Carto going bad... How do you tell?

[footbag]

I just switched to a carto/tank system about two weeks ago. I've replaced a carto a week. The only hint I've gotten that the cartos have to be replaced was a slight muted flavor.

Now, I have a carto that just tastes bad. It tastes burnt no matter what setting I use. I'm thinking it's done, but I'm also wondering if I prematurely ditched the others.

In general, I'm just wondering how long a carto will last and how you know when it's dying.

 

[Baditude]

This can depend upon several factors. Typically 1 -3 weeks can be expected, depending upon the below factors.

Thicker juice (higher vg) or darker juice will shorten the life of a carto. Single coils seem to last longer than dual coils in my experience, and I prefer the vape I get from them too. Using only one tank will shorten a carto's life; multiple tanks in use simultaneously will allow the carto to last longer. Brand of carto figures in, too - Ikenvapes last longer than Boge or Smoktech.

How well you prime the carto will determine how well the carto will perform for the entire time its in the tank; this is the most important step in setting up a cartotank. Your vape technique is important, too. Long, slow, gentle draws. Like sucking on a straw in a thick milkshake.

I typically will replace my cartos when the draw becomes too stiff to enjoy.

Baditude's Cartotank Setup Guide

Cartotank Help for a Noob

Vendors Selling Prepunched Cartomizers, and more

 

[john333]

From time to time you may get a DUD that has a burnt taste from the start no matter how well primed. Chunk it, you cant save it. If your draw become too tight it is ready to be replaced. Also, if you have a really good eliquid and the flavor is too muted go ahead replace just to enjoy the flavor. Vendor liquids are often high in flavor percentages and will clog a cart fairly quickly. I have been DIYing all of this year and don't have that problem nearly as often. If you don't DIY I would suggest you look into it. It is much more satisfying and will save you tons of money. Also, if your focus is on mixing you wont be so apt to try all the new gear coming out. Find the APV and tank system you like and stick with it. If you want a cart to last for several months you can vape unflavored liquid. It's the flavoring the gunks a cart not the PG VG or Nicotine. I make mine 60/40 PG/VG with 18mg Nic. Doing that I used two carts in eight months. The only reason they finally died was because I filled them with some flavored liquid. Unflavored has a natural sweetness and taste close to a analog because of lack of flavor. It is better than you might think. Also, I recommend vaping at 60/40 is make the liquid a little thicker and avoid flooding issues. I seemed to have much more flooding when I vaped 70/30. The best carts I have found are the Boge 2hole single coil 2.0 ohms non-flanged. Out of a 75 I only had 2 duds. See if you can find Buckys Bargain Vaping on Facebook for the best deals. Hope this helps and good luck

 

[Ipster]

The best carts I have found are the Boge 2hole single coil 2.0 ohms non-flanged. Out of a 75 I only had 2 duds. See if you can find Buckys Bargain Vaping on Facebook for the best deals. Hope this helps and good luck

john; nice post.
in case I missed the point- my fav's are Boge single coil too. Havent tried Ikenvape-but will. 3 years into vape-just picked up the first tank that will requires using "flanged" carts. your mention (above) doesn't really reflect any quality difference between flanged v unflanged, right? Or do you believe they are manufactured differently?
thanks.

 

[john333]

as far as I know the only difference is the flange and cost. you can get 5 unflanged carts at Buckys for $6.86 shipping included. should also mention these are the XL size (40mm) including the 510 connector (45mm).

 

[Baditude]

If you can land some, the Ikenvape cartos are noticably higher quality. From a stronger steel casing to a better quality polyfill to better quality heating coils. These are custom made to strict specifications for Ikenvape from an un-named Chinese manufacturer. Unfortunately, the manufacturer will only produce so many for Ikenvape at a time and the demand is greater than the supply. They are worth the wait, though. I order as many pre-punched 510 Fusion (with flange) or Platinium (without a flange) as I can when they are in stock.

 

[reeftivo]

I've been a boge 2.0 and 3.0 single coil carto/tank user for a few years now and just recently picked up some 510 mega fusion cartos from ikenvape. IMO the fusions are similar to boges with vapor production (fusions maybe a little more) but they really bring out the flavor of my juices and do not mute them. I will keep my stock of boges as a fall back, but for now I will only be buying fusions. I'm on a week and a half with the same fusion carto now and the flavor and draw is practically like it was when it was new. Outstanding cartos!! No wonder there hard to find in stock. I will be trying the 801's next since I've heard good things about them as well.

Happy Vaping!

tivo

 

[Evi|grin]

Pretty much all the cartos i want to try are sold out or over priced locally. I found one online vendor that had most of what i wanted. Right now the DCT Pyrex is working well with a Smok XL 1.5 dual coil but i still think the 1.7 to a 2.2ohm single coil works just as well. Ive gone through about too full tanks on the 1.7 DC and its hard to put it down.

The only ones i have over a week are some unpunched single coils 1.7s and i think they still taste fine. I have noted a slightly tighter draw but still nice flavor. I really want to try the IKVs. I saw some 801s? available in LR but the rest are sold out. They had such good reviews im tempted to try them with an adapter.