Vapes nowadays are almost unrecognisable from their ancestors, and have come a long way since the early days of mods and bulky sub-ohm devices. However, battery safety remains as essential as ever.
Pod vape kits come in various battery sizes, ranging from a couple of hundred to thousands of mAh, and with the latest technology, they are generally considered safe.
But it’s not just about safety. There are several things to consider when caring for your vape kit to ensure it functions optimally, maintains its power output, charges correctly, and operates as intended. In the worst cases, damage to the battery can essentially break your vape kit.
In this blog, we’ll give you some top tips for looking after your vape kit and its battery, as well as what to avoid, and lastly, answer some of your common questions.
What Not to Do With Vape Batteries
Before we get to battery best practice, let’s take a look at what not to do with your vape.
Don’t Overcharge Them
Overcharging batteries (leaving them plugged in even when they’re at 100%) can damage them. The extra power going into the full battery can heat it up, which can break down the internal components and shorten its lifespan.
You might notice that it doesn’t hold a charge as well, or you may find that it has a reduced capacity, meaning it will never regain its full 100% capacity again. In either case, you’ll have to recharge it more often.
Most modern vapes have overcharge protection built in to help prevent these issues, but it’s still recommended to unplug your vape when the battery is fully charged. Also, don’t leave them charging unattended or overnight while you’re asleep.
Don’t Get Them Wet
This should be self-explanatory, but water and batteries do not play well together. Do everything you can to keep it dry by:
-
Do not use it in the rain, and keep it in a bag or pocket if you get caught in a downpour.
-
Keeping your vape away from sinks full of water, and yes, the toilet.
-
Not being tempted to use it in the bath, a swimming pool or going for a dip by the seaside.
-
Trying not to spill drinks on it.
Of course, accidents happen, and it’s entirely possible for your vape battery to still get wet. If this is the case, do not use it and refrain from turning it on while it’s still damp. You risk short-circuiting the battery and ruining it. In extreme cases, it could also become a fire hazard.
If it was turned on, it might already be too late. However, if it was off, you might be able to salvage it by removing the pods and drying everything with a cloth or paper towel, and blowing through it to remove excess water. After that, let it dry for a couple of days at room temperature before trying to turn it on.
Use The Wrong Charger
Use the charger that came with your vape and not one that’s too powerful. For example, a high-speed USB-C laptop charger could put way too much through the device. Some batteries may have protection against this, but it’s very easy to overcharge or ruin your battery quite quickly.
If you’re charging external batteries, do it in a specialist charger and not in the device.
Get Them Too Hot (or Cold)
Heat can ruin your vape battery very quickly. Don’t leave your vape in direct sunlight or a hot space, like a locked car on a summer day. If you’re out and about, even leaving your vape on an outdoor table might be enough to overheat it. Likewise, leaving it by a sunny window can be too much, even on a winter day.
Extreme cold can also affect vape batteries, but it typically only reduces their efficiency, rather than causing lasting damage. If your batter gets very cold, don’t be tempted to put it on a radiator to warm it up quickly. Instead, leave it in a comfortable room and let it do so slowly.
What You Should Do With Vape Batteries
Buy Reputable Brands From Trusted Retailers
Modern vapes from prominent brands like Lost Mary, SKE, Vaporesso, and Oxva, among others, are well-made and feature technology designed to protect the battery. This includes features such as short-circuit protection and safety shut-offs for overcharging and overheating. They will also have undergone extensive testing and will be subject to strict quality control at the factory.
Some vapes, particularly mod kits from the likes of VooPoo, Geekvape, and Innokin, even have IP67 or IP68 protection, which makes them water-resistant to the occasional splash of liquid or being accidentally dropped in the sink.
At Vape UK, we only stock vape kits from brands we trust, so you can shop with confidence.
Keep Them Cool & Dry
When you’re not using them, keep your vapes (and juices for that matter) out of direct sunlight and in a cool spot. When you’re out and about, your pocket, bag or purse will be fine. At home, avoid keeping them near windows, radiators, or in the kitchen.
Keeping them dry is also important, so don’t be tempted to use them in the bath or the shower!
Charge Them Under Supervision
Make sure you keep an eye on your vape and batteries when charging to spot any issues and prevent overcharging. Most vape kits nowadays will only need 30-60 minutes to get back to a full charge, and anything over that has the potential to cause long-term damage.
Luckily, most vape kits now come with a battery indicator and, in the best cases, a screen, to check your battery level.
Vape Battery Safety FAQs
What makes a vape battery safe?
Modern vapes (especially sub-ohm vapes), such as those equipped with screens and buttons, feature numerous safety mechanisms that keep the device secure while in use. These can include:
-
A locking mechanism: This turns the vape on and off and stops the button from being accidentally pressed.
-
An automatic cut-off: These keep the coils and battery from overheating while in use. In most cases, you won’t be able to fire the device for more than 8 seconds.
-
Overcharging protection: As we’ve already mentioned, some kits will come with technology and features that prevent the device from charging once it reaches its maximum capacity.
-
Venting holes: These help to keep the battery cool whilst in use.
-
IP waterproof ratings: Some vape devices are sealed, which means they can withstand splashes of liquid and brief submersion in water. An IP67/68 rating typically indicates that the device can withstand immersion in water at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes.
How can you maximise battery life in a vape?
The easiest way to maximise the battery life of your vape is to turn it off when it’s not in use, avoid overcharging the battery, handle it with care, and keep it cool and dry. It’s also a good idea not to let the charge run down to 0% if you can help it. Instead, charge it when it gets down to around 15-20%.
Can I use my vape while it’s charging?
No. It’s not recommended at all to use a vape while it’s charging. Not only are you putting extra strain on the battery, which can cause it to overheat and lead to other problems, but it can also pose a fire risk.
If you need to use it while it's still charging, unplug it and let it cool for a minute or so before operating it. Then, give it another minute or so before plugging it back in.
What’s next?
Explore our range of premium vape kits to discover the best and safest technology, and check out our battery safety guide for more information on external batteries. If you need any more help, check out our other blogs and guides, and don’t be afraid to contact us.
In the meantime, if you need replacement pods or vape liquids, why not take advantage of our multibuy deals from some of the best brands?