It is
not necessarily the case "that they work or not at all." Often they just get old and tuckered out. Cleaning is only so effective. Eventually (one week to one month) you need to bite the bullet and spend six to twelve bucks on a new one (or a few at a time) ... and re-experience the joy of a new atty (after blowing out and
vaping off the primer).
Kr8 cartomizers are referred to as disposable. In fact,
all atomizers are disposable (and a cartomizer, properly cared for and refilled, is not more disposable than any other atty). They're the most delicate component of an e-cig. Virtually all are made in China, which (obviously) has made incomparable contibutions to
vaping, but has less than Six Sigma quality standards. Trailblazing: A+ (or what Toyota used to be) ... reliability/consistency: C- (or what Toyota has become).
[NOTE:
Sometimes a worn out atty can be revived by sticking it on a 5+V
mod. Sometimes it's just burned out by it.]
