Aspire Nautilus has a Chromed Brass chimney.

[Sir Pouncival]

At this point I am tempted to keep a piece of sandpaper in my pocket when I go to any vape shop. Along with extra cash since I'll be ruining the first item I purchase just to see if it really is SS or not. I recently found out most of the stuff I purchased from stores were fakes so I really can't trust what people say anymore.

 

[Rsunderl]

You might want to consider cleaning them to save money. I've heard a variety of methods of doing it. The most popular seems to be using a clear alcohol (such as vodka) and soaking the coils in it, then allowing the alcohol to evaporate. Give it a dry-burn and it should be good to go. You might want to confirm with someone who has actually done this method, as I personally have not. I've also heard you can basically rinse them under water and then dry-burn the water off (until the crackle/sizzle stops) and you'll end up with a virtually brand-new head.

I've never understood the purpose of rebuilding heads. Seems like a lot more trouble than it's worth, and as a person who used to spend ~16$ per day on cigarettes (2 packs a day in New Jersey), buying a pack of 5 heads every week or two doesn't seem too bad.

All that said, I am gonna hold off on using my Nautilus for the time being, till Aspire quits being so shady (which may never happen).

I use that method and find that it works quite well for me -YMMV. I typically get about double the use out of a head this way, assuming that I didn't completely burn the head in the first place or gunk it up with some really heave, dark juice. Give it a try - you might like it - just get the cheapest PGA (pure grain alcohol) you can get - really cheap vodka is what I use in a small shot glass. Hope it works for you, too.

 

[GeorgeF]

Aren't the screens that pipe smokers(...and other smokers) use made of brass?

Um. yes they are. So are the faucets we drink out of. What about the copper pipes that deliver the water to your house and thru out your home?

Are we going to stop using indoor plumbing because of the risk involved?

Hmmm. as a kid growing up we all used to drink right from the garden hose. Put our mouths right on the brass end of the hose. Did that harm me. well after 44 years of being on this rock I haven't felt different from doing so.

After being in the heating industry for 16 years and ingesting several pounds of carbon,copper, cast iron, brass, steel, #2 fuel oil, and anything else I come in contact with on a daily basis. Weather it is from inhalation of particles or fumes from heating the metals to even eating some, yes it gets on your hands and sometimes not thinking, eating something without scrubbing like a surgeon to get my hands clean.

We all have been exposed to our fair share of possibly toxic substances. Are we to live in a bubble?

The two Nautilus tanks I own do not show any signs that have been mentioned here. I have owned them for at least a month now. I have been thru about 60mLs or so of juice in each and just took them apart to inspect them. No brass here.

 

[Phibes]

Pleasure. I'm glad that they finally responded. BTW, your thread is being discussed by Aussie Vapers:

"Good" news spreads fast

Aspire nautilus has chromed brass chimney

I have never seen any black ash in my toppers. However, I've seen dark brown e-juice dripping from the bottom of my cartomizers that have been used for a while. Some clearomizers also turn ejuice dark--after a while. Some this discoloration may be due to rapid nicotine oxidation or perhaps coil gunk dissolving slowly and mixing with fresh eliquid--PG is a good solvent. However, this was in the past--I haven't noticed any discoloration recently with my my clearos.

Before refilling Nautilus tank (bvc coils), take some paper towel and try to gently clean inside the coil area, above the mesh. Look at the paper towel. You gonna see some black parts of ash.

 

[Norrin]

Yes, but when I purchase the aluminum pan, or faucet, I know it's aluminum or brass.

In the case of these clearomizers, the actual materials were not disclosed properly. Now, they are.

Based on what I know about the "disease process", it is a cumulative event.

So, I like to choose which, how much and/or how many, of these things I expose myself to. I don't eat processed foods, and I don't cook in aluminum, and I limit my exposure to other stuff I think may impact my health negatively.

I see no reason why I can't do that with vaping stuff, or why there is always so much defensiveness about it.

I guess the point is that, after being told that vaping is almost "harmless", some of the things, if you add them up, cumulatively, really aren't harmless. Add the metals, diketones in some juices, clearos and/or drip tips made of metals that we aren't supposed to biologically have a lot of contact with.....just sayin', if you combine enough things.........

I reject the worn cliche about "but cigarettes were worse." Yes, that is true, for sure. But I don't want to inch closer to "unhealthy behavior" with vaping either, that's all. And, I think there are probably a lot of people who feel the same way, they just are somewhat hesitant to talk about it openly at times.

Yes, living itself has inherent dangers. But those are unforseen, so I can't control them. But I can control what I vape, what I vape on, etc. if I have knowledge about what my risks are, I can choose which to accept and which to reject..

Although I do think that you and many others are worrying about something you shouldn't (and I'm not going to go into all the reasons as most have been said before) you are right that we should know what the products are made from so we can make our own choices even if those choices are wrong.

 

[Killowatt]

Don't forget the 50% lead solder used in plumming, most still in use.

Tapin on my S5

 

[Norrin]

Don't forget the 50% lead solder used in plumming, most still in use.

Tapin on my S5

I can still remember places having lead pipes replaced, too young to remember lead pipes being put in though.

 

[kkay59]

Back in the day, they used things that we found out later, was not good for our health. Today we know better, and we act accordingly. If a tank says ss and glass, that's what it ought to be, period. Now if I were making a tank, I think surgical grade stainless steel (or food grade, whichever is better) should be used, along with glass. That obviously would attract those that are concerned. The point is of course, you must say what all the metal consists of. If you say ss, and then say no more, people assume that is all that the metal in the tank is. If that is not the case, it is deceptive.

 

[Pinggolfer]

Back in the day, they used things that we found out later, was not good for our health. Today we know better, and we act accordingly. If a tank says ss and glass, that's what it ought to be, period. Now if I were making a tank, I think surgical grade stainless steel (or food grade, whichever is better) should be used, along with glass. That obviously would attract those that are concerned. The point is of course, you must say what all the metal consists of. If you say ss, and then say no more, people assume that is all that the metal in the tank is. If that is not the case, it is deceptive.

All very true and I agree with you, but lets not forget that in 1966 cigarette companies had to put a warning label on every pack of cigarettes. Did it stop anyone of us from smoking? Warning or not we still did it knowing well what may happen.

 

[juicynoos]

Regarding dry burning Aspire bvc coils, Aspire says they are wrapped in cotton so I should think that might not be a good idea. Having tried dry burning a few of them, they give off an unusual acrid odour and affect the flavor on reuse. I strongly suspect particles of wicking material are traveling up the chimney besides those which the screen is (apparently) intended to block!!

None of my other atomizers and rba's produce this ashy looking gunk found in the chimney and drip tip of the Nautilus range using the bvc coils. On a personal note, I find them to be wonderful and as my grandmother used to say, "too good to be wholesome" ! They concern me since first trying them back in August. They irritate my asthma condition of old and make me wheezy often so be careful until we know more about them guys and girls.

 

[Katdarling]

I honestly don't understand why both Kanger and Aspire are releasing sub-ohm coils... Most casual vapers don't even own batteries that can support sub-ohm coils. And people who sub-ohm own RBAs and wind their own coils. But what do I know?

Evidently, quite a bit. Your brilliance is showing, my dear one. Has been for many pages now. And I thank you for your wonderful posts.

An update! I just got an email from Aspire's Service Department. I can't copy and paste it here because it's against TOS, but I can share with you the gist of that message.

If you like Aspire coils or would like to try them but are still on the fence, or if that chromed brass annoys you, please send them an email and express your concerns.

Mr Allen Liu, Aspire CEO:

allen@eigate.com or allen@aspirecig.com

Service Dept:

service@aspirecig.com

I haven't heard anything wrt to the brass chimney. But they did at least admit, on their forum, that the chimney is not ss.

So there.

I imagine some have written Mr. Liu in regards to the chimney de brass. If anyone has a reply, please do let us know?

I understand that and that makes sense. But how many casual users will try to put those coils on their eGos and MVPs and iSticks? How many vendors will make sure that sub-ohm coil buyers will use a correct battery? I have several APVs, including a ProVari, and none of them will work with a .5Ω coil.

Besides, with the advent of high wattage mods, including DNA 30 and 40, sub-ohm vaping will soon become obsolete, IMO. Why bother with mechs and sub-ohm coils in the first place, when one can get any wattage (within reason) with a higher-ohm coils?

Just musing--not arguing. I'm not against pre-made coils at all--I just don't understand why go sub-ohm at all?

Nor do I. I've just discovered (tonite, right here) that I'm a low wattage vaper. KD < 10 watts. And for whatever reason, that pleases me. I have a sense about the heating of the coils and all the to-be-discovered information about temperature, and for now, I'll trust my instincts. Does that mean I'll be puffing on an eGo or a Spinner? Occasionally, perhaps...

But I 'less than 3' my BVCs, dammit.

Yes, it's everywhere. Same here. When I started in 2009, I never saw other vapers out in the wild.


I see so many drivers puffing happily in their cars--sometimes they see my APV and wave! It's nice!

Only a mere 2 years later than you, and at that time, NO ONE vaped, and NO ONE knew what the Krazy Kat Woman was up to. They looked and laughed and teased. I persisted and educated myself via ECF and other sites. Let them laugh at me neow (my version of "meow").

I love the vape wave!!!! It's a driving highlight!!!

My wife and I went to Panera Bread last night for some Brocoli Cheddar soup and a sandwich. We sat in the "back room" area. After I got through eating I pulled out the iStick with my Kayfun on it and vaped a couple of hits, mostly blowing the vaper down under the table.

I looked up to see a guy from another table standing next to me. He smiled and said, "I see you are using one of those e-cigarettes ... is that what they are called?". I got ready for the snark to start, but he went on to say, "I've never seen one in person before. Would you mind telling me how that works?". I was glad to do that and equally happy that he wasn't going to be a wise-.... I explained how it works and told him about my 4 1/2 year journey from smoking to vaping. Toward the last he mentioned that he had seen something on TV about people buying head shop substances and vaping them in ecigs. He remarked that, "You don't do that, do you?". I laughed and told him no, my ecig was just to satisfy my tobacco urges.

That encounter is typical of what happens when I vape in public. It's an educational experience for those who ask and I'm sure that theyeventually tell ten others about what they found out.

I've not done Panera or their soup and san, but I do have a regular group of non-vaping friends that INSIST that I blow some vapor towards them so that they can enjoy the aromas. It's beyond adorable. Lately I'm making them guess the flavors.

Your experience was wonderful, and I'm sure many of us have had the same one. At least I do hope so.

 

[Katdarling]

Looky here--apparently you can get an adapter that will let you use (non-Nautilus) BDC and BVC coils in ProTanks and Davides. But not Nautilus coils.

BDC to Protank Adapter - Kidney Puncher

And have these two tanks passed the Katya no brass test?

Sir Pouncival, got an extra piece of sandpaper handy?

 

[Brettanomyces]

I'm glad I decided to move on to RBAs because of concerns about the wicking material instead of getting more N/NM tanks, I wish I had seen this a couple days ago when I was still within the return period on it though. This also makes me extra concerned about the wicking material because if they'll lie about something as obvious as the type of metal used then I have no doubt that they would lie about something harder to prove.

After reading up on verdigris and copper compounds using brass seems questionable at best but what concerns me the most is the chrome that's getting worn off. I took apart my naut mini last night and I could see that some of the chrome on the threads where the coil screws in was worn off and I worry where that chrome went, hopefully it ended up on the paper towels I wiped it down with between fills but who knows.

I haven't noticed any ashy residue in the chimney, just dark fluid but I've seen the same in my Kayfun when it gets gunked up.

 

[Katya]

Evidently, quite a bit. Your brilliance is showing, my dear one. Has been for many pages now. And I thank you for your wonderful posts.

Awww...

Means a lot--coming from you.

I imagine some have written Mr. Liu in regards to the chimney de brass. If anyone has a reply, please do let us know?

Mr. Liu is apparently incommunicado.

But their service department is excellent--we are developing a relationship.

Nor do I. I've just discovered (tonite, right here) that I'm a low wattage vaper. KD < 10 watts. And for whatever reason, that pleases me. I have a sense about the heating of the coils and all the to-be-discovered information about temperature, and for now, I'll trust my instincts. Does that mean I'll be puffing on an eGo or a Spinner? Occasionally, perhaps...

Same here, dear. However, with Brandon's help, I may just venture into high-wattage territory some day--14 watts sounds deliciously reckless, n'est-ce-pas?

But I 'less than 3' my BVCs, dammit.

We've only just begun. Never lose hope. Aspire is aware of our concerns--maybe they'll respond and make some changes--or provide more accurate info about their materials. The more people write to them... You know.

The email address below is working for me--they are being very nice, BTW.

service@aspirecig.com

Only a mere 2 years later than you, and at that time, NO ONE vaped, and NO ONE knew what the Krazy Kat Woman was up to. They looked and laughed and teased. I persisted and educated myself via ECF and other sites. Let them laugh at me neow (my version of "meow").

I love the vape wave!!!! It's a driving highlight!!!

Yup! It usually happens when we're stopped at a red light--widows get rolled down, questions about juice or hardware asked and answered, thumbs up exchanged.

I've not done Panera or their soup and san, but I do have a regular group of non-vaping friends that INSIST that I blow some vapor towards them so that they can enjoy the aromas. It's beyond adorable. Lately I'm making them guess the flavors.

Your experience was wonderful, and I'm sure many of us have had the same one. At least I do hope so.

My kids do the same--what's mom vaping today? I'm also an authority on vaping, in their eyes, so when their friends (college-age) talk about vaping or have a problem or question, they say, "I'll ask my mom--she's a vaper." Nobody ever needed my advice about cigarette flavors...

 

[Katya]

And have these two tanks passed the Katya no brass test?

Solid stainless steel--until proven otherwise.

Sir Pouncival, got an extra piece of sandpaper handy?

Kat, I really don't know--I don't own a Davide and PT2 may have non-stainless parts. I'm still reasonably sure that Aerotanks are ss. Fogging_katrider just informed me that Kanger's V1 AFC is also chromed something and not ss.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...anger-clearomizers-please-2.html#post14651680

*sigh*

 

[jwbnyc]

Back in the day, they used things that we found out later, was not good for our health. Today we know better, and we act accordingly. If a tank says ss and glass, that's what it ought to be, period. Now if I were making a tank, I think surgical grade stainless steel (or food grade, whichever is better) should be used, along with glass. That obviously would attract those that are concerned. The point is of course, you must say what all the metal consists of. If you say ss, and then say no more, people assume that is all that the metal in the tank is. If that is not the case, it is deceptive.

I used to think, when I was younger, "Why those silly Romans, they drank wine from lead-lined amphora just because it made it sweeter..".

The fact is we do many more silly things than the Romans could have ever possibly done given their technologies.

We expose ourselves to all sorts of health risks, more and more every day in pursuit of modern convenience, increased food production, cushy seats, and yes, medical innovations.

And on and on it goes. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I'm not sure where this revelation falls in the continuum of bad ideas, or if it does at all.

I'd like to see 316 surgical steel used in a lot more vaping gear than it is, but how many people are going to pay $140.00+ for the privilege?

 

[Phibes]

I strongly suspect particles of wicking material are traveling up the chimney besides those which the screen is (apparently) intended to block!!.

Yep, that's exactly what I think too. And since the BVC wick is kinda questionable, I couldn't be less than worried about this ash. I aslo didn't found any ash on any other atomizers.

 

[Norrin]

Forget about why this should make them that expensive, why do we need it? Metals are pretty inert when at low temps and it's not like cooking in a copper pot or something, we aren't raising the temp enough for them to really be passing harmful stuff to us, OK some of the softer metals like copper I can understand why people might be concerned, but even then the levels that they would get from vaping with be so small as to be ignored. It's not like we don't consume a fair amount of metals as it is, it's in our food.

 

[Katya]

Forget about why this should make them that expensive, why do we need it? Metals are pretty inert when at low temps and it's not like cooking in a copper pot or something, we aren't raising the temp enough for them to really be passing harmful stuff to us, OK some of the softer metals like copper I can understand why people might be concerned, but even then the levels that they would get from vaping with be so small as to be ignored. It's not like we don't consume a fair amount of metals as it is, it's in our food.

I tend to agree. I don't have a problem with stainless steel--most of my pots and pans are coated with ss and I use them daily. And it ain't surgical steel. But I use hard anodized aluminum only.

There are many ss tanks and quality RBA clones that sell for around 30 bucks.

 

[rickyrickeric]

After reading through this thread, I sent the following email to Aspire:

I was shocked and dismayed to learn that, despite your claims and advertisements that the Nautilus tank is made from only pyrex and stainless steel, it is actually made with plated brass.

First of all, brass has been shown to be a possible source of several nasty chemicals. Second, it is deceptive of your company to advertise this tank as having only stainless steel parts, if it does indeed have parts that are chromed brass.

Rest assured that, until this issue is addressed and corrected, I will not be purchasing any items from your company. And, in talks with other vapers, they will also not be buying your products until they are corrected.

Regards,

Eric

This morning, I received the following response, which included a picture of the Nautilus tank:

Dear Eric,
Firstly,we are very grateful for your friendly suggestion.

All the device is made of stainless steel,except for part of the chimmy,which we marked out with red circle.
When we was developing this product,our first thought is to use stainless steel,but after amout of testing,it turns out that it is not easy to build shape.Then we choose the plated brass,what's more,we nickelizing on the surface of the the plated brass,all of our products passed the CE and RHos authentication,which are safe to use.

Sincerely sorry for the disturbance!
Thank you very much again for friendly suggestion

Best regards!

For what it’s worth….