How Many Times Can You Refill Canon PG and CL Cartridges? A Complete Guide

Question:
How many times can PG-210, CL-211, PG-240, CL-241, PG-245, and CL-246 cartridges be refilled? What type of ink should be used, and where is the best place to buy it?

Answer:

1. Cartridge Design and Lifespan

The Canon PG-210, CL-211, PG-240, CL-241, PG-245, and CL-246 series use integrated cartridges, meaning the printhead is built directly into the cartridge. When you replace the cartridge, you’re also replacing the printhead. Because of this design, these cartridges are relatively inexpensive but also have a limited life span compared to printers with permanent printheads.

On average, these cartridges can be refilled 3–6 times before the printhead performance deteriorates. The exact number varies depending on usage, how often the printer is run, the ink quality, and whether the cartridge dries out between uses.

2. Type of Ink to Use

For integrated cartridges, we recommend dye-based ink rather than pigment ink. The reasons are:

• Less clogging risk – Dye ink flows more easily through the fine nozzles of these cartridges.

• Easier to unclog – If the printhead does clog, dye ink is far easier to flush out compared to pigment ink.

At BCH Technologies, we offer refill inks that are well-tested for compatibility:

• Starter option (small size, 30 mL per color): 30 mL x 4 Dye Refill Ink for Canon (https://www.bchtechnologies.com/refill-ink/refill-ink-for-canon/dye-30-ml-x-4-refill-ink-for-canon-printers-id30-kcmy-ac.html)

• Bulk option (600 mL total, 4 colors): 600 mL 4-Color Standard Refill Ink for Canon (https://www.bchtechnologies.com/refill-ink/refill-ink-for-canon/standard-600-ml-4-color-refill-ink-for-canon-kd600x-cc.html)

3. Tools for Easier Refills

If you are refilling for the first time, having a priming clip can be extremely helpful. It helps restore ink flow if the cartridge becomes clogged. You can check out the priming clip tools (https://www.bchtechnologies.com/accessories/priming-clip-tools.html).

If you don’t want to buy one, you can even retrofit a standard household vacuum to perform the same function. We provide a full guide here: Solved: Black and Color Print Head Clogged – Not Printing (Part I) (https://www.bchtechnologies.com/blog/solved-black-and-color-print-head-clogged-not-printing-part-i-integrated-printhead).

4. Practical Tips for Extending Cartridge Life

• Print regularly to prevent the nozzles from drying out.

• Use the correct ink—mixing dye and pigment ink can ruin a cartridge.

• Clean contacts on the cartridge and printer if you notice recognition errors.

• Prime when needed—if the cartridge doesn’t print well after a refill, use a priming tool or cleaning cycle.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. That’s why we cannot provide remote troubleshooting or individualized support for printer repairs. We do, however, offer an in-person diagnostic and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that demand is high, so service operates on a first-come, first-served basis and may take several weeks. While our repair rates may not be the lowest, we encourage DIY solutions when possible. A great starting point is to explore our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), where you can use the search function to locate specific tutorials we’ve made over the past nine years. This is often the fastest way to find the information you need.

Thank you again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to helping you get the most out of your printer cartridges.