Vaping in extreme weather conditions

December 23, 2023 7:00 AM | Skymet Weather Team

Vapers like to vape whatever the weather. But much of the northern hemisphere is preparing for what could be a heavy winter, with extreme cold likely in North East USA and Europe. Meanwhile, India is preparing for monsoons and in the southern hemisphere, summer could bring record high temperatures.

Whether you're seeking shelter in a monsoon or withstanding a heatwave, you might wonder whether it is ok to pull out your vape. We have all the answers right here.

 

Vaping plus water – not the best combination

Your vape contains a lithium ion battery and delicate electronics, so you certainly would not want to drop it in the bath or immerse it in water in some other way. But what about exposing it to rain? If you are out walking and the heavens open, you’ll certainly feel tempted to pull out your vape for a couple of puffs to cheer yourself up.

Whether or not it is advisable to do so depends on the type of vape you use, and also the severity of the rain. A large device with a rechargeable battery should really be kept as dry as possible.

The ideal solution is to use a small disposable vaping device. CCELL Disposables are perfect for use in wet weather as they are so compact, and there is very little risk of them being damaged by the rain as they fit in the palm of your hand. That means you can simply pull your vape from your pocket, keep your hand wrapped around it while you vape and then slip it back again where it will be warm and dry. Even if disaster strikes and you accidentally drop it in a puddle, the fact that it is a disposable means it is not a serious loss.

 

Vaping in extreme temperatures can be risky

The northern states of America are bracing themselves for some icy temperatures over the coming months. It’s one thing for the hardy folks in Montana or Wisconsin wrapping up warm and braving the elements. But should they take their vapes with them?

Cold weather can really take its toll on Lithium batteries, reducing the capacity to around 70 percent. That might be something you can live with if the alternative is no vaping. However, if the temperature really plummets, it’s another matter.

Most vape liquids are based on Propylene Glycol, which has a freezing point of -12 Celsius, which equates to 10 Fahrenheit. It’s cold, but it is certainly not unheard of and there have been numerous examples of temperatures in the US and elsewhere falling lower.  For example, it often drops below zero Fahrenheit (-18 Celcius) in New York and Montana has recorded temperatures as low as -70F (-55C).

So the recommendation here is to vape away in routinely cold weather, but if it gets to extremes where your vape oil is at risk of freezing, take extra precautions, such as keeping your vape in an inside pocket where body heat will keep it warm, and only take it out for quick, brief puffs. Again, a compact CCELL that fits snugly in the palm of the hand is a logical choice.

Hot weather can also be challenging for a vaping device. You might notice that it tastes different when the weather gets very hot. This is because the vape oil can start to thin out at high temperatures. Keep your vape in a shady spot out of direct sunlight. Lithium batteries are robust, but can overheat in extremely hot temperatures.

Never leave your vape in a car in hot weather, as here, temperatures can really escalate. If your vape does get hot, give it time to cool down and check it closely for any leaks before you use it.

OTHER LATEST STORIES