Cleaning atomizers. Yes? No?

[tikva]

I've been vaping for ~ 2 wks now. Went crazy and bought several models. Have an EM901 (discontinued), a Titan (TW), an M401, a dse901 (can't use yet 'cuz it came with wrong charger) and a penstyle (kr-108).

Before I get to the atomizer question, does anyone know if the penstyle kr-108 is compatable with 801 penstyle parts? My kr-108 is from ePuffer (my first purchase before I found this forum and didn't know any better) and was lucky I even got it at all and it actually works. But ePuffer is overpriced and has a bad rep so I really don't want to deal with them further. Their penstyle is called the 'Elite Classic' but the charger I got with it says KR-108 on the back.

Okay, about cleaning atomizers. I've looked all over the forum and have seen different suggestions. Some people clean their attomizers and some don't. Most seem to agree on letting them drain overnight and/or blowing them out. Some have suggested canned air and some have said definitely DON'T use canned air. Somewhere I saw a suggestion to alternate attys everyday. Of those who clean them, I've read: to boil them, not to boil them, use only water, use vinegar and water, let them drip dry, use a steamer, use a sonic cleaner, don't use a sonic cleaner.....and....I'm confused!

With so much conflicting suggestions I don't know what to do. Since I bought extra attys (except for the penstyle and the d/c'd EM901), I've been alternating them and letting them drain at night. I havent cleaned any of them but I need to know what is the best thing to do to maintain them for as long as possible!

Any advice? Please! Thank you!

[Sun Vaporer]

Tikava--you have that right

"With so much conflicting suggestions I don't know what to do"

I do --some don't---so you should get plenty of opinions here and I will leave them to those who chime in

[ShMiGgY]

i've found that as long as you keep your attys wet (but drain them at night, but not too dry),,, just primed (that's why they come primed when you buy them),, and as long as they keep hitting well, then don't bother doing anything other than drain them at night so that they don't get clogged, but not too dry....

Once you start getting that tasteless excess vapor, or a burnt taste,,, it's time to clean (this can vary anywhere from 1 week to 1 month with most of my attys).. as soon as they seem to just get "funny", then it's time for a good clean (take your pick, i acid wash/sonicate mine)...

If i have a foul taster, or a crazy vaper (more vape than normal but no body/flavor) atty that i clean up,, they usu. go back to new again... and usually reset to about at least a couple weeks of trouble free use again. I just contrexed/sonicated 2 of our attys, and they've been going strong for about 10 days, and this after they got that burnt plastic thing going...

there's a definite learning curve, but you'll get it..

*edit* hope this made sense, you don't want a completely dry atty, they're a bitch to get re-primed, but you don't want one all clogged up with juice either. Once you find that in between, keep it there as long as you can, after that, if it just doesn't feel the same, i've found a thorough cleaning method works wonders. and sonic washers are ABSOLUTELY a yes... I've kept all of our attys (we have multiple vapors in this house),,, they're all working still... They are very tricky to learn, but once you do, you can keep them humming along. A lot also depends on your e-cig,, my 4081's require much more care than my new style (wide bridge) 401 attys do...

[tigerlily816]

I usually clean mine, by blowing through it until no more juice comes out, about once a week. I haven't had to do any more than that yet. I do plan on trying to sonic wash when it starts tasting funny, and when I can find the washer.

[Ann]

I put my atty in vinagar/water and let it sit over night. Rinse it out blow it out(not compressed air) and let it drain for a day. I am using 2 attys so one is cleaning and one is in use. They have been going now for 2 months with no problems.

[VapeApe]

I have ruined 2 attys by blowing them out with compressed air, I dont recommend that. If I do anything at all to them is blow out excess liquid if I flood it nothing else. So far they seem to be lasting 2-3 months with no maintenance. I really dont expect more than that for something that is considered disposable.

[TurtlsPace]

i watched a video on using cola, like pepsi, to clean the atomizers. soaking for 45 minutes, then rinsing and draining? supposedly the acid is what cleans out the carbon build up. anyone try this yet?

[jtc_333]

Ive had some of my atomizers for 3 + months. I just blow them out every few days and rinse them out in hot water every couple weeks. So far worked great for me. I only drip too.

[balldope]

Ive had some of my atomizers for 3 + months. I just blow them out every few days and rinse them out in hot water every couple weeks. So far worked great for me. I only drip too.

This has worked very well for me as well. I have had 901/801 at about 3 months as well, they are still producing good vapor. I use carts and also drip.

[Jim Davis]

This has worked very well for me as well. I have had 901/801 at about 3 months as well, they are still producing good vapor. I use carts and also drip.

Asking questions about atomizers is like asking "what is the meaning of life". There are so many different opinions, your head will spin for weeks. I think it has a lot to do with a persons style of vaping, input voltage, types of juice additives, heat build-up, and 1000 other things. I would say, whatever works best for you.

My particular style is, Heavy usage, juice cut at least 50% with VG, long gentle draws, and let the atty cool after each draw. I blow the atty out occasionaly. No cleaning unless clogged. My attys last for months.