How to Take Care of Your Refillable Vape Device

Important: This is general safety and regulatory information for adults, and does not promote vaping or buying any particular product. The law prevents the sale or supply of vaping products to anyone under 18. And if you don’t already smoke, vaping isn’t something to start.

This is a guide for adults who are already using a reusable vaping device. It explains general handling, cleaning and battery-safety steps. Always follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer for the particular device, pod, coil and battery.

Since 17 June 2025, New Zealand has banned the manufacture, sale, supply and distribution of disposable vaping devices. Any permitted reusable device must be rechargeable and capable of being refilled either directly with vaping substance or by replacing a changeable pod, cartridge or similar container.

Why Maintenance Matters

Routine inspection and cleaning should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. This can help identify leaks, damaged components, battery problems or residue before further use.

• Inspection: Routine checks may help you identify wear and tear or damage that requires the device to be checked.
• Safety: Regularly inspecting your device can help you identify leaks, damaged components or battery problems before further use.
• Cleanliness: Cleaning your device according to the manufacturer’s instructions can help reduce the build-up of residue.

Essential Steps for Maintaining Your Vape Device

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for routine inspection, cleaning and safe handling of the device.

1. Regular Cleaning Is Key

Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for each user-serviceable component:

The Pod or Tank: Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before exposing a vape pod or tank to water to make sure rinsing is allowed. If it is, remove the pod or tank from the device, empty it and allow it to dry completely before reassembly. A battery, electrical contact or sealed electronic component must not be rinsed.

Mouthpiece: Remove the mouthpiece and clean out its interior with a damp cloth or cotton swab to clear dirt and bacteria buildup.

Battery Contacts: Inspect accessible contacts for residue, moisture or damage. Clean only as directed by the manufacturer, with the device switched off. Do not use or charge a device with damaged contacts.

2. How to Clean a Refillable Vape Pod

Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before cleaning any pod or user-serviceable component.

• If the manufacturer permits the pod to be emptied, follow the supplied instructions and handle any residual vaping substance carefully.
• Rinse a component only when the manufacturer’s instructions expressly permit it. Never immerse an integrated coil, battery or electrical part.
• Allow any component that the manufacturer permits to be cleaned to dry completely before reassembly or further use.
• Inspect user-serviceable components for visible wear or damage and follow the manufacturer’s replacement instructions.

3. Refilling and Spill Prevention

Follow the manufacturer’s filling instructions and take precautions to prevent leaks or spills:

• Use only the fill port and filling method identified by the manufacturer.
• Do not fill beyond the level specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Close the pod as directed and carefully remove any spilled liquid before reassembling the device.
• Only ever use a vaping substance that’s compatible with your device and sits within the New Zealand nicotine limit.

4. Component Replacement

Coils and pods should only be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Stop using the device if a user-serviceable component appears burnt, damaged or otherwise unsafe.
• An unexpected change in vapour output may indicate a device or component issue. Stop using the device and consult the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Unusual sounds may indicate excess liquid or another device issue. Turn the device off and follow the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guidance.
• Replace a coil or pod at the interval and in the circumstances your manufacturer specifies; there’s no one safe universal replacement interval.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for pod replacement where they’ve given them.

5. Battery Charging Safety

Charge the device only as directed by the manufacturer and take the following precautions:

• Stick to only the recommended charger and cable.
• Do not leave the device charging unattended or for longer than the manufacturer recommends.
• Keep the battery away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture, and store it in a cool, dry place.

6. Responding to Leaks and Spills

If a leak occurs, stop using the device and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. General precautions include:

• Do not fill beyond the manufacturer’s specified limit.
• Check that user-serviceable parts are closed or fitted as directed.
• Store the device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

7. Store Your Device Correctly

Store the device in a clean, dry place and protect it from physical damage.

8. Vaping Substance Compatibility and Safety

Always stick to a compliant vaping substance; one that the manufacturer has identified as being compatible with your device. 

Check the following safety and compliance information:

• PG/VG ratio: use only a ratio the device manufacturer identifies as compatible.
• Nicotine level: check the label, and get smoking-cessation advice from a suitably qualified health professional if you need it.
• Legal nicotine limit: nicotine-salt vaping substances made for reusable devices can go up to 28.5 mg/mL when the nicotine is exclusively in salt form. Everything else is capped at 20 mg/mL. That concentration has to be shown on the label, in mg/mL.

Risks of Modifying Vaping Substances

Vaping substances may contain propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavourings and nicotine. Altering their ingredients or concentrations can create safety risks. Do not mix or modify vaping substances.

Incorrect nicotine measurement or unsafe handling can cause poisoning. Keep nicotine liquids away from children and pets. If exposure occurs, seek urgent advice from the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766.

For safety’s sake, stick to compliant, notified vaping substances used exactly as the manufacturer directs, and don’t add anything unapproved.

Legal Requirements for Reusable Vaping Devices in New Zealand

New Zealand law sets requirements for reusable vaping devices and vaping substances. These requirements concern legal compliance and do not constitute a product recommendation.

• The device has to be rechargeable and capable of being refilled, either directly or by replacing a changeable pod, cartridge or similar container. A removable battery isn’t required under New Zealand law from 1 September 2025.
• It needs a compliant child-safety mechanism: at least two simultaneous or five sequential operations to activate, and it must deactivate automatically within 10 minutes of last use.
• Any vaping substance has to comply with the 20 mg/mL limit, or the 28.5 mg/mL limit that applies only to nicotine exclusively in salt form in a reusable device.
• Vaping products cannot legally be sold or supplied to anyone under 18, and retailers have to meet the applicable age-verification requirements.

Check that any product appears on the Ministry of Health Notified Products Register and has not been withdrawn, suspended, cancelled or recalled. Notification is not a government endorsement or a guarantee of safety. Current regulatory information is available on the Ministry of Health’s smokefree law updates page.

Final Safety Reminders

Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning, component-replacement, charging and storage instructions; they’re written for your device specifically. And if it ever gets unusually hot, swells, leaks, gives off smoke or an unusual odour, or shows any sign of a damaged battery or cable, stop using it immediately.

Vaping products cannot legally be sold or supplied to anyone under 18. It’s also illegal to smoke or vape in a motor vehicle carrying a person under 18, whether the vehicle is moving or stationary.