This works like any vaporizer. It uses hot air to heat up the oils in the flower and then the oils vaporizer. The volcano uses a pump to push air past the herb filling a bag. This is great for people with bad lungs, but people that love the flavor of the flower will find a whip-style vape like the Silver Surfer to be a better choice. There is the Super Surfer for people that want the best of the whip for flavor and have the option to use a bag.