Disposable vapes are part of the reason why the cannabis trend stays afloat. It’s simply a favorite among cannabis smokers who want a convenient, low-maintenance, yet sophisticated vaping technology. This is why it’s such a spoilsport if the device starts acting up, not hitting, etc. 

One of the reasons for most disposable vaping issues is because of a distillate build-up or clog. Although this indicates that your distillate is concentrated or rich, it is disappointing that the device cannot be used until the issue is resolved.

See our checklist below to confirm whether the issue was indeed a clog-up. If it’s positive for a clogging issue, we have simple solutions for you to follow, even if you don’t have the technical knowledge on how to unclog a vape. 

What Are the Reasons for a Vape Pen Clogging Up?

A clogged disposable vape pen frequently happens when a high-quality distillate has a thicker-than-usual consistency. Other than that, here are the top reasons for clogging:

Extreme Temperatures: Distillates tend to change with their environment’s current temperature. Its consistency drastically changes when exposed to extremely low and high temperatures. The rapid shift from one extremely hot to a cold temperature can cause clogging. 

So, say you’ve left your vape for a long time inside your car and put it in the freezer. This will likely cause a clog. 

Horizontally Storing Your Vape: There’s a reason why product packaging instructs users to always leave their vaping devices in a vertical or standing position. It’s because leaving your device lying on its side can lead to clogging and leakage. 

The e-liquid pools around the coil and other areas of the vape. Once the distillate settles, it can cause clogging. 

Low-Maintenance: Without regular cleaning, the accumulated debris from vapor condensation, lint, and dust can form a sticky residue inside. 

Improper Usage: Habitual practices like drawing too much vapor in quick succession force the excess liquid to pool around the airflow system, contributing to clogs. Also, accidentally dropping the device can cause the components inside to shift, leading to a potential clog. 

Damaged Parts: Worn out components such as a damaged coil leads to the improper vaporization of the distillate, resulting in clogging. 

Low Battery Level: Low-level battery power improperly vaporizes a distillate. The result? Incomplete vaporization leaves an unvaporized residue, clogging the device. 

Incompatible Distillate: There are vapes designed to accommodate all types of distillates from different brands. However, there are devices compatible only with a particular distillate product (often included in the package or from one brand). These sensitive vapes require a specific viscosity. Using another foreign e-liquid might clog the devices. 

Overcharging: Leaving your disposable vape plugged in for a long time overheats the device and the liquid will flow back in. 

Avoiding these things from happening helps lessen the chances of your disposable vapes from clogging. 

How to Determine if a Vape Is Not Hitting Due to a Clog?

Before fixing a clog, you need to confirm first that the clogging was indeed the reason why your vape is not hitting normally. Here are some tell-tale signs and symptoms of a confirmed clogged vape:

Significant Reduction of Airflow: If drawing vapor out seems difficult and there’s only little vapor coming out of the mouthpiece, it could be a sign of an obstructed airflow. 

Reduced Potency: A clogged vape can produce the same volume of vapor but at the same time not have the same level of potency or strength. If your vape is not hitting you the same, it can mean two things: you’re developing a tolerance to the distillate’s active ingredient, or the device is clogged. 

Altered or Diminished Flavor: Another thing you’ll notice in a clogged device is the dramatic changing of the flavor or aroma of the vapor. If the flavors seems muted or extremely smelly, it may be due to a clogged airflow system. 

Gurgling or Splitting: The sounds of gurgling or splitting when you draw out vapor are caused by the excess liquid formed by a clog inside the device. 

Faulty Activation System: Extreme clogging can disrupt the whole activation system. So once you’re experiencing difficulty in turning on your device, it might be experiencing clogging. 

What Are the Ways on How to Unclog Disposable Vape Pens?

Some disposables vape brands have an anti-clogging mechanism in place in case of a suspected clogging. For example, the Kayo Phuk’d Up Mini Vapes Series from The Hemp Doctor added a preheat setting on their devices to clear out any potential clogging.

🎬The Hemp Doctor YouTube Channel In this quick video tutorial and product feature, watch as Robert Shade explains how to use the Kayo Phuk’d Up Mini Vape.

So before you unclog your vape, check your device’s product manual; it may have some unclogging instructions unique to that device. If, in the event, you’re left to your own devices (literally), here are some simple ways how to unclog a disposable vape, starting from the most non-invasive technique:

1. Try Inhaling Through Your Mouth Instead of Your Lung

Sometimes, the most obvious idea works the best. For example, if you’re suspecting a clog-up, try sucking the air out from the mouthpiece using your mouth instead of your lungs. Don’t turn on the device. If successful, the sucking pressure will unclog the airflow. 

2. Use the “Blow & Pull” Method Without Activating the Device

Start by blowing into the airholes at the bottom of the pen. It’s the hole/s right next to the charging port. Next, suck the air out hard off the mouthpiece. Be careful of dislodged solid debris. It might get inside your mouth. 

3. Warm Your Disposable to Melt the Clog

If your device lacks a preheat setting, you can DIY preheating by doing any of the actions below:

• Use a hair dryer: Put it in the highest temperature setting and aim the warm air at your disposable for a few minutes. Make sure the device is standing in a vertical position where the mouthpiece looks upward. 
• Submerge in warm water: Put your THC disposable securely inside an airtight plastic bag or Ziploc and submerge in warm water. Don’t let the water get inside the bag. 

🔥 Warning No matter how tempting it is, don’t use open flame to melt the clog nor use any extreme temperature. The goal here is to unclog using low-level heat.

4. Clean the Device

If nothing works so far, you can try to deep clean the vaping device. Here’s how it’s done. 

Tools:

• Toothpick, safety pin, paper clip, or any clean pointed object
• lighter
• Q-tip
• Alcohol

Steps:

1. Remove the mouthpiece: Gently remove the detachable mouthpiece (don’t try to force non-detachable ones) and set it aside. 

2. Inspect for debris obstructions: Inspect the airflow vents and other holes of the device for visible crystallization. 

3. Dislodge debris by gently inserting a pointed object: Using a toothpick or a similar pointed object, gently puncture and dislodge debris or hardened oil, blocking the airflow. Push the tool only one inch deep. 

Rotate the tool as many times you like or until all of the debris are gone and the toothpick comes out clean. Try not to be too vigorous or use excessive force to avoid damaging any parts. 

🦾 Pro Tip Heat up your safety pin using a lighter. It will unclog the debris faster.

4. Cleaning using isopropyl alcohol: Dampen a Q-tip with an alcohol. Make sure that the device is dry before swabbing the vents and the airflow with an alcohol-filled Q-tip. 

5. Air dry the device and reassemble the parts: Air dry parts of the device and its body. Wait for a few hours to allow moisture to completely escape before reassembling. 

6. Test it: Once all parts are reattached, without activating the device, blow through the charging port of the vape. If the unclogging has been a success, you will feel air coming out of the other end of the device. Next, activate the device and take a few gentle puffs. 

What to Do When a Disposable Vape Keeps Clogging?

If clogging comes back after a few days and the next, do these things to address the issue:

• Call customer support: They give troubleshooting advice and sometimes offer a replacement or refund.
• Buy a new one from an entirely different brand: The vape variant you currently have may be prone to clogging.  
• Avoid any of the reasons or situations that are recipes for clogging: Comb through the reasons why clogs happen (like the ones listed above) and avoid them at all costs.
• Always prime the device before using: Without activating the device, take a few quick puffs. This will help saturate the wick with distillate, reducing dry hits and clogging.
• Preheat your device before actual usage: This will instantly melt condensed vapor and oil.  
• Avoid overuse: There’s a fine line between normal usage and overusing. Use your device daily but not excessively, like every minute. Disposable vapes are disposable for a reason. They’re not meant to last very long. At most, one item would get you a few hundred puffs, depending on the model or the brand. 
• Try a different drawing approach: Instead of forcefully sucking the vapor out, try gentle and slower draws. 

📑 You Might Want to Read Learn how the pros vape and get the most out of your device in this in-depth guide on how to use your vape.

What Are the Tips to Prevent Clogged Disposable Vape Pen in the Future?

Unfortunately, no magic bullet exists to guarantee zero chances of future clogging. However, you can significantly lessen the chances of clogging by following these tips:

• Buy from reputable brands: Sturdy and high-quality products need little maintenance and few adjustments on your part. If you’re starting with a great vaping device already, it’s hard to clog it up. 
• Store them properly: Keep your device always in an upright position and avoid exposure to harsh temperatures. Also, don’t keep your vapes inside pockets, it collects lint overtime. 
• Giving one last blast of heat before storing: Do a long drag after a session. This clears up any excess oil in the airflow and makes it ready for clean future use.    
• Proactively check for clogs: Regularly inspect for changes in airflow and possible debris collection. Clean immediately after spotting issues. Don’t wait for it to gain irreparable damages. 
• Use compatible e-liquids, chargers, etc.: Some vapes are only meant for a same-brand component like an e-liquid. If that’s the case, only use compatible distillates and vaping parts to avoid messing with the device’s internals. 
• Handle your vape with care: Treat your device like how you would treat a new smartphone. Avoid dropping, mishandling, or shaking the device. 

📑 You Might Want to Read Extending your Delta 8 products’ shelf storage involves proper storage. Do it like an expert by reading this guide.

Final Thoughts

While clogged vapes is common occurrence among vapers, it’s an easy issue to fix once equipped with the right knowledge. With this guide, you don’t need any technical skills or experience to unclog a device. Simply follow them and you’ll be vaping fine in no time. 

If you want to skip this guide altogether and vape without the anxiety of future clog-ups, purchasing a trusted vape is the wisest choice. Meet The Hemp Doctor, a company known to offer some of the most potent and innovative vape cartridges and pens in the industry. Join the hype and stay toasty.

FAQs