Leaking e-cigarettes are frustrating for a number of reasons. They create a mess, they are a waste of money, they are a potential fire hazard for batteries, and they will ruin your overall vaping experience.
I've had my fair share of experience with all types of vapes — from earlier cig-a-likes to newer pod-style vaporizers such as the Uwell Caliburn and Vaporesso XROS. And yes, I've had my fair share of problems with leaking vapes, regardless of which style I'm using. But after all of my experiences, I've found there is one thing that nearly all leaking vapes have in common: they are usually caused by a breakdown in the internal pressure balance of the pod or tank.
The "Why": The Science and Slip-Ups Behind the Leak
The first step in resolving the problem is to understand why it occurs. The main reason for a leak in a vape is a failure of the internal pressure system of the vape pod or tank.
E-Liquid Causes Leaks
The primary ingredient of e-liquids are Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG). VG is thicker than PG. As a result, a 50/50 PG/VG blend, commonly used in many prefilled pods, is a lot more likely to leak than a 70/30 VG/PG blend. Additionally, heat thins liquids. Leaving a vape in a hot vehicle is a sure-fire way to cause a leak, as the thinned liquid will flow easily through any openings around the seals and coils.
Vacuum Breakdown
This is the most common type of leak. Both pods and tanks are designed to maintain a very small vacuum. When you overfill your pod or tank, you push the essential air bubble out of the chamber and create a vacuum that cannot be maintained. Once the vacuum is broken, the excess e-liquid flows down through the coil and out of the airflow holes. I experienced this firsthand with my first SMOK Novo 2; even though the fill port was slightly below the recommended max, filling it just above the line would ultimately result in a gurgling, leaking mess.
Worn-Out Coils Cause Leaks
Coils are the consumable heart of your vape device. As you use your coil, the cotton inside deteriorates and becomes saturated with sweetener residue (such as "coil gunk") causing it to lose its effectiveness to hold e-liquid. The result is that your coil floods. Most coils last anywhere between 1-2 weeks depending on usage, however, flavors that include high amounts of sweeteners may shorten the lifespan of your coil to just a few days.
Pressure and Temperature Changes
Physics does not discriminate. When the atmospheric pressure drops rapidly (such as during takeoff in an airplane or while traveling uphill in your vehicle) the air inside your tank expands and pushes the e-liquid out. The same principle applies when traveling from a cold area to a warm area.
The Step-by-Step Rescue Guide: Fixing an Active Leak
Once you identify a leak, you should follow this process carefully. In addition to cleaning your vape, you will need paper towels, Q-tips and (optional) some isopropyl alcohol.
Step 1: Remove Pod and Identify Source of Leak
Remove the pod from your vape battery immediately. Removing the pod is important for both safety and cleanliness purposes. To clean excess e-liquid from the chimney, hold the pod upside down and flick the mouthpiece of the pod down sharply a few times. Centrifugal force will help move the excess e-liquid out of the chimney.
My Vaporesso XROS 3 is extremely leak-resistant, but if I leave a 50/50 pod in a warm pocket, I sometimes notice a little bit of water in the battery bay. However, this technique works about 90% of the time to get rid of any remaining e-liquid in the battery bay.
Step 2: Clean Everything
Clean the entire pod with a paper towel. Next, take a Q-tip and thoroughly clean the connection port of your battery — this is typically where leaked e-juice collects and can potentially damage the electrical circuitry of your vape device. If the leaked e-liquid has dried onto the connection port, use a Q-tip lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol to remove the residue. Be sure to clean off all excess e-liquid and ensure that the connection ports and other parts of the vape are completely dry prior to reassembling your vape.
Step 3: Inspect and Replace Coil
If your vape has interchangeable coils (most tanks and some pods), unscrew the bottom of your vape and remove the coil. Check the small, clear O-rings on the coil for any cuts or misalignments. If your coil is more than a week old or smells like it has been burning, replace the coil. Replacing the coil with a brand-new coil that still has resilient cotton will likely solve the majority of persistent leaks.
Step 4: Proper Fill and Reset Methodology
Do not fill your pod to the max when refilling. Leave enough room for a small air bubble — respect the recommended maximum fill line. Immediately after you seal the fill port, here is another proactive tip: turn the airflow control (if your vape has one) to the closed position and perform a few short, aggressive puffs on your vape without firing the vape. This will create a negative pressure within your vape that will pull the e-liquid back from the airflow holes on the coil.
Preventative Methods: Preventing Leaks in the Future
It is said that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, especially when that cure is sticky e-liquid.
Always Store Vape Upright
Maintaining gravity in favor of the vape will minimize the chance of a leak occurring. Always store your vape in an upright position. I keep a simple cup on my desk to store my vape devices in.
Choose the Right Flavor
If you continue to experience leaks, consider switching to a higher VG ratio e-liquid. Higher VG blends are thicker and less prone to leaking than 50/50 PG/VG blends. Switching to a higher VG ratio solved my early issues with older, less sealed pod-style vaporizers.
Environmental Factors
Never leave your vape in a hot vehicle or exposed directly to sunlight. Also, never expose your vape to extreme temperatures either. Rapid temperature changes can cause condensation to occur inside the vape pod.
Regular Cleaning
Consider making a simple visual inspection and wiping down of your vape as part of your daily routine. A five-second inspection of your vape battery port and exterior can save you from a great deal of trouble later.
A leaking e-cigarette is not the end of the world, and there is usually a solution available. However, to eliminate leaks for good, you need to understand the simple physics behind them and adhere to these easy-to-follow preventative maintenance tips to transform your vaping experience from a messy ordeal into the enjoyable, stress-free experience it is intended to be.