If you use an e-cigarette regularly, then knowing at least the basics of e-cig care and maintenance is important. You might know that the atomizer is the part of your e-cig that creates vapor, which makes it a crucial component of the e-cigarette.
In order to prevent premature atomizer failure and extend its life, you may want to explore a few tips on atomizer maintenance.
How often you will need to clean your atomizer depends on how often you use your e-cigarette; but generally, cleaning it thoroughly once or twice per week is a wise practice.
Keeping Liquid Out of the Connection
One of the most important aspects of atomizer maintenance is keeping the connection as dry as possible. Keeping the electrical connection dry and free of buildup is a critical factor if you want to be sure that the e-cig remains in good condition.
One way to prevent e-liquid from accumulating in the connection is to disassemble your e-cig when you clean it. You can then place the atomizer on a lint-free cloth (positioning it at an angle with the battery side facing upward is best).
Next, allow the components to dry for several hours, so any liquid that has collected within can drain out of the atomizer. When several hours have passed, tap the atomizer very gently to see if any liquid remains inside of it. If you hear a bubbling sound, then the atomizer is not completely dry and should be left to dry for a longer period. Repeat this step until you don’t hear the sound of liquid bubbling inside the atomizer.
You can also blow on it to remove excess liquid, but you need to be certain that you are not adding moisture from your mouth.
Many e-cig users dry their atomizers every night – they simply disassemble their e-cigs and let them dry as they sleep.
Using the Right Kind of Cloth
Once you allow the atomizer to dry, you will then wipe it to clean off any dust or buildup. Another essential aspect of cleaning an e-cig atomizer is to ensure that the cloth you use in the process is free of lint. Any cloth that develops lint easily or is weak enough to be pulled apart can ultimately wreak havoc with the inner components of your e-cigarette.
If lint or threads remain inside your e-cig after you clean it, and they make their way into the wrong area, they can cause the device to stop working. Such interference could also result in a leak. If any material gets into the heating coil, it could inhibit the proper flow of electricity within the e-cigarette. Therefore, it is always advisable to use a cloth that is lint-free when you clean your atomizer.
Once you have wiped the atomizer with a cloth and are sure it is dry and free of lint, you can reassemble the e-cig.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
It’s also helpful to know how to deal with some of the most common problems that may arise with an atomizer. First, you should be aware that no matter how clean and dry you keep your atomizer, you will need to replace it every several weeks to several months. How often you replace your atomizer will depend on how much you use your e-cigarette.
If dry residue accumulates in the atomizer, its performance could be inhibited. To clean this type of residue, you might soak the atomizer in warm water. You can also soak it in a mild, but acidic, liquid such as cola or lemon juice. To prevent the accumulation of hardened residue on the heater coil, you might also clean the heater coil with a mild acid once a week. (Eventually, hardened residue from repeated heating may be impossible to fully clean, and you will then need to replace your atomizer.)
Don’t forget to rinse the atomizer with warm water after applying any acid, and allow it to dry completely before using it again.
Always remember that you are dealing with electronic equipment, so handling it safely is critical.
Proper maintenance is vital to the longevity of your e-cig, and this includes caring for the atomizer. Additionally, buying only high quality e-cigarettes will likely limit how often you need to replace your atomizers. By implementing these easy strategies, you should be able to get the most use possible from your e-cig atomizer.