How to Charge Your Vape Batteries and Devices Safely

Lithium-ion batteries each store an immense amount of power for their size. It is the vast energy density of lithium-ion batteries that enables us to take advantages of many of the modern conveniences we now enjoy. Without lithium-ion battery technology, we wouldn’t have smartphones boasting the power of computers and featuring batteries that last all day or electric cars that can travel hundreds of miles between charges. We certainly wouldn’t benefit from vaping devices that can deliver outputs of up to 240 watts but still fit neatly in our pockets.

The drawback of lithium-ion batteries, however, is that they are highly volatile. You will have heard frightening stories about various equipment that has caught fire during charging, and you might also be aware that electric cars are fire risks. Vaping hardware is potentially hazardous, but incidents have proved to be incredibly rare.

Fires caused by vape batteries are much rarer than those caused by cigarettes. There are thousands of smoking related fired each year. Issues with vape batteries tend to be caused by user error rather than faulty equipment and so are easily preventable.

Our battery guide is worth reading as it provides valuable information about vape batteries generally. But here we are taking a closer look at the specific issue of charging safely. Most vaping-related battery fires in the UK occur during charging.

How do you charge your vape battery safely?

Before we discuss the particulars of how to charge specific types of vaping devices safely, we’ll begin by outlining the general safety precautions that apply to all vaping devices and batteries.

• Only charge a vaping device or battery through a compatible USB mains adapter. It is best to use the cable supplied with your device or one offered by the same manufacturer. For removeable batteries, you could invest in an external charger compatible with your batteries. 
• Never charge a vaping device through a mains adapter for a mobile phone or tablet. Phone and tablet accessories may use 'quick charge' currents that could cause an incompatible vaping device to overheat.
• Don't charge your vape batteries while you're asleep or out of the house. If a potential safety issue occurs when you're awake and nearby, you'll have an opportunity to react before the situation becomes more serious.
• Charge your vape batteries on a fire-resistant surface such as a stone countertop. If a fire does occur, this will help to prevent it from spreading.

How do you charge a vaping device with a built-in battery?

Many vape kits feature built-in batteries. In other words, batteries that you cannot remove or replace.

Charging a vaping device with a built-in battery is relatively simple because the battery is a permanent element of the device, and you can only interact with the battery through the device’s USB port. Always use the charging cable supplied with the device or one from the same manufacturer. Your vape pen, box mod kit or vape pod kit will feature a screen or LED light that will turn off or change colour when your device is fully charged.

How do you charge removeable vape batteries?

If you have chosen a vaping device with a removable battery, you benefit from greater flexibility. You can use one battery or pair of batteries while charging another battery or pair of batteries with an external charger. In addition, you can charge your batteries while they are in your device.

If you choose to charge your device through its USB port, the procedure is the same as that for charging a device with a built-in battery. If you decide to use an external charger, ensure that it compatible with your battery or batteries.

Should you have a dual-battery vape, you should install, use and charge your batteries only in mated pairs. Both batteries should be new cells of the same type and made by the same manufacturer. Purchase the batteries at the same time and only use them together.

Why isn't your battery charging?

From time to time, you may find that your vape pen battery or mod battery isn't charging. Here's what to do if that happens:

• Try charging the device with a different USB cable. USB cables aren't particularly durable, and they'll wear out quickly when they're connected and disconnected several times every day.
• Try charging the device using a different mains adaptor or charging your removeable battery with a different external charger. You need to confirm whether it is your battery, adaptor or charger that isn't working.
• Check the device's charging port. If the port is contaminated with dust and pocket lint, it's possible that the USB cable isn't making a good connection.
• Wiggle the device's charging port gently. If the USB plug moves easily while it's connected to your vaping device, it's possible that the device's charging port is broken - perhaps because the device was dropped on the floor during charging. If that's the case, it'll be necessary to replace the device.
• If your battery is removeable, install a new battery to your device and attempt to charge it. If it charges normally, then your old battery has reached the end of its life.
• If you have successfully charged your battery using an external charger but your device still doesn't work, you should replace your vape kit.

What are the danger signs when charging a vape battery?

There's a tiny chance that you could find yourself with a faulty battery that could overheat when charging. Be on the lookout for signs of trouble. such as a foul smell or acrid odour when charging your vape batteries.

In the event of experiencing such a smell, you should disconnect your device or battery charger immediately. A foul smell could indicate that a battery is overheating and has begun to vent hot gas or that the external charger is failing.

Your battery or device feels hot to the touch.

Stop charging your vaping device or battery immediately if:

• It feels unusually hot to the touch. It's normal for a battery to become warm during charging. Touching the battery, however, should never be painful.
• A battery takes longer than usual to charge and/or the charge cycle never finishes. If a vaping device or battery seems to take too long to charge and the charge cycle never seems to finish, it's likely that the battery has lost so much of its capacity that it is no longer able to reach its target voltage.

In the abovementioned scenarios, it will probably prove necessary to recycle your vaping device, if it has built-in battery. If your device has a removable battery, you can simply recycle the battery and replace it with a new one. When a lithium-ion battery has ever overheated or vented foul-smelling gas during charging, it's likely that permanent chemical changes have taken place inside the battery and that it is no longer safe to use.

It is important to note that if you have chosen a genuine, branded vape, you are unlikely to experience any issues with charging its battery. However, counterfeit, cheap e cigs are different matters. Fake vapes may be cheap vapes but could be dangerous and are best avoided. Good vape brands work hard to ensure that their hardware is reliable and safe. Counterfeiters don't bother.