CE3s lackluster after cleaning?

[LucidAce]

So I got my first order of CE3 cartomizers this week, and, for the most part, I've been loving them. I have one that had a major leaking issue, but I'm pretty sure I messed up the syringe hole on that one by trying to push the needle through too quickly the first time blowing out the other side.

There is, however, a different issue that seems persistent. After I clean the CE3 it doesn't seem to perform nearly as well as it did before. I use the syringe cleaning method described by many and demonstrated by mr outlaw; I fill up the CE3 with water, then turn it right side up, pull/push the plunger a few times to cycle water through it, and then blow through to clear out the water. That all seems to work just fine; no discernable problems and looks just like it does in the video. The problem comes after that.

First of all, it seems to take a while for the CE3 to start really wicking and making vapor again. I've heard from other people that that is normal since the wick has absorbed water and that needs to get "burned" up before the juice gets in there and starts making vapor. So, I'm not necessarily concerned about that unless that's contrary to what other people are experiencing or seems to be related to my real problem; the vapor/flavor seems a bit listless from this point on. It no longer makes that satisfying crackle/hissing sound like a fresh one and the vapor just isn't nearly as voluminous. The flavor doesn't seem to be as strong as before and the throat hit is diminished. I've had this with the two cartos that I've cleaned.

So, am I doing it wrong? Anybody else have a similar experience? Should I just forego the cleaning and deal with some initial flavor blending?

 

[kiwivap]

I haven't had diminished vapor but the wicking after cleaning can take a while. And one just wouldn't wick up or do anything unfortunately. I do like them, but am really hanging in there for the T3. I really love using the clearo even though it isn't bottom coil, and am hoping I can get a bunch of the smaller T3s and a few big ones. They sound like the ticket for me. I like the CE3 vape but get tired of the syringe thing and being so ultra careful in case I disrupt them or something. The vape tastes great tho.

 

[paddymx]

So I got my first order of CE3 cartomizers this week, and, for the most part, I've been loving them. I have one that had a major leaking issue, but I'm pretty sure I messed up the syringe hole on that one by trying to push the needle through too quickly the first time blowing out the other side.

There is, however, a different issue that seems persistent. After I clean the CE3 it doesn't seem to perform nearly as well as it did before. I use the syringe cleaning method described by many and demonstrated by mr outlaw; I fill up the CE3 with water, then turn it right side up, pull/push the plunger a few times to cycle water through it, and then blow through to clear out the water. That all seems to work just fine; no discernable problems and looks just like it does in the video. The problem comes after that.

First of all, it seems to take a while for the CE3 to start really wicking and making vapor again. I've heard from other people that that is normal since the wick has absorbed water and that needs to get "burned" up before the juice gets in there and starts making vapor. So, I'm not necessarily concerned about that unless that's contrary to what other people are experiencing or seems to be related to my real problem; the vapor/flavor seems a bit listless from this point on. It no longer makes that satisfying crackle/hissing sound like a fresh one and the vapor just isn't nearly as voluminous. The flavor doesn't seem to be as strong as before and the throat hit is diminished. I've had this with the two cartos that I've cleaned.

So, am I doing it wrong? Anybody else have a similar experience? Should I just forego the cleaning and deal with some initial flavor blending?

Sounds like the coil might not be cleaned enough. Here is how I do it.

 

[Dac311]

I gave up on the ce3's. Too much work. I use x2 clearo's and haven't had a problem with them. I can't wait for the t3's.

 

[LucidAce]

Sounds like the coil might not be cleaned enough. Here is how I do it.

It seems to me I didn't have this problem when I just refilled one without cleaning, but I don't remember exactly what it vaped like, and I'll need to try out a fresh one to test it again.

 

[cindycated]

Have you tried dry-burning it after rinsing? Sounds like a cruddy coil to me, and no amount of rinsing and flushing is gonna get that crud out. It's as hard as a rock, and really stubbornly stuck on there. It probably worked OK without cleaning because the crud hadn't built up yet. Now it sounds like the crud is blocking the liquid from making it to the heating element.

I think GotVapes has a good vid on how to clean these too, that includes dry-burning...

 

[Mroutlaw]

You Need to dry burn them. The coil is gunked up. Rinsing with water will gunk it up more sometimes.

I never clean mine. I just refill them every day and toss after a whole. I have a couple that are almost 2 months old and still work.


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[Dac311]

I think that's the trick, is to not clean them. They work fine without cleaning, but I've always had issues after cleaning. They are cheap enough and last a good while without cleaning to not really worry about it. And most people I've talked to who use them regularly and enjoy them say they don't worry about cleaning them. It's 5 of them for the price of 1 1/2 x2 clearo's. And only a buck or two more than regular carto's. And you get way more life without cleaning than you get out of any poly filled carto.

 

[chaos-7]

You could try cleaning a ce3 the way I have cleaned a carto. Fill with white vinegar and fire in 3-5 second burst a few times. Blow out and allow to dry completely before refilling. This is same way the the heating element in a coffee maker is cleaned, and it works great on most of the cartos i have tried it on.

 

[paddymx]

Before throwing it out you might want to try this. Its meant for atomizers but it helped with a couple of mine. When you get to the flushing part of the cleaning I linked to earlier start the vinegar/baking soda part.

 

[paddymx]

You could try cleaning a ce3 the way I have cleaned a carto. Fill with white vinegar and fire in 3-5 second burst a few times. Blow out and allow to dry completely before refilling. This is same way the the heating element in a coffee maker is cleaned, and it works great on most of the cartos i have tried it on.

Haven't heard of that. Might be worth a try too.

 

[LucidAce]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions everybody. I'll probably try a blend of the options presented. I actually had one today that I had filled, cleaned, refilled and it was 'meh', and then refilled without cleaning today because I was in a hurry and it seems to be doing much better...So maybe the trick is not cleaning after all as some have suggested.

If I keep having issues I'll definitely try the dry burning to de-gunk the coil as well; especially if the most stubborn one I have doesn't get better after its next clean-less refill.

 

[voodoocharlie]

If you clean them you should definately take them apart Mr. Outlaw has a video that shows how to take them apart and clean them I notice after I take them apart and clean them they work like a brand new CE3 just my recommendation

 

[Snus]

I found that when I dry burn stuff it doesn't help all that much.... doesn't dry burning burn up the wick that is in the coils so that it won't absorb as much?

 

[awsum140]

I noticed that same drop off from cleaning. Last time I cleaned the set I use regularly I dry burned them until I got no more smoke/vapor of the coil. They all worked like new again. Yeah, it's a pain and takes some time but the result seems worthwhile to me anyway, I so cheap I squeak when asleep

 

[LucidAce]

I noticed that same drop off from cleaning. Last time I cleaned the set I use regularly I dry burned them until I got no more smoke/vapor of the coil. They all worked like new again. Yeah, it's a pain and takes some time but the result seems worthwhile to me anyway, I so cheap I squeak when asleep

I guess I'm a little worried about the dry burning process, because I've heard it's easy to actually burn up the wicks because they're small/fine which would obviously be a problem.

 

[cindycated]

They take a lot of heat, but you have to do short bursts. I stop as soon as I see orange (1-4 short bursts). I like to clean them because sometimes it's hard to get the flavor good again.

 

[paddymx]

You could try cleaning a ce3 the way I have cleaned a carto. Fill with white vinegar and fire in 3-5 second burst a few times. Blow out and allow to dry completely before refilling. This is same way the the heating element in a coffee maker is cleaned, and it works great on most of the cartos i have tried it on.

Haven't heard of that. Might be worth a try too.

I noticed that same drop off from cleaning. Last time I cleaned the set I use regularly I dry burned them until I got no more smoke/vapor of the coil. They all worked like new again. Yeah, it's a pain and takes some time but the result seems worthwhile to me anyway, I so cheap I squeak when asleep

They take a lot of heat, but you have to do short bursts. I stop as soon as I see orange (1-4 short bursts). I like to clean them because sometimes it's hard to get the flavor good again.

Taking from chaos-7's post, I have tried something a little different, but it requires a manual battery.

Couldn't get behind filling a CE with vinegar and vaping. So, with vinegar in a small bowl I submerge the coil porting of the base, being careful to just submerge the base just far enough to cover the coil. Don't want the battery post submerged, might short it out.

With the coil portion, after you have taken the CE apart of course, submerged into the vinegar with the base attached to the manual battery, I then "burn" the coil while it is submerged. Because it is submerged you are much less likely to fry the coil meaning you can "burn" it several times without it burning out.

I've tried this on a 3ml(GV) , fixed the "burnt" 3ml(GV). Working on my second fill with NO BURNT TASTE and excellent flavor and vapor. To soon to tell if it is really a fix, but, looks promising to me. I'll get back after I've tried this with more "bad" CE's. Here's hoping!

Edit: I am now vaping a CE3 that had been "burnt". No more "burnt". Excellent flavor and vapor!

Here's my thinking on this. Yes, the burnt flavor is caused by the wick not getting enough juice, but, the "flavor" is the juice remaining on the coil burning and therefore getting caked onto the coil. So, removing the gunk via this method might restore the flavor to a previously "burnt" CE. Stands to reason that the same would apply to a coil that has been gunked and is not producing good flavor or vapor. Two fixes for the price of one. As Awsum said "..Yeah, it's a pain and takes some time but the result seems worthwhile to me anyway,..".

Looks like this will become part of my routine.

 

[MidwestMom]

I cleaned 2 of mine after a particularly bad juice a friend had given me ... they were dry like i had to burn off the water then worked fine i just flushed them with water but i believe each ce3 has it's own temperment even the few i have all seem to have their own quirks lol

I've been just refilling them now they work brilliantly

 

[awsum140]

You can dry burn them with an auto battery, just blow gently into the end cap where the LED is. I do it when I clean both clearos and CE3s. Just don't get too carried away or you will burn the wicks and/or open the coil from too much heat. This is a situation where it pays to be patient. Just my opinion, your results and mileage may vary, no warranty or guarantee expressed or implied.