two easy questions...glycol and "finishing the cig"

**Flitzanu** · 02-10-2009, 04:21 AM

i've been scanning through posts and not sure i've seen the exact answer on one of these.

ok, i found posts about the carts not lasting forever, refilling, etc, and how many puffs for "one cig" and all that, but physically on the e-cig, how do you tell the cart is empty? is it just not producing vapor? like, puffing on it and nothing happens? my concern was, it seemed like that is a bad thing for the atomizer too, right? i wasn't sure if there was a fine line between knowing your cig is empty or messing up your atomizer because you can't tell it's too empty.

other question...again, seems most posts are UK based about this, but does anyone in the states know a good place to find this glycol/glycerine additive that people are mixing ejuice with? all i could find was that it should be "food grade" and trying to google it just comes up with tons of brands and i'm not sure which would be the proper kind to use.

or....point me to a thread that contains that info? i'm going to go check into the mixing forums and maybe i can find out there

**Sun Vaporer** · 02-10-2009, 04:32 AM

Originally Posted by Flitzanu

how do you tell the cart is empty? is it just not producing vapor? like, puffing on it and nothing happens? my concern was, it seemed like that is a bad thing for the atomizer too, right? i wasn't sure if there was a fine line between knowing your cig is empty or messing up your atomizer because you can't tell it's too empty.

other question...again, seems most posts are UK based about this, but does anyone in the states know a good place to find this glycol/glycerine additive that people are mixing ejuice with? all i could find was that it should be "food grade" and trying to google it just comes up with tons of brands and i'm not sure which would be the proper kind to use.

or....point me to a thread that contains that info? i'm going to go check into the mixing forums and maybe i can find out there

Hello Flitzanu

(1) If you have no vapor--time to refill--not to good an idea to run your atomizer dry for any length of time--but not to big a concern as you do not want to hit off a dry cartridge anyway--keep the cartridge nice and moist but not pooling on top--
(2) Vegetable Glycerine--food grade can be found in any health food store here in US Hope that helps--Sun

**Flitzanu** · 02-10-2009, 04:40 AM

thanks Sun!

is there...a certain type of VG to avoid, or any additives to avoid? am i looking for "pure VG" or how exactly does that work?

and thanks on the other question.

not sure if you've heard of Eclipse brand cigs, they use a similar method as ecigs, but are tobacco. instead of burning, it's a heated filament that sorta vapes the tobacco into smoke. anyway, they don't burn (but are lit) and the only way to tell when it's done is that it stops producing. so that makes sense then, when they aren't really...vaping. and good to know i won't kill the cig if i puff and get nothing

**Sun Vaporer** · 02-10-2009, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by Flitzanu

thanks Sun!

is there...a certain type of VG to avoid, or any additives to avoid? am i looking for "pure VG" or how exactly does that work?

and thanks on the other question.

not sure if you've heard of Eclipse brand cigs, they use a similar method as ecigs, but are tobacco. instead of burning, it's a heated filament that sorta vapes the tobacco into smoke. anyway, they don't burn (but are lit) and the only way to tell when it's done is that it stops producing. so that makes sense then, when they aren't really...vaping. and good to know i won't kill the cig if i puff and get nothing

You are welcome Flitzanu--You will find that the health food stores all sell 100% VG food grade--if it is anything else do not buy it. 7 Dollars for 16 ounces--lot of e-juice to be had!!!!!--Happy Vaping Sun

**WhaTchoo-TalKin-BoUt** · 02-10-2009, 04:57 AM

Hey guys, i read on another post here, that you can buy glycerine at michaels craft store(in the cake baking section). So i went and bought some, it doesnt say whether its food grade but i assume it is, and in ingredients it just plainly says glycerine..nothing else which is good.Well anyway i add a drop to every cart and does seem to last alittle longer and makes vapor a tad bit thicker, cost i think about 2-3 dollars for 2 ounces, brand name is Wilton.

**Sun Vaporer** · 02-10-2009, 05:01 AM

Originally Posted by WhaTchoo-TalKin-BoUt

Hey guys, i read on another post here, that you can buy glycerine at michaels craft store(in the cake baking section). So i went and bought some, it doesnt say whether its food grade but i assume it is, and in ingredients it just plainly says glycerine..nothing else which is good.Well anyway i add a drop to every cart and does seem to last alittle longer and makes vapor a tad bit thicker, cost i think about 2-3 dollars for 2 ounces, brand name is Wilton.

Wha--that is correct--Wilton is a big player as well as Now--any health food store has it--also add some LorAnn flavor www.lorannoil.com and get some real flavor in that cart!! Happy Vaping--Sun

**Elle** · 02-10-2009, 07:07 AM

great thread flitz, this is very helpful info for me too

**Terraphon** · 02-10-2009, 08:02 AM

I have been under the impression that glycerine is iffy in carts because of the possibility of it causing kidney problems.

Is this incorrect?

**katink** · 02-10-2009, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Terraphon

I have been under the impression that glycerine is iffy in carts because of the possibility of it causing kidney problems.

Is this incorrect?

That's PEG Terraphon (though it seems to worsen or bring out existing kidney-issues; not so sure it actually causes them - and also just in very few people) (still: not wanting it myself either because of this, plus the accompanying secrecy over putting it in that happened with sedansa)

As to glycerin: that emits acrolein (carcinogen) if the vapor is burnt too hot - so at least never suck your atomizer to being red hot, if you are using glycerine, would be a sensible warning with this I would think.

(All the above is from a very long thread on a german forum, where they have been looking into PG, PEG and VG quite closely: thread to be found here: Polyethylenglykol PEG )

As for my own choice: I am sticking with PG. Tested often and extensively; plus the added bonus of a germ-killer. But that's just my personal choice. And I do think glycerin is a good alternative for the small group that is really allergic to PG (as long as it is used with the care it needs).

**GermanGoodness** · 02-10-2009, 08:00 PM

Great post, Flitz and great info, Sun Vaporer! I will need to order the LorAnn flavors!

My personal experience has been that I smoke approximately 13-14 puffs on an analog (Light 100's). You might want to test that out, if you haven't quit already. The downside is that I sometimes forget how many puffs I have taken on an e-cig.