Vape pen parts and functionality
There are a variety of vape pen models to choose from at your local dispensary. Some are designed to vape flower, whereas others are used to vape concentrates. Though functionality may set them apart, all of them have standard vape pen parts that include a lithium battery and an atomizer (heating element). The battery heats up the atomizer, which heats the cannabis, and turns it into vapor for inhalation.
Vape pen hardware can differ in that some models are button-operated, whereas other are activated simply by inhalation. The most versatile types have a temperature regulator that the operator can use to turn the heat up or down on the device. If you have a button model you will need to push the button five times to turn it on or ‘unlock’ it. Pressing the button five times again will ‘lock’ the battery so it doesn’t heat up in your pocket. On some vape pens, pushing the button three times will change the temperature from low to medium to high.
At Torrey Holistics, there are many different types of vape pen batteries with varying functionalities. You will also find a large selection of disposable vapes, which come with prefilled hardware. These easy-to-use devices come pre-built with a battery, cartridge, and cannabis oil all in one piece. Usually, you can expect about 150 puffs from a .5 gram capacity vape pen before it needs to be tossed out.
Since there aren’t too many working parts of a vape pen, when something goes wrong, it’s fairly easy to diagnose and fix.
No heat, no vape, no dice.
We’ve all been there. You connect the fresh vape cart to your vape battery, push the button, inhale and…nothing happens. No heat, no vape, no dice. Luckily, there’s a simple fix to most vape pen problems.
- Make sure your battery is charged. Manufacturers recommend charging for no more than 1.5 hours. Overcharging can degrade the life of the battery.
- Next look at the connector end of the vape battery. Sometimes the head of the atomizer gets pushed down and doesn’t form a solid connection with the cartridge connection to the battery.
- Use a paperclip to gently lift the head of the atomizer so that it can get close enough to heat up the concentrate or flower.
- Be careful not to pull out the internals of the vape cartridge. You only want to lift the metal connector 1-2 millimeters. Typically this will allow the vape cartridge to make a renewed connection to the battery and vaping will commence once again. Hooray!
Treating your vape pen right
As with most things in life, if you take care of your vape pen it will be there for you when you need it and have a longer life overall. What does vape pen care and maintenance look like?
- Store upright
- Keep out of direct sunlight and away from moisture
- Avoid hot cars
- Avoid cold temps for disposable vapes which can reduce battery life
- Keep battery base clean
These tips are important because vape pen hardware is still in a very experimental stage as it is a relatively new technology. Often times, when a vape cartridge gets hot in a car cupholder or center console, the oil will become much thinner in consistency and the oil inside the cartridge will leak out of the cartridge, into the micro-airways of the vape cartridge and ultimately down into the battery connection area causing a total malfunction of the vape pen. If that happens, it is possible to clean it out and get your vape pen working again. Here is a video that shows you how to clean up a messy vape pen if this happens to you.
It’s easy to clean your vape pen battery base and you’ll want to do it preventatively before residue builds up and interferes with the connectivity between the battery and the cart.
With a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol, use a circular action to remove any buildup of oils from the heating element. Make sure you are holding your battery upside down to avoid having the alcohol drip into the base which can cause problems with the internal electronics of the device.
With a little knowledge and effort, you can keep your vape pen in good working order. Understanding how your vape pen works will help you troubleshoot any issues, while proper storage and cleaning will extend the life of the device. Browse the Torrey Holistics menu to explore the multitude of vape options available today.
