atomizer care too often?

[lxrubin]

So I've purchased some 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, Distilled water, and a rubber squeezy dropper thing that I cut to fit the atomizer hole. Basically, I run some alcohol through it, fist by dripping, then with pressure. Then I do the same with the distilled water. Smell to confirm no more alcohol smell. Dry for 10 minutes. Is this adequate?

I've owned my e-cig for just a couple days and I've been cleaning it daily. Are there any side-effects to cleaning too often? I'd like to make a regular habit of cleaning to reduce atomizer wear, and reduce the price.

Please don't tell me that they only cost $15 and you should replace them regularly. I'm trying to quit smoking for health, but primarily for cost. I'm not exactly saving money if I keep spending it on atomizers. I will replace them as they begin to fail, but I'd like to make them last as long as possible.

On a similar note, what leads to atomizer failure? Being clogged? Running dry and overheating? I imagine it's a combination of getting clogged, then no fluid reaching the coil, and overheating.

 

[doots]

I personally clean mine about once a week with a little alcohol and blow out and then rinse and blow out. I dont think it will hurt to clean them daily imo, if you like. I would think every few days would be a better schedule for you and not so much work. Some attys will last a long time and others wont. Its in the luck of the draw really.. good luck..

 

[Njt07]

I clean mine about once a week. Get about 3-4 attys and as the flavor drops off or you consistently keep getting burnt taste even though it has plenty of fluid, swap the atty out and put the used one in a "to clean" cup or bowl. I soak mine in ever clear for a while, usually forget and they end up soaking for an hour or so. Stir around every now and then. Pull the attys out and dry them off, blow out from the battery end and either wait for them to dry or, and I know you're not supposed to, do a quick dry burn to dry the wicks out. I dry burn only until I can no longer hear crackling sounds.

 

[koticat]

So I've purchased some 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, Distilled water, and a rubber squeezy dropper thing that I cut to fit the atomizer hole. Basically, I run some alcohol through it, fist by dripping, then with pressure. Then I do the same with the distilled water. Smell to confirm no more alcohol smell. Dry for 10 minutes. Is this adequate?

I've owned my e-cig for just a couple days and I've been cleaning it daily. Are there any side-effects to cleaning too often? I'd like to make a regular habit of cleaning to reduce atomizer wear, and reduce the price.

Please don't tell me that they only cost $15 and you should replace them regularly. I'm trying to quit smoking for health, but primarily for cost. I'm not exactly saving money if I keep spending it on atomizers. I will replace them as they begin to fail, but I'd like to make them last as long as possible.

On a similar note, what leads to atomizer failure? Being clogged? Running dry and overheating? I imagine it's a combination of getting clogged, then no fluid reaching the coil, and overheating.

I don't do any of that stuff!! And im still using the first atty I bought, although I do have backups. All I do is take it off my battery, wipe it off on the outside, then blow the excess liquid out by putting the threaded in into my mouth and blowing on it. I do that every night then let it sit uoside down on a paper towel overnight so any excess drains out. Then once a week or so, ill heat a little distilled water in a cup, drop the atty in, and kinda stir it around with a spoon. Then I let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Take it out, dry off the outside, than blow the excess water out. Then put on a paper towel upside down overnight. Next morning I put it on my battery, drop a couple drops of juice in, and put my cartridge on.....its vape time! Been using this one atty for 32 days......shes still going. Hope this helps!!

 

[Renzuli]

Just my opinion , but water , distilled or otherwise would tend to rust the coil , leading to failure . I personally use only vodka to clean my atty's and carto's . I let them soak for an hour or so , then blow out the excess vodka , and start using them right away . I don't rinse them , dry them for several days . None of that . And I have atty's and carto's that are three and 4 months old , and still working . And another thing . I only clean these when they start getting clogged or the vapor and taste start diminishing .

 

[koticat]

Just my opinion , but water , distilled or otherwise would tend to rust the coil , leading to failure . I personally use only vodka to clean my atty's and carto's . I let them soak for an hour or so , then blow out the excess vodka , and start using them right away . I don't rinse them , dry them for several days . None of that . And I have atty's and carto's that are three and 4 months old , and still working . And another thing . I only clean these when they start getting Hmmmmm......how do u clean a cartos? I've never tried that. And oops i think I just messed up on here.....hard to do on a phone even if it is a Droid!!! Lol. As to the vodka.....I gotta think about that one because I dont drink.....hate to be seen inside a liquor store! Lol maybe my cuz can pick me up a mini bottle or something.clogged or the vapor and taste start diminishing .

I don't know what I just did......forgive me if I made a mess on here......I'm typing on a Droid!!! Lol! At any rate.....how do u clean a carto?

 

[MattyT]

Just my opinion , but water , distilled or otherwise would tend to rust the coil , leading to failure . I personally use only vodka to clean my atty's and carto's . I let them soak for an hour or so , then blow out the excess vodka , and start using them right away . I don't rinse them , dry them for several days . None of that . And I have atty's and carto's that are three and 4 months old , and still working . And another thing . I only clean these when they start getting clogged or the vapor and taste start diminishing .

Same here.

Lxrubin, $15 atty? What kind of atty do you use? Don't get me wrong, I spent $22 for an HH.357 but its an HH.357. Something doesn't sound right.

 

[Renzuli]

I clean atty's and carto's exactly the same way . I soak them in vodka for a few hours , then blow out the excess liquid . Then I just put them back on a PV and use them right away . No need to wait to let them dry out , as most people think . I have never had any problems using my method . The other thing I do for clogged carto's , I use them at either a higher voltage , or on another PV , that's got or capable of higher voltages ( I have several ) and use them for a few days at the higher voltage . Seems to burn the crust or clog out . Then I can put it back on a lower voltage device .

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

So I've purchased some 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, Distilled water, and a rubber squeezy dropper thing that I cut to fit the atomizer hole. Basically, I run some alcohol through it, fist by dripping, then with pressure. Then I do the same with the distilled water. Smell to confirm no more alcohol smell. Dry for 10 minutes. Is this adequate?

I've owned my e-cig for just a couple days and I've been cleaning it daily. Are there any side-effects to cleaning too often? I'd like to make a regular habit of cleaning to reduce atomizer wear, and reduce the price.

Please don't tell me that they only cost $15 and you should replace them regularly. I'm trying to quit smoking for health, but primarily for cost. I'm not exactly saving money if I keep spending it on atomizers. I will replace them as they begin to fail, but I'd like to make them last as long as possible.

On a similar note, what leads to atomizer failure? Being clogged? Running dry and overheating? I imagine it's a combination of getting clogged, then no fluid reaching the coil, and overheating.

You don't really need the distilled-water rinse; I'd use 91% IPA as opposed to 70%, but the stuff evaporates completely, leaving behind no residue. Just let them air dry overnight.

What generally leads to atomizer failure is old age, plain and simple. Unless you do something destructive, they die of natural causes; a month lifespan is typical, although it'll vary all over the map.

 

[TommyG]

Boiling/really hot water blown through until I get no color/smell, followed by blown dry and a dry burn.

 

[koticat]

Ok......got a stupid question. Neither i nor hubby drink, and i refuse to buy liquor. If I soak a dirty atty in plain old alcohol and then blow it out and air-dry overnight, will that work?

 

[Robin Macri]

Yes,koticat it will work. If your gonna let it sit overnight, You can rinse it with some hot water after the alcohol.

 

[koticat]

Yes,koticat it will work. If your gonna let it sit overnight, You can rinse it with some hot water after the alcohol.

What if I don't rinse with hot water? Had some folks tell me last night not to use water.....something to do with rust. Just to use vodka. Not gna buy liquor so wanted to check about the alcohol. Thanks!

 

[MattyT]

What if I don't rinse with hot water? Had some folks tell me last night not to use water.....something to do with rust. Just to use vodka. Not gna buy liquor so wanted to check about the alcohol. Thanks!

You can definitely use regular alcohol Koticat. Alcohol will clean, in my experience, much better than water. Also, alcohol will evaporate much more quickly when you let it dry out then water so I personally wouldn't rinse with water at all.

 

[koticat]

You can definitely use regular alcohol Koticat. Alcohol will clean, in my experience, much better than water. Also, alcohol will evaporate much more quickly when you let it dry out then water so I personally wouldn't rinse with water at all.

So do I still need to let them dry overnight? Sorry for all the questions.....atomizer care is definitely something I'm interested in......$7 is $7 after all!! Lol

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

Overnight is good. Isopropyl alcohol evaporates completely and quickly leaving no residue behind, but the stuff bought in a drug store isn't 100%. Typically, it's either 70% or 91%. The rest is water, which evaporates much less readily. But overnight will do it.

 

[MattyT]

So do I still need to let them dry overnight? Sorry for all the questions.....atomizer care is definitely something I'm interested in......$7 is $7 after all!! Lol

With atomizers, I don't let them dry overnight for the simple reason it doesn't take that long. I find that after I take them out of the alcohol and blow them out, the alcohol will evaporate from the wick rather quickly. Typically in no more than 15-20 min its dry and I add a few drops of juice to prime it and vape. If you are going to let the atty sit for a while until you need it, definitely add a few drops of plain PG or VG to keep the coil and wick moist. Keeping it dry is a no no from everything I have read and videos I have seen, so I always keep it wet.

If we were talking about cartomizers then I would say to let it dry overnight or possibly longer.

Hope this clears it up for ya

 

[koticat]

Thanks y'all!!

 

[Snus]

Hmmmm, I heard that you were not supposed to use rubbing alcohol as you are not supposed to ingest that. I've been using the 2 attys that came with my kit for about a month now. Never cleaned either of them and I have been chain vaping a LOT! One of them was drawing really hard and started to leak, so I am going to try to find a very small bottle of high proof vodka, or borrow some and soak it to see if I can bring it back to life again....

I think one of the cheapest ways to go is the boge 510 cartomizers. They run about a buck each or so. You can keep refilling them until they taste really bad. Then, you can boil them in hot water until all the liquid is gone, may take several boils, then dry and re-use them. They come with the heating element, so all you need is the battery to go with it... Even if they only last you a few weeks, you are only out a dollar!

Good Luck!

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

Hmmmm, I heard that you were not supposed to use rubbing alcohol as you are not supposed to ingest that.

Correct. You're not supposed to ingest it. You're supposed to clean your atty with it, then allow it to evaporate.

Third repetition in this thread: IPA evaporates completely, leaving no residue.