A brand new vape device fresh out of the box is like a shiny new toy: you never want to put it down—and who could blame you? Not only does it look spectacular, each pull is clean and strong.
The problem is, just like the poem goes, “nothing gold can stay.” That means that before too long, even a top-of-the-line vape will start to get dirty; the humid tank will get gunky, and you’ll notice unpleasantness slowly creeping into the flavor of each pull.
Fortunately, you can bypass this experience entirely by simply cleaning your vape on a regular basis.
Why Bother Keeping Your Vape Clean?
The most obvious reason to clean your vape regularly is to enhance its longevity. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a vape pen, vape box, or vaporizer, consistent cleaning is the single most effective measure you can take to extend the life of your device and its components.
If you’re a veteran vaper, you’ve no doubt seen devices where a thick build-up of e-liquid has created a dark, gummy layer in every nook and cranny. That’s not just unsightly, it’s also unsanitary, so cleaning your vape is hygienic as well as economical.
Ultimately, keeping your vape clean will allow you to more thoroughly enjoy the flavor, too. That same gunky buildup that attracts grime causes your device to pull hard and holds on to past flavors even once you’ve completely refilled the tank.
It’s clear that keeping your vape clean is a worthwhile endeavor, and there are two components that will require your cleansing attention: the tank and the coils.
How to Clean Your Vape Tank
Your vape tank is a critical facet of your device; it’s time to stop wasting new vape juice flavors on a dirty tank, but first you’ll need a few basic cleaning items depending on just how thorough you want to get.
If your tank is relatively new with no build-up to speak of (or if you just completed this type of cleaning a few days ago), then a basic rinse should suffice. For this method, you only need warm water, a paper towel, and a few optional drops of dish soap.
To complete a proper vape tank rinse, follow these steps:
- Remove the tank from your device, and dispose of any remaining e-liquid.
- Disassemble your tank entirely.
- Place the components of your vape tank in a bowl with warm water; you can add a few drops of soap to the bowl for an added level of cleanliness if you’d like.
- Wash your vape tank pieces by hand under the water until clean, then remove and dry each component gently with a paper towel.
- Allow your vape tank components to air dry for around 15 minutes, then reassemble the tank and attach it to your device.
This sort of basic rinse will do the trick for a relatively clean tank, but if you’re contending with a fair amount of gunk, a deep cleaning method may be necessary.
In this case, you have a few main options as far as cleaning agents go. Alcohol (like a high proof vodka or rubbing alcohol), jewelry cleaner, and vinegar are all effective for dissolving deposits of e-liquid.
To perform a deep clean properly, you will start by removing your vape tank, pouring out extra vape juice, and disassembling the components. From there, you can either:
- Soak the components in a vodka, peroxide, or jewelry cleaner solution until deposits begin to dissolve.
- Dampen a paper towel or cloth with one of the solutions and scrub at any problem areas where e-liquid deposits have amassed.
Regardless of which method you select to perform your vape tank deep cleaning, make sure that you thoroughly rinse the components with water to eliminate any traces of alcohol, then dry them with a paper towel and let them sit for several more minutes before reassembling.
Keeping your vape tank clean will leave with you a better flavor, a more hygienic experience, and a longer-lasting device, but the tank isn’t the only component that should be cleaned regularly.
How to Clean Vape Coils
No matter how smart you are about cleaning your device regularly, your vape coils will still need to be changed at some point. In fact, you should be especially diligent about avoiding the coils when you’re performing your cleanings, because getting your coils wet will cause them to burn out.
Unfortunately, that means when you are noticing a burnt flavor (even though you just cleaned your tank), plus you’re dealing with some leakage issues and a decrease in vapor output, it’s probably time to replace your vape coils.
We may not be able to offer vape coil cleaning advice, but we can certainly walk you through replacing them:
- Much like when you’re cleaning your vape tank, start by removing the tank and discarding leftover e-liquid.
- Next, twist the vape coil to the left to remove it from your tank.
- After that, screw in your replacement coil to the tank and reattach the tank to your device.
Strictly speaking, you may not be able to “clean” vape coils, but replacing them when the time comes is as close as you can get; it’s necessary maintenance that will allow you to fully enjoy the vaping experience.
How Often Should You Be Cleaning Your Vape?
There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to establishing a routine for vape cleaning, mostly because it depends on just how much you’re using your device.
A brand new vape will function perfectly for several months before an initial cleaning becomes necessary, simply because particles haven’t had a chance to accumulate along any of the device’s pathways yet.
After it becomes apparent that a first cleaning is necessary, a regular upkeep schedule should be instituted.
A good rule of thumb is to clean your vape weekly; if you don’t use it as often, you might be able to get away with a cleaning once or twice a month, but if you vape habitually, a few rinses a week may be in order.
About Vapor Authority
Developing a responsible maintenance plan is the best way to ensure you get the most out of your vaping experience.
At Vapor Authority, we carry replacement parts and accessories as well as e-liquid from a number of brands; try them all out and maximize their value with your new vape cleaning habits.
