*2023 Update - Now you can try the SMOKO E-Cigarette for FREE when you purchase a box of SMOKO E-Cigarette refills! (1 per customer)
Along with your keys, wallet and phone, your e-cig is one of the most important items that you carry around with you 24/7.
And, like anything, if you don't look after your e-cigarette properly you might find yourself with a non-working e-cigarette just when you need it. To prevent it from suffering from wear and tear through frequent use there are a few things you can do to keep your vape in tip-top condition.
E-Cigarettes though come in all shapes and sizes, from small and discreet Cig-a-likes to the large box mods that have multiple separate parts. The larger ones will require more upkeep, but there are few tips that apply to all E-Cigarettes.
Look after your E-Cig battery
The battery is, unsurprisingly, what powers the E-Cigarette. Without it all you are left with is a pod with e-liquid in and no way to make it vapour.
The first way to look after your battery is simple, keep it away from water! Like any battery or electrical device water can ruin a battery, causing short circuits or just stopping the battery from charging completely. The big examples of this would be to avoid leaving your E-Cigarette or vapouriser in your pocket and putting it in the washing machine or dropping it into the sink.
However what some E-Cig users forget is that rain can do the same job. Just because your E-Cigarette isn't made of paper and doesn't use a flame like cigarettes do, doesn't mean that they like water any more than tobacco cigarettes! If it is raining make sure that your E-Cigarette stays dry and it should keep working for you.
But rain isn't the only disaster that can harm your battery, being too rough can also cause the battery to break as well. With larger mods this is especially important, as they have multiple parts, any one of them can be damaged be rough handling. Cig-a-likes are normally a bit more sturdy (as there are less moving and replaceable parts) but dropping them too many times can still cause damage.
The last point about batteries is a little less common sense than the other two, and that is to not keep your E-Cigarette (especially loose batteries) in the same pocket as your keys or metal items.
Though extremely rare, keys and other metal objects can damage your e-cigarette and break the more fragile re-fillable tanks on larger mods. And in the very worst cases keys can interact with the battery itself and cause short circuits.
Charge batteries correctly
Like any electrical device, you need to charge the E-Cigarette battery with the right equipment to get it working correctly.
E-Cigarettes will come with the battery already installed and with their own charging equipment, so as long as you use the approved charger you should be ok.
However if you are using a larger mod vaporiser that do not come with batteries it is extremely important to find out what charging equipment you need. You will also want to check the voltage and amperage of the battery matches the specifications of the vapouriser. Also it is a good idea to buy batteries from reputable sources, as a cheap battery can run out faster and leave you high and dry.
Try not to charge batteries for longer than needed. Though most batteries, especially in the Cig-a-likes, are lithium-ion (except some of the larger mod type vapourisers) and so have protection from over-charging, it is never good to overcharge a battery.
If you do have a vapouriser mod battery that isn't lithium-ion it is vitally important not to over charge, as that can quickly damage the battery.
Lastly where you charge your E-Cigarette is important too. Almost all chargers are USB based, and for the most consistent results computers or laptops are your best bet.
If you use a mains adaptor make sure that it is either one from the company itself (and so tested to make sure that it works for the E-Cigarette) or from a trusted source.
USB ports that are directly wired into the mains supply or from a car can also be an issue, and over time can degage batteries.
Clean your E-Cigarette
A clean battery is essential to keep your e-cig functioning correctly, as a dirty battery terminal may struggle to connect with the refill. Over time (and especially if it is kept in your pocket or handbag during the day) dirt and grime can build up in the connection terminal and stop your e-cigarette from working. Even if you keep your battery in a case the stray vapour from when your refills can eventually condense in the space between the battery and the refill and cause the same issue.
With the E-Cigarettes it is fairly simple to clean them, just take the refill off the battery and wipe the connector on the battery and refill with a clean cloth or cotton bud.
With a larger mod you will need to invest a bit more time, as there are multiple parts that need cleaning.
Firstly either disconnect the battery from the tank, or if the battery is removable take the battery out. Get to the part of vapoursier that connects the battery and the tank and give it a good clean. If the battery is removable you should also clean where the battery connects into the vapouriser.
Next it is also a good idea to clean the bottom of the tank too just in case the re-fillable tank has started to leak.
Re-fillable tanks should also be washed every few fills. Gently washing them out with water will normally do the trick, however if you have a strong flavour in the tank, and are switching to another flavour, you might need to give the tank a more thorough wash with soap. If you do use soap make 100% sure that you have washed it all out, otherwise your liquid will taste like soap.
Either way though air dry the tank, and make sure it is dry before you use it, otherwise you will be watering down your e-liquid.
Lastly it is a good idea to clean the coil. Unlike the E-Cigarette where the coil is inbuilt, larger vapourisers have replaceable coils which will need cleaning, Over time E-liquid can congeal on the coil, giving the vapour a bad taste. To clean the coil dampen a cloth and very gently wipe away any liquid. Once as clean as you can get it leave to air dry.
Coils don't last forever though, so after washing if the coil looks burnt (if you are using a cotton based coil) or is too stained (more common on ceramic coils) then now is a good time to swap the coil.
Store your e-cig correctly
If you are using an E-Cigarette or pre-filled ranges, then storing your items is fairly simple. Make sure they are kept in a cool and dark place so the liquid inside doesn't evaporate, and if you are storing the refills for an extended time don't open the refills (as it will keep the refills fresher for longer). The same goes for E-Cigarette batteries as well, as any type of battery and heat do not mix well together.
With a larger mod style vapouriser there is a bit more to consider, as there are more parts. Bottles of liquids should be kept in a cool and dry place and whenever you use it make sure to put the lid back on securely. Though E-liquid is safe, large amounts of it (like in multiple bottles) can be harmful to pets so keep your bottles e-liquid out of your pet's reach.
E-Liquid can also stain clothing, which is another reason to keep the bottle secure!
With replaceable coils on the larger vapourisers each should be individually wrapped, so storing them and keeping them clean isn't too much of an issue.
However they are small and can be lost easily so it is a good idea to keep them in the larger container so you don't lose them. After all with a re-fillable vapouriser if you lose your coils you won't be able to use your whole vapouriser!
Looking after your E-Cigarette
If you have one of our pre-filled E-Cigarette Starter kits then a lot of the tips today aren't needed. That's because the E-Cigarette is designed to be as hassle free and simple as possible.
As the refills are pre-filled you won't need to know about cleaning and looking after bottles of liquid, coils or re-fillable tanks - as they will all be part of the refill. Once you are done with a refill all you do is throw it away (or you can send them back to us to re-cycle) and put a new refill on the battery.
Looking after your battery is still important, and giving the battery a clean before you charge the battery is a good habit to get into.
For the E-Cigarette specifically it is a good idea to make sure the refills aren't bashed around too much, as that can push connectors in the refills. It is rare but that can cause issues, though we do have a way to fix that.
A similar issue can also happen to the battery. The E-Cigarette battery is pretty sturdy and durable, but it isn't indestructible. The connector in the battery we suggested cleaning earlier can be pushed or worn down over time. We do have ways to help with that, but we also suggest you swap E-Cigarette batteries every 3 months or so.
Looking after your VAPE
Our VAPE POD E-Cigarette Starter Kit is similar to the E-Cigarette above, in that it also has pre-filled refills and a built in battery. Here at SMOKO we have made sure that al our ranges are simple to use, hassle free and easy, and that applies to the VAPE as well.
What makes the VAPE POD stand apart is the design. Unlike the E-Cigarette which is meant to feel and look like a cigarette, the VAPE is designed to be its own shape. The VAPE POD also allows you to see the liquid in the refill, so you know exactly how much you have.
As the E-Cigarette and the VAPE are similar, the advice about cleaning and storing the VAPE will be the same as well.
With the VAPE though we do suggest that just before you charge it, give the battery (especially the inside where the refills screws into) a clean to get any dust or condensed vapour off the connector.
Charging is also simple, just don't charge it on USB ports wired into the wall or from a car and try not to be too rough and you should be good to go.
Looking after your VAPE POD
Our newest range, the VAPE POD Starter Kit, is like the other two ranges, a simple device. With only a refill and a battery there isn't a huge amount that can go wrong.
Cleaning the VAPE POD's battery connector is simple, just make sure to get the cloth or dry kitchen paper far enough into the battery (where the refill goes into) that it touches the connectors.
Where you charge the VAPE POD is still important too, and if you want to be certain of a good charge plug it into a computer or laptop to charge. Make sure not to over charge the battery and you will be good to go!
Use your e-cig starter kit as a case
If you are using any of our ranges though a good idea is to keep the Starter Kit it came in.
By just taking the foam out of the silver metal case of our starter kits you can make a durable and stylish case to keep you batteries, your refills and accessories in.
Not only does this keep your E-cigarettes safe from water, rough handling and dirt, but it also makes your e-cigarette easier to find. As anyone with a large handbag can tell you, finding a single e-cigarette amongst everything else is a bit of a challenge!
So if you want to look after your E-Cigarette then just remember to keep it dry, give it a quick clean when you can and make sure you store it all correctly and you should be happily puffing away for a long time to come.
If you are currently using a larger device then hopefully this has helped as well, and if you want to move to an E-Cigarette that is hassle-free, simple to clean, easy to look after, then why not have a look at any of our E-Cigarette ranges?
*2023 Update - Now you can try the SMOKO E-Cigarette for FREE when you purchase a box of SMOKO E-Cigarette refills! (1 per customer)
