In many ways, the battery is the most important part of your vape. It converts electricity into the heat which vaporizes your e-juice. Some vapes have a removable battery while others are built into the body of the device. And while some of these batteries are rechargeable, others are single-use disposables. So let’s learn how to clean a vape battery to extend its usability.
How to Clean Vape Battery
Step 1: Figure Out What Type of Battery You Have
All vapes use lithium-ion batteries though their wattage and voltage depend on the type of vape you have. Disposable vapes typically have 11W or less, but you can’t reach the battery since it’s permanently sealed inside the case. Some vape mods can get to 80W. Other types include cylindrical 510 threads for carts, box mods, rechargeable, and replaceable batteries.
While all these batteries work the same way, the system that links them to your atomizer and/or positions them in your vape varies. And the type of battery can affect where it sits in your vape e.g. below the e-juice tank or parallel to it. Some batteries are a single unit while others have multiple cells forming a circuit inside their case, so clarify all these details early.
Step 2: To Clean a Disposable Battery, Wipe the Outer Case
Disposable vapes have a wide flavor variety. Some are inspired by anti-oxidants like Super Berry. But while you can explore lots of scent sensations, you can’t access the battery itself. Use a damp cloth or paper towel to clean any grime off the outside of the vape. It’s unlikely to be anything dramatic. Probably just some food residue from touching your vape as you eat.
It may also have dusty smudges from handling e-juice or skin products that mixed with dirt from the surroundings. Blow through the mouthpiece and charging port to dislodge lint and dirt. It should be a quick, short breaths. Blowing too long might make your warm exhalation condense inside the disposable vape. A toothpick can help but don’t break it inside the vape.
Step 3: For a Rechargeable Battery, Start by Troubleshooting
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The first sign that your battery has a problem is its charging time. So before you figure out how to clean a vape battery, make sure it’s working at full capacity. Keep an eye on how long it takes for a full charge and how long the battery lasts after charging. If your battery runs out of juice quickly, pun intended, it may be time for a deep clean. Check your charger cable too.
You can also assess the wall plug or the adaptor since they might not be delivering sufficient voltage into your device. Extreme weather can affect a vape battery as well, so if you’re in a place that’s unusually hot or cold, or the season has changed, it can reduce the lifespan of your battery. But if you’ve had the battery for a long time, it might be depleted and need replacing.
Step 4: Clean the Outside of Your Rechargeable Battery
If you’ve tested different outlets, cables, and wall plugs, you can take the battery to a vape store so they can check that it’s still firing. But before you get that far, dip a bit of lint-free cloth, paper towel, or cotton swab in vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or cheap vodka. It should have minimal moisture. Wipe off any visible dirt, dust, or grime on the outside of your battery.
If the stains are stubborn, rub a little more firmly but don’t add moisture since this could get inside the battery’s mechanisms. Be especially careful where the battery attaches to the tank or atomizer since tiny liquid droplets could slip between the gaps. Also, check what material your outer battery is made of since some types of rubber or plastic might dissolve in alcohol.
Step 5: For a Removable Battery, Detach it from Your Vape
Ideally, you don’t want your vape battery disconnecting during use so it’s pretty securely attached. Read the manual or look up your model online for instructions on safely removing your battery. Some twist out like a screw, others have a concealed clip that you have to slide or a button you have to press. Make sure you don’t lose any of the pieces during detachment.
Advanced vape mods can sometimes have an intricate network of screws and pins plus lots of tiny components, so use a large, smooth surface to clean these. You want to make sure all the parts are clearly visible. Cross-check with a video demo or instruction booklet. This ensures everything you dismantled is present. Some of those smaller essential pieces are easy to lose!
Step 6: Use Minimal Moisture to Clean the Connectors
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Batteries generate electricity, so they don’t do well with moisture. You need to keep them as dry as possible, even while you’re cleaning them. The best tactic is to dip a paper towel or clean cloth in cheap vodka, vinegar, or isopropyl alcohol then squeeze it out so it’s barely damp. Wipe the parts of the battery that connect with the coil then let them dry completely.
When you’re moistening your cleansing medium, balance is crucial. Some of the other vape parts e.g. mouthpieces and refillable carts can be soaked in your cleaning fluid. But for the battery, you want your cloth or cotton swab to be damp enough to dissolve the dirt without wetting or rusting the working parts of your battery. You also don’t want electrical issues.
Step 7: For a Threaded Battery, Wipe the Threads on Both Sides
The most common thread for batteries, carts, and atomizers is 510 though you can also find 810 threads on sub-ohm vapes and box mods. And the threads often get clogged with e-juice, sebum from your skin, dust, or everyday products like lotion, etc. A damp cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol or vinegar will clean most of this off. Wipe both the battery and the cart.
This is something you can easily forget, especially on disposable carts. But dirt from your e-juice tank can easily contaminate the battery and do damage down there. And refillable carts are an even bigger liability because e-liquid can leak into the battery and ruin it. So as you learn how to clean a vape battery, pay equal attention to the atomizer and tank as the battery.
Step 8: Get Any Gunk Out of the Charging Port
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You don’t think much about your charging port, but it can accumulate lint, sand, and other particles in your pocket. These can block the charging cable or get pushed deeper into the battery. Just like a disposable, blow through it to remove anything that’s stuck there. Shine a flashlight through it to check for foreign objects and carefully remove them with a toothpick.
Once again, balance and focus are at play. Toothpicks have narrower tips than paper clips, but they’re also more likely to break off inside the vape. Try a dental floss toothpick instead of a wooden one, since it won’t snap and has a firmer finger grip. Also, be careful not to push the toothpick too far inside the charging port or you might damage the internal components.
Step 9: Lubricate the Connectors on Removable Batteries
We often think of lubrication as a tool to reduce friction. But it can also prevent dust and dirt from sticking to the battery and making it less conductive. So once everything is clean, dab a little VG (vegetable glycerine) onto the connectors and threads. It should just be enough to lightly gloss the surface, so wipe off any excess to avoid making a mess. Oil the threads too.
You might be tempted to use your e-liquid as a lubricant, but that would be a bad idea. After all, e-juice has other ingredients like sucralose and chemicals that might react with the power ions in your battery or simply get sticky. Pure VG works fine, and since it’s a natural soap by-product, it has intrinsic cleansing properties as well. Plus, it’s really good at repelling water.
Step 10: Reassemble Your Removable Battery
This is probably the most important part of the battery-cleaning process. Make sure all the parts are completely dry, first by leaving them in a well-ventilated space then by wiping them with a dry, lint-free cloth or paper towel. Some people advise using a cloth dipped in water to wipe off any traces of alcohol, but that’s not a must and it risks water getting into the battery.
Instead, after removing all moisture, carefully put the battery back into place and reattach all the other parts. Be sure to leave nothing out since the smallest screw or the slimmest screen can not only prevent your vape from working, it can also cause permanent damage once you turn it back on. A visual guide helps ensure you’ve put everything back in the right sequence.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Vape Battery
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A dirty battery can negatively affect your vaping experience because it may produce less electricity. This reduces temperatures and can cause spitback and/or change the flavor of your e-juice. The battery also depletes faster, leading to the added expense of replacement. Use rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or cheap vodka to keep your vape battery in optimal condition.
