Clogging is a common problem for people who use vape pens. If your vape pen is clogged, no matter how hard you pull, vapor will not come. To continue your vaping sessions, you have to identify the causes of clogging and fix them.
Reasons behind Vape Pens Clogging
To fix the clogging of your vape pens, first, you must figure out the reasons. Here are some possible reasons that can cause clogging in your vape pen.
1. No airflow
A vape pen has multiple air holes near the threading on the sides and bottom. Oil residue from your vape can block the air holes over time. It can interfere with the vapor production in your pen.
2. Moisture and oil buildup
If you are using your vape pen for a long time, moisture and oil can build up at the top of the vape pen near the mouthpiece. It can limit airflow and eventually clog your pen and block the vapor.
3. Cold oil effect
If you are at a cold location and the oil of your vape pen has a high viscosity, it can restrict the movement of the oil. The oil can not enter the inlet hole and reach the heating element, which can cause clogging.
4. Warm oil effect
The oil in your vape pen becomes less viscous when in your pocket during a heat wave or in a hot area. If the viscosity is too low, the oil can move faster and create a risk of spilling. The hot oil can block the airflow passage and cause unfavorable vaporization.
5. Frequent use
Frequent hits on your vape pen can heat the oil and clog the mouthpiece. Sometimes it can burn the coil of your pen as well.
6. Old oil
You can make your vape pen last for weeks, but the old oil can get thicker and block the air holes. Even if you find a way to fix this old oil can be unpleasant to use.
7. Flooded chamber
If you pull your vape pen too hard, it can flood the entire compartment. The wick will absorb more concentration instead of vaporizing it. The excess oil can spill into the chamber and block the airflow holes.
If you keep your pen at room temperature for a long time, the oil can bleed into the chamber slowly and flood the compartment. It can block the vaporization and clog the pen.
8. Wrong airflow setting
If you have not set the wattage, voltage, or temperature to the appropriate settings, it can result in clogged air holes. The wattage is often modest, so the concentrate is not evaporated at the same pace as the wick is delivering it.
How to Unclog a Vape Pen?
It is not so hard to fix a clogged vape pen once you figure out its condition. Here are a few steps that you can follow to unclog your vape pen.
1. Take dry hits
The first thing you can try to unclog the air holes in your pen is to take dry hits. You can turn off the device and pull it hard.
This procedure can suck out anything that is blocking the air hole only if the clogging is near the top of your device.
Next, you can try to blow into the vape pen. Sometimes the air pressure can clear the concentrated oil, which can cause the blockage. However, you must blow gently. Too much air pressure can leak the vape pen and even cause injury.
Even if you can successfully unclog the Vape pen, it is just a short-term solution. Whatever is causing the blockage in your vape pen can block the air holes again eventually until you entirely remove it.
2. The poking method
If the oil residue is causing the blockage, you can try to unclog the holes with anything pointy, including a toothpick, needle, or paperclip. You only have to poke into the holes with a narrow object and remove the buildup.
Keep poking into those tiny holes until the oil residue is entirely cleared out and the pen is unclogged. However, this method does not work for disposable vape pens; it can only unclog conventional vape pens with cartridges.
3. Application of heat
If you are in cold weather and the oil is thicker and causing the blockage, you can apply heat to reduce the thickness. Put the vape pen between your palms and rub them over to warm up the oil.
You can use a hairdryer at the lowest heat setting or a non-flame heater to warm the oil and change its viscosity.
Give your pen a warm bath if none of these other options are successful. This method involves placing the cartridge in a tightly fastened bag, followed by a brief soaking in warm water.
Some of these vape pens have a preheat function that aids in warming the oil, and preparing it for vaping.
4. Keep it in an upright position
If the vape oil gets to the mouthpiece, it might block something. It often happens when you keep your vape pen upside down. You can position your vape pen upright and leave it for a while.
Sometimes, it can resolve the issue and unclog your vape pen. However, it does not work most of the time, and you may end up buying a new vape pen in the end.
5. Take your vape pen apart
Clogging can occasionally affect the battery and mouthpiece in addition to the air holes on the threads. The best way to resolve this problem is to take your vape pen apart and clean every part carefully.
Unscrew the vape cartridge from your pen first. Next, use an isopropyl alcohol-soaked cotton swab and delicately clean the region where your cartridge typically rests.
However, you must be able to put everything back carefully so that the air apertures are not obstructed.
How to prevent Vape Pens from Clogging?
Although there are multiple easy ways to unclog your vape pen, it is always better to prevent it from happening.
Here are a few things that you must remember if you want to stop your vape pen from clogging –
1. Use a low viscosity oil
It is always advisable to use oil with low viscosity in your vape pen if you want to prevent the clogging. The thickness of the oil depends on its TCH level. Oil with less than 80% TCH level does not clog easily.
2. Avoid keeping your pen in cold temperature
If you keep your vape in a cold environment, it can thicken the oil and cause blockage. To avoid certain situations, you must store your vape in a comparatively warm place.
If you can not avoid the cold weather, you can keep it inside your pocket in a small container or in your bag to keep it warm.
However, you must not keep your vape somewhere where the temperature is too high. It can speed up the movement of the oil and create a risk of spilling.
Also, make sure to keep your vape pen upright just to be extra careful. Placing it on its side may result in air bubbles and oil leaks.
3. Always keep your vape clean
Another easy way to prevent your vape pen from clogging is to keep it clean. Do not keep it in direct contact with something that can get into the mouthpiece, like dirt, sand, or any other debris.
4. Take small hits
It is advisable to take gentle hits lasting two seconds each. Long and hard hits can increase the vapor in the airway. Your vape pen’s walls will keep the vapor contained. Gentle hits can slow the condensation and prevent your pen from clogging.
Always clean the mouthpiece with a small tissue after using your vape pen. If you use your pen carefully, it can actually last longer.
5. Avoid overfilling your vape
When you overfill your vape pen, some juice may leak into the battery compartment and damage the vape pen beyond any possible repair. If the oil reaches the coil of your pen due to this overflow, it can destroy the coil permanently.
6. Buy a vape with the preheat feature
Some vape pens have a preheat feature to warm up the oil before using it. Try to buy your vape pen with this program, warm up your concentrated oil and make it usable with just two clicks.
7. Buy from a trusted brand
On the market, you can find vape pens from various brands. I int is always a good idea to buy from a trusted brand. Most of these brands offer reliable and secure products of high quality. Avoid purchasing generic vape cartridges because it is possible that they were not built to high standards.
Conclusion
The clogging of a vape pen is a very common problem for people who use vape pens regularly. However, there is nothing to worry about. We have covered all the possible ways to fix your problem.
If you have done everything on this list and your vape is still not working, it may be of poor quality. Try to steer clear of that brand the next time and choose a more reliable option instead.
