If you’re tired of disposing of vape pens, you may have wondered about restoring them for further use. It’s technically feasible to revive a dead disposable vape pen in most cases, though the decision to do so is subjective. Disposable vapes are meant to be discarded after the battery dies or the e-liquid runs out, and attempting to refill the e-liquid or recharge the battery involves risks not endorsed by the manufacturer. So, the approach to making a disposable vape work post-depletion depends on whether you’re out of vape juice or dealing with a flat battery.
Being designed for short-term use, disposable vapes arrive fully charged with pre-filled e-liquid, and you puff on them until they run out of juice or power. These disposable vape pens typically consist of components meant for temporary use like the e-liquid cartridge, heating element, and power source. Puffing activates the heating element to vaporize the e-liquid, and when one of these components expires, typically, the entire pen needs replacement. However, refilling a disposable vape or recharging one with a dead battery might be possible in some cases.
To refill a disposable vape pen after the e-liquid runs out, consider the steps involved:
– Remove the mouthpiece
– Measure out the e-liquid
– Add the e-liquid to the cartridge
– Reattach the mouthpiece
Ensure you have the right tools, like a syringe or eye dropper and e-liquid. If you’re a first-time buyer, check out our guide on purchasing vape juice to choose the right product. The process may not be simple or worthwhile for the average user, but it can potentially extend the lifespan of a disposable vape pen.Depending on the vaping device, approximately two millimeters of e-liquid may be necessary.Some small vape cartridges could hold as little as 0.5 to 1 ml of liquid, while larger devices with tanks have greater capacity.
If unsure about the quantity to use, refer to the product listing for the vape pen or similar products.
Filling the vaping pen to full capacity is unnecessary. Adding one or two milliliters should suffice for several days’ use.
Consider our INNOBAR 3500 vaping pen as an example. It holds seven milliliters of e-juice, but only a few drops are required to resume puffing.
Step 3 – Adding E-Liquid to the Cartridge
Gradually push the plunger on the syringe or squeeze the eye dropper bulb. A syringe provides more precision and minimizes e-juice spillage.
Opt for a blunt-tip syringe when using one. Blunt tips are designed for purposes other than injections, such as liquid filling.
While utilizing a syringe, insert the blunt tip into the small opening on the top of the e-liquid cartridge. Inject the vape juice slowly.
Keeping the cartridge connected to the battery is advisable. This makes handling easier and reduces the risk of spills.
This approach eases handling and prevents e-liquid spillage. A paper towel or clean rag can be useful for wiping excess liquid before reassembly.
Step 4 – Reattaching the Mouthpiece
After refilling the cartridge, wait a few minutes before reassembling the vape pen. Reattach the mouthpiece by screwing or pressing it back into place. You should now be able to puff on the vape pen until the battery depletes.
Recharging a Disposable Vape Pen
In addition to running out of e-juice, disposable vapes may also deplete their battery power. Without power, the device cannot heat the heating element to vaporize the juice.
Do not attempt to recharge the battery unless the disposable vape contains a rechargeable battery. Trying to recharge a disposable battery could result in a fire or worse.
Recharging Disposable Vape Pens with Rechargeable Batteries
Some disposable vape pens come with rechargeable batteries, while most feature single-use batteries that cannot be recharged.
Disposable vapes with rechargeable batteries typically have a USB-C or micro-USB port. Connect a standard phone charger and cable for battery recharging as needed.
For instance, the Innokin INNOBAR S3 comes with a USB-C port. The e-liquid offers up to 5,000 puffs, but the battery requires recharging eventually.
Most rechargeable vapes include an indicator light that pulses or changes color during charging to indicate the charging status. The light may turn off when the charging is complete.
Troubleshooting a Non-Charging Battery
If the rechargeable battery in your vaping pen does not charge, try changing the charging cable. Avoid using a high-speed USB charger, as it could lead to overheating or failure to charge the battery completely.
The USB port may need cleaning. Dirt, oil, and debris might accumulate around the port, hindering the cable from making contact with the metal contacts. Use compressed air, a toothpick, or a cotton swab to remove buildup around the port.
If the above steps are ineffective, the battery could be dead. Rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan and can only be charged a specific number of times before losing their ability to hold a charge.
If you notice reduced battery life or failure to hold a charge, consider replacing the battery (for devices with replaceable batteries) or disposing of the disposable vape pen to get a new one.
Warnings about Attempting to Recharge Single-Use Vape Batteries
If the device lacks a USB port, the battery is not intended for recharging. While tutorials exist on recharging a disposable vape without a USB port, they often overlook the associated dangers.
Attempting to charge a single-use vape battery entails disassembling the vape pen and disconnecting the battery from the heating element and other components. This action could damage other parts, rendering the pen unusable. Similarly, using these methods with any other battery cell type could result in a fire.
In a disposable battery, electrical current flows unidirectionally. Trying to charge it could lead to an electrical fire, causing harm and additional damage.
Extending the Lifespan of a Disposable Vape Pen
Implementing the following recommendations may assist you in prolonging the use of your disposable vape, reducing the frequency of e-liquid refills:
- Take shorter puffs
- Use the vape less often
- Avoid continuous vaping
- Consider a high-capacity disposable vape
The number of puffs achievable with a disposable vape varies significantly based on puff length. Long, deep drags deplete the e-liquid more quickly. Opt for shorter puffs.
Reducing the frequency of vape usage can prolong its lifespan. Limit your usage and keep the vape in a separate room to minimize impulse vaping throughout the day.
Chain vaping should be avoided as it depletes the battery and e-liquid faster. Allow a few seconds between each puff.
Alternatively, invest in a higher-capacity vaping device. A disposable vape pen typically lasts a few days. Nevertheless, our innovative INNOBAR 8000 offers approximately 8000 puffs,
A typical user should get about a week or longer from this product.
Reviving a Disposable Vape Pen After It Dies: Advantages
To save money is the main advantage of refilling or recharging a dead vape pen. Vape kits and refillable vape devices involve a larger upfront investment.
Convenience and lower costs drive people to buy disposable vape pens. Refilling or recharging the vape device extends its life, leading to more savings.
Contributing less to e-waste is another benefit. By refilling the device, you reduce the number of disposable vape pens discarded, ultimately keeping fewer batteries from ending up in landfills.
Reviving a Disposable Vape Pen After It Dies: Disadvantages
While saving money and reducing waste are advantages, refilling a disposable vape pen can be inconvenient. Here are reasons why refilling or recharging such a pen may not be the best idea:
- Risk of leakage
- Exposure to nicotine or chemicals
- Damage to the battery
- Damage to the housing or mouthpiece
- Low-quality e-liquid
Refilling a disposable vape pen could lead to leakage, as overfilling or spilling vape juice may expose your skin or eyes to harmful chemicals and nicotine. Direct exposure to the liquid could cause negative reactions.
Refilling or recharging may also harm parts of the vape pen, including the battery. Damage to a lithium-ion battery carries the risk of fire or overheating.
Obtaining low-quality e-liquid is another potential issue. Buying vape juice for refills poses a risk of getting the wrong e-juice or a lower-quality product for those not well-versed in selecting vape liquids.
If the hassles of refilling a disposable vape pen deter you, it is advisable to opt for a vape designed for long-term use.
For instance, 510 vape pens use refillable vape cartridges or tanks and a rechargeable 510-thread battery, allowing easy refilling and recharging.
FAQ About Reviving Dead Disposable Vape Pens
Number of Hits in a Typical Disposable Vape
Some products provide only about 200 puffs per e-liquid pod, while others offer thousands of puffs. The hit count in a disposable vape pen varies based on the heating element, battery power, and e-liquid cartridge capacity.
E-Liquid Capacity in a Disposable Vape Cartridge
Most vape pens hold around 2 milliliters of e-juice. Our INNOBAR 8000, holding 17.5 ml for a week’s use, contrasts with our refillable ArcFire vape pen, which uses 2-ml and 3-ml pods for quick changes.
Summary
Disposable vape pens usually last a few days to a few weeks. Users often refill or recharge dead vapes to save money. However, there are drawbacks to refilling them.
Disassembling a disposable vape pen could result in damage, such as to the mouthpiece, vape cartridge, battery, or housing. Even successful disassembly requires adding vape juice, which can lead to spillage or wastage as the cartridges are not designed for user refills.
Ultimately, the effort of refilling a disposable vape pen may not be worthwhile. Opting for quality disposable vape pens or refillable vape kits can save you time and hassle.