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Welcome to our Vaping 101 series, where we take a look at vaping basics. This series should be a helpful guide for vaping newbies, and a solid refresher for people who have been vaping for some time. We’re kicking off the series with a bang - well, actually, with a number of ways to avoid a bang. That’s right, we’re talking about battery safety.
Get the Right Batteries
Getting the right batteries for your vape can seem daunting at first, but it’s a relatively easy process if you know what you’re doing. Some vapes will come with their own batteries included; in these cases, you’ll simply buy the same batteries that were included with the vape.
In many other instances, your vape mod won’t come with any batteries at all. It’s up to you to figure out which batteries will go with your vape - if you’re not sure, you can always ask us! Most vape mods work with 18650 lithium ion batteries. They’re named this because their size is 18 mm by 65 mm - the zero at the end tells you their shape (cylindrical). There are, however, vapes that take batteries of all kinds of different sizes - make sure you get the right ones, and don’t guess! Never exceed the amps of your battery when vaping.
You’ll want to make sure you use the same brand of battery together - in other words, always use batteries by the same manufacturer together. You’ll also want to make sure your batteries are properly wrapped (more on battery care later). Have batteries with nicked wrapping? Come visit our vape shop on St Mary's Winnipeg (or any of our other locations) and we’ll set you up with some new wrapping.
Charging Your Batteries
When it comes to battery chargers, there are plenty of options on the market. You’ll, of course, want to pick one with the right voltage and size for your batteries (which you can identify on the battery wrap). There are a number of chargers on the market that can handle a variety of different types of batteries, which can be incredibly useful if you have a number of different mods.
Charging batteries should be safe, but it isn’t always. Never charge your batteries overnight, and never leave charging batteries unattended. Get a charger with safety features that stop it from overcharging batteries.
You may have heard that it’s best to charge batteries after they’ve been fully depleted - this is a common misconception. You should charge your battery when its life is around 10% (preferably, around 50%, but we know most people aren’t going to be too keen on that). Don’t try to push it by using it when it’s not charged.
Never charge your batteries on a flammable surface!
Caring for Your Batteries
You should have a dedicated carrying case for your batteries - don’t store them in your vape when you’re not using it. A carrying case can help protect your batteries from accidental reactions - metal in your pocket, for example, could react with your vape batteries if they’re not encased. Plastic battery cases are relatively inexpensive and widely available.
Never use a battery that’s been nicked, that isn’t properly wrapped, or that doesn’t seem to be charging properly. The more often you use damaged or defective batteries, the more likely you are to have safety problems.
Never use your vape when it’s too hot or too cold out. In Winnipeg, that means being very careful about how often you vape outside in the wintertime; your batteries might not perform properly in -50 degrees Celsius. Generally, you’ll be okay if you’re above freezing and below +50 degree weather, but be extremely cautious on the tail end of cold or hot weather.
Never ever EVER use a cell phone charger or any other charger that isn’t specifically made for your vape to charge your vape.
All these rules are for your safety. Vape batteries aren’t like most batteries; they’re largely purchased wholesale. Vapes themselves are highly customizable and feature a number of interchangeable parts. You’re in the realm of tinkerers, here, and that means safety should be your top priority. Explosions do happen, but if you’re smart and safe, the chances of one happening to your vape are exceedingly low.