How often should I replace a soldering iron tip?

Question

Accepted Answer

There's no fixed schedule — replace a tip when it stops taking solder cleanly even after cleaning, or when its shape has visibly worn down or pitted. Regular users on a station often replace tips every few months to a year depending on use; occasional hobby use can make one tip last years. Cleaning the tip on a brass wool or damp sponge after each use and always tinning it before storage extends tip life significantly regardless of how often you solder.