Vape Maintenance 101: How to Clean a Vape Tank (And Why You Should)

Learn How to Clean a Vape Tank like a Pro

Whether a vaping noob or an e-cig pro it's important to know how to clean a vape tank correctly. Learn why a clean tank is important and how to do it right.

Keyword(s): how to clean a vape tank

 

All vape users know the feeling: they find a great new flavor but they taste their previous flavor. This is the first indicator that you need to clean your vape tank.

Cleaning your vape tank doesn't simply mean changing your coils or giving your tank a simple wipe-down.

You need to fully clean out any leftover flavor and build-up that's left in your vape pen. This is important if you're decreasing or ending nicotine usage.

Fortunately, cleaning your vape tank is easy.

Do you want to learn how to clean a vape tank? Follow these steps and become a pro.

Rinsing Your Vape Tank

If you want to learn how to clean a vape tank the easiest way, this is a common method. You just rinse out the flavor residue from each part of your tank.

First, disassemble your tank. This includes the O-rings; this is where the most flavor builds up. Make sure you set them aside in an accessible place or you store them in a baggie -- they're easy to lose.

If your vape pen has replaceable coil heads, make sure to remove the coil head. To make this process easier, have a fresh coil head ready after your vape tank is completely clean.

Next, fill a cup or bowl with hot water. You can also use cold water and heat it up in the microwave. When the water is hot, place all vape tank parts in the hot water.

To get your parts cleaned really well, rinse them under the sink before sinking them in the hot water.

Let the parts sit for awhile, wait until the water cools down. After the water is cooled off, rinse each part under the sink and dry the parts with a paper towel. Lay the parts out to dry. Don't use your vape tank until the parts are fully dry.

If the soak doesn't work, use a cheap toothbrush. A children's toothbrush is perfect because it has a smaller brush head and can get in deep crevices. There are also specialized tools meant for brushing out flavor residue.

Use a PG/VG Soak

You can use this same trick, but with propylene glycol, or PG. PG and VG are the main ingredients in vape juice, so they can help break down the flavor. Propylene glycol won't damage your vape pen and will give your pen a deep cleaning.

If you want to know how to clean a vape tank with PG, start by filling a bowl with PG (use unflavored).

Let the parts soak in the solution. After the flavor is cleaned out, stand the parts upright on a napkin. The drip drying technique helps clean the tank more effectively.

You're probably wondering, why not use vegetable glycerin -- the other ingredient in vape juice? Vegetable glycerin, or VG, is a thicker liquid than PG. Cleaning your tank is difficult with this liquid.

Soaking in a Cleansing Solution

Do you need a better substance than water, but don't feel like buying unflavored PG? You have a few other options. Chances are, these are cleaning solutions you use around your house.

Vinegar

This is a highly effective cleaning solution. Vinegar can be used to clean your kitchen, bathroom, and appliances such as your refrigerator.

The secret comes from the acid. This acid is powerful enough to break down the flavor, resulting in a thorough clean.

But keep in mind, vinegar has a strong flavor and odor. After you clean your parts with vinegar, wash them thoroughly with water. It's recommended you give each part a couple of rinses or submerge each part in water.

Baking Soda

Baking soda gives you a clean tank without any intrusive scents or flavor. Baking soda is a mild alkali that easily dissolves dirt and grime. Baking soda is a common cleaning agent and is effective at removing flavor residue.

For best results, dampen a small toothbrush or a vape cleaning brush and sprinkle a little bit of baking soda the brush. Scrub each part. Before reassembling, rinse each piece and leave them out to dry.

Ethanol

Ethanol, or grain alcohol, is another perfect cleaning solution for your vape tank. Don't confuse this solution with isopropyl alcohol.

Ethanol is commonly used as a disinfectant and is used to sanitize labs and other medical areas. Ethanol can be found at any liquor store.

Always remember to dilute ethanol in water. Ethanol is extremely abrasive and will work quickly when used alone. When diluted in water, ethanol will take longer to break down substances.

This results in a thorough cleaning without ruining your vape tank.

Use a 70% ethanol and 30% water solution. Let each piece soak for about 10 minutes. Thoroughly rinse each piece under water-ethanol will give your vape tank a bad flavor. Rinse each part a couple of times and leave them out to dry.

Dish Soap

Some vape users prefer using normal dish soap to clean their vape tanks.

Follow the steps for the simple water rinse -- but before you add the parts, pour a few drops of dish soap and stir the solution. Leave the parts in the solution for about 10 minutes. Wash off each piece and let them air dry.

Keep in mind: don't wash the coils in dish soap. Dish soap sticks to the coils, and you can taste the soap. Either use fresh coils or wash used coils in ethanol.

Lemon Juice

Want to try an effective solution that tastes great?

Use lemon juice. Combine 20% lemon juice and 80% water. Soak each part in this solution. Lemon juice helps break down the flavors. You can safely cleanse coils in the lemon juice solution.

Now You Know How to Clean a Vape Tank

Cleaning your vape tank seems like a complex process. There are several methods and everyone has their preference. When learning how to clean a vape tank, experiment with different solutions and find one that works for you.

When you know you have to clean your vape tank, it's easy to procrastinate. But nothing compares to inhaling brand new e-liquid from your freshly clean vape tank.

Do you need a new vape tank? Take a look at what we offer.