Vape Town News

One of the first things any beginner vaper needs to know is how to charge a vape safely. Practising vape battery safety is one of the best things you can do to improve the longevity and performance of your device, not to mention maximising your own safety while you vape.

We have put together this list of the ten vape battery safety tips to help anyone new to vaping understand how to charge a vape without degrading its batteries, damaging the vape kit, or doing harm to themselves or those around them.

How to Charge a Vape Safely

• Use the charging cable that comes with your vape

When charging a vape with an internal battery, you should always use the cable provided with it. While most vapes are technically compatible with any micro-USB or USB-C cable, the charging cable your device was originally packaged with will supply the exact voltage needed to charge your vape without overcharging its battery. 

It can be tempting to use an alternative cable, such as your phone charger or a lightning cable, in order to charge your vape faster. However, these cables could be supplying your vape battery with too much current, which could prematurely degrade the battery, cause it to overheat or even damage the circuit board. So, while you can charge your vape with a phone charger, we recommend using the correct cable in the interest of your own and your vape batteries’ safety.

• Use the correct plug amperage for your vape

Even when you are using the correct cable to charge a vape, you could still be supplying it with too much current if the amperage of your plug is too high. Before sticking your charging cable into any plug or wall socket, consult the instruction manual to find details of the correct plug amperage for your device.If you have misplaced the manual, you should be able to find a digital copy on the manufacturer’s website, or you could contact the retailer who originally supplied you with the vape.

• Charge your vape using a laptop USB port

The safest way to charge a vape is by plugging it into one of the USB ports on a laptop or computer. As the primary function of these ports is to form connections with other devices, their power output is restricted to prevent them from causing any damage. That being said, we would urge you to check your laptop’s power output against the recommended amperage in your device’s manual.

You should be aware that charging a vape this way will take longer than using a plug, but it’s a small price to pay for vape battery safety.

• Charge external batteries out of your device

While most e-cigarettes and vape starter kits typically feature internal batteries, advanced vape kits usually require external batteries to provide the power required to produce larger quantities of vapour. As their name suggests, external batteries are charged in vape battery chargers that are sold separately from your vape kit.

In spite of this, some variable-wattage vapes feature micro-USB or USB-C ports somewhere on the device, leading some vapers to believe they can charge their external batteries while they are still inside the vape. Much like with internal batteries, using a charging cable other than the one supplied with your external batteries can lead to overcharging, which could do serious damage to your vape.

You are able to charge your external vape batteries in your device, but we strongly recommend using an external battery charger for balanced battery charging, especially as this tends to prolong battery life.

• Use high-quality rechargeable batteries

Choosing branded rechargeable batteries might seem like another expense to add to your vaping checklist, but investing in high-quality batteries is crucial to improving your device's lifespan while safeguarding your vaping experience. Unlike their cheaper counterparts, branded rechargeable batteries undergo vigorous testing on many different products to ensure they can provide sufficient power to any advanced vape kit, regardless of what wattage it uses.

High-quality batteries often stay charged for longer and can be recharged many more times than nonbranded equivalents, making them more cost-effective even though the initial outlay may be more expensive. 

• Do not discharge batteries completely

While most household appliances take nickel batteries, smaller devices such as vapes use lithium-ion batteries. These are more lightweight and can be recharged much faster. Unlike nickel-based batteries, lithium-ion cells do not need to be discharged all the way to prolong their life, so you should get into the habit of recharging them as soon as the low battery indicator displays on your device.

The downside to lithium-ion batteries is that they can become very hot while they are in use. When you remove lithium-ion cells from your device, you should let them cool to room temperature before attempting to charge your vape batteries. 

• Turn off your vape device when not in use

As a general rule, you should make sure your vape device is turned off when your vape is not in use. Powering off your vape device usually involves clicking the power button multiple times in quick succession, but as always, you should check your device’s manual or with your supplier for clear instructions.

• Do not charge your vape overnight

You might assume that you can leave your vape to charge overnight as you would your phone, but this could cause significant damage to your batteries. Most vapes can be recharged within only a couple of hours, and supplying a current to a full battery increases the chance of overheating and prematurely degrading your battery.

For your own safety, as much as your vape battery safety, we recommend that you keep an eye on your vape kit or batteries while recharging them. Place your vape or its batteries on a hard, fireproof surface while they are charging and check back regularly to keep track of their progress. 

Ideally, you want to remove the batteries from their charger or disconnect your vape as soon as charging is complete to prevent battery failure. If you are uncertain about how long your vape needs to charge, refer again to your device’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for clarity.

• Do not charge your vape in extreme temperatures

The chemicals contained within lithium-ion batteries are incredibly sensitive to heat and should never be exposed to extreme temperatures. The cold can slow down the chemical reaction inside your vape batteries, making it take longer to charge your vape and eventually decreasing its battery capacity. However, leaving your vape in direct sunlight or close to any open flame could overheat its batteries to the point of combustion.

We advise charging your vape or its batteries at room temperature, keeping them well away from windows and radiators to ensure they maintain a consistent temperature.

Check your vape for damage before charging

We are sure that most vapers make an effort to maintain the condition of their vapes to ensure they look and function as they did when they first bought them. Unfortunately, accidents can happen! Vapes can become damaged in any number of ways, whether it's visible scratches or an internal component being knocked out of alignment. While a damaged vape might appear to function as it did before, choosing to charge a vape without fixing or replacing its malfunctioning components may cause further damage to the unit.

Continuing to use vape batteries that have been damaged can similarly cause problems for your device. If you like to travel with an extra set of external batteries, we would always recommend keeping them inside a battery case or in battery holders when transporting them to prevent them from scraping against each other or other objects in your bag.

Sometimes, dirt can form around your battery terminals, which should be cleaned using a cotton bud to avoid transferring dirt to your device. However, if you spot any rusting or corrosion around your terminals or any expansion or wrapper casing tears, do not recharge them. You should dispose of them correctly and replace them immediately.  

Most supermarkets now have special bins for battery disposal, or alternatively, you can bring your damaged components to a Vape Town store near you, and we will dispose of them responsibly for you.

Concluding on Vape Battery Safety

We are always happy to help you, whether you have more questions about how to charge a vape or you are looking to upgrade your vaping equipment. However, Vape Town cannot be held responsible for damages caused by misusing your batteries or modifications made to one of the vape kits we supply. 

If you need more advice about vape battery safety, or if you have recently switched from smoking to vaping and are looking for a vape starter kit, get in touch with us today. One of our vaping experts will be able to assist you.