If you are reading this article, the chances are that you need to clean your vape pen but are unsure how to do it without damaging it. If so, do not worry; we have you covered!
During the last decade, various vaping products have become popular due to their numerous advantages over regular cigarettes. They are also discreet, convenient, less expensive, and easy to use, but they are an excellent alternative to smoking.
As you probably know, cigarette smoke is highly toxic, containing numerous chemicals, including cyanide, carbon monoxide, and ammonia. Similarly, marijuana smoke is also harmful, although not in the same measure as tobacco smoke.
So, if you want to continue using vape pens, you will eventually have to clean them. Let’s check why and how to clean a vape pen, including the battery, coil, and other components.
Do I Need to Clean Vape Pens?
Yes, you must clean your vape pen and all its components. Why? Although some people tend to think that when you buy a vaping device, the only maintenance that you need to do is refill the cartridge.
However, to have your pen working to its fullest potential, we suggest you clean it occasionally. Remember that some vape pen components, like vape cartridges or tanks, are disposable.
On the other hand, batteries are meant to last longer and should be cleaned to ensure optimal performance. If you previously had a vape pen, you are probably familiar with the issue of leakage from the cartridge.
The content from the cartridge, whether e-liquid or cannabis oil, can stick to threading on the battery or cartridge, which can eventually cause several malfunctions.
In addition, dust, dirt, and other small debris can attach to the battery’s threading, hindering the process of screwing in a cartridge or detaching and attaching the battery and tank.
Ultimately, these pens are constantly in our hands and carried, meaning they can quickly become ridden with germs and bacteria.
So, to summarise, here are the reasons why you should clean your pen:
- Improves performance and prolongs the battery’s life
- Ensures longevity and effectiveness of your device
- Increases safety and promotes basic hygiene
- Prevents potential clogging or buildup of liquid or THC extracts
Components of A Vape Pen
Numerous vaping devices are available today on the market but generally have a similar structure.
If you have encountered a vape pen that seems different from regular ones using a 510-thread cartridge and 510 lithium batteries, search the specific model online and find instructions on how to clean and use it so you avoid potentially damaging it.
Now that we have cleared that out, the structure of a vape pen includes the following:
1. Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece refers to the top part of the vaping device used for inhaling the vapor or smoke. Different sizes of mouthpieces are available; you can buy a cart with a very narrow or wide mouthpiece to limit the amount of smoke or vapor for inhaling.
2. Atomizer
The atomizer is part of a vaping device that consists of a coil and wick. Those two elements are very crucial for the functionality of the pen because the wick draws the content from the cartridge and onto the coil, transforming the content into vapor or smoke.
3. Battery
Almost all vaping devices are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are highly durable and low-maintenance. The battery is one of the most crucial elements of vaping devices, supplying it power.
The most common are 510-thread batteries which are compatible with 510 cartridges. The term 510 refers to the type of threading: ten threads at 5mm.
Important note: the term vape battery can refer to the device’s battery (lithium-ion) and smaller vaping devices that are disposable.
4. Cartridge
The cartridge or tank is part of your vape pen that contains the e-liquid or marijuana wax, depending on what you are consuming and what type of vape experience you want. Tanks come with a max fill line to avoid overfilling and leaking.
Furthermore, they are very easy to spot and fill using an eye dropper or a syringe. Important note: cartridges are disposable, and people usually have numerous cartridges because they want to experience different flavors.
Simple Guide: How to Clean a Vape Pen
First, let’s check out what tools you need to clean the device:
- Q-tip
- Isopropyl Alcohol/ Vinegar
- Paper Towel
- Brush /Toothbrush
Step 1: Turn It Off and Disassemble
Before you start to clean your device, it is vital that you turn it off and then disassemble the components mentioned above. While dismantling, ensure you unscrew and expose all those parts and areas ideal for accumulating fluids or debris and dirt.
Step 2: Soak the Q-Tips
Take one or several q-tips and soak them with isopropyl alcohol or vinegar, depending on your availability. Do not oversoak the q-tips with the rubbing alcohol because it can leak onto parts of your device, potentially causing a malfunction or short circuit.
Step 3: Wipe, wipe, and wipe
Gently wipe out or go over the inner parts of the vape pen (mouthpiece and battery), where you can see a build of any residue or clogging.
The most important part for cleaning is the area where the connector attaches to the tank because the device’s battery has to have an excellent connection to the heating chamber.
You can clean the mouthpiece with a small brush or toothbrush if you notice stubborn buildup inside or outside. You can also run it under warm water, or if it is made of glass, you can soak it in isopropyl alcohol or warm water.
Step 4: Reassemble the Pen
Before you start reassembling it, it is vital that you take a paper towel and gently go over all of the components that you have previously treated with isopropyl alcohol. Then, after making sure that every element is dry, start reassembling the device.
It would be good to test it by turning and heating the device.
How and When to Clean Vape Pen’s Coils?
Coils are a part of the atomizer, which is crucial for heating the content of the cartridge. So, naturally, as an essential part of the vaping device, you might wonder how to clean them.
Cleaning the pen’s coils is challenging because you cannot get them wet. Therefore, it is easier to replace them rather than to try to clean them. Also, do not forget to wipe down the chamber thoroughly.
If you are wondering when to replace the coils, several indicators exist. When the coils are dirty, the flavor of the pen starts resembling something burnt rather than the actual content of the tank. After prolonged use, they tend to turn darker in color.
If you notice your coils leaking, that is a clue that mold or biofilm has accumulated on them, which will eventually weaken the copper’s integrity.
Also, you can tell that there is something wrong with the coils if you notice your device producing less vapor compared to its usual output.
So, coils should be replaced every three to four weeks to ensure maximum performance and device longevity.
How to Get Rid of Leftover Wax?
If you use a refillable pod cartridge and want to get rid of the wax residue in the tank, you can burn it off. First, you disassemble the device, unscrew the mouthpiece from the atomizer (coil and wick) and turn the pen upside down on a paper towel.
Then, you power on the pen and increase the voltage setting to the highest, melting off the excess wax, which you can pick up with a paper towel. If your vape pen does not last as long as before, the issue might be connected to the voltage setting.
Vape users often accidentally increase the voltage setting, which in turn burns the marijuana wax or e-liquid quicker than usual. However, several other potential causes exist, such as overcharging and low-resistance atomizer coils.
Additional Information: Cleaning Your Vape Tank
As noted earlier, remember that numerous types of devices have appeared on the market, which may have different structures and components. Therefore, always look for the manual.
In most cases, the tank of your pen can be separated into parts, which you can run under warm water. The most crucial role is drying the tank and its components before assembling the device because moisture can be the death of your vape pen.
Also, make sure that you run the pod underwater without the coils. Although some suggest using a washing soap while doing this, these soaps can have a powerful fragrance, which will clash with the smell of your e-liquid or marijuana wax.
Conclusion
As you can see, cleaning your vape pen is a straightforward task, and after you perform it a couple of times, it will be like muscle memory. Even though maintaining and cleaning your vape pen sounds boring, it is vital for several reasons.
It improves your device’s performance, ensuring a better vaping experience, longevity, and effectiveness of the pen. Therefore, cleaning your pen will make it last longer, saving you money and time.
Have you tried cleaning your vape battery before? If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask! Please, share your experience with us!
