Clean Carto's, or Not? If so, What's Your Strategy?

[Cowboy Cru]

For 5 months now I have been cleaning carto's, rotating in new ones, and throwing them away when they just quit or become unpleasant. I use Kanger 808's, and Boge 510's. My normal method is to soak them in vodka for 20 minutes to an hour. Then put them in a turkey baster and flush them with boiling water for a few minutes per cart. Then I blow the dickens out of them, and set them up to dry for about 48 hours.
I have also just tried not cleaning them at all.
I have also tried the baking soda, white vinegar, and lemon juice combo. That was a complete failure.
So, all in all, it just seems like other than getting an old flavor out, my boiling technique seems to change nothing more than if I just never cleaned them at all. They do not seem to last any longer, or taste any better. After numerous hours of youtube and searching on here, I just thought I would try my own thread. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help.

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[John1952]

My strategy is to throw them away when they start tasting nasty. Normally, that's 24-48 hours. I used to have several cartos going, but now I limit myself to one at a time, just to keep it simple. I'll often top it off with a different (complimentary) flavor, so that provides enough variety for me.

How do I rationalize this waste? Easy. I used to spend $6.50 per day on things that I threw away. Cartos, in comparison, are dirt cheap -- a buck a day, at most. And besides, there's nothing better than that crackly sound of a new one, freshly filled.

 

[Cowboy Cru]

My strategy is to throw them away when they start tasting nasty. Normally, that's 24-48 hours. I used to have several cartos going, but now I limit myself to one at a time, just to keep it simple. I'll often top it off with a different (complimentary) flavor, so that provides enough variety for me.

How do I rationalize this waste? Easy. I used to spend $6.50 per day on things that I threw away. Cartos, in comparison, are dirt cheap -- a buck a day, at most. And besides, there's nothing better than that crackly sound of a new one, freshly filled.

I do seem to be hearing that more and more. Lol. Thanks for the info!

 

[B2L]

Same here, used to boil and dry them and one day decided it wasnt worth the little amount that it was saving. I agree there is no vape I enjoy more than a new Boge.

 

[hellsh0cked]

I agree. I can get boge cartomizers for about $0.80 a piece. They last me an average of 4 days. I just don't see putting all the time and effort into cleaning them.

 

[kookycole]

I haven't had any luck with cleaning my cartomizers. I watched different videos, but they never worked or tasted right after cleaning them. But unless they taste burnt, I can't seem to throw them away. I've got a bunch of them saved up, maybe I'll try cleaning them someday or something. I take some comfort in the fact that they are there (you know, in case of the vaping apocalypse).

 

[Cowboy Cru]

I agree. I can get boge cartomizers for about $0.80 a piece. They last me an average of 4 days. I just don't see putting all the time and effort into cleaning them.

Man, This really does put this in perspective a bit. I have to admit I am always a little low on money, but if I can't afford 80 cents every 4 days I shouldn't be vaping! Lol. I don't mind spending the time and energy for this is about my only hobby now. I just wish it would actually pay off you know? By the way, where do you get your Boges? Cause I cannot seem to find them any less than about 7 bucks for a 5 pack.

 

[Cowboy Cru]

I haven't had any luck with cleaning my cartomizers. I watched different videos, but they never worked or tasted right after cleaning them. But unless they taste burnt, I can't seem to throw them away. I've got a bunch of them saved up, maybe I'll try cleaning them someday or something. I take some comfort in the fact that they are there (you know, in case of the vaping apocalypse).

Yea, I agree! I always think if I ever ended up flat broke I would at least have some old crappy carto's to possibly get me through the hard times! Lol.

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[salemgold]

I use dual coils in a tank and they last me about a week, sometimes more so I don't clean either.
This is a good deal on Boges here Boge LR Deal (5 Boxes)

 

[Cowboy Cru]

I use dual coils in a tank and they last me about a week, sometimes more so I don't clean either.
This is a good deal on Boges here Boge LR Deal (5 Boxes)

I use SC, but I will see what they have. And Thank You very much! And damn, I HAVE to ask, is that YOU as your avatar??? And 19,488 posts! I applaud that very much! Thanks!

 

[Cowboy Cru]

I use dual coils in a tank and they last me about a week, sometimes more so I don't clean either.
This is a good deal on Boges here Boge LR Deal (5 Boxes)

OMG, I just checked out that Sure Vapes!!! They DO have SC, and XL, and everything. They have like a Boge mix and match for 23 bucks for 5 boxes!!! Thank You so much! I hope you read this so you know how much I really appreciated that!

 

[ByeByeCoffinNails]

I think the OP deserves a medal for cleaning and rotating cartos like that for so long!

(sorry, no gasho emoticon)

After 3-4 weeks of steaming, boiling, drying, then discarding half of each batch because they didn't work or tasted bad, we stopped cleaning cartos and started throwing them. We had cartos dialled such that they would last well over a week and then....

The manufacturers ruined everything by priming their filler and making it less absorbent. Filling and frequent topping off started to become a chore. Cartos started lasting 1-2 days, tasted like yuk and some even went thermal within hours of being opened. Given that we were paying about $1 per carto and between us, we went through *two boxes a week*, the wastage became uneconomical for us and the shipping lag for cartos was too long opposed to the consumption. We actually had a situation where normally what would have been a three month carto supply vanished in three weeks.

*rant ends here*

Now we use Stardusts and CE2's which hardly need cleaning and last for months. I miss the flavour and sound of a carto, but there is hardly any waste and topping off is not as frequent. In the long term, we are saving money by having moved away from polyfill (until we start buying Phoenix top coils that is!)

We too have a small stash in case of an international vapemail disaster. It's just that a small stash of old style Royal Smokers CE2's (cost USD$9) will outlast a small mountain of polyfilled cartos (cost USD$50) significantly.

So we bow in respect of the great and the good who recycle their polyfill but extend to you who have not yet tried them, the venerable CE2 of friendship:





PS: Yes disciples of the CE#, it is an old style CE2. That is why it is venerable (because it is cheap and everlasting- seriously I have one that is 6 weeks old!)

 

[Slurp812]

I get a week or 2 out of a carto. Medium vaping, I use the same one, and as soon as it starts getting nasty i toss it...

 

[Ratchet]

Same here, used to boil and dry them and one day decided it wasnt worth the little amount that it was saving. I agree there is no vape I enjoy more than a new Boge.

I totally agree. I used to clean them but then I changed from prepunched at $2-3 a piece to Boges (surevapes sells 5 boxes of 5 for $23).............. Not worth the effort unless I use the small ones for sampling..... The XL's are going in my tank, when the taste funny, they go in the trash...............

 

[salemgold]

OMG, I just checked out that Sure Vapes!!! They DO have SC, and XL, and everything. They have like a Boge mix and match for 23 bucks for 5 boxes!!! Thank You so much! I hope you read this so you know how much I really appreciated that!

You are so very welcome. Surevapes does have great prices on all Boges. I think that my original links took you to LR

 

[Cowboy Cru]

You are so very welcome. Surevapes does have great prices on all Boges. I think that my original links took you to LR

It did, but without you sending me there I would had not only been paying more for carts, but also a Bolt. They had em for 35 bucks WITH extension! I ordered the gun metal grey. Now I just need to find somewhere with the Kick in stock!

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[IndyJones]

I boil them at a slow to medium boil at least several minutes standing on end in at least an inch of water so the water percolates through the filter. this usually forces out most of the dark coloring from some dark liquids. since i use an 808 they can easily flip them over, sometimes more than once if the water won't perk through the filler.

 

[tally618]

I do clean and reuse cartomizers, but I have learned over time NEVER to boil or dry them. For me, they just don't work right after I do. Instead, I use 1/4 cup hot water (just from the tap) and 1/4 cup white vinager. Flush them about 10 times through the vinager water using a syringe walgreens sells for $3 that has a white rubber triangle thing that fits the cartos perfectly. Then flush them 10 times with hot water and blow them out then let them set for 48 hours. They work just like new every time for me and don't have any hint of the old juice.

 

[OnnaB]

Cowboy....I think that avatar pic is of Carrie Underwood....not sure, but pretty sure....

 

[Cowboy Cru]

I do clean and reuse cartomizers, but I have learned over time NEVER to boil or dry them. For me, they just don't work right after I do. Instead, I use 1/4 cup hot water (just from the tap) and 1/4 cup white vinager. Flush them about 10 times through the vinager water using a syringe walgreens sells for $3 that has a white rubber triangle thing that fits the cartos perfectly. Then flush them 10 times with hot water and blow them out then let them set for 48 hours. They work just like new every time for me and don't have any hint of the old juice.

Cool! Thanks Tally. I know, I keep hearing some stories about how not to boil them. Thanks!

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