InstantVap Compact — 18V Cordless Vaporizer

Use Your Existing Power Tool Battery — 11 Brands

Treating varroa across a remote bush apiary, a rooftop hive, or multiple scattered sites used to mean lugging long extension cords, generators, or 12V car battery setups with you everywhere — unwieldy, slow, and a hassle every time. The InstantVap Compact 18V Cordless Vaporizer solves this completely. It runs on the 18V power tool battery you already own — Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt, Bosch, AEG, and 11 major brands supported — so you can vaporize anywhere, anytime, with no power leads, no generators, and no setup hassle.

Built by InstantVap — a world-leader in professional oxalic acid vaporisers — the Compact delivers 20–25 second treatments per hive at a pre-set 230°C operating temperature, with intelligent LED feedback telling you exactly when it’s warming, ready, vaporising, or running low on battery. The tool-free 1–4 gram dispenser, replaceable brass spout, double-wall furnace for cold-weather work, and acid-resistant stainless-steel build make this a tool that genuinely changes how you manage varroa — backed by a 2-year warranty plus post-warranty repair.

Why Choose Cordless Over Mains Powered?

Cordless changes everything about how you can treat varroa. Three major advantages:

• Treat anywhere — remote bush apiaries, rural orchards, rooftop hives, neighbour’s property, friend’s backyard. No power source needed.
• Faster setup per site — no cords to unroll, no generators to start, no 12V batteries to lift. Click in your battery, you’re working.
• Multi-site efficiency — carry one tool between locations; swap batteries as needed for full-day treatment runs.

For migratory beekeepers, sideliners with multiple apiary locations, and pollination contractors, cordless operation is transformational. For backyard beekeepers with just one apiary, the mains-powered InstantVap Turbo may be a better value match — see our cross-comparison below.

Will It Work With My Battery?

Almost certainly. The Compact supports the 11 most popular 18V/20V power tool battery brands worldwide. Just select your battery brand at checkout:

• Milwaukee® M18
• Makita® LXT 18V
• Dewalt® XR 18/20V, FlexVolt 20/60V or 18/54V
• Bosch® GBA/ProCore 18V
• AEG® 18V
• Metabo® 18V
• Einhell® Power X Change 18V
• Ridgid® 18V
• Hikoki® / Hitachi® 18V
• Parkside® X20V-TEAM 20V — the Aldi Australia tool range

Important: the vaporizer is only compatible with one battery brand — the one you select at checkout. Choose carefully based on which power tool ecosystem you already own. Batteries and chargers are NOT included — you provide your own from your existing power tool battery range.

How Many Hives Can I Treat Per Battery Charge?

Genuinely impressive battery efficiency. The Compact draws approximately 1Ah for the initial warm-up, then each subsequent 1Ah of battery delivers approximately 10 × 2-gram treatments at 20°C ambient temperature. In practical terms:

• 2Ah battery: ~10 hive treatments per charge after warm-up
• 4Ah battery: ~30 hive treatments per charge
• 5Ah battery: ~40 hive treatments per charge
• 8Ah battery: ~70 hive treatments per charge — ideal for commercial sideliners

For larger operations, carrying 2 batteries on rotation lets you continue treating uninterrupted while the spare charges, easily covering 100+ hives in a single working day.

How Fast Is Each Treatment?

20–25 seconds per hive for a 2-gram dose of oxalic acid. That’s genuinely fast — fast enough that a commercial sideliner can treat 100–150 hives in a single afternoon. The Dynamic Temperature Control maintains the pre-set 230°C operating temperature precisely, eliminating both overheating (which destroys the oxalic acid before it can do its job) and cool-down waits between hives. The LED feedback system tells you exactly when each hive’s treatment is complete, removing all guesswork from the process.

How Does the LED Feedback System Work?

The intelligent LED tells you exactly what the vaporizer is doing at every moment — no guesswork, no manual stopwatch:

• Slow blinking — warming up to operating temperature
• Steady-on — ready for treatment, time to dispense oxalic acid
• Fast blinking — actively vaporising, hold steady in the hive entrance
• Double blinking + pause — battery low, time to swap or recharge

The LED is clearly visible in direct sunlight—a critical detail when working at apiaries. No need to bend down to check the status; you can see it standing at full working height.

Why the Pre-Set 230°C Temperature?

230°C / 445°F is the scientifically optimal temperature for oxalic acid vaporisation. Higher temperatures break the oxalic acid down before it can be distributed throughout the hive (destroying its effectiveness). Lower temperatures don’t fully vaporise the dose. The pre-set temperature means you can’t accidentally get it wrong — turn it on, and the vaporizer maintains the perfect temperature automatically. This eliminates one of the biggest sources of treatment failure in oxalic acid vaporisation: incorrect temperature settings, which result in ineffective doses.

How Practical Is the Build for Daily Use?

Every detail is thought through for working beekeepers:

• Acid-resistant stainless steel — won’t corrode from oxalic acid contact, even with long-term use
• Ergonomic handle — comfortable extended grip; no wrist fatigue during 100+ hive treatment runs
• Self-supporting in a hive hole — sits stable without needing you to hold it; just monitor the LED
• Tool-free 1–4g dispenser — roll-on adjustment between treatments without unscrewing or fiddling
• Spare dispenser storage in the handle — a clever detail; keep a backup ready in case the primary clogs
• 6mm replaceable brass spout — strong, won’t clog (no pipe bend), easy to clean entire length, replaceable if damaged
• Double-wall furnace — works reliably in cold, windy weather (important for autumn varroa treatment)
• Battery over-discharge protection — auto shuts down at 15.4V to protect your battery

Compact vs Turbo — Which Should I Choose?

Both InstantVap models deliver the same high-quality vaporisation. The choice comes down to power source preference:

• Choose the Compact (this product): if you have multiple apiary sites, work remotely/off-grid, already own 18V power tool batteries, or need true portability for migratory work
• Choose the Turbo: if your apiary is near mains power, you only treat in one location, or you prefer not to manage power tool batteries
• Why some serious beekeepers own both: Turbo for the home apiary, Compact for migratory and remote work — covering every scenario without compromise.

Who Is This Compact Vaporizer For?

This cordless vaporizer is loved by beekeepers who value portability and flexibility. It’s especially valuable for migratory beekeepers treating hives across pollination contract sites, commercial and sideliner beekeepers with multiple apiary locations, remote and off-grid apiarists without mains power access, urban beekeepers with rooftop or community garden hives, anyone who already owns 18V power tools and can leverage their existing battery investment, and serious hobbyists who want the absolute best vaporisation tool available regardless of treatment scale.

Specifications

• Product: InstantVap Compact 18V Cordless Oxalic Acid Vaporizer
• Power: 18–20V, 250W, 14A
• Battery compatibility: Choose 1 of 11 major brands at checkout
• Battery NOT included: Use your existing 18V/20V power tool battery
• Treatment time: 20–25 seconds per 2g oxalic acid dose
• Dispenser: Tool-free roll-on, 1–4g range
• Operating temp: Pre-set 230°C / 445°F (not adjustable)
• Battery efficiency: ~1Ah warm-up + ~10 treatments per additional 1Ah
• Spout: 6mm diameter brass, replaceable; requires 6.5mm hive hole
• Build: Acid-resistant stainless steel, ergonomic handle
• Furnace: Double-wall — reliable in cold/windy weather
• LED feedback: 4-mode (warm-up, ready, vaporising, battery low)
• Safety: Battery deep-discharge protection (auto shut-off at 15.4V)
• Included: 1 dispenser, 1 cleaning cap, 2 spare O-rings
• Warranty: 2 years + post-warranty repair service

⚠️ Safety — Always Wear PPE

Oxalic acid vapour is hazardous to the lungs and eyes. When operating any vaporiser, ALWAYS wear a respirator rated for acid vapours, chemical-safety goggles, and chemical-resistant gloves. Pair this vaporiser with our Api-Bioxal Powder (APVMA PER94609) for proper compliance, and consult the product label and APVMA permit conditions for full safety guidance.

Why Buy From Beekeeping Gear?

Beekeeping Gear has been Australia’s trusted source for professional varroa management equipment and IPM supplies since 2016. We supply real Australian beekeepers from our showrooms in Granville (next to Clyde train station) and Meadowbrook (QLD), plus fast Australia-wide shipping on every order. Choosing your battery brand and configuring the right vaporiser for your needs can benefit from a quick chat — call us on 1300 692 766 for expert advice. We back every InstantVap with a 2-year warranty plus post-warranty repair service — because this tool is built to last.

Order your InstantVap Compact 18V Cordless Vaporizer today — the professional cordless varroa treatment tool that works anywhere your bees do, with the battery you already own.