Convenient. Discreet. Easy to use.
When it comes to enjoying cannabinoid products, vape pens offer several advantages. But, like other devices, you need to learn how to clean and maintain them so that you can get the most out of them.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Vape Pen Regularly
Wondering why you should clean your vape pen regularly? Here are a few important reasons why vape pen cleaning should be a part of your regular routine.
Savings
One of the chief reasons why you should keep your vape pen clean is savings.
You have invested a good sum of money toward the best vape pen you can buy. Naturally, you’d like to get the most value from your purchase and use your vape pen as long as you possibly can.
When you clean your vape pen regularly, you prevent problems like clogging and poor connection of vape parts.
Left unchecked, these issues can cause irreparable damage. And when that happens, your only option might be to buy another vaping device.
Slow down deterioration
Eventually, your vape pen will deteriorate until the point that you can no longer use it. That happens to practically all devices.
But with your vape pen, there are a few things that you can do to slow down deterioration, allowing you to use your vaping device for a longer time.
And one of those things is vape pen cleaning.
Health and hygiene
Like it or not, your vape pen is constantly exposed to various elements, from dirt and debris to harmful organisms. All of these can harm your health unless you make it a habit to clean your vape pen.
Remember, you put your vape pen’s mouthpiece into your mouth. That alone is enough reason to keep your vape pen clean.
Signs That You Need to Clean Your Vape Pen
How do you know when your vape pen needs to be cleaned? Here are a few signs to watch out for.
One of the clear signs that you need to clean your vape is when you notice resin build-up in your device.
Another indicator that your vape device needs a clean-up is when the vapor production is lower than usual, as if your device is clogged.
Finally, when you find it difficult to pull on your vape pen, that is a clear sign that you need to clean your pen.
Ideally, you shouldn’t wait to notice any of these signs. Cleaning vape pens is a straightforward process that doesn’t require too much of your time. You can clean your vape pen daily or weekly, depending on how often you use it.
Different Types of Vape Pens
Knowing exactly what type of device you have will help you determine what type of cleaning and maintenance you need to do.
Here’s a brief glimpse of the different types of vape devices used for cannabinoid products.
Vape pens
Among the different vaping devices currently available in the market, vape pens rank as the most popular.
The main reason behind that is their simplicity.
Usually, this type of device is used with disposable vape pen cartridges, but there are those that can be used with refillable tanks.
Vape pens usually have a 510-thread, making them compatible with a variety of tanks.
Pods
Vape pods are similar to vape pens, especially in terms of simplicity and design.
One key difference is that the vape cartridges for pods snap onto the battery instead of being threaded.
Dab pens
Dab pens are often used by patients who prefer to consume concentrates in a discrete manner.
Unlike traditional blowtorch setups, dab pens are smaller and more convenient to use. In terms of appearance, they look like a conventional vape pens.
After purchasing your vape device, make sure that you check the user manual to learn more about your device and how to clean and maintain it. Once you have read the manual, keep it in a place where you can easily find it.
Anatomy of a Vape Pen
Knowing the different vape pen parts of your device is essential, especially if you are cleaning it for the first time.
This is because, more often than not, you have to disassemble your device to give it a thorough clean.
Take note that vaping devices come in a variety of shapes, features, and parts. There are vape pens that require you to push a button while you draw, and there are some that are draw-activated and do not come with a button.
But no matter what type of device you own, vape pens share a few similar components.
Battery
The battery powers your vape device. Most vape pens use lithium-ion batteries that come in a diverse range of amperes and milliampere hours or MAH.
The MAH and amperes indicate how much power the battery can provide.
There are also removable batteries like in open-system vaporizers. These are often powered by 18650 rechargeable batteries.
Make it a habit to inspect these batteries and replace them when you notice signs of damage.
Before cleaning your vape pen, make sure to remove the batteries.
Cartridge
The cartridge or vape cart refers to the chamber where your preferred cannabinoid oil is stored.
Some vape carts are disposable, while others are refillable.
Atomizer
The atomizer is the part of the battery unit that contains the heating element that vaporizes the juice inside your cartridge.
Atomizers are made up of metal coils. Vape coils are commonly fabricated using nichrome. However, there are a few other metals that are used by manufacturers, including nickel, titanium, Kanthal, and stainless steel.
Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece is the part of the vape pen that you put to your lips so you can draw.
Mouthpieces are made from a variety of materials, including plastic and silicone.
Some devices have detachable mouthpieces, while others don’t.
Among the different vape pen parts, the mouthpiece is the one that you need to keep clean.
Button
Some vape pens are draw-activated, while others have buttons.
The primary function of the vape button is to activate the device while you draw.
There are some devices that have multiple buttons aside from the main button. These other buttons are used to change the settings of the device.
Vape Cleaning Essentials
The vape cleaning process is relatively simple and requires a few supplies. These include:
- Q-tips or cotton swabs
- Isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, or cheap vodka
- Warm water
- Paper towels
- Small bowl
How to Clean Weed Pen
Now that you are familiar with the different parts of your vape pen, you can now begin the cleaning process. Here’s how to clean a vape pen.
1. Disassemble your vape pen
Start cleaning your vape pen by taking it apart.
Typically, vape pen parts screw onto one another. However, if your vape cart snaps onto the battery, all you have to do is pull it.
Disassembling the different parts of your vape pen will make it easier for you to clean all of its parts.
If you are unsure how to assemble or disassemble your device, consult the user manual.
2. Clean the individual parts of your vape pen
Mouthpiece
One of the main parts that you need to clean regularly is the mouthpiece.
To clean the mouthpiece, you will need rubbing alcohol, paper towels, a bowl of warm water, and a few cotton swabs.
Start by dabbing a paper towel or cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. Afterward, scrub all sides of the mouthpiece, including the inside part.
Make sure that you clean everything, including the leftover residue.
If the mouthpiece is removable, you can soak it in a bowl of water or alcohol before giving it a thorough scrub.
Once you are done, put the mouthpiece on a clean piece of towel or cloth to let it dry.
Vape cart
To clean vape carts, start by dabbing a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol.
Next, scrub the exterior, paying close attention to the leftover residue. Afterward, use a paper towel to pat the vape cart dry.
If you notice that the vapor production of your device is low, it is likely that it has become clogged.
This can arise due to a variety of reasons. It is possible that the oil solidified and clogged the vapor pathway of your vape pen cartridge.
To unclog the vape cart, you need to apply heat to it by using a hair dryer. Make sure that the hair dryer is at least a foot away from the cartridge.
Blowdry the cart for around a minute and use a clean safety pin or needle to unclog the cartridge. You may need to repeat these steps a few times. However, if the cart is still clogged, you may need to buy a new one.
Avoid submerging your vape cart in any form of liquid, as this can contaminate the liquid inside it.
Tank
If your vape pen uses a tank, here’s how to clean it.
Start by removing any remaining liquid. As much as possible, avoid dumping vape oil into the sink. Instead, pour it into an appropriate container before disposing of it.
If you vape concentrates, start by dabbing rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and then wipe the vape tank to remove any remaining residue.
Next, soak the vape tank in a bowl of rubbing alcohol or warm water. After that, wipe it with a paper towel and allow it to air dry.
Battery
Clean the vape battery with due caution. Unlike other parts of your vape pen, you don’t need to clean it thoroughly.
To clean the battery, all you have to do is to wipe it with a paper towel dabbed in rubbing alcohol. For the connector, you can use a cotton swab dabbed in alcohol. Pay close attention to threaded parts and remove any remaining residue.
Do not immerse the battery in water or any other liquid, as this can damage your device.
3. Air dry your vape pen
Once you are done cleaning your vape pen, pat dry your device with a piece of cloth or tissue.
To avoid any unwanted flavors, especially if you use ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, do not use your vape pen immediately. Let it air dry for a few minutes.
A Few Vape Pen Cleaning Dos and Don’ts
To ensure that you give your device a thorough clean and prevent unnecessary damage, consider following these additional tips.
Dos
- Do read and follow your vape pen’s user manual to prevent damage and avoid voiding the warranty.
- Do use a clean paper towel, cotton swab, or piece of cloth dabbed in rubbing alcohol to clean the different vape pen parts.
- Do check the points of connection to ensure that they are clean and have no signs of leaks.
Don’ts
- Don’t let any excess liquid sit in any part of your vape pen. Wipe off all excess liquid to prevent contamination or damage.
- Don’t use materials made out of plastic or nylon to scrub any vape pen part. If any part of your device is still hot, your cleaning material can melt off.
- Don’t use brute force to remove or replace any of your vape device’s parts. Refer to the manual for the proper way to assemble and disassemble your vape pen.
Cleaning Vape Pens Should Be a Habit
Whether you use your vape pen regularly or occasionally, it is a good idea to clean it regularly.
If you use your device daily, a good starting point is to clean it at least once a week. However, if you are a heavy user, you might want to clean your vape a few times a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use to clean my vape pen?
Cleaning your vape pen does not require too many supplies. Often, you’ll only need some paper towels, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, and a bowl of warm water.
How often should I clean my dab pen?
How often you should clean your device will depend largely on your usage. If you use your dab pen daily, you should clean it at least once a week.
Can I clean my vape with rubbing alcohol?
Yes, you can use rubbing alcohol to clean a vape pen.
Some people use cheap spirits like vodka as a substitute for ethyl or isopropyl alcohol.
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