industries rates the Obsidian at up to 100°F cooler.
More humidity. Dry vapor is what makes you cough. Magma rates the Obsidian at more than 93% more humidity, which is why draws feel softer and fuller instead of scratchy.
What that means in practice: you can run your Volcano hotter for denser vapor without the harshness that usually comes with it. That’s the real reason to own one. If you vape at low temperatures and never cough, the Obsidian is a nice-to-have. If you like thick balloons at higher settings, it’s the single biggest comfort upgrade you can make.
Volcano Bubbler Compatibility: What Does The Obsidian Fit?
The Obsidian attaches to the herbal chamber, so compatibility depends on which valve system you use, not which Volcano you own.
| Volcano Setup | Works With The Obsidian? |
|---|---|
| Volcano Hybrid with the Hybrid Valve herbal chamber | Yes |
| Volcano Hybrid with the Easy Valve herbal chamber | Yes |
| Volcano Classic with the Easy Valve herbal chamber | Yes |
| Volcano Digit with the Easy Valve herbal chamber | Yes |
| Any Volcano with the Solid Valve system | No |
How To Use The Obsidian With Your Volcano
Setup takes about a minute. The syringe in the box does most of the work.
- Add water with the syringe. Keep the water level below the Magma Industries logo on the glass. Overfilling is the most common mistake, and it’s how water ends up where it shouldn’t.
- Seat the O-ring. Use the correctly sized O-ring from the box so the bubbler fits snugly on your herbal chamber.
- Attach it to your chamber. Press the Obsidian onto your Easy Valve or Hybrid Valve herbal chamber.
- Heat and fill as usual. Set your temperature, attach your balloon, and fill it through the bubbler.
- Empty the water after your session. Don’t let old water sit in the glass.
Two Rules Magma Industries Is Firm About
Don’t overfill. Stay below the logo every time.
Don’t squeeze the bag while the bubbler is attached. Squeezing forces air backward through the water, and that can push water toward your herb.
The Best Temperature For The Obsidian
Magma Industries recommends starting below 325°F and raising the temperature slowly during your session, and never going above 400°F.
The sweet spot for most people is the upper half of that range. That’s where the Volcano makes its densest vapor, and where the Obsidian’s cooling makes the biggest difference. At the very low end, you’ll notice less of a change, because the vapor is already mild.
Is Condensation In Your Volcano Bag Normal?
Yes, and it’s the one thing that surprises new Obsidian owners. The bubbler adds moisture to your vapor, so some of it condenses inside your Easy Valve bag. That’s expected, not a defect.
Magma’s instructions include a simple fix. After your session, empty the bubbler, then place your Easy Valve bag back on the herbal chamber for at least 90 minutes. The warm chamber dries out the extra moisture and helps your bags last longer.
Obsidian Pros And Cons
Pros
- Noticeably smoother, cooler draws, especially at higher temperatures
- Secondary water trap keeps water away from your herb
- Fits the valve you already use, with no new chamber or adapter needed
- Clear borosilicate glass makes it easy to see the water level and when it needs cleaning
- Sold with a warranty direct from Magma Industries
Cons
- Condensation in your bag means an extra 90 minutes of drying after sessions
- Small water chamber, so you’re refilling every session
- It’s glass. A drop onto a hard floor can end it. The Obsidian XL’s thicker glass is the answer if that worries you
- No Solid Valve support
- Not cheap for an accessory
Obsidian Vs Obsidian XL Vs Sapphire
Magma Industries currently sells three Volcano bubblers, all with a warranty and all attaching to the Easy Valve or Hybrid Valve herbal chamber.
| Obsidian | Obsidian XL | Sapphire | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Two-chamber water bubbler | Same two-chamber design | Water bubbler with a built-in freeze coil |
| Glass | Borosilicate | Thicker borosilicate | Borosilicate |
| Cooling | Water | Water | Water plus a glycerin-filled freeze coil |
| Best for | Most Volcano owners | Anyone who wants a sturdier build | Maximum cooling |
Pick the Obsidian if you want the proven, most popular option.
Pick the Obsidian XL if you’re hard on glass or share your Volcano with a group. It’s the same bubbler built tougher.
Pick the Sapphire if cooling is your top priority. It’s Magma’s newest model and pairs water filtration with a glycerin freeze coil, making it the coolest-hitting of the three. If you’ve been searching for the Sapphire freeze coil, this is it, and it’s still available.
👉 Compare All Three On The Magma Industries Store »
How To Clean The Obsidian
Clear glass shows every bit of residue, which is a good thing: you’ll always know when it’s time.
- After every session: dump the water and rinse with hot water.
- Every few sessions: give it a longer hot-water rinse and shake to clear anything clinging to the inside.
- Dry it upright before putting it away.
Borosilicate glass rinses clean easily and doesn’t hold odors, so plain hot water handles most of the work.
Is The Obsidian Volcano Bubbler Worth It?
If you vape at higher temperatures, cough on big balloons, or just want your Volcano to hit softer, yes. The Obsidian does one job, cooling and smoothing your vapor, and it does it without changing how you use your Volcano. The secondary water trap is what separates it from cheaper bubblers, because the worst thing a Volcano bubbler can do is soak your herb.
If you only vape at low temperatures and never find the vapor harsh, you can skip it.
For most Volcano owners, the Obsidian is the first accessory worth buying.
👉 Check Today’s Price On The Obsidian »
Where To Buy The Obsidian
The Obsidian is sold direct by Magma Industries, the company that makes it. Our links go to the Magma Industries store, where you’ll find the Obsidian, Obsidian XL, and Sapphire, each sold with a warranty.
Disclosure: we may earn a commission on purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does The Obsidian Bubbler Do For A Volcano?
It turns your Volcano into a water pipe. Vapor passes through water before you inhale it, which Magma Industries rates at up to 100°F cooler with more than 93% more humidity. The result is smoother, less harsh draws.
Is The Obsidian A Two-Chamber Bubbler?
Yes. The first chamber holds the water that cools your vapor. The second is a water trap that catches splashes before they can reach your herb.
Does The Obsidian Fit The Volcano Hybrid?
Yes. It fits the Hybrid Valve herbal chamber and the Easy Valve herbal chamber, so it works with the Volcano Hybrid, Classic, and Digit. It does not fit the Solid Valve system.
How Much Water Goes In The Obsidian?
Fill it with the included syringe and keep the water level below the Magma Industries logo on the glass. Overfilling can push water toward your herb.
What Temperature Should I Use With The Obsidian?
Start below 325°F and increase slowly during your session. Magma Industries recommends never going above 400°F.
Why Is My Volcano Bag Wet After Using The Obsidian?
The bubbler adds humidity, so some condensation in the bag is normal. Place the bag on the herbal chamber for at least 90 minutes after your session to dry it out.
What’s The Difference Between The Obsidian And The Obsidian XL?
The Obsidian XL is the same two-chamber design made with thicker glass for a sturdier build.
Is The Sapphire Better Than The Obsidian?
The Sapphire cools more, because it adds a glycerin-filled freeze coil to water filtration. The Obsidian is the simpler, more popular choice. Both attach the same way.
Is The Obsidian Worth It?
For anyone who vapes at higher temperatures or finds Volcano vapor harsh, yes. It’s the most effective way to make Volcano vapor smoother without changing how you use the device.
Who Makes The Obsidian?
Magma Industries designs and sells the Obsidian, Obsidian XL, and Sapphire. They’re sold direct from the Magma Industries store.
Volcano is a trademark of Storz & Bickel. Magma Industries and this site are not affiliated with Storz & Bickel.