Cartomizer Cleanout Pictorial

[FantWriter]

Doesn't involve any chemicals at all
It's just water and air.

I probably don't stay on top of it as I should -- by the time I get around to doing it, they're beyond air and water clean-up. Water might clean the batting, but it isn't going to dislodge the build-up on the coils. That requires a somewhat forceful stream of alcohol.

 

[FantWriter]

So where do you get the syringe without someone thinking you're a junkie?

I buy them from my local Tractor Supply's animal health department. I've bought a wide variety over time, and no one has ever looked twice. You can also get needles there, but I prefer the blunt one available at any number of e-juice vendors.

 

[Vapian]

Excellent pictorial!

This seems to directly address something I've been finding in testing needle-less syringe-based cleaning methods (ala FantWriter's mod and the Cartomizerfillinator) in that the area of the cartomizer right at the base/battery connector doesn't get a lot of "flow" and requires several flushes (about six 35ml syringe's worth in today's testing) to be fully flush out. Those clear cartomizers have been quite enlightening!

Directing the water right to the base (via needle) should all but guarantee that area gets flushed out well (even when you can't see it as is the case with most cartos).

As for the drying method - I think it's fair to say that it can't be a bad idea to blow a compressor through a paper or other white towel first just to be sure the compressor in question doesn't blow oil or anything else. That's not nay-saying, it's just good safety. If everything checks out, go for it!

What I would love to see (or develop!) is a one-stop "cartomizer care center" - a device with one section in which one could stick a cartomizer, push a button and get a good consistent fill (with presets for .5, .75, 1ml, etc.) and another section to stick in a cartomizer, push a button and walk away while it did the flushing and drying. Of course, this beast would probably cost an arm and a leg, and making it compatible with multiple cartos would be a pain, but the more I see of the brain trust on ECF the more I think it just might be do-able.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Aunt Cranky]

You can get syringes and the needles from madvapes (as well as a ton of other DIY supplies).

As far as the whole compressor thing goes, I think it's a great idea but I'm not enamored with the idea of spending $100 on something to clean cartomizers with (and I don't have any other use for a compressor aside from topping off the car tires with air, and it's just as easy to go down to the service station for that).

Still, a great idea. I'm going to take my chances with the hot water + syringe rinse, blow out the water, then figure out some way to stack them someplace where they'll dry well (maybe leave them in the car during a hot day)

 

[emus]

PGA does improve drying time.
Have to let PGA sit long enough to saturate the coil diapers.

 

[Vapian]

I'm going to take my chances with the hot water + syringe rinse, blow out the water, then figure out some way to stack them someplace where they'll dry well...

If blowing the cartos out is a pain, you might try giving the cartos a good "reverse" Taryn spin (carto in the spinner so the mouthpiece side faces out). I've found that does a good job of getting most of the water out and greatly reducing the air-drying time.

 

[Drak]

I think Hairball or Swedishfish uses a jewelry dryer as an alternative way to dry a carto that has been held in high esteem for thoroughness.

I agree, I wasn't telling everyone to go buy a compressor...but if you already have one, it definitely does indeed rock for superfast carto turnaround times.

As for the drying method - I think it's fair to say that it can't be a bad idea to blow a compressor through a paper or other white towel first just to be sure the compressor in question doesn't blow oil or anything else. That's not nay-saying, it's just good safety. If everything checks out, go for it!

An excellent 50 yard line strategy!

The only thing I would add is that if you hold the hose up to a towel to check for any possibility of oil, what you'll probably see come out is moisture (water vapor) and if there actually was any oil, it would be very hard to discern between the water vapor and any actual oil, if there even was any (which I do doubt in most cases).

So for someone not used to using a compressor who held the end up to a towel to check, they'll most likely see a spot...but it's water, not oil in 99.9% of the cases.

 

[fray]

Out of curiosity I blew out a clear tube cartomizer I had laying around and it blew the connector and batting right out of the tube lol.

Lower pressure would work better next time lol

 

[Drak]

Out of curiosity I blew out a clear tube cartomizer I had laying around and it blew the connector and batting right out of the tube lol.
Lower pressure would work better next time lol

Yes, that's exactly what happened to me that I referred to in the first post, the one time I was holding onto it really tightly, it did blow the base off, I laughed .

That obviously would never happen if you only blow from the bottom up, but I blow it both ways to make sure it's dry, I just don't hold it on so tightly now.

 

[Puffadder]

I for one would not use my compressor as I have seen the nasty stuff that comes out. True I do not drain mine after every use and it is not maintained as well as it could be but you did not state those conditions in you original post and I would bet the condition of my compressor with a small tank is far more common to the average reader of your post than the meticulously maintained one you use. So no - it was not a case of fear-mongering to raise objections because your original post was incomplete without stating that you are meticulous in your maintenance and would not recommend this with just any old worn out tank model.

Fortunately for me I'm a diver so a quick burp from one of my tanks does the job with dry filtered air suitable for breathing.

 

[Drak]

So no - it was not a case of fear-mongering to raise objections because your original post was incomplete without stating that you are meticulous in your maintenance and would not recommend this with just any old worn out tank model.

You can dress it up any way you want to, it was scare tactics plain and simple, and you yourself are contributing to the scare.

If you think by mentioning you're a diver that that impresses me or gives you some sort of professional credence, it does not at all. I just see someone else who has nothing good to say, who does not want to help anyone else out, who is stifled in their own negative belief system, who probably could give someone an easy solution just as easy as condemning the method, but chooses to just be a fear-mongerer and not helpful to anyone.

Professionals in any trade do not act like that.
Professionals are always there to lend aid and assistance, to offer solutions,
something you apparently have no interest in doing.

If you actually read the thread, you would know that and know it's been addressed, but apparently you decided to just briefly skim through it and form an opinion based on a cursory skimthru, which makes your reply an uninformed one.

I usually find negative-minded people are typically the ones who don't want to help others, and also the ones who are quick to form opinions without actually informing themselves first. Such seems to be the case here.

Have a great day nonetheless!

 

[FantWriter]

What I would love to see (or develop!) is a one-stop "cartomizer care center" - a device with one section in which one could stick a cartomizer, push a button and get a good consistent fill (with presets for .5, .75, 1ml, etc.) and another section to stick in a cartomizer, push a button and walk away while it did the flushing and drying. Of course, this beast would probably cost an arm and a leg, and making it compatible with multiple cartos would be a pain, but the more I see of the brain trust on ECF the more I think it just might be do-able.

The first might be very difficult because there is no way of knowing what 'full' is on any particular carto -- the slightest difference in the amount or compactation of the batting and the possible presence of unvaped juice would mean a wide variance in the amount it needs to fill it completely.

For a basic clean and fill unit:
Screw the carto on. It is indexed to a station which removes the white mouthpiece (a simple extendable hook) and gives it a blast of air. At the second index station, an ultrasonic probe extends, the carto is filled with solvent, and it's given a 15 second cleaning. The next station flushes it out with clean solvent. The next station uses heated air (and heats up the coil) to dry it. The carto is filled at the next station, and excess drains out at the next. Index again and a swab wipes the exterior to remove any solvent or juices. The mouthpiece is replaced in the next station (actually, this would be the most finicky step). The last station ejects the carto, and the unit indexes into position to accept another one.

A good lathe and a mill would be needed, but I don't foresee any major problems to work out (my background includes Bridgeport turret drills and Hydromats, so I think I have a good grasp of what could be done and what it would take).

The worst part, in both design and manufacturing, would be the Geneva movement. They're sort of my bane.

 

[Puffadder]

Well it looks like someones judgmental panties are in a bunch today. Lets add these to your list as well

Professionals are responsible in ensuring their help and advise is as accurate as possible
Professionals take care to present all relevant information
Professionals do not acknowledge there will be a number of people who object to their advise and then flippantly dismiss those objections without providing a sound explanation as to why their opinions are not valid.

and last but not least Professionals do not resort to personal attacks when confronted with an opposing opinion.​

I was not being negative but rather honest in my observations and opinion based on those observations. You personally added that you drain yours after every use and meticulously maintain your equipment. Good for you but not everyone maintains their compressors in that condition, yet in your original instructions you make it sound like any old compressor will do and not to worry about what anyone else is going to say about it. When presented with links to articles supporting the fact that many compressors are full of contaminants you could only call them names instead of presenting and evidence to the contrary.

Now I do not use my compressor in a professional capacity. I live in an area that averages about 85% humidity. I mainly use my compressor for working on my boat and truck and also for painting with oil paints and polyurethanes (the vapors from which get sucked back into the compressor).

Would you like to come over and dip your cartos in the swill sitting in my compressors tank?

Bon appetit!

 

[hairball]

Schweeetttttt! Thanks for the informative cleaning process for these. I am going to try it. Thank you.

 

[donnah]

I've not had much luck with my cartos after cleaning. I use tv waffle and on a new carto the flavor is almost completely gone by the third day. So I am willing to try anything to extend the life of my cartos! I think that in the past my cartos may have not been completely dry when I tried to use them again. So I really think getting all the water out is the key. My husband has an air compressor but I don't really want to go out to the shop and use it (he'd blow them out for me if I asked and it came to that) and I'm concerned about all the talk of other stuff coming out with the air. (oil)

I realized last night that I have something that might be of use. It is an electric air pump used for blowing up plastic inflatables, like small swimming pools. I used it on a carto that has been cleaned and stuffed with a bit of paper towel for the last week. I didn't get any moisture out but it could have been dry to begin with. It is no where near an air compressor but it does blow better than I can and I don't think it will blow out any oil. Next time I clean cartos I'll use it and see what happens. Thanks for posting the pictures!

 

[Drak]

Well it looks like someones judgmental panties are in a bunch today.

Nope, no panty-bunching, only dissection and clarification of wrong and negative opinions and their empty and hollow reasonings.

I have not flippantly dismissed any objections at all.

What I have repeatedly outright dismissed is the fact that every single negative nay-sayer who has posted to this thread had the ability and intelligence to offer a simple, positive solution to whatever their personal little pet peeve is with this method, but outright refused to offer any help or solutions, only offered antagonistic negativism and scare tactics.

UNLESS you actually don't have the answer. If you have an issue with it and don't have the answer, then why don't you instead pose a question, you might get an answer, instead of condemning what you don't yet understand.

I am about solutions, how do we get it done, what do you have to bring to the table for everyone's benefit?
You are about it can't be done and this is why.
We are two completely different personality types.

If you see a problem and have an answer, step in and offer to help fix it.
If you see a problem and don't have the answer, then ask someone who does.

Giving ridiculous, negative-based reasons without offering answers why the general population can't use a standard compressor to blow out a tiny piece of plastic and help them enjoy their vaping experience is pretty laughable, and pretty sad, in my book.

 

[Puffadder]

You have been given numerous answers with links to back up the answers as to why it MAY not be a good idea. In no way have I implied that you should not use an air compressor under any circumstances to do this. All I did was point out that there may be things to consider before using one. I specifically referred to MY compressor and the reasons why I would not use it. You ignore any possibility that there could be unintended results from using a compressor that was not well maintained. You are all about proof and solutions so where is your proof that all standard compressors are perfectly safe to use for this application.

You want a solution - how about using a filter or air drying attachment. How about you could have suggested if using a compressor mounted on a tank that you should check to make sure there is no water in the tank before blowing out your cartos. This is not about negativity or fear-mongering as you love to throw out. Advocating responsible use and raising awareness to possible risks is what our posts were about.

BTW - If I ever happen to see you about to drive into a tree but don't have a solution for you I'll make sure not to raise your awareness of the situation.

If you see a problem and don't have the answer create awareness of the problem in case someone else has the answer but didn't see the problem.

I am about getting it done properly with awareness to the consequences of my actions.
You appear to be about blindly rushing into something without caring about the results of your actions or if there is a possibility that you solution to 1 problem might end up creating other problems.

That is pretty sad in my book.

 

[emus]

So for someone not used to using a compressor who held the end up to a towel to check, they'll most likely see a spot...but it's water, not oil in 99.9% of the cases.

Thanks.

I just blew pre-filter compressed air through white cloth.
Cloth was stained a yellowish brown color.

 

[ricks]

Who needs syringes??? I just ordered 5 3cc ones for 15 cents a piece. I ordered 5 of them for 75 cents with FREE shipping.
GO HERE AND SEE Monoject Syringe without Needle at Drs. Foster & Smith: Syringes for pet caged birds I found this place from someone on this forum and I cant remember who it was, but I'd like to thank them again.

 

[hyperfluous]

psa - blowing out your carto while having a respiratory virus could impregnate the carto with the virus