Why do carts get clogged

This cart keeps getting clogged, any idea on how to remedy? from CannabisExtracts

Posted by David on 27th Apr 2021

It goes without saying that when we purchase a vape cartridge containing CBD e-liquid or one that can be filled up with CBD e-juice, we want to thoroughly enjoy each and every drop before the cartridge runs out. But, sometimes, things get in the way of our ability to savor that tasty hemp-infused vapor. The most common issue that hemp vapers can run into is a clogged or jammed cartridge.

Have you ever gone to hit your cart, only to find that you’re just not getting any airflow whatsoever? If so, you will want to continue reading on.

What is a CBD Vape Cartridge, and What Does It Consist of?

To understand why a cartridge can get jammed, we need to understand what a vape cartridge is in terms of its components. All 510-threaded vape cartridges are essentially the same, being small glass or plastic cartridges with a connection at the bottom that attaches to the battery, and a mouthpiece at the top. Within the cartridge is CBD e-liquid, with a coil at the base that uses the battery’s power to heat up the e-juice to turn it into vapor.

Why Do CBD Cartridges Get Clogged or Jammed?

Mainly, it has to do with the CBD e-juice itself. CBD e-liquids, as you know, come in a wide variety of milligram strengths. This reflects the number of milligrams of pure hemp extract in the liquid. Hemp extract in its pure form is a thick oil. Therefore, the more potent the cartridge, the thicker the consistency of the overall vape juice.

When the oil gets pulled through the narrow mouthpiece, it can end up clogging it. This is because the thickness can actually jam up the mouthpiece, or small amounts of residue over the course of many vaping sessions can eventually accumulate, causing a layer of gunk to develop within the mouthpiece.

Best Methods for Unclogging or Unjamming a CBD Vape Cartridge

Before you simply decide to throw the cartridge away, as that can be money wasted, here are a few best methods, according to CBD vapers.

Method #1: Apply Heat

The first thing that you can try is applying heat to the cartridge. As mentioned, CBD extract in the e-liquid is very thick and can cause clogs as a result. Heat simply thins out the liquid, like when you put honey in the microwave. Therefore, a little bit of heat could thin out the liquid stuck in the mouthpiece so that it runs back down into the cartridge.

There are two primary ways to accomplish this:

• Hold a hairdryer about a foot away from the cartridge and turn the power on, for about 30 seconds.
• Simply place the cartridge in a warm spot of the home, such as near a radiator.

Keep in mind you do not want the e-juice to get hot – just warm. If it heats too much, the chemical compounds in the e-liquid, such as CBD, will end up degrading and becoming less than adequately potent to deliver results.

Method #2: Use a Toothpick or Safety Pin

Sometimes, you can simply jam a toothpick or safety pin through the small holes of the mouthpiece to dislodge whatever is clogging it up. This is especially useful if the clog is hard, due to crystallization of the e-liquid or burnt debris that takes on a resinous consistency. Just be careful not to push the object so far into the cartridge that you end up puncturing the wick of the coil, as this can cause the coil to no longer work.

Method #3: Take Hits Without Firing the Device

Simply pulling on the mouthpiece could work well enough to loosen up less stubborn clogs and jams, so that air can flow freely through the device once again.

Preventing Clogs and Jams from Happening in the First Place

Now that you know how to fix a clog, let’s move onto preventing a clog from occurring in the first place.

• 1.Never leave a cartridge in a cold area. Cold can cause the liquid to crystallize, or at least become so thick that a clog is almost inevitable.
• 2.Always be mindful of the quality of your CBD e-liquid cartridges. Low-quality options may simply be more prone to clogging due to poor use of materials, inadequate airflow, too narrow of a mouthpiece channel or even low-quality ingredients in the vape juice that are prone to clogging, such as sugary ingredients.

Yes, Sometimes CBD E-Liquid Cartridges Clog or Jam

Good news is that in almost every case, these clogs are easy to remedy with one of the solutions mentioned above. Ultimately, if you find clogs are ruining your vaping sessions, follow the prevention tips provided so that you will not have to worry about this issue happening in the future. 

Clogging is a common issue with any vape cartridge. This most often occurs due to un-inhaled vapor remaining in the airway after use, and, upon cooling, the vapor turns back into an oil and sticks to the inner walls of the vape cartridge airway. Over time this will continually build up until there is total blockage of the airway. You can fix this by inserting a skinny item, like an unwound paperclip into the airway and scraping the walls to remove the excess oil. This oil is safe to consume orally if you wish.

A temporary solution is to preheat your cartridge in order to create warm vapors that loosen the oil in the airway. While this may create a temporary hole in the airway blockage; the blockage is likely to reoccur immediately after use and may eventually lead to oil buildup that works its way out of the airway and into your mouth at some point.

Prevention or delay of these clogs is possible by clearing the airway fully after use. The less remaining vapor, the slower the buildup of oil. Another way is to take smaller hits. Larger hits tend to thicker vapor (i.e. more oil) in the airway compared to hits of 3 seconds or less.

Does your Delta-8 cart keep clogging? Are you noticing a popping sound occur toward the end of your cartridges?

Eighty Six vape cartridges are built to resist clogs and leaks as much as possible, so if you’re having consistent issues with other brands we recommend checking out our shop. However, it’s important to remember that all vape cartridges remain vulnerable to temperature and other factors, so clogs may happen one way or another.

Here are some best practices to minimize your chances of a clogged vape cartridge in the first place:

Be Aware of Temperature and Humidity

One of the most common causes of a clogged vape cartridge is temperature, which has a significant effect on the viscosity of the concentrates housed in your cartridge. While cold temperatures can lead cartridges to clog because the oil becomes too thick to pull onto the coil, warmer temperatures can cause clogs as oil runs into the airflow holes. Similarly, increased humidity leads to increased oil condensation and a greater likelihood of clogs forming.

Unless you can control the weather, we recommend storing your vape cartridges in a dry location at room temperature when possible. On the other hand, if forced to choose between a freezing environment and a scorching hot environment, most cartridges will fare better in the cold, as heat will cause oil to not only clog airflow holes but also leak out of the cartridge entirely. The most important thing is that you return your cartridge to room temperature and clear out any excess oil that may have leaked due to heat before vaping.

Inhale Gently

What does your ability to blow massive clouds have to do with the fact that your cart keeps clogging? Unfortunately, they are likely related, especially if you’re inhaling abnormally hard when you hit your vape cartridge. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that most cartridges are designed to produce potent, small- to medium-sized hits. Our Eighty Six cartridges work best with a gentle to moderate pull, with just enough force to create consistent airflow. 

Though it might be tempting to rip your vape cartridge with every ounce of strength your lungs can bear, this is a recipe for a cart that keeps clogging. If you inhale too hard, you run the risk of pulling too much oil through your cartridge before it can be vaporized, causing clogs and leaks that will be annoying to fix. Puffing too hard can be a challenging habit to break for some, but if it’s something you struggle with, let your next clogged vape cartridge be a reminder that a gentle pull is preferred. 

Don’t Twist Too Tight

Another frequent reason for a clogged vape cartridge is a less than ideal alignment between the airflow holes on the base of the cartridge and the structure of the battery. In some cases, when a cartridge is screwed as tightly as possible to a battery, it will cover up the holes and only a small amount of air will flow through, eventually pulling enough oil with it to cause a clog. This is another habit that can be hard to break, but doing so will help improve the lifespan of your cartridges and ensure you get your money’s worth.  

In some cases, your battery may just not be a good fit for your cartridge, as they are all designed by dozens of different companies and are not always compatible with one another. Avoid frustrating clogged vape cartridges and turn over a new leaf with a fresh battery that fits our cartridges like a glove — check out our list of recommended batteries for Delta-8 THC vape cartridges.  

Still Clogged?

If you’re still struggling with a clogged vape cartridge, start by locating the airflow holes at the base of your cartridge and seeing if they are open. If the airflow holes appear clogged, attempt to clear them out with a needle, thin paperclip, or other skinny, sterile object. If your cart still keeps clogging, you may need to intermittently clear out the airflow holes with a needle and blow into the mouthpiece of the vape to force out residual oil. 

Once airflow resumes in your cartridge it should be good to go — just remember that most clogged vape cartridges are caused by environmental factors or misuse, and it’s always easiest to avoid a clog in the first place by following the best practices above. And above all else, whenever you notice a clog in your cartridge be sure to clear it out immediately, or else you risk a flooded tank.

Flooded Tanks

Last but certainly not least, most experienced users have dealt with the dreaded flooded tank at some point. A flooded tank most often occurs when a clogged vape cartridge is left unfixed toward the end of a cartridge when the oil begins to leak out the bottom. It can also be caused by a break in the cartridge or an overheated cartridge where the oil has become too viscous. 

A flooded tank is not necessarily the end of a cartridge, but it does require some practice to recover from. In most cases, you’ll need to start off by clearing out the airflow holes to the extent possible and using an alcohol-based swab to remove excess oil from your device. If you are then unable to generate airflow simply by hitting the cartridge, you may need to hold the battery button for several seconds to burn off excess oil and try again. 

This last step can be repeated as necessary until airflow returns to the clogged vape cartridge. We do not recommend blowing into a flooded tank as this often results in wasting large amounts of oil unnecessarily.

Not Sure About Cartridges?

We understand if you’re not sure Delta-8 vape cartridges are right for you. That’s why we offer premium Delta-8 THC gummies in four mouthwatering flavors you’ll love — no batteries, cartridges, or clogs involved.