Water and lithium batteries do not mix, so the first job is not fixing your vape but making it safe. Do not charge it, do not test it, and give it time. Many kits survive a dunk if you are patient.
The short version
- Do not charge it and do not try to fire it.
- Remove the pod or tank and any removable batteries straight away.
- Air dry it upright for at least 48 hours somewhere warm and dry.
- Swelling, heat, hissing or a smell means it goes to recycling, not back in use.
The first five minutes
What you do right after the dunk matters most. Water inside the device can bridge circuits, and powering it up while wet is the quickest way to turn a recoverable kit into a dead one, or a dangerous one.
Get it out of the water and do not press the button or draw on it to see if it still works. Remove the pod or tank, and on mods, open the battery door and take out the cells.
Pat the outside dry with a towel and gently shake out any water from the ports, holding the device with the USB port pointing down.
- Get it out fastThe less time submerged, the better its chances.
- Do not test itNo button presses, no draws, no charging.
- Strip it downRemove the pod or tank and any removable batteries.
- Shake out waterPort facing down, a few gentle shakes.
- Towel dryPat the outside and dab the ports with tissue.
Wet vape decision guide
How it got wet changes what happens next. A splash is very different from a full dunk, and clean water is very different from a fizzy drink or the sea.
Sugary and salty liquids are far more damaging than clean water because they leave residue behind as they dry, which can corrode contacts and the circuit board over the following days.
Whatever happened, the rule about not charging stands. A wet charging port is the riskiest place for water to be, because it connects mains power straight to the battery. Keep the cable well away until the full drying time has passed, however tempting a quick test might be.
What happened?
Wipe it dry, remove the pod, and let it air dry for 24 hours before use. Do not charge it until the port is bone dry.
Strip it down and air dry upright for at least 48 hours. Do not charge or fire it in that time.
Sugar and salt leave corrosive residue. Dry it as above, but expect it may not survive. Replace removable cells.
Do not touch it with bare hands. Move away, keep it on a hard surface outdoors if safe, and recycle it once cool.
Drying it properly
Patience is the main ingredient. Stand the device upright, or port-down if water got into the port, somewhere warm, dry and well ventilated. A shelf in a warm room is ideal.
Avoid direct heat. Radiators, hairdryers and ovens can damage the battery and push water deeper inside. Rice is popular but there is little reason to think it helps more than open air, and grains can get stuck in the ports.
Give it at least 48 hours. Removable batteries that were submerged are cheap to replace, and fresh 18650 batteries are a safer bet than drying out old ones.
Testing it afterwards
After 48 hours or more, inspect the device before anything else. Look at the charging port with a torch for any remaining moisture or white or green residue, which is corrosion.
If it looks clean and dry, fit a pod and try a single short puff without charging. If it fires normally, charge it on a hard surface while you are in the room, and keep an eye on it.
Retire it if you see any of the warning signs below, now or in the days after. A replacement vape kit is a lot cheaper than the risk.
Quick check
One scenario to make sure the key rule stuck. Think about what is riskiest while there may still be water inside.
Charging pushes current through the device while it is connected to mains power. If water is still bridging contacts inside, that is exactly when a short or damage is most likely.
Once you have the order right, dry first and test later, you give the kit its best chance and keep yourself safe. If the kit is newly bought and you are unsure, our help page explains your options.
Your pod kit fell in the sink an hour ago. It looks dry outside but the battery is low. What do you do?
Quick answers
What should I do if my vape gets wet?
Do not charge or fire it. Remove the pod or tank and any removable batteries, dry the outside and let it air dry upright for at least 48 hours.
Can a vape work after being dropped in water?
Often, yes, if it is dried properly before being charged or used. Sugary or salty liquids make survival less likely.
Should I put my wet vape in rice?
Rice offers little benefit over open air and can block the ports. Air drying in a warm, ventilated room is better.
Is it dangerous to use a vape that got wet?
It can be if it is still wet or the battery was damaged. Wait, inspect it, and retire it if it swells, heats or behaves oddly.
