Cleaning a carto

[awsum140]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but the search engine here isn't specific enough and returns thousands of results.

I filled a new XL chrome carto with a VG based vanilla juice, about 1.5ml worth. The output is all over the place, from good, heavy vaper to almost no vaper. I can "force" it if I shake the PV like a fever thermometer, but I'm worried about juice getting into the battery, and, frankly, my wrist is getting sore. I suspect it's a problem with the heavy viscosity of the juice and the capillary action of the carto. The next time I fill I'll thin it out the VG, about 25%, with some purified water, but in the mean time I'd like to clean out this carto.

I've used isopropyl alcohol to clean attys before with good results, but don't know the best, handiest method to clean a cartridge like these. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[biljana.raven]

Here is how i clean my cartos:

First if I filled it with a new juice and realize I don't like it, I spin the carto to drain it of the juice.
Here is a video how to do it: Reverse Taryn Spin - YouTube

If it is otherwise a new carto I just fill it with different juice and its fine, but if its dirty:

Then you can either rinse them with alcohol, (I use a syringe that I modified by gluing a piece of those rubber caps cartos come in)
or boil then in distiled water.

I personally do both sometimes if I have time, and not many spare cartos.
But boiling will usually get them pretty clean, and after that, you can spin them again to get the water out, that way they will dry quicker.
Or you can rinse them with alcohol after the boiling, since alcohol evaporates a lot quicker.

Hope I helped!

 

[awsum140]

Thanks for the info, Bijana. I wan't sure about the actual contents of the carto, ie is there w switch inside to activate on inhale, that might be damaged by soaking in either isopropyl or water. From what you say, I guess not so it's safe to soak one to clean it. Thanks again!

 

[CatLady007]

awsom--hold the boiling down to 5-10 min. When it cools, rinse, then spin or flick (like a thermometer) to remove the excess water and then let dry for 12-24 hours.

All the electronics are in the battery.

 

[biljana.raven]

You're welcome! And don't worry, like Cat Lady said, there is nothing in the carto that shouldn't get wet.

Also, If after cleaning you attempt to vape and there is no vape,
don't panic just let it dry some more it will produce no vapor while it is still wet.

 

[440BB]

If you have any incandescent light bulbs within reach, say a lamp, you can quickly dry a carto by balancing it on the battery end on top of the bulb. It will thoroughly dry the carto within 20-30 min. The filler is pretty dense, so drying can take a day or more otherwise. Use a cloth to remove it because it will be very hot when you're done, or just turn off the light and wait a few minutes. Good luck!

 

[awsum140]

Thanks yet again for the great tips. The carto in question is performing fairly well, so I'll probably end up using it until it stops producing then clean it before I refill again with the thinned version of the juice.

 

[Konstantine]

If you wash the carto with alcohol AFTER you have cleaned it it will dry faster because alcohol evaporates faster than water.

 

[Mroutlaw]

Personally, I would not wash the filler with alcohol, it is poisonous. You can use pure grain alcohol, but I wouldn't use rubbing alcohol.

You can also add some 70-100% pg and vape it clean

 

[Bizzar1]

After spending countless hours and a small fortune on supplies cleaning cartos using every method known to man, I came up with this conclusion. Just buy new ones. As cheap as they are, the time and effort is just not worth it.

 

[Mroutlaw]

Switch to the pheonix from gotvapes until smokeless image gets them


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Konstantine]

Switch to the pheonix from gotvapes until smokeless image gets them


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Today i've seen that they have 808 threads making them ideal for volt batteries, Specially the X2's.
Make sure you use the 2.8Ω Versions.

 

[JENerationX]

I use alcohol to clean mine if I'm going to clean them. I use Vodka.... cause ya know, I wouldn't want to vape anything toxic.

 

[awsum140]

I'm going to experiment with the boiling method, not sure I have vodka around, lots of burbon though. I did find that what I call "the sling psychrometer method", ie spinning the carto on a lanyard, helps a lot with filling and I'm sure it will work as effectively for emptying. If I get some time in the next day or so I'm going to give it a shot. The vanilla VG I'm using is fairly stronly flavored so it will be a good test.

 

[grego66]

I saw a tip on a YT video the other day. After you have spun them or left them in the sun to dry out to make sure and get any remnants of water out you should put them in cup of rice. The rice will draw any moisture left in the carto out.

 

[JENerationX]

I'm going to experiment with the boiling method, not sure I have vodka around, lots of burbon though. I did find that what I call "the sling psychrometer method", ie spinning the carto on a lanyard, helps a lot with filling and I'm sure it will work as effectively for emptying. If I get some time in the next day or so I'm going to give it a shot. The vanilla VG I'm using is fairly stronly flavored so it will be a good test.

I don't clean the vanilla ones. I like the taste of a lil vanilla mixed with a lot of things. My favorite is to near empty a prefilled SI vanilla, then fill with sweet tea. Weird, but it's Gooooooood. Also, coffee flavors in vanilla are fabulous. LOL

 

[thenn]

Hair dryer & pliers to do a quick dry.
I also take the positive post out, helps get the water out.

 

[JoeM86]

Today i've seen that they have 808 threads making them ideal for volt batteries, Specially the X2's.
Make sure you use the 2.8Ω Versions.

Why is this? I just ordered the Pheonix yesterday in 2.4-2.6 ohm. I only have the regular Volt batteries and want to get an X2 soon.

 

[Konstantine]

Because you are going to draw more current from the battery by using lower resistance.
example
Regular VOLT carto: 2.8Ω draws 1.32Amps
Different carto 2.4Ω draws 1.54Amps
and so on.

Might be slightly different but you are on the edge. This also mean lower working times, you are draining the battery faster.

 

[Mroutlaw]

Why is this? I just ordered the Pheonix yesterday in 2.4-2.6 ohm. I only have the regular Volt batteries and want to get an X2 soon.

I have the 2.4-2.6ohm and the 2.6-2.6ohm phoenix, there is no noticeable battery life difference. On a 78mm battery with the 2.6-2.8 you will get approx. 16:48 of actual vaping (that's the amount if time the battery is activated), or 320, 3 sec puffs, the 2.4-2.6 will give you approx 15:36 or 300 puffs. The 65mm will give you 10:48 and 9:36 respectively.

Those times are minutes and seconds