Check compatibility against your valve

The manufacturer lists the VOLCANO CLASSIC, VOLCANO DIGIT and VOLCANO HYBRID among the compatible devices. When fitting the balloon material, however, the type of valve is decisive. New balloon film can be attached to the SOLID VALVE system; an EASY VALVE requires the balloon adapter that accepts replaceable balloon material.

If you use an EASY VALVE accessory, check your existing unit for the adapter design. The balloon adapter allows you to remove the old film and attach new material. The device name alone does not tell you whether your balloon has this adapter; you can check this on the actual accessory or in its documentation.

Before buying, also check that you have the fastening rings. If a necessary component is missing, the balloon material alone will not replace it. Treat the valve and adapter as separate items when planning your assembly, because this package contains only the tube material needed to make balloons.

Food-safe, taste-neutral material

STORZ & BICKEL describes the balloon material as food-safe, heat-resistant and taste-neutral. These properties relate to the product's intended purpose and help explain why material offered specifically for making balloons is appropriate for the correct valve system.

Despite the material's heat resistance, the VOLCANO and valve system operating instructions still determine how it should be used. We do not give a separate maximum temperature or plastic type for the balloon material, because neither is stated in the verified product specifications. You can base your choice on the manufacturer's intended application and confirmed compatibility.

When assembling the balloon, keeping the material intact is just as important as fastening it correctly. Cut and arrange the film without allowing the scissors to touch the surface you intend to keep. Correctly fitted rings cannot turn a damaged piece into intact balloon material.

Choosing a length and preparing to cut

The manufacturer's quick guide for the balloon adapter describes cutting a piece approximately 50–60 cm long. This is the starting length in the assembly guide; the product page's calculation for five standard balloons uses a length of 60 cm. The two figures therefore relate to the same practical size range.

Lay out the material section you need and check the measured length before cutting. Do not treat the 3-metre tube as five pieces that have already been prepared: your cuts create the individual balloons. If the final section turns out to be shorter, measure it first to check whether it is suitable for assembly as described in the instructions.

Choose a clean, clear work surface for preparation and set aside the rings you will use. Having the manufacturer's illustrated instructions available makes the work easier. If you are working around the device or filling chamber, also follow the cleaning and disassembly instructions: switch it off, unplug it and allow the hot components to cool first.

Making a balloon step by step

The following sequence summarises the manufacturer's assembly method using a balloon adapter. Keep the illustrated instructions for your own SOLID VALVE or adapter-equipped EASY VALVE unit at hand as well, because they let you check the identity and position of the components. The device's complete operating instructions remain applicable alongside this brief assembly summary.

When fitting the rings, take care to distribute the film evenly. Neat folds and correctly positioned rings together produce the fastening shown by the manufacturer. If the balloon opening has stuck together, prepare it by gently separating the edges.

1. Cut approximately 50–60 cm of balloon material, then tie off one end of the cut piece using the closure method shown in the instructions.
2. Open the other end and arrange the film around the wide opening into 16 folds, following the manufacturer's complete instructions.
3. Position the balloon fixation ring approximately 3 cm from the open end.
4. Pull the film and fixation ring together over the valve collar, then position the ring in the groove provided for it.
5. Distribute the folds evenly around the collar. When you hold the balloon by its tied end, the valve should hang straight down below it.
6. Fold back the projecting film, then secure it with the outer ring so that the inner fixation ring is no longer visible.
7. If you trim excess film at the collar, work carefully to avoid puncturing the part of the balloon you intend to keep.

Checks after assembly

Once assembly is complete, inspect the closed end, the folds around the valve and the positions of the rings. The purpose of this check is to compare the assembly with the illustrated instructions before use. Unevenly distributed film and rings in different positions particularly need another look.

If the valve hangs at an angle when you hold the balloon by its tied end, rearrange the folds around the collar as instructed by the manufacturer. Establish the correct arrangement during assembly; do not expect later use to move incorrectly fastened film into the right position by itself.

If a fastening component is missing or damaged, first complete the valve assembly with the appropriate part. Obtaining balloon material and checking the condition of the valve are two separate tasks. This way, when it is time to replace the balloon, you already know whether all the necessary components are available.

Replacing the material and caring for related components

For cleanliness, the manufacturer recommends replacing the EASY VALVE balloon every two weeks. This is a recommended replacement interval, rather than a guaranteed lifespan for the film. It is worth noting the balloon replacement date so that, at the next check, you do not need to rely on memory to establish when the current material was fitted.

According to the manufacturer's cleaning information, the EASY VALVE balloon and mouthpiece require no maintenance; the filling chamber components, however, need their own cleaning procedure. Do not automatically apply the cleaning agents or methods specified for the filling chamber to the balloon film. The instructions for the individual parts describe different tasks.

The manufacturer also recommends cleaning the filling chamber before fitting a new balloon. Do this with the device switched off and unplugged and with the components cooled, following the instructions for your particular model. Fitting fresh film can then be coordinated with care of the other parts of the system that require cleaning.

Handling the remaining balloon material

Keep the unused portion separate from removed balloon film and offcuts. An orderly arrangement makes it easier to select the unused material immediately at your next replacement. Keeping the packaging can also help you identify the product when you later look for the same balloon material again.

Before putting it away, you can check the length of the remaining section. If you plan to make just one piece, measure its size against the full remaining length. Do not place scissors or other sharp objects next to the film; keeping the material organised also makes preparation for the next assembly easier.

Before the next replacement, first prepare the spare material, then compare the components needed for assembly with the instructions. This reveals any missing fastening component before you remove the old film. Keep the illustrated instructions accessible alongside the premeasured section of material, so you can easily check the next step while working.

Frequently asked questions before buying

To choose correctly, establish three things: which valve you have, whether all the fastening components are present and whether you want to make the balloons yourself. The following questions clarify the most common misunderstandings about the pack and compatibility.

Is a new valve or balloon adapter included?

The manufacturer lists a single 3-metre balloon tube as the package contents. A valve and balloon adapter are not among the listed accessories, so check separately that you have them.

Are the five balloons already prepared in the package?

The pack contains a continuous length of material. Five is the number of balloons you can make at the standard length of 60 cm; you need to cut the film, close it and fit it to the correct valve yourself.

Can I buy it for any EASY VALVE balloon?

Replacing balloon material requires an EASY VALVE unit with an adapter. Check the design of your existing accessory, because the EASY VALVE name alone does not confirm the presence of a balloon adapter.

Does this replace the VOLCANO HYBRID inhalation tube?

This is a film tube for making balloons. If you need a component for the HYBRID's tube mode, choose the appropriate inhalation tube; distinguish the two products by their purpose.

Package contents

• 1 VOLCANO balloon tube, 3 m long.