They’re always displayed side by side, one after another, on shelves and counter displays. All promising you a trouble-free experience. I thought of them as the safer, less complicated version of vaping equipment for a long time. And that all changed when my friend’s device started smoking and spewing out sparks while he was getting ready for work and had it plugged in and charging on his bedside table.
It was a wake-up call. The issue is not simply whether they will blow up but rather why and what we can do to stop it from happening.
The Heart of the Issue: What's Inside a Disposable Vape?
To understand the dangers of disposable vapes, you need to know what you are handling. A disposable vape is not merely a flavorful air generator – it is a compact device capable of producing a large amount of energy. The heart of every disposable vape is a lithium-ion battery, the same type of battery that powers your smart phone and laptop.
Lithium-ion batteries are highly efficient at storing a lot of energy in a very small space, however they are also extremely volatile. Each disposable vape includes a pressure sensitive e-liquid tank, a simple heating coil and a metal or plastic container. The entire system is a single sealed unit, and it is the reason why both their convenience and danger come from the same place.
The Inherent Danger of Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are marvels of modern chemistry but they operate on a narrow margin. The electrolyte inside each lithium-ion battery is highly flammable. If the balance of this process is disrupted — either through physical damage to the battery, a problem during manufacture or improper charging — a series of events called “thermal runaway” may begin.
Thermal runaway refers to an event in which an unstoppable self-heating process occurs due to the chemical reactions occurring inside the battery. During this process, the battery does not require oxygen to continue burning. It generates its own. Once the thermal runaway begins, stopping it is nearly impossible.
Three Common Ways Disposable Vapes Can Blow Up
There is a widespread false assumption that disposable vapes are “safe” simply because they are so easy to use. From my personal experiences and those of others, there are three major causes of catastrophic failures of disposable vapes.
Improper Charging Is the Largest Point of Failure
Disposable vapes were originally intended to be used once and then discarded. Many disposable vapes include a USB-C charging port, allowing users to recharge their disposable vapes multiple times. Unfortunately, many manufacturers of disposable vapes do not provide adequate protection to protect the user from the effects of using the incorrect charger, a damaged charging cable, or leaving the disposable vape charging for too long. While your phone is equipped with sophisticated battery management systems to ensure that the battery is charged safely, disposable vapes have very little protection. Overcharging causes excess energy to enter the battery and creates excessive heat in the battery, which causes it to swell and eventually release gas or catch on fire.
Physical Damage: The Unseen Threat
I drop things frequently. I lose my keys and my phone occasionally. I've lost my vape. Accidental impacts from your keys, phone, or other items can result in serious problems for your disposable vape. Dropping a disposable vape onto a hard surface or crushing it with a screwdriver or pliers can create internal damage to the battery, including damage to the internal separator between the anode and cathode of the battery. When the internal separator fails, it creates an internal short circuit, resulting in rapid generation of heat and ultimately, thermal runaway. You may never see any signs of damage, but the internal chemistry of the battery is compromised and the device becomes a ticking time bomb.
The Wild Card of Manufacturing Defects
We can all agree that the disposable vape market is saturated with numerous brand names competing on price. In a competition based on price alone, many manufacturers sacrifice quality control to remain competitive. I have personally disassembled several disposable vapes and have discovered defects such as poorly soldered connections, battery cells that are misaligned and poor insulation. These types of manufacturing defects mean that the disposable vape is inherently weak and has the potential to fail without warning and regardless of user error. You are essentially holding a product that passed a cost effectiveness test and not necessarily a safety test.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Preventing a Vape Explosion
You don’t have to live in fear of explosions to practice safety. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you make informed decisions:
Smart Handling and Storage of Disposable Vapes
Use the same caution when handling your disposable vape as you would when handling any other electronic device. Do not store your disposable vape loosely in your pocket or in a bag with keys, coins, screws or other metal objects that could come into contact with the contacts on your disposable vape and create a short circuit. I keep mine in a small pouch. Do not expose your disposable vape to extreme temperatures. Storing a vape in a hot car is similar to intentionally placing stress on the battery, thus greatly increasing the likelihood of a malfunction. Keep your disposable vape stored at room temperature and away from direct sunlight.
Charging Your Disposable Vape: If You Must Charge It, Do It Correctly
My strongest recommendation is to completely avoid recharging disposable vapes. Use your disposable vape until the battery is fully discharged and then properly dispose of it. If you have a rechargeable disposable vape, you must be extremely cautious. Only charge your disposable vape using a low voltage USB port (i.e., a port on a computer). Never charge your disposable vape using a fast charger or a car charger. Charge your disposable vape on a solid, non-combustible surface (e.g., a ceramic plate or a stone countertop) – not on a bed, couch, etc. and never leave it charging unattended or for a prolonged period of time. Remove the disposable vape from the charging source as soon as it reaches a full charge.
Disposing of Dead Disposable Vapes Properly
When a disposable vape dies, it is not harmless. There is still energy contained in the battery. Don’t put it in your household trash. A garbage truck compresses the trash and can easily crush the disposable vape and start a fire. I take my used disposable vapes to a local e-waste collection center or a battery recycling center. This simple action helps prevent fires at waste disposal facilities and is better for the environment.