Vape Storage: Keeping Your Vape Safe in Hot Weather

Keeping yourself cool throughout the summer can be challenging enough in the UK, but don’t forget, your vape needs a shady spot too.

When temperatures go up, vape storage matters, as warmer conditions can lead to problems like overheating and leaking. Here, we guide you through how to store vapes safely throughout hot weather and what to do if your device has been exposed to too much heat.

Can Vapes Overheat?

Yes, vapes can be at risk of getting too hot if they’re exposed to high temperatures. This is more likely to happen if they’re left in direct sunlight, in hot cars or while on charge.

Heat can affect the battery, the device case and e-liquid, and you may find your vape does not work as well as usual. If you’re wondering how to know if your vape is overheating, look out for signs such as the device feeling unusually hot, issues with charging, leaking, swelling, a strange smell or visible damage.

Can You Leave a Vape in a Hot Car?

No, leaving your vape in a car during warmer weather is never a good idea. During summer, cars can heat up quickly, even if you’re only planning to leave the device for a short time.

Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, like smartphones, which are sensitive to spiking temperatures. Leaving a vape in a hot car could increase the risk of the battery overheating, leaking, fire or damage to the device. It’s always safer to take your vape with you or store it somewhere cooler and out of direct sunlight.

How Can Extreme Heat Affect a Vape Battery?

Extreme heat can put additional stress on the battery inside a vape, which may affect its performance or, in more serious cases, cause it to malfunction or fail.

The National Fire Chiefs Council warns that damaged or overheating lithium-ion batteries can present a fire risk and may reignite. This is why any vape device showing signs of overheating, swelling or visible damage should not be ignored.

What to Do If Your Vape Is Overheating

If you’re concerned that your vape is unusually hot, stop using it immediately. Move the device away from the heat and let it cool down naturally. Avoid putting it in the fridge or freezer or placing it on charge as this could cause further damage. If your device has a removable tank, and it’s safe to do so, you can unscrew it from the battery as this will let both parts cool faster.

Check for any leaking, swelling, unusual smells or noticeable damage. If your vape looks damaged, don’t continue to use it. If needed, carefully dispose of your device responsibly. You can find out more with our advice on Recycling & Disposing of Vape Accessories.

Why Can Vapes Leak in Hot Weather?

If you’re wondering, “why does my vape keep leaking?”, heat may be part of the problem. Warmer temperatures can make e-liquid thinner and can cause the air inside the tank or pod to expand, increasing pressure and making it easier for the liquid to escape.

To help reduce the chance of your vape leaking, store your device upright, don’t overfill it and keep it out of the sun. If your pod keeps leaking, our pod vape guide explains other common causes, including overfilling and loose connections.

How Heat Can Affect E-Liquid

Heat doesn’t just make e-liquid more likely to leak. Over time, you might also notice a change in colour, flavour, and overall quality of your vape juice.

It’s best to keep e-liquid bottles closed and stored at room temperature when you’re not using them. For more general advice on looking after vape juice, see our guide to getting the best flavour from your vape.

Vape Storage in Summer

Storing your vape throughout the summer is mostly about keeping it away from high temperatures and places that can heat up quickly.

• Keep your vape upright where possible.
• Store it somewhere cool and dry, such as a drawer or cupboard.
• Keep it out of direct sunlight.
• Avoid leaving it in parked cars, on windowsills, in conservatories or in bags left out in the sun.

A slightly warm vape can be normal, but if your device feels much hotter than usual, stop using it and let it cool naturally before checking for signs of damage.

Summer can affect vapes more than you might expect but a little care goes a long way. Keep an eye on where your device ends up during the day, to save yourself a lot of hassle later. So, while you’re looking after yourself in the heat, make sure your vape gets a little extra attention too.