How to Clean A Vape Tank: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

When you buy a fresh or new vape kit, it works flawlessly and offers a smooth vape cloud production, rich flavour delivery, and a satisfying vaping journey.  However, you may find that it fails to reach as well after a few weeks. Airflow may begin to feel constrained, the taste may seem strange, or the vapour may feel weaker. This usually happens when the tank and other components aren’t cleaned regularly.

This usually occurs when the cartridge and internal parts aren’t properly maintained. But, to keep it performing perfectly, constant maintenance is an essential activity to perform. Small dust particles, e-liquid residue, and even tiny fragments of burned coil can affect the mouthpiece, the atomiser, and the tank over time. The buildup of these particles may block the movement of air, reduce the flavour, and potentially affect the coil's lifespan.

To avoid these consequences, there is always time to start taking better care of the tank.  You can maintain your tank back to its "like new" condition and experience a smoother, more flavorful vaping experience by cleaning it thoroughly and consistently. This article will help you in this regard and explain the best way to clean a vape tank.

Introduction to a Vape Tank

Inside the vape kit, the vape tank, is an important component that holds the vape liquid and includes the coil to heat it to create vapours. Without the tank, the device would heat thin air, affecting your overall vaping experience. 

A vape like the Uwell Crown 3 and Smok TFV18 Mini comes with a glass or plastic container to hold the premium e-liquid, a coil with a cotton wick, a base that connects to the battery, and a mouthpiece where you can place your mouth. The wick soaks up the e-liquid, and when the coil heats up, it turns that liquid into vapour for you to inhale. Some of the top brands that offer high-quality tanks are Innokin, Voopoo, Uwell, and Geekvape.

Why Cleaning Your Vape Tank Matters

For a deep knowledge about the cleaning process of the cartridge, it’s essential to know what can happen to your vape if it isn’t cleaned. 

• One of the main downsides of not cleaning your vape tank is that switching between different e-liquid flavours becomes tricky. If you don’t rinse the tank before refilling it, traces of the old flavour can mix with the new one, leaving an unpleasant or confusing taste. 
• This can also affect how well your vape coil performs and may even cause dry hits if residue builds up inside. Keeping your tank clean ensures every new flavour tastes fresh and smooth.
• Another issue occurs when the tank runs completely dry. The leftover e-liquid can burn and leave a sticky residue that harms the flavour and clogs the coil and mouthpiece, making your device work harder than it should.

Due to these major reasons, it is good to keep your vape tank clean, which helps you avoid unpleasant flavours and ensures every puff tastes fresh. A cleaned cartridge also helps your coil last longer and keeps your vape performing optimally. 

How to Clean a Vape Tank

To enjoy pure flavours, prolong component life, and prevent some leaks or burnt tastes, it's crucial to have a thorough understanding of how to clean vape tank.  Everything you need to get your tank fresh again is included in the easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions below.

Collect All The Cleaning Supplies

It is commonly observed that cleaning the vape tank does not require complicated steps. All you need is a bowl of warm or hot water, a paper towel or a microfiber cloth for drying, and a few cotton cloths to reach the small or tricky spots. These simple and small things are enough to keep the tank clean and ready for the next refill.

Detach The Vape Cartridge

Initially, separate the tank from the device and safely put it into the bowl of the hot water. Then, start by carefully unscrewing your vape tank into its various parts. It may take some time to avoid damaging any components. Also, it is suggested to work on a clean, flat surface and keep all the pieces in order so you don’t lose anything. 

Soak for At Least 20 Minutes

Place all the tank components into a bowl of hot water and let them soak for about 20 minutes. This helps loosen and dissolve any remaining e-liquid, dirt, or residue. If you still notice some dirt after soaking, replace the water with fresh hot water and soak the parts for another 20 minutes. 

Let It Dry

After the dirt and residue have been cleaned off, place all the tank parts on a clean sheet, towel or soft cloth to dry. Wait until the excess water drips off naturally, and ensure every piece is completely dry before reassembling. It’s best to leave the parts to air-dry for around 20 minutes, giving them enough time to dry thoroughly.

Reattach The Tank With The Kit

Before reassembling your vape, make sure every single part is completely dry. Even a small amount of leftover water can interfere with your device’s performance or cause leaks. Double-check the seals and O-rings to ensure everything is fitted back securely for smooth operation.

Why Coil Replacement Matters

The coil is a key part of your vape device; it’s what heats up the e-liquid and turns it into the vapour you inhale. It sits inside the tank, surrounded by vape juice so that it can absorb and heat the liquid efficiently through the cotton wick inside. Over time, coils wear out or become clogged with residue, which can affect the flavour and vapour production.

It’s a good idea to replace your coil whenever you switch to a different flavour, as leftover traces of the old juice can mix with the new one and ruin the taste. It is recommended to change the coil if you notice your vape isn’t producing as much vapour, tastes burnt, or feels harsh when inhaling. 

Many vapers prefer to keep separate coils for their favourite flavours. This helps each flavour stay clean, fresh, and true to its original taste. Regularly changing your coil not only keeps your vape tasting great but also extends the life of your device.

In addition, if you enjoy a stronger, more powerful vape, go for a high VG e-liquid. For a smoother and lighter vape that works well with sub-ohm kits or direct-to-lung (DTL) devices, a higher PG liquid is a better choice. Many ex-smokers tend to stick with familiar tobacco flavours, while newer vapers often explore fruity, dessert, or menthol options based on their personal taste.

How to Clean a Vape Coil

Yes, cleaning the coil can be a bit more challenging than cleaning the tank. There are two main types of replaceable coils: coil heads found in standard tanks and rebuildable coils used in more advanced vape setups. Since each type works differently, their cleaning methods also vary. Always identify the type of coil you are using first, and then follow the correct cleaning steps to ensure the best performance.

Replaceable Coils

Replaceable coils, such as Vaporesso GTX and Innokin Zenith, have been designed to work with sub-ohm tanks that can be cleaned smoothly, but are not completely secured. It is advisable to get an extra few days out of the coil before it needs to be replaced. Therefore, you need to let the coils soak and pour a few drops of water to remove residues. Drying may take some time; getting a few extra days of use out of it makes the effort worthwhile, especially if you’re not ready to replace it just yet. 

• Soak your coil in a small bowl of ethanol or vinegar for a few hours to help break down built-up residue.
• Rinse the coil thoroughly under running water to wash away any leftover cleaning solution.
• For a cleaner finish and to remove any remaining particles, give it another fast rinse using distilled water.
• Gently blow through the coil’s open end to push out excess water from the wicking holes.
• Leave the coil to dry completely before using it again; make sure all moisture has evaporated to avoid any damage when you start vaping.

Rebuildable Coils

If you’re using a rebuildable atomiser while setting up the rebuildable tanks, it’s important to make a habit of cleaning your coils regularly. Coils that get clogged with residue can quickly lose flavour and produce less vapour. 

Start by removing the wicks from your coils. Leave them in while cleaning or dry burning, as they can easily burn. If your coils only have light buildup, a quick dry burn usually helps. Simply pulse the fire button a few times to burn off any leftover e-liquid, then let the coils cool completely before re-wicking.

However, if you’ve already done this a few times and your coils still look dirty or taste off, it’s time for a deep clean. Follow the next steps to give your coils a thorough refresh and restore their performance.

• Take out the wicks from your coils before cleaning to prevent them from burning.
• Give your coils a gentle dry burn; press the fire button in short bursts, but avoid letting them glow too hot.
• Detach the atomiser from your mod once the dry burn is done.
• Rinse the coils under running water to wash away loosened residue.
• Use a soft brush or coil cleaning tool to lightly scrub off any remaining buildup.
• Rinse the coils again to ensure all dirt and debris are gone.
• Finish with a quick dry burn to evaporate any leftover water and get your coils ready for re-wicking.

Signs Your Vape Tank Needs Cleaning

The regular cleaning vape tank helps your device work smoothly and ensures the delivery of fresh, pure flavour. It also prevents residue from building up inside the tank or coil. A clean tank can last longer and reduce the chances of leaks, burnt hits, or weak vapour production.

If you observe the following symptoms, try to clean your vape kit without wasting time:

• When sudden change in flavour: It is good to always rinse your tank before switching e-liquids, especially if you’re moving from one strong flavour to another (like dessert to menthol or tobacco).
• When the flavour’s taste starts to fade: If you notice your flavour tasting dull, burnt, or mixed with old flavours, it’s time for a clean.
• When you hear a gurgling sound or get weak vapour: The gurgling sound usually indicates the burnt coil, so hearing this sound shows that it's time to clean it. Also, the poor production of vape clouds indicates the same issue.

Cap-up Lines

To wrap up the explanation, it is stated that cleaning the tank daily is one of the simplest ways to maintain your device's optimal performance. With a clean cartridge, you can experience your e-liquid's actual flavour without any residue buildup from past flavours. Particles of sweetened e-liquid flavours can leave behind the residuals, which can affect the device’s performance and efficacy and decrease its desired flavour.

By adopting the best ways to clean a vape tank into your daily vaping sessions, you can also increase the longevity of your tank and maintain the rich, fresh flavour. You can conveniently clean the cartridge in several ways, ranging from a quick rinse with warm water to a thorough cleaning. You can choose the required method according to your needs and preferences.