Videos of vape devices bursting in a pocket, catching fire or starting to smoke have been posted on YouTube, and they leave many vapers wondering whether the same could happen to theirs. Nobody can name one exact cause with certainty, but the evidence points at the rechargeable batteries. Mishandle them and a device can overheat, burn or explode. This guide explains where the risk comes from and the habits that lower it.
Why the battery is the weak point
Vape batteries are high powered, and how they should be charged depends on the device. Some devices, JUUL for one, have the battery built in. Box mods from makers such as Smok and Vaporesso take removable rechargeable cells. An external charger is the preferred way to charge those cells, although the mods also ship with a microUSB cord that plugs into a wall charger.
Pick the correct batteries and load them properly
Most mods run on one, two, three or four 18650 batteries. Household cells from Duracell or Energizer are not a substitute, even when they look alike.
- Stick to one brand in a device.
- Never pair cells that sit at different charge levels.
- Keep old and new cells apart.
- Check that each cell is seated in the correct direction before you switch the mod on.
Carry spare cells in a case
If your device takes removable batteries, keep the spares in a plastic case. Plenty of vape shops include one with a battery order, and they are inexpensive to buy online. A case adds some bulk to a jeans pocket or a small clutch. It matters because a bare cell that touches keys, loose change or any other metal can smolder, melt or throw sparks. It also keeps your spares in one place.
Leave the protections on and lock the device
A pocket or a crowded bag is where a vape most often fires by accident. Something presses against the button, the device stays active, and the batteries get very hot. Held long enough, that heat can melt the cells or start a fire. If your device has a lock (on many, pressing the fire button 3 times does it), lock it every time before it goes into a pocket or bag.
Overcharge protection is built into most vapes, but confirm that before you buy. Do not disable or strip out any of these features. Doing so can ruin the device for good, and a box mod setup is not cheap to replace.
Charge with care
- Stay nearby while the device charges.
- If you charge through the supplied microUSB cord, unplug it before you go to bed. Overcharge protection is common, but watching the device is the more cautious course.
- Use the cable that came with the mod. Do not borrow one from a phone or tablet. The New G-Priv has the same USB-C port as Samsung Galaxy phones, and that still does not make swapping cables a good idea.
- Charge on a clean, flat surface, well away from anything that burns.
- Do not leave it lying sideways behind a couch pillow. Somebody may sit on it and press the fire button unknowingly, or break the glass tank and leave the device unusable.
Keep it dry
Bathrooms and shower stalls are poor places for a vape. So are water parks, amusement parks and concerts, where it can get drenched without warning. A phone trick like a bowl of rice will not help here. If the device does get wet, take the batteries out carefully and let the device dry. Throw the wet batteries away, even brand new ones. No method makes a soaked cell fit to use again.
Avoid heat and cold
Batteries react badly to temperature extremes in either direction. In a car, keep the vape out of direct sun. A cupholder is handy for people who drive a lot, but it is just as easy to forget the device there through a freezing night or a blazing afternoon. An overheated or frozen vape is a serious danger to you and to the people around you. If you do leave the device in the car, pull the batteries and take them along in a plastic case, or put them somewhere cool and dark.
The short version
Batteries are volatile, and most of this guide is a list of dos and don’ts for handling them. Careless charging, casual handling and tampering are what cause a vape to explode. A brief check before each use goes a long way. Readers were also invited to share their own tips, and to describe any time a device of theirs smoked, burned, melted or exploded, so that others could avoid the same mistake.