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Quick answer: Take the tank off the battery, empty it, and remove the coil. Take the tank apart and soak the parts in hot or warm water for at least 20 minutes, then use a cotton bud to clean the threads and corners, and leave everything to dry completely before putting it back together with a new or primed coil. Don't use harsh cleaning products, and never get the battery or mod wet.
Say goodbye to grotty, gunked-up vape tanks with our illustrated tank cleaning guide! In this beginner’s how-to, we’ll show you the simplest, safest and most satisfying way to keep your vape tank sparkling clean.
Step 1: Grab your cleaning kit
Most of the time, you’ll only need three things to clean your vape tank: a basin of hot (or warm) water, a sheet of kitchen towel (or a microfibre cloth) and a couple of cotton buds.
Step 2: Unscrew your vape tank
First, unscrew the tank from the battery and put the battery safely out of reach of your basin of water. The battery should never ever get wet.
Next, empty any remaining e-liquid, remove the coil, and take the tank apart into its separate parts. Do this slowly and carefully, taking photos as you go, so you’ll know exactly how everything goes back together later. If a tank won’t unscrew easily, check the instructions to make sure it’s actually meant to come apart the way you’re expecting.
Step 3: Soak for at least 20 minutes
Take the tank parts (not the battery, coil or wick) and submerge them in your basin of hot water for at least 20 minutes. This should be long enough for any dirt and residue to dissolve or come loose.
If some of the dirt still hasn’t shifted after 20 minutes, move each part into a fresh basin of hot water and give it another 20 minutes. Don’t use harsh cleaning products or abrasive sponges. The wrong cleaning solution could damage your tank’s parts and weaken its seals, and you don’t want any trace of a cleaning product left behind to be heated and inhaled when you next vape. Some tanks have plastic parts that can crack if they come into contact with alcohol, too, so stick to water unless your tank’s instructions say otherwise.
Step 4: Let everything dry
Once the dirt has washed off, put the parts on a piece of clean, dry kitchen towel to drip-dry. A microfibre cloth works too. You want everything to dry out properly, so leave the parts for another 20 minutes or so.
Step 5: Put it all back together
Before you reassemble the tank, check that every last drop of water has gone. Use a cotton bud to soak up any moisture clinging to the threads or the corners of the tank.
Put everything back together, fit a new coil (or your existing one, if it’s still in good condition), refill, and let the coil soak before you vape. Reconnect the tank and battery, and you’re good to go!
That’s it! Keeping your vape tank clean really is that simple. It costs next to nothing (just a little time and hot water), and it makes a big difference to your vaping experience. Just don’t let any water near your battery, and remember these three final tips.
Final tank cleaning tips
- This advice is for cleaning your tank. Don’t try cleaning your coil or wick. Coils get sticky and crusty over time, and that’s just a fact of life. There’s no point trying to make a coil last a few more days by cleaning it. It’s much safer, and the flavour will be much better, if you fit a new coil once the tank is clean. A worn coil is also a common cause of a burnt taste.
- Clean your tank regularly. The more often you clean it, the easier the job will be. Make it part of your weekly routine, or at the very least do it every time you change your coil.
- Last but not least, know when to give up. If your tank has a crust that just won’t shift, don’t force it. Consider buying some replacement glass or, if the problem is really bad, a new tank.
Tank cleaning FAQs
What’s the best way to clean a vape tank?
Hot water and time. Soak the disassembled tank parts in hot or warm water for at least 20 minutes, clean the threads with a cotton bud, and let everything dry fully. It’s gentle, cheap and safe for most tanks.
What can I use to clean the inside of my vape tank?
Hot or warm water is enough for most tanks, with a cotton bud for the threads and corners. Avoid harsh cleaning products and abrasive sponges, which can damage seals, and check your tank’s instructions before using anything stronger than water, as alcohol can crack some plastic tank parts.
How often should I clean my vape tank?
At least every time you change your coil, and weekly if you vape a lot. Regular cleaning keeps flavours fresh and makes the job quicker. It’s also worth cleaning when you switch to a very different flavour, so the old one doesn’t linger.
How do I clean a Vaporesso tank?
The same way as any tank: remove it from the device, take out the coil, soak the glass and metal parts in hot or warm water, then dry everything fully before refitting. Pod kits such as the Vaporesso XROS use replaceable pods instead of a tank, so a quick wipe of the pod and the contacts is usually all that’s needed. You’ll find coils and pods in our Vaporesso range.
Should I clean the coil too?
No. Coils can’t be cleaned effectively. Take the coil out before soaking your tank, and replace it when the flavour fades or it starts to taste burnt.
We hope this illustrated guide shows just how simple it is to clean your vape tank. Take your time and enjoy the process: it’s incredibly satisfying, and it keeps your e-liquid flavours much brighter.