Canned Air to Clear Cartomizer Airholes

[Limner]

I use cartomizers almost exclusively.

After filling or re-filling, I used to habitually blow several puffs of air into the mouthpiece to clear the center air hole from spillage and the inevitable gurgling clog.

Recently I began to instead shoot a staccato blast or two of canned air into the mouthpiece in my fill-the-carto routine. It's the same sort of canned air normally used to clear dust from computer parts or photo negatives in a darkroom. Compared to blowing from my mouth, it's quicker, more efficient, cleaner, and gives the vape greater consistency.

I assume canned air contains some array of not-fit-to-breathe chemicals, and I'd be surprised if they did not, I don't know one way or the other, though it's the sort of thing I'm sure to look up sometime.

Regardless, I wonder if any chemicals in the canned air might pose a health concern when used to clear a cartomizer. Absorbed by the filler perhaps.

The blast of air I use is very short and quick -- just intuitively I can't picture that becoming a concern. A quick spritz of something intended to be aersoled into the environment by office workers and such shouldn't be particularly risky for clearing carto air holes. It's a spray can filled with something intended to blow things away, not stick to surfaces like e.g. spray-paint.

But I also don't want to be cavalier about the possibility this isn't a safe practice. I'd like to look at the question more deeply.

Thoughts?

 

[jj1257]

Does the can have a list of ingredients?

 

[Limner]

There's no comprehensive ingredient list. The warning label says it contains difuoroethane, a refrigerant which I know can cause heart failure if inhaled directly. There's nothing on the label to indicate what else it might contain, nor quantity/percentage of what it does contain either in the can or residually after spraying over a surface.

I'm thinking it's probably not overly intrusive the way I'm using it -- using a "dosage is everything" way of thinking. Something like the difference between spraying it directly into one's mouth, and say, spraying it over a small electrical component in my hand to remove dust, and then smelling my hand.

 

[oplholik]

I use the canned air to clean and blow out ecig parts. I don't worry about the small amount of whatever is in the propellant. That being said, I suppose some of those chemicals can be trapped in the wicking matl. of atties, or cartos, but not in sufficient amounts to do great damage. Take this with a grain of salt, because I'm no scientist or expert, this is just my opinion.

 

[spaceballsrules]

Let's just say that some people inhale canned air on purpose, and it is NOT good for them at all. Best to avoid using it on your cartos.

I stopped using canned air altogether, as it is wasteful and expensive. To clean out my computer or even blow debri off my patio, I use a Metro Datavac. METRO DataVac DataVac Electric Duster Model ED500 ED-500 B&H

 

[Nermal]

Did they get the specs right in that link, spaceball? It says "0.75 hp motor. That would run a 6" or even an 8" grinder all day long.

 

[oplholik]

Let's just say that some people inhale canned air on purpose, and it is NOT good for them at all. Best to avoid using it on your cartos.

I stopped using canned air altogether, as it is wasteful and expensive. To clean out my computer or even blow debri off my patio, I use a Metro Datavac. METRO DataVac DataVac Electric Duster Model ED500 ED-500 B&H

Now there ya go. I hadn't seen these before. Looks good, definitely a better option.

 

[spaceballsrules]

Did they get the specs right in that link, spaceball? It says "0.75 hp motor. That would run a 6" or even an 8" grinder all day long.

Now there ya go. I hadn't seen these before. Looks good, definitely a better option.

Yup. It's a beast. Unfortunately, the price has gone up on these since I got mine for $45 shipped. Still worth it IMO.

 

[oplholik]

The canned air over a few cans ain't too cheap either, and you can go thru a can pretty quickly.

 

[Majestic]

<snip>

I stopped using canned air altogether, as it is wasteful and expensive. To clean out my computer or even blow debri off my patio, I use a Metro Datavac. METRO DataVac DataVac Electric Duster Model ED500 ED-500 B&H

Thanks for the heads up. I previously was using my air compressor to blow out electronics, but this definitely will simplify the whole process. A lot of good reviews over at NewEgg and they currently have it discounted with free shipping so I took the plunge and got one. Thanks again!

 

[Kurt]

Canned air often contains a "bitterant", which is a chemical added to give a bitter taste, so people do not inhale it recreationally. This was a big topic several years ago when people were trying to use canned air to blow out their 510 atomizers. The pressure also was found to sometime disconnect the coil wire, killing the atty.

With a carto, like a Boge, you are better off using a large sewing needle carefully stuck up through the center hole. But sometimes carto filler distorts permanently and cannot be reamed out with a needle. Then it is time to use a fresh carto.