How to Clean Vape Tanks and Coils
Introduction
It is very important to maintain your vape tank to prevent any complications. In this guide we will go through a number of efficient ways of keeping your vape tank and coils clean as possible to ensure it doesn't affect your device or flavour.
With the unfortunate virus Covid-19 having an impact on all of our lives in the last couple of years. The pandemic has delivered few discernible benefits. However, the spread of the virus emphasised the importance of cleanliness. It has always been advisable to clean your vaping equipment but now more than ever. After all, your vape will be spending a fair amount of time in your mouth and close to your face!
Cleaning your equipment is the healthy thing to do and will also ensure that it performs well for longer. E-liquids often leave residues which begin to build up. Vegetable glycerine can clog your coils as can the sweeteners in some flavours. When you switch flavours, the taste of the previous e liquid may linger in your tank. This is certainly true of tobacco, coffee and menthol flavours or vape juices featuring aniseed, cinnamon and other powerful notes.
It’s worth treating your equipment to a good clean every so often, and you should definitely clean your e cig if you have shared it or allowed someone else to hold it. Here’s how to clean each element of your device:
How to clean your vape tank
Remove the coil and then take the rest of your tank apart. Note how everything fits together. You will have to reassemble the tank after cleaning it and you don’t want to be left wondering what goes where. Keep all of the pieces together in a small bowl. If your tank is reasonably clean, simply running each piece under running warm water should suffice. Dry each piece with a paper towel and then leave it to air dry.
If a simple rinse fails to properly clean your tank, heat a bowl of water in your microwave or boil water in a kettle and then fill your bowl with this. After rinsing each element of your tank, place all of the parts in the hot water and leave them to soak. Then, rinse everything in warm water again. Leave the parts to dry thoroughly. Don’t use heated tools to dry your equipment as these may melt your o rings.
For a more thorough clean and to remove lingering flavour, soak your tank in propylene glycol (PG) for a couple of hours. After the soak, wipe each element of the tank and then allow them to dry naturally. There are other agents you can use to clean your tank. Baking soda in solution, ethanol, vinegar and vodka are all excellent options. If you try any of these, always rinse your tank in warm water afterwards and then leave it to dry.
Ultrasonic cleaners
To achieve the best possible results, invest in an ultrasonic cleaner. These are generally used to clean jewellery but work well with vape tanks. You don’t need a vaping-specific cleaner, but it is worth seeking out a model that enables you run cycles of 10 minutes or more. Simply follow the device’s instructions and rinse your tank after the cleaning process has been completed.
How to clean vape coils
There are two types of vape coils; replaceable coils and rebuildable coils. The methods for cleaning these are different. Cleaning replaceable coils will not completely restore them to their best but might give you a few extra days of service. You should soak your replaceable coils in ethanol, vodka or vinegar for two hours. Then, rinse them with tap water and again with distilled water.
Complete the process by blowing through the coils to force water into the wicking holes. Leave the coils to dry thoroughly.
Rebuildable coils can be as good as new after a good clean. Remove the wicks from the coils. Press the fire button on your device a few times to burn off any e liquid residue. Allow the coils to cool and then add new wicking. If the dry burns don’t do the trick, the coils will need a deeper clean. Remove the atomiser head from your device. Rinse it under running water and then brush it with a toothbrush. Rinse again and use a further dry burn to remove any remaining moisture. If you have a really gunky RBA, it’s time for a rebuild!
Check out our blog on signs when coils need changing.
How to clean a vape pen or AIO
If you are using a vape pen with a detachable tank, the tank can be cleaned per the instructions above. It is also important to care for your battery, but this must not be exposed to water. Wipe your battery regularly with a clean cloth. Stubborn stains can be removed with a damp cloth, taking care not to touch the operating buttons and charging port. Starter kits that feature an all in one design are harder to clean. The safest way to tackle these devices is to soak a Q tip in PG and use it to wipe the inside of the tank section. Follow this by wiping a dry Q tip around the tank.
How to clean your mouthpiece
Mouthpieces are easy to tackle. Simply wipe them with a cloth dipped in alcohol or ethanol. The alcohol with remove e liquid residue and any dirt. Once you have cleaned your drip tip, rinse it under running water and then leave it to dry naturally.
Why should you clean your device?
They say that cleanliness is next to godliness. While we wouldn’t go that far, we do think that it is worth spending time to keep your devices pristine. Your coils will last for longer and you will experience purer flavour. If someone has shared your e cig, you can prevent transmission of coronavirus. Anyway, who doesn’t want a snazzy vape that looks brand new?
