Question: Not Getting Enough Vapo

Electronic cigarettes don’t always work the way they should, and one of the most frequently encountered problems is low vapor production. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including vaping techniques and faulty components. It’s always important to find the root of the problem before trying to fix it, so in this article we’re going to look at the different issues that cause e-cigarettes to produce less vapor than normal.

Before we cover the technical issues, let’s talk a bit about your expectations. A lot of users watch e-cigarette reviews on video-sharing sites like YouTube and expect their devices to produce the same crazy amount of vapor. What most of them fail to notice is some reviewers don’t actually inhale the vapor into their lungs. They just draw on the e-cig, hold the vapor in their mouth and blow it out for that “wow” effect. It’s a cheap trick, but you’ll be surprised how many people actually fall for it. Inhaling into the lungs makes a huge difference in vapor production, so the next time you’re watching a review, you may want to pay close attention to how the device is actually used.

Speaking about e-cigarette usage, the truth is many ex-smokers are disappointed after their first vaping experience, because they tend to use the e-cig just like they did analogs. But just because they look like tobacco cigarettes, doesn’t mean they work the same way. As their name implies, electronic cigarettes are electronic devices and they have to be used in a certain way for optimal results. Pulling fast and hard on an e-cig is not going to produce a lot of vapor, and could even damage its internal components, or cause e-liquid to leak into your mouth. Instead, take long and steady draws, allowing the atomizer to heat up and vaporize the e-liquid.

Usually, when you notice a decrease in vapor volume, the first thing you need to check is the battery. If you’ve been using the e-cigarette for a while, the battery might be low on power and in need of a charge. Even before the LED tip of the battery starts blinking (between 5 – 10 times) letting you know it’s time to recharge it, there’s a noticeable difference in vapor production compared to a fully charged battery. Most electronic cigarette starter kits come with two batteries, and you can check if this is the cause of your problem by using the other battery, or a USB pass-through.

You should also check if the area around the battery connector is clean, allowing the air to pass through. They are all shiny at first, but they tend to clog up with all kinds of impurities and leaked e-liquid. Make sure to clean them regularly using a napkin and a toothpick, paying special attention to the two air holes on the side. If those little vents are clogged up, you won’t get a lot of vapor and you’ll be forced to draw really hard on your e-cig to get any at all. 

If you’re battery is in working condition, the low vapor production problem might have something to do with the cartomizer or cartridge. Start off by making sure there is plenty of fluid left inside the cartomizer. Vapers often get caught up in their daily routine and forget to check the level of e-liquid. Once there’s nothing left to vaporize, the heating coil gets dry and burns the filler fabric inside, leaving users with a nasty burnt taste in their mouth, and rendering the cartomizer unusable. But before this happens, there’s a serious decrease in vapor volume, you just have to notice it in time. Also, cartomizers don’t last forever. The incorporated atomizer deteriorates with time, so if you’ve been refilling and using it for a while, it maybe time to throw it in the trash and order a set of new ones.

Cleaning cartomizers can sometimes damage the inner components, so keep that in mind before boiling them or using the syringe cleaning method. Although not as frequent as the causes listed above, an imperfect contact between the cartomizer and the battery can also cause the e-cigarette to produce less vapor than usual. If you feel there’s more air coming through than vapor, you might want to try another cartridge.

If you’ve checked everything, and the e-cigarette still doesn’t produce the desired amount of vapor, it’s possible you’ve either bought a low quality device, or simply that your unit is faulty. You should either opt for a reputed electronic cigarette model, or contact the vendor and ask for a replacement.