Whether you’re a smoker thinking about trying a vaping device, or an experienced vaper who simply enjoys inhaling those thick plumes of flavorful vapor, one thing is for certain: it’s almost impossible to completely block out all of the negative rumors and hype surrounding the industry, even if you buy the best vape and electronic cigarette you can afford, these rumors are at the back of your mind. Thanks to the combined efforts of both government and the media, there is quite a bit of misinformation about vaping and vaping devices out there – with hyped concerns about the alleged anonymity of e-juice chemicals to allegation that the devices attract children to tobacco.
While most of these nonsensical claims are easy to disprove with scientific studies, some concerns actually take on a life of their own over time. For example, there is a widespread belief in some quarters that vaping devices almost routinely explode in their users’ faces, causing horrible injuries. WE have now concluded an investigation about exploding vaping products and the news is not surprising! Though there is no evidence that this phenomenon is widespread, it is important to note that all batteries can explode under the right conditions – and electronic cigarettes are indeed powered by batteries. With that in mind, it is important to know how to avoid e-cigarette explosions.
Any examination of this issue must start with an understanding of the type of equipment involved. Electronic cigarettes are routinely powered by lithium ion batteries, most commonly the 18650 battery, because they are considered to be safer than lead acid power sources, do a better job preserving their power, and have a tremendous power density. These are similar to the batteries you’ll find in your phones, cameras, tablets, and laptops. In other words, they are everywhere.
With that in mind, we should note that it is rare indeed to hear about someone’s cell phone exploding. Chances are that you’ve never heard tales about laptops or cameras simply blowing up in someone’s hand. It is reasonable to assume that your electronic cigarette batteries should be just as safe, provided that you utilize them as they were meant to be used. To do that, however, you need to know how batteries of this kind should be treated, and the essential safety tips needed to protect your devices and your person from harm. After all, the fact that these incidents are rare doesn’t mean that there is no risk.
We’ve already looked at a few instances where your battery could overheat and cause a fire, malfunction, or outright explosion. This heat can be so deadly, however, that it is well worth looking at one of the other factors that could cause this problem: inappropriate use of the device. If there is one mistake that many vaping newcomers continually make, it is the mistake of pressing down on their atomizer firing button for extended periods of time.
Here’s the thing: there is no need for any button depression that lasts longer than just a few seconds at most. If you find yourself continually pressing on the button, then you are either confused about its operation or are engaged in something called “chain vaping.” The latter can be dangerous, since it is among the leading causes for atomizer overheating.
If your atomizer is overheating, it is important to let it cool down before you use it again. Set it somewhere with a moderate temperature and just give it a few minutes to return to normal temps. If possible, replace your clearomizer or cartomizer unit with a fresh one while you’re waiting. While it is true that there is only a tiny chance that overheated atomizers will actually create fires, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Oh, and don’t leave your devices out in direct sunlight or extremely warm temperatures. That includes the inside of your car on a summer’s day, or on the park bench next to you while you’re sitting there feeding the pigeons. No electronic devices ever really appreciate those conditions.
Your device can also be at risk when condensation builds up over time. It is always a good idea to clean all of your components on a regular basis, to ensure that everything is as close to the original manufactured state as possible. That can help to reduce the odds that a malfunction will occur, and will help to ensure that you are not reducing your device’s life span through neglect.
There are also many vapers who mix and match components to tinker with their devices and create their ideal vaping experience. While we would never discourage experimentation or customization – that is one of the great things about vaping, after all – we would urge caution, use our guide to help understand vaping. If you are building your own modified vaping device, always make sure that the components you choose are compatible with everything else you are using.
Nowhere is this more important than in the selection of your batteries. Any battery that you decide to use must be rated for use with your atomizer’s coils. Any time you build coils that are outside the safe resistance levels of your device’s batteries, you run the risk of experiencing a malfunction that could put you in danger or simply ruin your device.
Battery and device safety should always be among your paramount concerns as you enjoy the vaping lifestyle. Fortunately, most safety measures can be implemented without any serious effort, and they all rely on common sense more than any attention to complex technical details. Just follow these simple guidelines, and you can rest assured that you will dramatically reduce the risk of any type of preventable e-cigarette explosion.
Hi! I’m Nicholas King, the founder, and Chief Editor at SmokeTastic. As an ex-smoker and now vaping enthusiast for over 13 years myself, I understand the transition between smoking and vaping. My aim is to share useful information about all the different vape and e-cig products on the market, self-help tips, and detailed reviews.
I hope you find something on SmokeTastic that helps you with your decision process.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.