Cleaning

[TropicalBob]

Last rites given my atomizer:

I have washed an atomizer before. Ran some luke warm water over it, then dried with wife's hair dryer. Worked great. Performed like new.

So I did it again the other night with two atomizers for my mini cig. One survived; one died in recovery. What happened, I think, is that this time I followed the advice to let it dry overnight before dripping and firing it up again. I blew out the excess moisture and stood both atomizers on end for about 12 hours.

That's when I discovered one was DOA on the battery. The sole survivor seems little changed by the near-death experience.

When I looked closely down the metal tube to the atomizer, I think I can see rust all over the coils. I tried scratching at the rust, but all attempts at resuscitation have failed to resurrect it.

Bottom line: I will never wash another atomizer under luke warm water and let it sit out overnight. To make matters worse, my e-pipe atomizer seems to be gasping its last breaths. But performance of all of these devices is so sporadic that it might jump up and shout "Hallelujah!" in a few days. Whatever .. it's not ever going to be baptized.

[geppa]

Plain water is corrosive to almost everything inside TB. Try cleaning with alcohol. It will dry faster and wont produce any damage. I've done it at least half a dozen times, to 4 devices (2 e-cigarillos & 2 e-cigarettes). It won't clean as well as water apparently, but it won't damage either. Neither the electronics nor the "atomizer" should be affected by it. Alternatively, which is what I'm about to try next, you could clean with warm (as hot as you can manage I suppose) water and thoroughly rinse with alcohol afterwards. The important part is that in the end, it should be the alcohol who dries, not the water. I also use a small, handheld vacuumer (very small, beer can size) to dry but vigorous shaking and then sucking until what comes out doesn't have an alcohol taste works too. Unless you have a very low power, handheld vac (like keyboard vacs), suck on it. A regular vacuumer would likely destroy the ciggy.

[TropicalBob]

Thanks, geppa. I've read so much on "cleaning" in the past ...

It's hard to determine what is correct and what is bad information. The manufacturers often say "don't clean" at all, that high atomizer temperatures clean as much as is needed. A knowledgeable poster said flavored e-liquid clogs an atomizer faster than basic tobacco flavors. I have no idea.

Dr. Jim's saline solution would seem to speed rusting. I think my real problem was not thoroughly drying the atomizer piece before leaving it out overnight. I did not use a hair dryer this time. I should have. The pieces were probably still damp or wet and, yes, rust will set in quickly.

[Mooby]

Hi Everyone,

Im new to this e cig thing and its fab! I have been using a gamucci micro for a week now and i am finding that i need to clean it every night. Is this normal? It was fine for a few days but if i dont do the alcohol thing at night its so full of liquid. Im using gamucci and janty cartridges. Can anyone help?

Anna

[values84]

i am new myself as i have'nt even recieved my mini e-cig pak yet. the replies to your post will help us both.even my seller of the e-cig kit said she had cleaned hers.
anybody like the dog?

[Mr.Darcy]

hi mooby.i just place an atomiser at a 45 degree angle in a glass with a tissue in the bottom,and let the liquid drain out overnight.seems to keep it relatively gunk free.if its needs a more thorough clean-then good luck to you with whatever method you try...

[quirky]

Unless you have a very low power, handheld vac (like keyboard vacs), suck on it. A regular vacuumer would likely destroy the ciggy.

A piece of nylon stocking placed over the hose, and held in place with a rubber band, should work.

[jamie]

Just posted this in another thread, seems a good place here also.

I got the odd burning taste w/the Njoy and seemed to have some success today removing it.
- blew out the atomizer using computer air (pointing the straw onto the battery end of the atomizer),
- then dry smoked it (no cartridge, just original mouthpiece) WITHOUT INHALING for probably 45 minutes.

There were great billowing clouds of vapor as I really puffed away on it. I noticed after I took a hit that if I pulled off the mouthpiece the atomizer was still vaporing (has anyone else noticed this?). It definitely seemed to be burning something off the atomizer that wasn't quite normal.

Once the vapor had dwindled down to very little, I tried a regular new cart again and the burning taste/smell has so far been gone.

All of you whose posts gave me the above ideas - THANK YOU!!

[vapors]

I followed a tip to leave the atomizer upside down overnight. Then starting smoking with a new cart. But I got the horrible burning smell. What happened was the threads under the metal atomzer were dry and started to burn. So I would suggest after drying the atomizer, make sure you "recharge" the atomizer by dropping 3-4 drops on it, so that the threads resoak. This will prevent burning of the theads.

[bishybob]

There are some mild solvents/sprays out there used for cleaning electronics that I bet would work.
My dad uses this stuff for cleaning flux off of boards after he solders them.
It's supposed to completely evaporate... but I don't know it may leave some residue.
I'm going to have to ask my dad and search around.