6 days in, questions on the few atomizer-related probs I have had

[poytim]

6 days into vaping, and it's overall great - havent really missed the analogs like I have when 'quitting' previously! In fact, I think my enjoyment of vaping has caused problems for my atomizers.

I ordered 3 flavors of juice to experiment with my 510 as I tried to see if this e-cig thing would really work. The experience was better than I anticipated it would be, and I was excited to try the flavors - cappuccino, cherry cola, and starpuff from cignot. Thinking back I realize this was a bonehead thing to do, but I just 'switched' flavors without much regard to what was on the atomizer...or even the cartridge! Pretty soon, I was vaping cherry starpuffaccinno - not very good!

Since I just ordered a starter kit, I only had two atomizers (more are in the mail now)...I suspect that the cola, in particular, may have 'contaminated' the atomizers, as now nothing really tastes like it did when I started - in spite of the fact that I have now switched to clean PTB or direct dripping.

I did some reading here about cleaning atomizers...and it seems like there are varied opinions and results. Given that I only have 2 atomizers currently, I'm hesitant to try anything other than blowing - which removed a surprising amount of gunk. I blew from the threaded (battery) side onto a paper towel.

NOW, finally, my biggest apparent problem that I have not read about - it seems like the wicking ability of the atomizers has diminished? when I use a cart with filling (usually PTB), it fills nicely but fails to use very much juice at all - I get just a few puffs, and can only refill the cart with one drop - two at most.

I'm pretty convinced I have caused whatever problems I am experiencing...any advice? Thanks!

 

[Hoosier]

I have had some luck soaking the atty in plain PG. Then went out and got a small aquarium pump and used a command strip to attach it to my little ziplock container so it could vibrate the atty in the PG.

It gets the flavor hanging around out, but does not help with burnt taste. Never had a wicking issue.

For burnt taste I rinse out the atty after the PG treatment, instead of letting them drain, in water then a quick flush with PGA.

Never had a problem with Joye attys this way, but have taken out 2 knockoffs, but I don't know if it is the method or the lower quality of the knockoffs.

(If I were using VG based juice I'd switch the soak to 80/20 VG/distilled water.)

BTW: I soaked for 4 hours, but only vibrate them for 15 min.

 

[Fruits]

Make sure you wash your cart filler, or change for new filler, it gets clogged and will only hold a drop or 2, after a rinse under the tap and dried on a paper towel it should hold plenty of juice. I never clean my atties as it never did them any good. I use the blue foam cart mod, holds more juice and wicks better (uses all the juice)
I replace my atty every week or 2, heavy vapor, it just gets too weak to satisfy me so I bung on a new one.
If you want to get rid of flavours from the atty you can leave it in a cup of sugar free pepsi/cola for a day and then blow it all out and soak in water to get rid of the cola and dry thoroughly for a day. Your times may vary lol. Just remember to drip 4 drops or whatever of ejuice back into the atty before you use it. Loads of other ways to clean them but I find not cleaning is best for me, all I do is press the button to burn off some old juice, sometimes it will kill the atty though if I do it for too long, but everyone will have there own opinion on cleaning.

 

[poytim]

Thanks Hoosier and Fruits - I'll do some experimentation once I get some new atties. If other folks feel like sharing opinions (in particular, about using alcohol), I'm interested!

ALSO, another question and observation on my atty maintenance behavior. Each night, I would drip a drop or 2 of plain 80/20 PG/VG in the atty, as I was concerned about them drying out. Is this necessary, and what should I do if I have an atty I am no longer actively using, but would like to keep as a spare?

I really appreciate any thoughts, and this forum - it has been so helpful!

 

[JoeD4]

I like to carry 2 or 3 flavors with me for my normal day. I find that just running the atty down and then doing a couple quick burns without inhaling (once the atty tastes burnt) clears out the old flavor some. Then I add 1-2 drops of the new flavor. Once I vape those away, I'm usually OK. Just my experience. YMMV. I too am hesitant to get too aggresive with atty cleaning until my extras arrive in the mail.

 

[Silverthorn181]

I've also found dripping some plain VG between flavors and vaping till the flavor is gone helps.

 

[poytim]

Joe and Silverthorn, I am going to try these things today. I just need to remember not to try too much and get a nic headache

 

[Fruits]

I have a big container full of atties that are past there best If it dies completely I usually throw them out, but tend to hold on to the weak ones, prob best to throw them but im being cautious lol. I don't do anything to them, just throw them in the container. If its faulty bin it or send it to some mod maker who may want them, as some dodgy atties fitted on your nice new mod (if you buy one) may cause shorting problems.