Vape Guide
How to Clean Your Vape: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Most vapers only think about cleaning their device when something goes wrong — a burnt taste, muted flavour, or a gurgling draw. By that point, you've already wasted e-liquid and potentially shortened your coil's life. A simple cleaning routine keeps your vape performing the way it should and saves money in the long run.
Five minutes every week or two makes a noticeable difference. Here's everything you need to know — no special tools required.
What you'll need
Warm water, paper towels or a lint-free cloth, cotton buds (Q-tips), and a small bowl. That's it. Isopropyl alcohol is optional for stubborn residue. Never soap.
How to clean a pod system
Pod systems are the most common device type in South Africa right now.
- Remove the pod. Detach the pod from the battery section. Set the battery aside — it never gets wet.
- Empty and rinse the pod. If your pod is refillable and still has e-liquid, empty it into a small container first. Rinse the inside with warm water (not hot — heat damages coils). Shake out and repeat twice.
- Dry thoroughly. Shake as much water out as possible, then leave the pod upside down on a paper towel for at least 30–60 minutes. A damp pod will taste terrible and can damage the coil. A rolled-up piece of paper towel inserted into the fill port helps wick out moisture faster.
- Clean the contacts. Use a dry cotton bud to clean the magnetic or pin contacts on both the pod and the battery section. E-liquid residue builds up here and causes connection issues or reduced power output.
- Clean the mouthpiece. Warm water and a cotton bud. Do this more often than the rest — it's the part that touches your mouth every day.
How to clean a vape tank (sub-ohm / pen style)
- Disassemble. Remove the tank from the mod, unscrew the base, and take out the coil. Dispose of the coil if it's due for replacement — cleaning a burnt coil doesn't revive it.
- Rinse the tank components. Rinse the tank, base, and glass under warm running water. For stubborn dark residue — especially common with sweetened e-liquids — soak the components in warm water for 15–20 minutes.
- Dry and reassemble. Dry each piece thoroughly with a lint-free cloth, then leave to air-dry for 20–30 minutes before reassembling. Install a fresh coil, prime it with a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton, leave for 5–10 minutes, then vape.
What NOT to do
- Never submerge the battery section — water and lithium batteries are dangerous together.
- Don't use soap — residue lingers and can be harmful when inhaled.
- Don't use boiling water — it warps plastic components and damages coils.
- Don't vape a wet device — always ensure everything is fully dry before reassembling and using.
- Don't clean a burnt coil expecting improvement — a burnt coil needs to be replaced, not cleaned.
How often should you clean?
| What to clean | How often |
|---|---|
| Mouthpiece | Once a week (or more) |
| Contacts (pod and battery) | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Full pod rinse | Every 2–3 weeks, or when switching e-liquid |
| Full tank disassembly and soak | Every 3–4 weeks, or when flavour degrades |
Switching from a dessert or tobacco flavour to a fruit or menthol? Clean before filling — old flavour residue ruins the new one.
When cleaning won't help
If your coil is burnt, no amount of cleaning fixes it. A burnt coil needs replacing. Signs it's done: consistent burnt taste even on a clean device, dark brown or black discolouration on the cotton, or no vapour production despite a charged battery.
Pop into any Krem Vape Studio branch and we'll help identify the issue and get you the right replacement coil or pod.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean a vape pod?
Remove the pod from the battery, empty any remaining e-liquid, and rinse the inside with warm water two or three times. Shake out excess water and leave upside down on a paper towel for at least 30–60 minutes until fully dry. Clean the contacts on the pod and battery with a dry cotton bud. Don't vape the pod until completely dry.
Can I use alcohol to clean my vape?
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is fine for cleaning tank components and glass — it evaporates cleanly without leaving residue. Don't use it on plastic mouthpieces (can crack them over time) or on coils. Always rinse with water after using IPA and allow to fully dry before use. Never use rubbing alcohol that contains additives or fragrances.
Why does my vape taste burnt after cleaning?
Two likely causes: (1) the pod or coil wasn't completely dry before you started vaping — water in the coil heats and causes a harsh, burnt-like taste; or (2) the coil itself is burnt and cleaning won't fix it. If the taste persists after the device is fully dry, the coil needs replacing.
How do I know if my coil needs replacing?
Consistent burnt taste on a clean device, significantly reduced vapour production, visible dark discolouration on the cotton when you look through the coil window, or a gurgling sound that doesn't resolve after cleaning. None of these improve with cleaning — the coil needs to be swapped. Bring your device into any Krem branch if you're not sure.
