You might be an expert in all sorts of vaping techniques, but does everything related to the maintenance of your electronic cigarette seem complex and tedious? If the slightest e-liquid residue in your tank annoys you and you don't know how to get rid of it, or if you just want to know more about the tips and techniques for cleaning your kit, this guide is made for you!
The world of vaping is vast, so Arômes et Liquides is here to answer all your questions and share its secrets for a clean vape! You'll be amazed by the difference a few simple techniques can make!
What's the point in keeping your electronic cigarette clean?
You might be thinking that taking care of your electronic cigarette is a chore, but it's important to realise just how important maintenance is.
The tank, drip tip and refill system are the most affected by grime, which is caused by e-liquid residues and carrying your device around with you. Depending on the e-liquid's propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin ratio, it'll be more or less viscous. Thus, it can leave behind unwanted residues on your tank after it's been vapourised by the e-cigarette's coil.
Note also that liquids with a high VG content can more rapidly clog your equipment. If loads of vapour is a pleasant sight, your e-cigarette doesn't enjoy it as much. When doing so, your coil's wick is more likely to wear out faster.
However, you can obviously replace these consumable parts, but a regular clean of your vape kit can greatly increase their lifespan, and you'll save money!
Keep in mind that a well-maintained e-cigarette will continue to accurately render your e-liquids' flavours and produce a nice amount of vapour.
When should I clean my electronic cigarette?
You're probably wondering when to clean your device. Is it every day or from time to time? Well, it depends! Every e-cig part requires various maintenance, which isn't necessarily carried out at the same time.
For the mouthpiece (drip tip), it's best if you wipe it with a piece of cloth or a cotton bud as frequently as possible. Obviously, this part is always in contact with your lips and can carry bacteria. Moreover, a drip tip can easily clog up if not cleaned enough.
As for the tank and the clearomiser in general, you should clean them every time you change your e-liquid. You'll find more information about this later on in this article.
What do I need to maintain my electronic cigarette?
You're a bit lost as to what you need and what needs to be done to clean your vape kit?
Don't worry! Cleaning an e-cig doesn't require much effort. Indeed, there's no need for any kind of special cleaning products!
No matter how much you love your e-liquid's flavour, you probably don't want it lingering in your tank when you change e-liquid! You can say goodbye to those stubborn smells!
As for the cleaning equipment, all you need are a few rags and some cotton buds. It isn't too complicated, is it?
Here's a list of products that are the most commonly used to clean electronic cigarettes, and there are many more!
- Warm water: It's basically free and it's your best ally for thoroughly cleaning your clearomisers and atomisers. Truthfully, you could clean your whole vaping equipment using only this!
- Baking soda: Also called sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, baking soda is great for naturally cleaning your kit! You can also fill up a container with water and pour some baking soda in it. That way, you can let your atomiser soak!
- Rubbing alcohol: This common household product is just as useful for disinfecting, degreasing and polishing your vaping device. You can say goodbye to the stubborn e-liquid residues inside your tank!
- White vinegar: It's a powerful and entirely natural cleaner that does the same thing as rubbing alcohol. However, it does leave a strong smell behind, so you should thoroughly rinse your kit with clean water afterwards.
Cleaning your clearomiser or atomiser
To be honest, there are as many ways to clean your vape as there are types of atomisers. A rebuildable atomiser requires a bit more effort to clean than a clearomiser. Don't worry though, it isn't difficult!
An atomiser just needs to be cleaned more regularly. We recommend blowing into it every two days to get rid of any leftover e-liquid. You can then clean the threading with a damp cloth. This simple process ensures that your e-liquid's flavours are rendered in the best possible way, unaltered. It also increases the lifespan of your equipment.
We recommend you fully clean your RTA once a month. To do so, dip it in a container filled with warm water and a teaspoon of baking soda. Then, let the mixture act for a few minutes before removing the RTA and letting it dry for 24 hours.
If on the other hand you own a clearomiser, you're probably wondering how to clean it. Well, it couldn't be easier! If it can be dismantled, the easier it is to clean it through and through! Simply rinse the parts with warm water. Make sure to wipe them properly so there isn't any water left on them.
It's also important to take good care of your electronic cigarette's threadings. If they're too dirty, the conductivity of your device might be compromised! Don't hesitate to give them a wipe with a tissue from time to time. You can also use a cotton bud with some rubbing alcohol if you want a more thorough clean.
Moreover, don't forget to clean the rubber or silicone seals! Be careful not to lose them, as on some models they aren't fixed.
Finally, you can use a cloth or a cotton bud to wipe your airflows as well. Indeed, they attract a lot of dust and grime.
Bonus tips! To clean the very small parts of your electronic cigarette, you can use a toothbrush or a bottle brush for a better result!
How to make your battery last longer
Like each electronic cigarette component, the battery can be exposed to dust and grime, especially around the threading and charger. This can affect the electrical conductivity between the battery and the atomiser.
If you want to make sure your kit is working as best as possible, a regular clean of your battery's charger port and threadings is always a good idea! For this, we recommend you use a cotton bud. You can soak it in rubbing alcohol if you want a spotless result. Of course, we don't need to remind you that a battery, like any electronic item, is sensitive to liquids.
If you ever notice a faulty contact or an oxidation between your two screw threads, you can clean them with a cloth and some acetone, but only when all else fails.
If you have a built-in battery, it's easier! The only maintenance you have to carry out is to wipe your box with a damp cloth when it's too dirty.
Also note that your battery will have a better lifespan if you don't leave it discharged for too long, and if you wait until it's completely empty before charging it again.
Moreover, batteries don't like temperature differences! Sizzling heat and freezing cold don't go well with them.
You must also protect your batteries with an appropriate wrapping, or by carrying them in a case when you're out and about.
Thanks to our helpful tips, you won't waste any watts!
Caution, before you handle or dismantle your battery, you should know how it works and which practices to adopt.
Changing your coils at the right time
If you regularly maintain your electronic cigarette, you won't have to replace your coils as frequently. You'll still have to do it though, as coils cannot be cleaned. Most importantly, you must never rinse them with water!
Several factors can tell you it's time to change your coil. For example, your hit (caused by the vapour going down your throat) can be weaker than usual. You may also struggle to inhale, or feel a burnt taste. All this means that your coil needs replacing!
It's recommended to change it every two weeks on average. Of course, this depends on your vaping habits, how much you inhale, and your electronic cigarette use in general.
All you have to do then is put a new ready-made coil into your clearomiser, or build a new one entirely if you own a rebuildable atomiser!
Don't forget to 'prime' your new coil by pouring a few drops of e-liquid on it, and then letting it soak for 5 to 10 minutes inside the full tank before heating it. If you don't follow these recommendations, you take the risk of burning the new coil and damaging it.
What if I can't dismantle my electronic cigarette?
If you own an all-in-one podmod, where only the cartridge can be removed from the e-cig, your cleaning process will be slightly different. First, remove the cartridge from the battery. You can then rinse your drip tip with water. However, you must be careful not to wet the rest of the cartridge.
For the rest of the electronic cigarette, you can use a damp handkerchief to wipe it down. Indeed, you mustn't get any water into the mod's electric circuit.
If your pod cannot be dismantled at all, it's better to just wipe the whole device with a damp cloth, rather than risk getting the battery wet.
How to less frequently clean your vaping equipment
Let's be honest, the less cleaning we have to do, the better it is, and the same goes for electronic cigarettes. We have a few tips and tricks to share with you, so you won't have to maintain your kit as often!
Firstly, avoid using your clearomisers when they're empty or when the e-liquid level is low, as you risk burning your coil. You don't want this burnt taste in your mouth, trust us. Moreover, if this happens, you'll have no choice but to replace the coil. Yet, this situation can so easily be avoided!
Remember also to empty your tanks if you're not using them for a while, because your atomiser can clog up. The longer you wait, the more complicated it'll be to clean. If you aren't using your e-cig, empty your tank and clean your device. This is just a good habit to have in general when you vape.
Finally, take care of your equipment! It can seem obvious, but by doing so you'll avoid all sorts of unpleasant surprises. Hits, impacts, excessive heat, cold temperatures, these can all damage your clearomiser / atomiser and your battery alike.
Long-term results!
You'll be amazed by how much your vaping experience improves if you follow our advice. Indeed, properly maintaining your electronic cigarette will definitely extend its lifespan.
Most of the problems vapers encounter are due to poor maintenance, so you know what you have to do!
You might be a former smoker reminiscing about how simple a classic cigarette used to be. Maybe it was, but you should never forget the health benefits your smoking withdrawal has brought. If you're still unsure about vaping's potential health hazards, we've written an article about it. That way, you can see for yourself how beneficial it is for you when compared to smoking!
Learn more about the electronic cigarette's practices
- Learn how to fill your electronic cigarette with ease!
- What it means when your electronic cigarette blinks
- Find out why your electronic cigarette can make you cough
- You're wondering how often you should vape? All the answers right here!