Why Do Vape Pens Clog?

Chamber flooding and condensation are two main reasons why vape pens clog. The most common reason for clogged vape pens is condensation that has built up in the airway of the cartridge. 

This condensation can block or plug up the mouthpiece as time passes, making it difficult for vapor to pass through as you take a hit. Instead of tasting the best delta-8 flavor, you might ingest bitter vape juice.

A second cause of clogging in vape pens is overfilling the tank, which can result in flooding. 

If an e-cigarette sits for too long, the delta-8 THC distillate inside will thicken due to the heat left out at room temperature. 

Over time, the liquid starts flowing down to the end of the cartridge and saturating the wick. When this happens, it becomes even more difficult for heaters to get up to a high enough temperature to produce vapor efficiently.

Common Reasons Why Vape Pens Clog

There Is No Power on the Vape Cartridge Heat Coil

When using a wax vaporizer or a dry herb vaporizer, you need to ensure the coil does not overheat by having sufficient power. Using too hot of a coil can cause your vape cartridge to clog up and malfunction. 

If you notice hot droplets shoot out of the vape, stop using it immediately. However, you should avoid these issues in the first place by taking steps to prevent them before they occur.

When using a vape cartridge, ensure that the coil inside is more intense than the material you are heating. If left on for too long, the coil will wear down much faster than other components of your device. 

People who buy cheaper models with fewer features, like basic pens, tend to replace their vape coils more frequently. 

More expensive premium models have longer-lasting coils because they do not give off as much heat when used. However, these types come at the cost of having fewer functions and benefits.

Here are some tips for maximizing your vape pen’s potential: wait for vaporization and inhale slowly. Due to how much heat is applied at once, the process can take longer than you think. 

Make sure that any oils or herbs in your vape cartridge do not burn immediately by leaving them under the heating coil for too long.

There Is a Clog in the Atomizer of the Vape Pen

The device itself is not the biggest problem with e-cigarettes. For vapers using e-cigarettes for at least five months, a consistent cleaning routine for your cartomizer/atomizer is essential. 

Still, not everyone follows this routine, even though it can make all the difference. This may not appear to be an issue at first glance. However, when left unchecked, it can cause large amounts of damage over time.

It is necessary to maintain electronic cigarettes regularly to keep them functioning properly. 

Vaporizing the liquid inside vape cartridges or tanks requires a little more attention than traditional cigarettes, so an explanation would come in handy. 

Atomizers heat up and vaporize e-liquid inside cartridges and tanks. This vapor feeds juice to the atomizers, allowing users to inhale it easily through their mouthpieces when they inhale a puff from the vape cartridge. 

During vaping, residue from the vaporized liquid can accumulate inside your vape pen and cause problems. Clogging is one such issue. 

The first step to preventing problems like these is to maintain a systematic cleaning schedule. You may be experiencing a decrease in vapor production for other reasons if cleaning does not help.

Vape Pen Not Receiving Enough Airflow to Perform Properly

If your vape pen tastes burnt, it may be time to swap out the coil or chamber. If buildup develops on the sides of the chamber, or if the very top part starts to warp, it may also be time for this item to be replaced. 

Furthermore, leaking from beneath the mouthpiece could also mean a new coil is necessary.

Vape pens that produce less vapor or whose taste has changed significantly may have a clogged vape cartridge. Clogged pens typically happen when the person using them lets their cartridge heat up without puffing on it for a while. 

When this happens, less air will be able to flow through, causing airflow problems and an off-flavor. To fix this issue, ensure to clean out any debris inside the thread of your atomizer tank before continuing use.

If you are experiencing a fired-up taste in your vapor, it might be because your vape cartridge is not getting enough air to burn cleanly. 

Rather than taking longer drags between puffs, try taking shorter ones more often to prevent airflow from being blocked.

If the opening at the end of your vape pen becomes blocked, you may find it challenging to take in air when you are trying to inhale. When you use your vape pen again, make sure you remove any excess juice from the mouthpiece.

Concentrates or Waxes That Are Incorrect

When using a concentrate or wax vape pen, it is important to use the right type to avoid issues such as clogging. If a vape cartridge is used incorrectly and is not designed for the specific type of concentrate, adverse effects may occur.

If wax concentrates are used with coil atomizers, they tend to clog more quickly than ceramic atomizers. 

Clogs happen when the wax used for vaporizing melts at higher temperatures; it needs an atomizer that can handle these types of materials.

Concentrates of other kinds work similarly. They are likely to clog up when using the wrong vape pen for these vapors. 

In order to vape this kind of concentrate effectively, you need a coil-less vaporizer since coils tend to become impassable over time.

Using Vape Juice That Is Too Thick

E-liquid issues can occur in many ways, primarily when the liquid is too thick or viscous. In addition to vape wicks that burn rapidly, vape coils that heat quickly, and obstacles in tanks, these problems can lead to wicks that burn out. Whenever thick oil causes a clog, it’s time to apply heat.

High vegetable glycerine e-liquids are thicker and more viscous than other types of juices. So if you use them in an atomizer that was not made specifically for this type of liquid, it could cause it to be blocked.

A high VG liquid may not work well in certain tanks – especially if you are unaware of the liquid’s VG content. As a result, coil changes can be complicated, and the coil will taste burnt. 

However, even low vegetable glycerine juice will thicken over time, making it hard for vapers who need quick reactions from their equipment. When purchasing a new e-juice, it is important to consider the thickness of the juice after sitting out for a while.

You can usually keep your juice in a warm place (but not too hot!), and it will still taste fine. The juice can thicken if you store it at a cold temperature for a long time. 

On the other hand, most people should be able to tolerate room-temperature vapes. If you store your juice in a dark or enclosed space, you might experience weird consistency problems. 

However, no matter what the circumstances are, keeping it at room temperature is usually your best bet.

Long-Term Exposure of Air to Vape Juice

If the e-liquid is exposed to fresh air for an extended period, it will clog. You will eventually lose the viscosity of e-liquids over time when exposed to air.

There are two heating elements for vape pens: ceramics and wire coils. Over time, vape juice inside the tank can come into contact with air, clogging the wirings and preventing the unit from working.

When you are having trouble with your pen, you can take a few steps to ensure it does not happen again. 

Firstly, unplug the vape cartridge from any power source to turn off any electric current that may be running through it. 

Next, ensure the charging port is clean and debris-free so that electric current flows freely without interruption.

You can insert it back into the pen and check if the problem is with your atomizer. In this case, you would know if there is a problem with other parts of the vaporizer.

The Coil on the Vape Is High

It would help if you replaced your coil head when it overheats when you vape at a high wattage. Your coil head can generate enough heat to start charring the oil wick and cause a burnt flavor. 

The larger the voltage you vape, the quicker this will happen – sometimes in just one day or less.

Due to excessive heat, some e-juices will not perform nicely with high-power puffing. Some vape juices cannot withstand this type of heating and thus become too intense or even combust.

How to Solve the Issue of Clogging in Vape Pens

Clean the Clogged Vape Cartridge Coil 

You can taste your smoke differently based on how clean your vaporizer’s heating element is. Cleaning it out at least twice a week ensures that you will always get high-quality weed when you want. 

Cleaning those delicate coils only requires a toothbrush and cotton swab. If you refill your tank with vape juice again, check your coil for any residue. A clogged vape pen’s mouthpiece makes it difficult to pull air through when inhaling. 

When the airflow holes are located in the threading area, you should refrain from screwing on the cartridge too tight.

Take Short Hits and Check the Battery

Taking dry hits is usually a temporary fix since whatever is clogging the air hole will eventually find its way back in. When your vape pen does not produce smoke, your device’s battery may be low. 

Drawing hard inhalations causes the wick to absorb more concentrate than it can vaporize. As a result, the excess oil floods the cartridge and clogs the airflow holes. 

Charge your vape’s battery before using it again. Alternatively, if the power output is too low, try using a power supply with higher power output than the old vaporizer. 

You can give it one last shot of heat when you are done using it and switch off the device before letting it sit in an upright position.

Dislodge Any Trapped Residues and Remove Excess Liquids

To thoroughly clean your marijuana vaporizer, first, remove all the excess oil floods from the mouthpiece. You can do this by using a thin piece of wire, a paper clip, or a safety pin. 

Move the wire gently in and out of the mouthpiece to remove sticky residues. Be careful not to scratch the inside of the cart. 

Use a hair dryer to warm up the concentrate so that it can move more freely. You should mostly see buildup removed if you are doing this while the cartridge is cool. In any other case, you risk burning yourself when removing the residue.

If you are using a wax pen or dry herbs, you can typically rinse it out after. However, things will get much worse if you use something like dabs and rosin. 

Concentrates such as these will be extremely thick and sticky. They will cling to every surface in your vape cartridge – making it difficult to remove them. 

It is also important to know what type of concentration your vape cartridge takes so that this issue does not arise. This way, clogging won’t happen, and your vape pen will last even longer than before.

Once you’ve done what you can to clear the liquid out of your mouth, start vaping. To vaporize all excess liquid without damaging the wiring, press the button for a few seconds. If you are uncomfortable doing this yourself, take it to a professional to have it checked and cleaned out.

Final Thoughts

Clogged vaporizers are a common problem- all it takes is a few basic steps to fix it. A clogged vape pen cartridge happens when oily residue blocks the tiny airflow holes in the cartridge. 

You should always check the airflow settings of your vape pen. Any incorrect airflow setting can make you think the air holes are clogged. 

Keep disposable vape pens, batteries, and cartridges at room temperature to prevent clogging. Cleaning the threading on the vape battery, the air holes, the tank, and the mouthpiece on your vape pen is important.