How Do You Clean a Vape Tank?
As the vaping world continues to evolve, so does the equipment that is involved. You can still find disposable cartridges you can throw away after use, but many vapers are opting for reusable tank options. To ensure the quality of your vaping device, you need to make sure to provide it with proper maintenance and care.
What is a Vape Tank?
Vape tanks are an essential part of your vaping device. This piece of equipment is what houses the vaping material while you use your device, as well as the coils used to heat up your material and create your vapor. The entire process works by the battery sending the appropriate amount of power to the vape tank and coil. The coil heats up, and as it reaches the appropriate temperature, it turns the material into vapor for you to inhale. There are multiple types of vape tanks. They can vary in size, type of threading used for the connector, and more. Therefore, you need to determine what wants and needs you require from your vape tank before you begin your hunt, as certain tanks are better designed to work with specific types of vaping devices or even based on what you plan to vape.
Why Do I Want My Vape Tank Clean?
An improperly kept vape tank is not a pretty sight. The material can solidify and stick to every nook and cranny within your device. Keep in mind, just because your device is new, does not mean it is clean. Even a newly purchased vape tank can require a thorough cleaning to get rid of the machine oil type of smell that can sometimes it.
Clean vape tanks are vital to providing the best possible vaping experience. Residue and buildup can not only affect how often you clean your vape tank, but also the flavor, temperature, lifespan, and overall usage of your device. For example, old e-juice or concentrate can thicken and solidify creating a gunky substance that builds up on the walls of your vape tank. This buildup makes the device work harder while creating less vapor and flavor production.
How to Clean a Vape Tank?
While e-juice and other materials generally will not stain your device, the residue created can buildup. Over time, this residue accumulation will begin to affect both the performance of your device and the overall lifespan. To combat this, you need to regularly care for your vaping device by providing it the proper cleaning required to maintain the overall health of your device.
Like any maintenance you perform, there are different degrees of care for your vaping device. Every time you clean your vape tank does not necessarily mean you have to do a deep thorough cleaning. In fact, sometimes all you really need is to do a simple rinse. The type of care you choose to use will be dependent on a variety of factors such as the last time you cleaned your device when you changed e-juice flavors, and more.
Perform rinse of E-liquid Vape Tank
Step 1. Remove the vape tank from your device (and battery). Make sure to avoid spilling any remaining material from inside of the tank, and discard this material.
Step 2. Get a bowl and fill it with warm water.
Step 3. Take apart your vape tank.
Step 4. Place all of the pieces of your vape tank into the bowl, and wash each piece until it is clean.
Step 5. Using a paper towel, dry off each piece of your vape tank and let it continue to stand and air dry for the next 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 6. Once it is completely dry, put the vape tank back together and reassemble your vape pen.
In-depth Tank Cleaning
If you are looking for a more in-depth type of cleaning for your e-liquid device, make sure to follow these steps:
Step 1. Get all the necessary supplies, including a solvent to help break down residue deposits. This could be ethanol, a high-proof alcohol like vodka, or a specialty cleaner purchased from your local head shop.
Step 2. Remove the vape tank from your device and discard any remaining material from the inside of the tank.
Step 3. Take apart your vape tank.
Step 4. Dampen a paper towel or cloth with the solvent to help break down residue from your vape tank. Scrub any tough areas with light pressure until you have completely cleaned the vape tank.
Step 5. Rinse your tank with warm water.
Step 6. Using a cotton swab, gently clean the tank cap, the battery, and the coil to ensure all e-liquid is removed from your device. Make sure you DO NOT get your battery wet while cleaning your device.
Step 7. If needed, change out your coil.
Step 8. Dry off each vape tank component with a paper towel, and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes prior to reassembly.
How to Clean a Dry Herb Vaporizer
Dry herbs can settle into any nook and cranny. To help keep your device in tip-top shop, you will want to keep your device clean. On average, a vapor will want to perform a regular weekly cleaning by:
Step 1. Collect everything you will need before you begin.
Step 2. Make sure your device is completely cooled down. Once it has cooled, disassemble your device and place each part down separately.
Step 3. Gently clean out the chamber removing any dust or debris. If needed, use a soft bristle brush to help loosen anything that has settled. Turn your heating chamber upside down to let gravity help remove the small particles.
Step 4. If you have a filter screen, make sure it is unclogged. A fine point pin or toothpick can be used to help dislodge any debris and unclog your screen without causing damage to it.
Step 5. Thoroughly clean your mouthpiece.
Step 6. Leave your pieces to air dry for 10 to 15 minutes before you put your device back together.
How to Clean a Wax Vaporizer?
Unlike e-liquid vapes, wax cannot be cleaned in quite the same way. The residue is generally melted or heated up to help make it easier to remove. To clean your wax vaping device, you can use these simple steps:
Step 1. Before you begin, make sure to gather up all of the supplies you will require.
Step 2. Disassemble your device. You will want to clean each piece individually.
Step 3. Open up the heating chamber and remove any wax buildup from inside.
Step 4. Melt any wax buildup off the coil.
Step 5. Wash the mouthpiece.
Step 6. Dry off each component and let it stand for 10 to fifteen minutes before you reassemble your device.
What Vape Parts Need to be Replaced?
Different vaping devices can be used with different materials, and each material can determine what type of parts are required. For example, the Yocan Cerum (or similar style atomizer devices) is a great option for wax concentrate. However, unlike e-liquids (where you can clean out the vape tank), it is more about the coil. Unfortunately, there is very little you can do to clean a wax device. In fact, the most you can really try to do for cleaning the inside is to burn off any excess residue buildup to make it easier for the coil to work (this will help to prevent your coil from working too hard and burning out). Other common replacement parts include (but are not limited to):
Vape Batteries
Not all devices have removable batteries. Some (such as wax pens) have a built-in battery and you replace the device, not the battery. For vape devices, you can replace the battery, makes sure to choose the correct size, threading, and mAh capabilities for your device. Make sure your hands are dry, avoid getting your battery wet.
Vape Coils
Coils have very limited lifespans. How often you change them will depend on a variety of factors like what voltage or wattage your coil is heated to, how often your tank is used, or how often you smoke. In most cases, your coil will last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. However, if you start to have a burnt taste to your hits, the coil is a good place to check out first. For many devices (like wax pens), coils are very simple to replace and are as easy as twisting the old one out, and screwing the new one back in its place.
Vape Tank Cleaning Helpful Tips to Know
Whether you have a fairly new device or a seasoned one, proper cleaning is a simple and easy way to ensure your vape sessions remain a pleasant experience. The upkeep of your vaping device can be altered by a number of factors. To help combat some of the more common issues, keep these helpful tips in mind:
All E-Juices Can Buildup
While some e-liquids create more buildup than others, every type of e-juice can and will buildup inside of your vape tank. This is especially true if the e-juice contains sweeteners.
ALWAYS Keep Vape Tank Dry
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to remember to ensure your device is ABSOLUTELY DRY. Even the smallest drop of liquid can ruin your entire device if you try to operate it while it is still wet.
Flavors Make a Difference
Heady flavors like chocolate or menthol tend to linger inside of the vape tanks and coil. If you do not clean your device, it can ruin other more subtle flavors such as fruits.
Make Sure You Use the Correct Tank
You have to choose the right vape tank as tanks can vary in not only size but also what type of material they can be used with. Many devices can only be used with a specific type of material (e-juice, oil concentrate, wax concentrate, or dry herbs).
Perform Regular Maintenance and Care
You should always take time to clean and care for your device. This is key to the longevity of your vaping device. If you do not take proper care of your device, it can negatively impact both the coil and the wick. How often you need to clean your device will be dependent on how often you use it. Those who vape regularly should clean their vape tank at least once every couple of days.
