How To Clean A Vape In 7 Easy Steps

So, you’re the proud owner of a vape. Whether that’s a dry herb vaporizer, a concentrate device, or an e-liquid vape pen, you clearly prefer the combustion-free, full-flavor nature of a vaporizer’s cloudy hits.

But are you using your device to its best abilities? A clean vape is essential for maximizing performance and flavor. Why? With frequent use comes residue build-up that affects both taste and function, leaving you with a gunky mess that’s more likely to malfunction.

This guide covers how to clean a vape and maintain its peak performance in 7 easy steps.

Absolutely. But a better question might be, do you need to clean your vape yet? A new vaporizer right out of the box doesn’t need cleaning, unless you’re a germaphobe and prefer to scrub down the mouthpieces before use.

But in terms of residue buildup and maintenance, you won’t need to clean a vape until you notice these tell-tale signs:

• Altered or burnt taste
• Decreased vapor production
• E-liquid is not wicking properly
• Dark brown residue is visible inside the device
• Difficulty drawing air through the vapor path
• Vape pen requires higher temperatures to produce warm vapor

What happens if you never clean a vape pen? Permanent damage. We’re talking short circuit risks, terrible flavors, low-density vapor, and an overall poor session all-around. If you truly want the best possible vaping experience from your device (and for safety reasons,) routine cleaning is a must.

For most devices, follow this maintenance schedule:

• Quick cleaning: After each session, simply wipe the parts you can get to with a soft cloth or paper towel
• Basic cleaning: Weekly, depending on residue buildup and how much you use it
• Deep clean: Every 1-2 weeks for heavy users or monthly for occasional users
• Vape tank/pod: Clean when changing flavors or every 1-2 weeks
• Disposable vape: Not designed for cleaning (though mouthpieces can be wiped)

Pre-filled vape cartridges don’t need cleaning, but the battery contacts and connection points should be wiped down occasionally to keep the connection strong.

You don’t really need the high-end vape cleaning kits found at dispensaries or online. Chances are, you have most of these items kicking around your home. Gather the supplies below, and let’s get started:

• Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol at 91-99% concentration)
• Q-tips or cotton swabs for delicate parts
• Pipe cleaners for narrow vapor paths
• Paper towel or kitchen roll
• Small cleaning brush with soft bristles
• Cotton balls or cotton buds
• Warm water
• Soft cloth for drying

These tools and ingredients can help you break down residue without harsh chemicals, which might damage some delicate parts of your vaping device and its electrical components.

Below, we’ve broken down 7 easy steps on how to clean a vape. These steps are for a thorough cleaning that can be applied to the majority of vapes with removable parts. These cleaning steps don’t really apply to disposable vapes or pod systems.

Adjust the instructions as needed depending on which device you’re working with:

First, completely take apart your vape (as much as you can), separating all removable parts. This includes the mouthpiece, vape tank or herb chamber, and any removable vape coils or screens. Be sure to keep electronic components away from liquid.

For vape pens with built-in coils or disposable cartridges, you won’t have as many parts to clean. Just remove the cartridge from the battery and set the battery aside. Never submerge electrical parts in liquid.

Tap your vape parts over a trash can to remove loose debris. For dry herb vaporizers, empty the herb chamber completely. Use a small cleaning brush to sweep away small particles from intricate parts.

For glass parts, tanks, and non-electronic parts, rinse with warm water to remove that first bit of residue. Never ever rinse heating elements, wicking material, or electronic parts. For those pieces, simply wipe with a dry cotton swab.

For a thorough cleaning:

• Soak removable glass and metal parts in isopropyl alcohol for 30 minutes
• Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean the heating chamber and vapor path
• Gently clean threading and connections with a Q-tip dipped in alcohol
• For the vape tank, use a cotton bud with alcohol to remove stubborn residue
• Clean O-rings carefully, as alcohol can degrade some materials over time

For vape pods or cartridges with visible residue around the mouthpiece, use a slightly damp cotton swab with a bit of alcohol to clean the outside.

Once you’ve finished cleaning with alcohol, rinse non-electronic parts with warm water to clean up the alcohol residue. For parts you can’t rinse, wipe them down with a damp cotton swab, then a dry one.

Take all removable parts and set them on a paper towel to air dry completely, away from direct sunlight. Never skip this step! Any leftover moisture can damage electrical components or cause a short circuit when reassembled. For faster drying, use a soft cloth to dry up accessible areas.

Ensure the whole device is completely dry before putting it back together. Even small amounts of liquid can damage the heating element or electronic components.

Once everything is completely dry, carefully put your vape device back together. Don’t add oil, herb, or e-liquid yet. Try powering on the device quickly to ensure it’s functioning correctly. Then, you’re off to the races. Happy vaping, and enjoy your sparkling-clean device.

Now, let’s break it down by vape type—dry herb, wax, and e-liquid devices each have their own cleaning quirks.

Dry Herb Vaporizers:

1. Empty the herb chamber after each use
2. Use a small brush to remove plant material
3. Clean the vapor path with pipe cleaners dipped in alcohol
4. Soak removable screens in isopropyl alcohol
5. Wipe down the heating chamber with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol

Concentrate/Wax Vapes:

1. Remove built-up concentrate with a cotton swab while slightly warm
2. Clean the heating element carefully with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs
3. Be extra careful with the airflow passages, which can clog easily
4. Try not to oversaturate the heating chamber with alcohol

E-Liquid Vape Pens:

1. Remove old e-liquid and rinse the tank with warm water
2. Clean vape coils by soaking in isopropyl alcohol (if replaceable)
3. Wipe down the inside of the tank with a cotton swab
4. Clean the battery contacts with a barely damp cotton bud

For function, style, and genuinely effortless vape sessions, the PAX Plus remains unmatched.

This unique device works with both dry herbs and concentrates. But with frequent use and two functional options, making the most of the PAX Plus requires routine cleaning.

Luckily, it takes minutes. Here’s how to clean a PAX Plus:

1. Remove the oven lid and 3D oven screen, then soak them in isopropyl alcohol
2. Clean the oven with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab to remove residue
3. Use a pipe cleaner through the vapor path to clear any buildup
4. Dry all components thoroughly with a paper towel before putting them back together

If you really want to maximize its function, the PAX Plus Complete Kit includes specialized cleaning tools designed specifically for the device. You’ll have all the accessories to keep your PAX pumping out flavor-packed clouds between dry herbs and concentrates.

With the 7 steps above, you should have no problem lengthening the lifespan of your device, enhancing flavor, and ensuring an overall safe operation.