Having a great ecig and e-liquid is not always enough - the best device in the world can suffer wear and tear, or from hard use. Fortunately, these 10 tips will help you keep your ecig in tip-top condition.
If you think we've missed any, don't forget to let us know in the comments!
1. Don’t Let Your Eliquid Run Too Low
For Bottom Dual Coil clearomisers (BDC's), when eliquid is at a level below the holes in the atomisers, your atomiser will not be able to draw in enough eliquid. This runs the risk of dry burn. Not only does this taste foul, you also risk burning your atomiser out.
For CE5s simply ensure the eliquid does not run too low by keeping it topped up regularly.
Bonus tip: At the same time, make sure you don't overfill your clearomiser. If the eliquid goes above the level of the centre tube you will flood your clearomiser.
2. Keep Your Battery Terminal Clean.
Dirty terminals can affect performance or prevent the terminal connecting with the clearomiser. Simply clean the terminal with a cotton bud to keep it clean. You can also clean the end of the clearomiser in the same way.
This can be very effective. In a comment on a previous post, reader Craig Mahers explained that he had thought his battery had given up the ghost, but after a good clean the battery was performing well again.
Bonus tip: If the battery is failing to make a connection, the terminal may have been pushed in. Try very gently pulling it out with a wooden toothpick (it only needs to come up a millimetre or so). Please be careful when you do this, as if you damage it, it may void the warranty.
If your battery is not making a connection, a temporary solution for when you are out and about and desperate for a vape is to press the button and slow rotate the clearomiser on it's thread until you hear a fizzing noise. When you are doing this, though, make sure you don't overtighten the clearomiser!
3. Store Your Ecig Correctly
The air holes on your clearomiser are there to give you sufficient airflow over the coil to keep the vape at a comfortable temperature. They are also important for ensuring that your wick stays saturated with eliquid. If you leave your ecig on its side or upside down, the eliquid can travel toward these holes and will eventually leak.
- Store ecig upright. This will help avoid flooding the airspace.
- Store away from water.
- Keep away from direct sunlight.
- Keep away from high temperatures.
4. Keep Your Clearomiser and Atomiser Clean
Maintaining your clearomiser and atomiser can keep performance high and extend atomiser life.
Steps:
i. Remove clearomiser from battery. ii. Take atomiser and mouth piece apart (if possible - not all clearomisers can be dismantled). iii. Wash with hot but not boiling water. iv. Leave for at least 24 hours to dry.
You can also clean your clearomiser in specialised ultrasonic drying equipment, and some of our readers have recommended using denture tablets for cleaning.
Bonus tip: Place the atomiser in dry rice to speed up the drying process.
More On Clearomisers
Clearomiser Guides and Tips
The Ultimate Guide to Clearomisers Common Vape Tank Mistakes - and how to fix them Clearomiser 101 - Diagnose and Resolve Clearomiser Issues (Infographic) How to Change The Atomiser and Wick on an Aspire BDC
Types of Clearomisers
Aspire Bottom Dual Clearomiser Aspire Mini BDC CE5 Clearomiser
See more e-cig tanks and clearomisers here!
5. Keeping Your Mouthpiece Clear
Fluff and dust can easily accumulate in your mouth piece, blocking the flow of vapour.
Simply remove the mouthpiece and blow through it to clear. You can also use a twist of tissue paper to clear away any condensed eliquid and/or rinse the mouth piece in warm water.
6. Keep Your Ecig In a Case or on a Lanyard
Electronic cigarettes are wonderful devices that have helped many people free themselves from traditional cigarettes, but they are not immune to the effects of gravity.
Ecigs can easily get damaged (or lost!). A case can help protect sensitive parts when not in use, while a lanyard keeps it safely around your neck and prevent it from being lost (or swallowed by hungry sofas!)
Bonus tip: Beware of trousers
They’re functional, sometimes fashionable, but trousers are also expert level ecig assasins! One bend too far and that ecig in your pocket can snap faster than you can blink. Somewhere, right now, an ecig user is cursing the sweet smelling brown stain their broken ecig left in their favourite pair of carrot fits.
Unless you’re wearing something baggy like Harlem pants, be careful if you put your ecig in your pocket.
7. Don't Run Your Batteries Right Down
Keeping some charge in your batteries can extend their life. Also be sure to ensure that batteries are charged before packing for transport or long journeys, and keep away from high temperatures.
More Articles On Batteries
For more tips on battery maintenance see The Ultimate Guide to ECig Batteries.
8. Don't Screw The Clearomiser In Too Tightly
Screwing a clearomiser too tightly into the clearomiser can damage the connections. Screw the clearomiser it in firmly (by hand) but not too tightly.
Very rarely, a clearomiser can be difficult to unscrew from the battery. If so, use something like a rubber grip to try and loosen it. Never take your tools to it, as this could damage both the clearomiser and the battery.
Bonus tip: To avoid mis-threading a clearomiser, when screwing in the coil and atomiser turn it anti-clockwise until you hear a click.
If you do have problems with your clearomiser, you might find our clearomiser flow chart will help you find and resolve the problem.
9. Change the Coil and Atomiser
Coils are a consumable. If you are using a clearomiser with replaceable coils (such as the Aspire Bottom Dual Clearomiser) change the coil every month or so to maintain top performance (especially if you are hearing a gurgling noise or are getting a burnt taste).
10. Store Eliquid Away From Light
Dr Houezec recommends storing eliquid in the fridge or even freezing it (obviously, also ensure the child proof cap is screwed on tightly if you have children).
Click here to read what else he says about eliquid.
For more information, see: Storing Your E-Liquid: Tips For The Zombie Apocalypse...
What are your top tips for maintaining your ecig? Let me know in the comments.
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