Posted by Masterpiece Alternatives on 10th Oct 2023

How to Use and Maintain Hemp Distillate Disposables; How to Prevent and Fix Clogging Issues; Proper Charging Practices

Proper maintenance of your hemp CBD or THC distillate disposable is imperative to preventing issues such as clogging, leaking, or premature burnout. In this blog, we cover steps you can take to prevent issues and get the most out of your disposable.

Getting Started with Distillate Disposables: How to Use a THC or CBD Disposable

Understanding how your device functions is the first step to success with distillate products. There are 2 variants of distillate disposable vapor products: button-activated disposables and puff or draw-activated disposables. Disposables generally come in sizes ranging from 1 - 5 grams, are an all-in-one unit that do not require any external batteries to power them, and are rechargeable.

Button-Activated Disposables

These types of disposables are powered by a button. Button-activated devices can be powered on and off, and also include a pre-heat function.

To power the device ON/OFF - click the button 5x in rapid succession. A light will flash to indicate that the device has been successfully powered on or off.
To activate the preheat function - click the button 2x in rapid succession. A light will come on for the duration of the heating cycle which is around 10-15 seconds. (Most preheat functions are 2x clicks, but some are 3x clicks - depends on the device.)

A brand new device will need to be powered on initially (5x clicks). Also remove any plugs or tape that may be covering the mouth piece or charging port. Press the button and inhale gently in a mouth-to-lung (MTL) fashion (vs inhaling directly into the lungs). Better to take 5 tiny hits than to take one big one and cough your brains out. Unless of course, you want to go the rip-and-cough route (not recommended but to each his own.)

How to Fix a Clogged THC or CBD Disposable (Preheat Function)

A preheat cycle will allow the device to gently heat and soften the distillate, making it easier to hit. You’ll only need to run a preheat cycle if your device is cold or clogged. So, if you go to hit it and it feels like you’re trying to pull a watermelon through a straw, stop, and run your preheat cycle. Once the preheat is completed and the indicator light turns off, go ahead and try hitting the device again. Repeat the preheat cycle if needed. Attempting to force the clog through by inhaling will actually draw the thick distillate further up into the chamber, making the clog worse. Running the preheat cycle will allow the device to gently heat and soften the distillate, making it easier to hit.

If you put the device in your pocket or in a bag, it is highly recommended to turn the device off (5x clicks). This will ensure the button does not accidentally get pressed in your pocket or bag, which can result in major clogging and even leaking due to the excessive heat thinning out the distillate.

If a button-activated disposable device sounds right for you, check out these options from Koi or Torch.

Draw-Activated/Puff-Activated Disposables

These devices will not have a button. They will simply be automatically activated upon inhalation. Most puff activated devices won’t have a preheat option, however, there are still steps that can be taken to remedy a clog. They also won’t need to be turned on or off, making them a bit more pocket-friendly.

How to fix a clog in a draw-activated THC or CBD Disposable (No Preheat Function)

Fixing a clog in a draw-activated device: In the event of a clogged device, try warming the device up a bit. You can do this via body heat or holding it next to a heat source, like a hair dryer or heat vent. The objective here is to warm it up just enough to soften the distillate. It is important not to overdo it. Next, flip the device upside-down and blow through the charge port (which is also the airflow vent). If there is an additional airflow vent (some Extrax devices have this), simply plug it with your finger while blowing through the charge port. Forcing air through the bottom will trigger the device to activate, allowing you to essentially run a manual preheat cycle. Force air though until the clog breaks and you see a little tuft of vapor come out of the mouthpiece. Flip it back over and let ‘er rip.

Koi 2g THC Disposables is an example of a draw-activated device that does have a preheat option. On this device, the preheat button is located on the bottom of the device and when clicked 3x, will run a preheat cycle.

If draw-activated devices sound right for you, check out options from Koi or Extrax.

Proper Charging Practices: How to Charge a THC or CBD Disposable

When it comes to charging a disposable of any kind, it is recommended to use a low current charger vs a cell phone charger or chargers intended for larger electronics. Chargers that put out too high of a current can overwhelm the small batteries in these vapor devices and ruin them. Additionally, these devices only take about 20 minutes to get a full charge once they die. Remove the device from the charger immediately once it is fully charged. If you leave it on the charger for hours, the battery can get too warm, melt the distillate, and cause clogging or leaking.

If you need a charging cable, simply check the “yes” box at the “add a charger?” prompt when adding a device to your cart. Charging cables are also available by themselves on our website.

Maintenance and Preventative Measures: How to Maintain a THC or CBD Disposable

The best way to keep your disposable in good working order until the last drop is to follow the recommended charging instructions and keep your device away from extreme heat or cold. If the device is being passed around in a sesh, let it cool between hits so as not to overheat it. If your device has a button, power it off before putting it in a pocket or bag.

Troubleshooting Recommendations: How to Fix Common Issues with THC or CBD Disposables

Issue: Why Isn’t My New THC or CBD Disposable Working?

Things to check:

Is it on? Click the button 5x in rapid succession to turn on. Look for a light to blink on or behind the button to indicate successful power on/off. If it's on, a light will turn on when the button is pressed.

Did you remove any plugs or tape? Check the mouthpiece for a silicon plug and the charging port for tape.

Is it clogged? If you inhale on the device and there is no airflow, and the previous step has been ruled out, your device may be clogged. Follow the instructions in this blog for fixing a clog.

Is it dead? If you’re getting airflow but no vape, the battery might be dead. Normally, new devices come charged, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be a dud now and then. Try putting your device on the charger for 15-20 minutes. Refer to the charging instructions in this blog to ensure proper charging practices.

If your device has been used for a while and none of these steps are working - your device may be empty or the device may have shorted out while charging or due to water damage. If your device is brand new and none of these steps helped, it’s possible the device is a dud, which is rare, but can happen.

Issue: Why is my THC or CBD Disposable Leaking?

Possible causes:

Heat. Distillate is very thick, therefore, typically the only cause of leaking would be temperature related. If the device gets too hot, the distillate thins out and becomes susceptible to leaking. An overheated device can result from three causes -
- The button gets pressed for too long, i.e. in a pocket or a bag, or passed around in a sesh.
- The device was left on a charger for too long or was charged with a charger with too high of an output.
- External heat, i.e. a hot car, hot weather, or sitting next to a heat source for too long.
Broken or open. If the internal cartridge holding the distillate becomes broken or open, this can result in leaking.

How to fix a leaking device:

First, wipe off excess distillate with rubbing alcohol.
Next, straighten out a paperclip, stick it into the mouthpiece, carefully swirl it around and pull out excess distillate. Wipe the paperclip off with rubbing alcohol, and repeat until no more distillate comes out. Tip: Dip the paperclip in rubbing alcohol each time before inserting it into the mouthpiece of the device as this will help the paperclip grab the distillate and cut down on stretchy, sticky residue.
Finally, proceed with unclogging instructions found in this blog.

Follow these tip and tricks to get the most out of your hemp distillate disposable!

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