Cold and the battery: what slows a vape down in winter
Mateusz Rudziński Founder of RandM Vape
Cold slows a vape down in two places. At low temperatures the battery gives less power and the liquid gets thicker, so it flows to the coil more slowly. The result is weaker first puffs that often taste harsh. That comes from the temperature and not from a fault. In winter carry the device in an inside pocket and warm it in your hand for ten minutes before you draw.
What does cold do to the battery and the liquid?
It makes both sluggish. The battery delivers less current, the coil gets less liquid. Together that gives thinner vapour and a harsher taste. The table shows what you notice and what helps. It applies to every range at RandM Vape Shop (randmvape.shop). We do not name temperatures, because we have not measured any.
| What you notice | What causes it | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Little vapour after being outside | the battery gives less power in the cold | warm the device in your hand |
| Harsh taste on the first puffs | cold liquid flows in more slowly | wait ten minutes, then draw gently |
| Battery level drops faster than usual | a cold battery runs out sooner | carry it warm, charge in good time |
| Device cuts out and flashes | the battery is empty or the puff was too long | charge over USB-C, then draw shorter |
Why do the first puffs taste harsh in winter?
Because the wick does not get liquid fast enough. Cold liquid is thick. The coil heats up, but too little comes through. The puff then tastes dry and sharp. Drawing harder makes it worse. Wait until the device is at hand temperature. Then draw short and loose. More on that is in the article on why a vape tastes burnt.
How do you warm the device up properly?
With body heat. Ten minutes in your hand or in an inside pocket is usually enough. Do not put the device on a radiator, not in front of the heating vent in a car, and do not point a hairdryer at it. Strong heat is hard on the battery, which is built into the device. What to watch with the battery is in the Battery notice.
Where do you carry the vape in winter?
Close to your body. The inside pocket of a jacket is the best place, an outside pocket the worst. Do not leave the device in the car overnight and not in a rucksack in a cold hallway. If you are out for longer, put it away again after every puff. That keeps it warm enough for the battery and the liquid to play along.
Does cold harm the device in the long run?
The effect you notice day to day passes as soon as the device is warm again. Do not keep drawing while it tastes harsh, or the cotton can burn. It is also important not to run the battery completely flat in winter either. Deep discharge harms it. Charge it when the battery level in the display gets low. The rules are in the Instructions.
Which flavors suit the cold season?
That is a matter of taste. Warm flavors without a chill note such as Cherry Cola or Mixed Berry suit the cold season. A selection with ranges is in the article Vape flavors for winter. You find every range under Disposable vapes and in the overview of the RandM Tornado models.
Frequently asked questions
Is my vape broken if it hardly makes vapour in the cold?
Not necessarily. In the cold the battery gives less power. Warm the device in your hand.
Can I warm the vape on a radiator?
No. Strong heat is hard on the battery. Body heat is enough.
Does the battery last less long in winter?
While it is cold it delivers less. Carry the device warm and charge in good time.
Does the liquid freeze?
We have not tested that. What is certain is that liquid gets thicker in the cold and flows in more slowly.
