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Taste Issues
Device Issues
How to Take Care of Your Vape Pen

Most vape users understand the frustration of something going wrong with their e-cigarette. Vaping pens are built to last, but it's normal for the device to develop a problem after the usual wear and tear. If you're the owner of a vape pen, this is for you. 

Here are solutions to some of the most common issues that you may experience with your e-cigarette or vape pen.

Taste Issues

If the smoke produced by your pen starts to taste unusual, it could signify a problem with the device. Here are some common questions users have:

Why does my vape taste burnt?

If your vape pen is producing a burnt taste, here's what might be causing it:

• Broken atomizer head
• Dirty atomizer head
• Vaping too soon after filling the tank
• Setting the variable voltage too high

Why does my vape pen taste bad?

If your vape tastes terrible, it could be because of any of the reasons listed above, or it could be the flavor of vape juice you put in the tank. If you didn't properly clean your tank before putting a new flavor of vape juice, the flavors could have mixed together, resulting in an unpleasant taste.

Why is my vape juice turning brown?

Sometimes vape juice will turn brown due to the oxidation process that happens when nicotine is exposed to oxygen. The chemical reaction makes the liquid darken.

Light and heat can also darken the vape liquid over time. Because nicotine is a highly reactive chemical, interactions with light, oxygen, or heat can be reasons why your vape juice is turning brown.

But, it doesn't necessarily mean that the vape juice has gone bad. The change in color is purely cosmetic, so the vape liquid should work the same.

Device Issues

Aside from taste issues, several problems could potentially affect your device's electrical components.

Here are some of the common device problems that vape users run into:

Why does my vape pen blink 3 times?

Certain vape devices flash three times to warn you of a short circuit or run out of charge. Standard vape batteries have short circuit protection, which means that when there is a short, and you press the power button or keep inhaling, it will blink three times. If this happens, check to make sure the battery is running well or contact the brand support team’s help.

If the LED blinks three times without the tank connected, it is most likely caused by the battery. If it only blinks while connected with the tank, there may be a poor connection on the coil. To fix the issue, ensure the connection between the tank and the battery is clean and secure. If this doesn't fix the problem, try using the battery with another tank or coil.

If the problem persists, you may need to replace your tank/coil. If even that doesn't fix it, you should purchase a new battery.

Some vape products like the RELX Classic’s LED lights function differently. 

Why is my vape pen spitting/leaking?

Vape pens spit when excess vape liquid in the coil bursts from the coil into the user's mouth. Spitting vapes are immediately noticeable because the liquid is spat back into the user's mouth, resulting in a very unpleasant taste. 

Spit-back is usually a sign that the vape juice has flooded the coils. Leaking can happen when you forget how much vape juice is inside the reservoir or the heating coil is damaged. The easiest way to fix this problem is to temporarily increase the temperature or wattage until the flooding stops and reach your normal vaping temperature.

Remember never to exceed the recommended wattage settings listed in the manufacturer's instruction manual.

Why does my vape produce popping sounds

The crackling sound that is coming from your vape pen is entirely normal. That is the sound vape liquid makes when being heated and vaporized. The volume corresponds with the wattage and resistance of the atomizer: the higher your wattage, the louder the crackling sound. As long as the vapor doesn't taste burnt, you're in the clear. 

A popping sound, on the other hand, could be due to several things. When a vape coil is saturated, vapor forms at the coil and is forced up through the pooled liquid. Another potential cause of the popping sound is the amount of sweetener in the e-liquid. More often than not, it's due to a quality issue. The vape makes a popping sound whenever sugars are heated. 

To fix this, try turning down your wattage or using a higher-quality e-liquid. If you are using a closed system vape pen like RELX Infinity, the popping sounds won't be an issue under the protection of leak-resistant technology.

Why isn't my vape producing smoke?

There are four common reasons why your vape isn't producing vapor:

• A dead battery
• Dry atomizer coil
• Flooded atomizer
• A poor electrical connection between atomizer and e-cig 

The first thing you should do when you notice a lack of vapor is to make sure the battery is completely charged. If your e-cig or mod has an integrated lithium-ion battery, it should alert you when it is low. If you use a mechanical mod, you have to use a meter to gauge your battery's voltage accurately.

The next step is to check your atomizer and make sure there is enough e-liquid. On the other hand, there may be too much liquid, causing the atomizer to flood. Sometimes, pre-filled cartridges and cartomizers are over-filled, which can lead to a flooded atomizer. 

Why does my vape cartridge get clogged?

The holes in your cartridge might be clogged with oil. Try warming the cartridge with a hairdryer on the lowest setting. Rub it between your hands to warm up the oil and make it runnier.

You can also use a toothpick or safety pin to unclog the hole gently. Clogged cartridges are caused by blocked airflow. Each concentrate or oil has its own viscosity level. When oils are exposed to changes in temperature, pressure, or sun exposure, it can change the thickness of the liquid and lead to clogging.

This is often the case for open pod system vape. In general, the closed pod system performs well in anti-clogging.

How to Take Care of Your Vape Pen

To make sure your vape pen stays in good condition, you need to regularly clean and maintain it. Here are some tips to help you keep your vape from malfunctioning.

Avoid Exposing Cartridges to Extreme Temperatures

Leaving your e-cig or vape device in the car or exposing it to high temperatures can make the oil runny and lead to a leaking cartridge.

It's similar to leaving something like a chapstick in the car. Make sure you store your vape pen at a comfortable temperature to avoid a leaky mess.

Avoid Elevation Changes

Vape users tend to bring their e-cigs everywhere, for example, the beach or the mountains.

If you plan on doing this, try and keep your vape pen in a temperature-controlled environment or case to avoid leaking or another problem with the device.

Keep it in a Case

Many vape users neglect to purchase a case to store the device. To keep your vape looking new, keep it in a durable protective case.

It's easy to find a case that is compact and perfect for traveling. Some cases even let you puff without having to remove the pen from the case.

Keep it Fully Charged

A dead or low battery can lead to problems while using your vape pen. If the light on your pen is flashing red or blinking, recharge the battery as soon as possible by connecting the pen battery to the charger and inserting it into a USB port.

The light on your pen should illuminate so you can monitor its charge. Once the charger turns green or turns off, your battery is fully charged.

Cleaning Your E-Cig

Before you can learn how to clean your e-cig, you have to understand its components:

• Tank or Pod: The tank is the part of the device that holds e-liquid. It's combined with the atomizer as one unit. The pod is used in closed pod system vape pen, which is not refillable.
• Coil: The coil is a heating element that turns the e-liquid into vapor.
• Battery: The battery is the power source of the device. Voltage and temperature control options vary between models.

To clean your vape tank, first, fill a bowl with warm water. Detach the tank from the mod and dispose of any remaining e-liquid. Disassemble the tank and place the components in the bowl. Wash the parts until they are clean. You can add dish soap if the parts are very dirty.

Then, dry each of the components with a paper towel. After, let them air dry for an additional 10 to 15 minutes before reassembling. Unfortunately, coils can't be cleaned. If the coil is dark, damaged, or crusted, it may be time to replace it.

To do this, remove the tank, discard the remaining e-liquid, twist the coil counter-clockwise to unscrew it, and then screw in the new coil. Make sure it is secured to the device tightly.

For those closed system vape device, the cleaning process will be much easier. Just maintain the cleaning of the appearance and keep the mouthpiece from contamination.

Final Thoughts

The vape pen is a durable device built for long-term use, but they are still susceptible to normal wear and tear. You can avoid issues by regularly maintaining and cleaning your e-cig. Make sure you take care of all the components and store your device in a secure and temperature-controlled environment.

If you are tired of those cleaning stuff, maybe it’s a good time to switch from an open system to a closed system vape device.

If you are experiencing problems with your e-cig, check out some of these solutions for common vape issues.