Cartomizer Use Questions....

[Slummy]

Hi folks, sorry if this has been covered already, theres so many past threads, its hard to find the specific answers im looking for.

Im currently using the KR808 cartomizers and had some general questions about their use.

1) realistically how many times should you reuse a cartomizer and what are the warning signs that its starting to wear out? i have a cartomizer i have refilled maybe 5 times now, and each time i fill it, seems to have less flavour than the previous time.

2) can you keep refilling a cartomizer with different flavour juices, or is it better practice to use one cartomizer with one particular flavour only?

3) initial filling of blank cartomizers. weather blank or prefilled cartomizers i usually fill them just using the drip method... but i read somehwere that for the initial fills you should use the condom method, then the drip method for refills. is this true? does it make a difference?

4) after i have refilled a cartomizer, how long should i let it settle before vaping it? i only ask because, normally i just refill it and vape it more or less straight away, but i have a carto i refilled but only vaped it 2 days later, and the flavour was much better from it than cartos i had vaped staright after refilling with the same e-juice.

For my sake and the sake of other fellow noobs, any other tips on properly maintaining and getting the most out of a basic cartomizer is greatly appreciated

thanks all,

Slum

 

[Crash Moses]

I started with 808s also.

1. When it starts to lose flavor or tastes burnt or the draw becomes difficult are all indications it's wearing out. This depends on juice also. The carto will last longer with clear juices while darker juices gum it up faster.

2. It's best to stick with one flavor in a carto but it won't hurt anything if you don't...you may even discover a new flavor!

3. The condom method is messy and wastes juice in my opinion. I like to drip and spin them until they're full (usually 30 to 40 drops). I use an e-cig lanyard to spin them (which forces juice to the bottom of the tank) but other folks have used empty pill bottle on a string, etc. Some people just shake them to force the juice down. If you spin make sure to put a cap on the bottom or the juice will fly out.

4. Some people let them sit a few minutes or even an hour but I use them right away. If you're confident you've filled it to the max there is no reason to let them sit before using.

 

[ccfreak]

I'm still new to vaping, but I can tell you from my personal experience. (Limited! I have a 510 cartomizer, which might be different than yours).

1. I've reused my cartomizer at least 5 times, with no noticable degradation in taste or vapor. Maybe I have good cartomizers, am lucky, or just haven't noticed. Keeping them wet seems to be key, as I don't let them dry out. When they dry out, I notice a BIG taste difference. Your mileage may vary. Might not hurt to see how far yours can go, at least once. Then you know for the future.

2. I stick with similar juice for each cartomizer. I have one that is just for mint flavors, one for fruity flavors, etc. To me it's okay to mix similar flavors, but have not had luck mixing weird combinations (my root beer and banana experiment was terrible). As cheap as cartomizers are, I'd suggest keeping them with like-flavors only.

3. For filling them, I use the drip method. The only caveat being that I fill them the night before and let them rest, so it soaks up completely. It does take some planning ahead, but I haven't burned anything out yet (knock on wood). They seem to preform better that way, and I'll keep it up for the foreseeable future. You can use a needle to inject them (I hear) but it doesn't seem worth the effort to me.

4. Same thing as above. I've always let mine rest overnight to let it soak evenly. I don't want to risk burning one out, even though it might be okay to vape earlier. To me it boils down to risk, and I won't risk it. Even thought the cost of equipment and juice is small, the time I invested into filling it is worth it to me to wait. It's up to you if you want to try it right away. Many people do with no problem.

 

[lamarrk]

It's best to wait a little while, at least, so you don't burn the cart (the 'sock' around the coil will burn if it isn't wet). Some people say at least 30 minutes. Make sure it's slushy looking on top after it's had time to seep down into the filling. Then you'll know for sure it's full.

Even better, get a carto tank and use punched cartomizers. Keeps them wet (of course you still have to prime them). I started using them last week and they're pretty dang good like that.

 

[kcisk]

Hi,

I also started with the KR808 platform and continue to use them when I'm out and about, but quickly moved to a larger VV battery system and tanks for home/continued use, which I highly recommend.

That said, I'd suggest a small clearomizer instead of dripping into cartos - refill or blank. Tried that and it was a mess, as others say, but also frustrating for me as a newbie: never knew if I did/didn't fill enough or if it needed cleaned, refilled, replaced, etc.

The KR808s I started with were from V2cigs, and I also bought their clearos (I've read here various times that they are similar to or made by Kanger as well), which don't hold a lot of juice but improve greatly on dripping into blanks or refills.

Just my two cents - still making my way through all the info as well, but hope this helps.

 

[Katya]

Hi folks, sorry if this has been covered already, theres so many past threads, its hard to find the specific answers im looking for.

Im currently using the KR808 cartomizers and had some general questions about their use.

1) realistically how many times should you reuse a cartomizer and what are the warning signs that its starting to wear out? i have a cartomizer i have refilled maybe 5 times now, and each time i fill it, seems to have less flavour than the previous time.

Depends on the cartomizer and the juice--dark, sweet gooey juices will clog your carto and the coil much faster than clean and clear ones. My rule of thumb is 5-10ml of ejuice--more if used in a carto tank. As soon as you notice that flavor and vapor production begin to diminish, or you notice brown/black goo oozing from the threaded end of the carto--throw it out. They are disposable.

2) can you keep refilling a cartomizer with different flavour juices, or is it better practice to use one cartomizer with one particular flavour only?

Yes, but it may taste awful. If you have a compatible flavor, it's OK, but I wouldn't add peach flavor to a cappuccino carto.

3) initial filling of blank cartomizers. weather blank or prefilled cartomizers i usually fill them just using the drip method... but i read somehwere that for the initial fills you should use the condom method, then the drip method for refills. is this true? does it make a difference?

It does make a huge difference if you're using tightly packed cartomizers like those made by Bogetech. I love Boge cartos, but I use a syringe and needle (or the condom method) for the first fill to make sure the filler is properly saturated. After that, it's OK to just drip. Top off early and top off often--or they will burn.

4) after i have refilled a cartomizer, how long should i let it settle before vaping it? i only ask because, normally i just refill it and vape it more or less straight away, but i have a carto i refilled but only vaped it 2 days later, and the flavour was much better from it than cartos i had vaped staright after refilling with the same e-juice.

Once the filler is saturated, it's OK to vape. Only Boge cartos have to be babied because of that tight filler. All the other ones are pretty much good to vape as soon as they have accepted the appropriate amount of ejuice (~1 ml or 20 drops for regular size cartos).

For my sake and the sake of other fellow noobs, any other tips on properly maintaining and getting the most out of a basic cartomizer is greatly appreciated

Keep them wet. Don't wait till they are empty to refill--top them off.

Good luck and happy vaping.

 

[Barbara21]

Thank you all. I needed this thread because I'm in the same situation. Newbie here and I also have a basic 808 setup (bought from eversmoke). I've ordered juicers and plan on ordering blank cartomizers and just sticking with that.

I was surprised that someone mentioned a basic cartomizer only holds about 1 ml liquid. Is that true? Geez, a new (prefilled) cartomizer lasts me a day at least. I assumed I was using more.

 

[pfaber11]

you could try pulling out the stuffing and turning them into dripping atomizers when they are done. great throat hit and flavour doing this. just don't touch the tube in the middle and drip between the tube and the outer casing. 3 drops will do it. what have you got to loose?

 

[pfaber11]

ps they will last for months doing this if the draw gets too tight just boil them up for five minutes then blow them out and let them dry.