We've all had that experience, looking to get every last drop of e-liquid from a vape that is clearly on its last leg. I am one person that has used more disposable vapes than I would like to admit and I have come to understand the signs that will indicate that your device is really empty of e-liquid so that you avoid the worst of the dry hit experience.
Identifying the end-of-life of a disposable vape doesn’t just help you get value for your money, it also helps you avoid the frustration of an inconsistent and possibly unpleasant vaping experience. This article will review the tell-tell signs that your disposable vape is truly out of e-liquid. These will include the knowledge gained from my experience and the mechanics of disposable vapes.
Signs That Your Vape Has Reached End-Of-Life
Some of the signs are extremely obvious, while others are very subtle, yet they both serve as a warning signal to stop. Recognizing these signs will allow you to determine whether your vape is truly empty of e-liquid.
Burnt Taste or Substantially Reduced Flavor
One of the most recognizable signs, and by far the most common, is a reduction in flavor. When you first purchased the disposable vape, the flavor was probably rich and distinct. As you continued to use the vape, the e-liquid began to deplete, and the cotton wick that draws e-liquid into the coil became drier and drier. When you draw air through the vape, the coil heats up a nearly dry or completely dry wick, and you taste a distinctly burnt taste, usually referred to as "burnt," or "acrid." From my experience, once you taste this flavor, it's a one-way street. Even if there is a small amount of e-liquid remaining, the wick is damaged and the pure flavor cannot be restored again. At that point, the vape is directly telling you that it is done.
Substantially Reduced Vapor Cloud
Another clear indication that your vape is reaching its end-of-life is a noticeable reduction in vapor cloud. A healthy vape typically creates a large, dense cloud of vapor with each puff. When the e-liquid level drops to a critical point, you will consistently find a substantial decrease in vapor cloud. Your puffs will become sparse and thin. A single puff will not produce a lot of vapor, but rather a small amount. The vapor becomes increasingly weak with each successive draw. This occurs due to the fact that the vapor produced by a vape is generated by the aerosolization of the e-liquid. With less e-liquid available, the vape will generate less vapor. This is a clear mechanical failure that can easily be observed.
Gurgling or Sputtering Sounds
At times, a slight gurgling noise can occur if a vape becomes saturated with e-liquid, however, at the end-of-life of a disposable vape, this sound becomes a completely different animal. Some vapes may emit a mild sputtering or cracking sound, which is typically accompanied by weak draws and a hint of burnt taste. In my opinion, this sound typically indicates that the last remnants of e-liquid are being inefficiently vaporized. The vape is literally running on fumes, and the erratic performance is a good indication that the end is near.
Battery Depletion
Disposable vapes contain two limited resources: e-liquid and battery life. While a vape may appear to be "dead" due to a lack of e-liquid, it may actually be experiencing battery depletion. The signs of a dead battery are quite different from those associated with e-liquid depletion. Instead of tasting a burnt taste or experiencing a reduction in vapor, the vape will simply not fire. Depending upon the design of your vape, you may receive no light, a flashing light, or no response whatsoever when attempting to draw a breath through the vape. If your vape was firing perfectly at one time and is now completely dead, it is almost certain that the issue is a battery problem, not an e-liquid problem.
A Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Confirmation
When in doubt, follow this simple process to determine whether your vape is truly empty of e-liquid. I use this same process to eliminate any uncertainty.
Step 1: The E-Liquid Level Check
Look for a view-through area on your vape. Most disposable vapes have a clear plastic or glass area that allows you to visually inspect the e-liquid level. Hold your vape up to a light source. If you see liquid sloshing around in the view-through area, it could mean that you have a clog or a battery problem. On the other hand, if the view-through area is completely empty or you can only see a couple of isolated droplets stuck to the walls of the view-through area, the e-liquid is definitely gone. Unfortunately, if there is no view-through area, you will have to rely solely on your other senses.
Step 2: The Performance Evaluation
Take a slow, controlled draw from your vape. Focus specifically on the three characteristics we previously reviewed: flavor, vapor, and sound. Take a gentle draw, as a forceful pull will only make things worse on a dry coil. Is the flavor rich and pure, or is it dominated by a harsh, acrid aftertaste? Does the vape create a large, dense cloud of vapor, or does it produce a thin, meager mist? Can you hear a healthy hiss or a loud, gurgling spit? Evaluating the three elements together provides more reliability than evaluating any single element alone.
Step 3: The Final Analysis
Combine the information obtained during your visual inspection with your performance evaluation. If the view-through area is empty and you have experienced a burning taste and reduced vapor, you have a confirmed empty vape. If you were able to visualize e-liquid in the view-through area, but the vape performed poorly, you may have either a malfunctioning vape or a vape that has suffered from chain-vaping damage. Although allowing the vape to sit idle for a short period may restore temporary functionality, the underlying issue will remain unchanged.
Common Issues and Easy Fixes
Clogged Vape
On occasion, a vape that appears to be "dead" is merely clogged with condensed e-liquid. In this situation, you will likely encounter severely restricted airflow and/or gurgling. Simply shake the vape gently back and forth, with the mouthpiece down toward a paper towel. This action will dislodge any excessive liquid that may have accumulated in the airflow tube. I have managed to salvage many a "finished" vape this way, extending their usability for several additional hours.
The Myth of "Residual" E-Liquid
Even though you may see a small amount of e-liquid visible in the view-through area, do not assume that the vape should still function normally. Most disposable vapes utilize a combination of a tank and a wick system. When the e-liquid reaches a level that it can no longer properly saturate the wick, it will lead to dry coil burn-offs, regardless of the small amount of e-liquid remaining. Using a vape under these conditions is what causes the long-term burnt taste. It is preferable to acknowledge that the useful life of your vape is at an end.
In Conclusion
Disposable vapes are convenient products, but ultimately, they are limited to a specific lifespan. Their demise is inevitable. Learning to recognize the obvious signals—burnt flavor, weak vapor, gurgling/spitting sounds, and visual verification of an empty tank—are the keys to determining if your disposable vape is empty. Use your senses to your advantage. Once you identify the signs that your vape has reached the end of its usable life, it is recommended to responsibly dispose of the device and begin with a new, unspoiled vape.