Vaping is a popular trend nowadays, and one of the reasons why people enjoy it so much is because it does not produce any smoke. However, there are some cons to vaping – for example, you might forget that your vape cartridge is empty. When this happens, you will need a way to know when the cartridge has run out of liquid without wasting more product! In this blog post, we’ll teach you how to tell if your vape cartridge needs refilling.
Table of Contents
What Is a Vape Cartridge?
The vape cartridge is a device that allows you to take your favorite herb/e-liquid product and place it inside the chamber. When using a vaporizer, this will heat up the ingredients of extracts until they are released as an aromatic vapor for inhalation. It eliminates combustion byproducts like tar, ash, and smoke that may be harmful when inhaled through smoking methods [1].
How Does a Vape Cartridge Work?
The vape cartridge is filled with a heating element that will heat up the product when you inhale. This will create vapor that you can then inhale and enjoy. The vape cartridge is also filled with an e-liquid that will help to produce the vapor.
There are many different types of liquids that can be used, but most people prefer to use propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG) because they do not have a strong flavor and they produce more vapor.
The battery on the vape cartridge will heat up the coil inside the chamber. This will then heat up the product and create vapor. When you inhale, this will activate the battery and it will start heating up the coil. The product will then be heated and turned into vapor which you can then inhale.
There are many different types of vape cartridges on the market, so it’s important to do your research before purchasing one. Some cartridges work better with specific products, while others offer more flavor options. Be sure to read reviews and find out what other people are saying about the different brands and styles available.
Does a Vape Cartridge Have Any Benefits?
Vaporizing offers many benefits over traditional methods of consuming vape liquid products including:
- No carcinogens. Cancer-causing agents can result from burning material at high temperatures that occurs with joints cigarettes, pipes, bongs, etc. By heating only to the point where THC boils off into gas form without reaching combustion temperature there is no danger of these compounds being produced;
- Improved flavor. When smoking, e-liquid combusts and creates a harsh taste. Vaporizing allows you to enjoy the subtle flavors of different e-juice strains without any smokiness;
- More efficient. The chemicals of herbs are released into vapor form at around 360 degrees Fahrenheit. This is much lower than the temperature needed to combust (burn) the material that is about 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that more of the THC and other beneficial compounds will be activated and available for inhalation when vaping as opposed to smoking;
How to Know When The Vape Cartridge Is Empty:
1) Focus on the light at the tip of your cartridge
The vaping pen has a LED light at its end. When this is on, it means that the vape cartridge is full and ready for usage. As time passes by and you keep using, this light will turn off or dim down signifying that the oil in your vaporizer has been used up completely. When the light at your cartridge’s tip is no longer lit, it means that you will need to replace it with a new one.
2) Check the viewing window
In most vape cartridges, there is a small viewing window installed on them. This offers you an easy way to see whether the oil has been consumed and needs replacement or not. As soon as your cartridge runs out of its contents completely. This little window will be cleared up giving you a clue that it’s now time for you to change your current one with new ones.
3) Keep track of expiry dates
Different vape cartridges have their own designated expiry dates. Once you’ve opened the cartridge, it’ll start losing its freshness and potency gradually until it becomes completely unusable. Pay attention to these dates, so you will know when it’s time for a replacement even without checking the light or viewing window.
When your vape cartridge is empty, don’t just throw it away! You can recycle them by dropping them off at any participating recycling facility near you.
4) The vapor tastes burnt or charred
If you’re noticing an unpleasant taste or smell when vaping, it could be a sign that your cartridge is empty. When the oil has been completely used up, there’s not much left to give flavor or aroma and what’s there will start to taste and smell bad. If this happens, it’s time for you to replace your current cartridge with a new one.
Another way to tell if your cartridge needs replacing is by checking the color of the oil. If the oil has turned dark brown or black, then it’s time for a new one. Finally, you can also test out the flavor of the vapor. If it doesn’t taste as good as it used to, then chances are the cartridge is almost done.
5) The vapor gets thin and tasteless
Another sign that your vape cartridge is getting close to finishing up is when the vapor becomes thin and doesn’t taste as good as it used to. This is usually a sign that you need to replace the cartridge soon.
If you’re not sure whether or not your vape cartridge is empty, there are a few ways to check. One way is to look at the amount of vapor that’s being produced. If it seems like the vapor production has decreased, then it’s likely that the cartridge is running low on oil.
6) The battery turns on, the device gets hot, but no vapor is produced
Another sign that your cartridge is running low on oil is if the battery turns on, but there’s no vapor being produced.
If you notice this happening, it means that the cartridge isn’t able to produce enough pressure anymore because of its lack of oils. If you want to keep using the device for a little while longer before replacing it with a new vape pen or cartridge, then try taking shorter and slower draws from it in order to get more use out of it before having to replace it.
7) A dead battery vs. an empty disposable vape cartridge
If you have a vape pen with a replaceable battery, then you’ll know that it’s time to change the battery when it dies.
However, if you have a disposable vape cartridge, then there are other signs that will let you know when it’s time to replace the cartridge.
One of those signs is if the device gets hot but no vapor is being produced. Another sign is if there’s a decrease in vapor production.
Additional Tips:
Full vs. empty cartridge
To avoid being wasteful, keep an eye on your cartridge and fill it up before the oil is all gone. If you don’t have a full cartridge at hand when you need to vape, you can also use a battery with a fresh atomizer for each puff filled halfway with juice from the tank that needs refilling. You may want to put some of your favorite e-juice into smaller dropper bottles so they’re easier to refill without making too much of a mess.
The difference in smell and taste of your vape
Another way to tell if you need a refill is to notice the smell and taste. If it tastes burnt or has no flavor at all, then that means there isn’t enough juice left in the tank for proper vaping. Vape juices start dissipating after about 30 days so their quality declines over time even when they’re not opened because oxygen breaks down e-liquid ingredients like nicotine and flavors.
You might be able to revive some old hash oil cartridges by adding more cannabis extract but this may result in uneven coloration caused by mixing different types of oils together – especially darkening due to oxidation (exposure to air).
Puff issues
If you’re having trouble getting a good puff, it might be because the oil has leaked out of the cartridge and pooled in the atomizer. When this happens, there’s not enough space for air to flow which makes it harder to hit and results in less vapor production.
Cartridge leakage
Leaking cartridges are another common problem that can occur with any kind of vape pen – not just those that use hash oil cartridges. This is often caused by improper storage or using too much pressure when screwing on the mouthpiece or tank cover. If your cartridge starts leaking, try wiping off any excess oil before putting it back into your device. You may also need to tighten up the connections a bit more or replace the gasket if it’s damaged.
Water in cartridges
If a cartridge contains too much moisture, it can start producing odd-tasting vapor so you’ll want to avoid getting water inside your device when refilling or taking apart the tank and atomizer for cleaning. This is especially important because concentrated extracts contain a lot of plant matter that’s been exposed to high amounts of pesticides during cultivation – including things like powdery mildew which can cause lung irritation if inhaled directly from the pen while vaping.
FAQ:
1. How do I know when my vape is empty?
It’s time to toss out the disposable vape when you notice a decrease in vapor production and the blue light at the tip no longer illuminates when you puff. For comparison, a typical user will use 400 puffs from each disposable [2].
2. How do you know when to change a vape cartridge?
If you’re using a vape pen with oil cartridges, when the vapor production decreases and/or there is no longer blue light illumination at the tip of your cartridge it’s time to replace it.
Some brands may use different indicators such as low voltage or low e-liquid levels for their brand-specific disposables. Consult the documentation that came with your device in order to determine whether this applies to yours.
A refillable vape should be refilled when you notice decreased performance from your pen due to decreased flavor quality and/or effects intensity. Additionally, if you start experiencing leaks under normal conditions these are also signs that would prompt a refill request.
3. What happens when you vape an empty cartridge?
When you vape an empty cartridge, the device won’t work. This can be dangerous as it increases your risk of battery failure and leakage.
4. Why is my coil burnt after 2 days?
There are 3 possible causes of your coils burning out quickly:
- The E-liquid you are using has a lot of sweeteners (they caramelize on the coils and choke the coils);
- You are using a liquid that is too thick for the coils (if the coils are 0.3ohms or below then 70/30 or max VG should be fine) if vaping with coils above 0,6ohms then 60/40 e-liquids if using coils of 1ohm or higher than 50/50 or thinner e-liquids;
- The third and probable cause is you should prime the coils before first use and start at a power level of no more than 60% of the recommended power for the coils, then raise it by 5w every 10 draws until you get the flavor you should be getting. It is called bedding the coils which improve the saturation of the wick and extend the life of coils by up to double what you expect [3];
5. Why is my vape coil glowing red?
Hot spots on the coil, for example, when vaping excessively hot liquid can cause it to glow an intense red as the excessive heat passes through it. Vaping with a hot-spotted coil can produce a harsh metallic draw that is both scorching and unpleasant [4].
6. Can you revive a burnt coil?
Burnt coils cannot be revived and must be replaced.
Useful Video: How To Refill Dispsable Carts DANK VAPES, MARIO CARTS, EXOTICS
References:
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/pdfs/ecigarette-or-vaping-products-visual-dictionary-508.pdf
- https://www.blu.com/en/US/faqs/blu-disposables/how-do-i-know-when-my-blu-disposable-e-cigarette-is-empty
- https://www.quora.com/Why-is-my-vape-tank-burning-my-coils-out-in-2-days
- https://cbdasylum.com/vape-tastes-burnt/