THC oil is very thick and dense. Residue builds up in the cartridge, especially around the heating coil and mouthpiece area. This residue restricts oil flow and negatively impacts performance. Debris and pocket lint also get lodged in the mouthpiece. In addition, THC oil will start to darken and get thicker with repeated heating, making it harder to vaporize effectively. Regular cartridge cleaning every week or two will remove buildup, unclog the mouthpiece and airflow holes, and restore performance. It will also let you get the most use out of all the expensive THC oil in the cartridge. You want to avoid wasting any of that precious gold.
Clean your THC vape cart
Reduced vapour production is the telltale sign that it’s time to clean your thc cartridge. If you need to take longer, harder puffs to get a satisfying amount of vapour, your cartridge likely has buildup restricting buildup the heating element. You may also notice a slightly burnt taste, as residue on the coil causes the oil to overheat. Visually inspect your cartridge as well. Is the THC oil no longer a clear, light golden colour, but instead, does it look very dark and muddy? These are indications that your cart needs a deep clean.
What you need to clean a THC Cart
Fortunately, you only need a few simple supplies to clean your THC vape cartridge:
- Rubbing alcohol (91% isopropyl alcohol is ideal)
- Cotton swabs
- Paper towels
- Toothpicks
- A small bowl or cup
Optionally, you can also use 151-proof or stronger-grain alcohol like Everclear. Avoid using lower alcohol-content substances like vodka, as these contain too much water and degrade the THC oil.
Step-by-step THC cartridge cleaning instructions
- Detach the cartridge from your battery. Make sure it is at room temperature and not warm from recent use.
- Remove any obvious debris from the mouthpiece with a clean toothpick. Gently scrape away anything lodged in the airflow holes.
- Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wring it out so it’s damp but not soaking. Swab out the inside of the mouthpiece thoroughly. The alcohol will help dissolve the sticky residue. You also wipe down the outside of the mouthpiece and cartridge.
- Unscrew the mouthpiece from the cartridge and set it aside. Some carts have mouthpieces that twist off, while others pull straight off with firm pressure. Consult your device’s instructions if needed.
- Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol into a bowl or cup to submerge the cartridge’s bottom half-inch where the threading and heating coil are.
- Place the cartridge upright in the alcohol bath and let it soak for 20-30 minutes. The alcohol will work to dissolve thick residue, gunking up the coil and oil intake holes.
- Remove the cartridge and wipe it down thoroughly with a paper towel or cotton swab, paying particular attention to the threaded connection area. Make sure no alcohol gets inside the cartridge.
- Let everything air dry entirely until no alcohol smell remains. Drying may take an hour or longer.
- Reassemble your cartridge and reattach it to your battery. If needed, prime it with a few short puffs without inhaling to get the oil moving.
- Enjoy your clean THC cartridge and savour those smooth, tasty hits!