Cleaning Cartomiers?

[riverwhiskey]

I am currently using carts and tanks, but on recommendation from you folks i have decided to try the cartomizers. I have ordered Boge 510 cartomizers in 2.0 and 2.5 ohm powers.

My real question here is, how in the world do you clean them, and still get them dried out. It seems that the filler would soak up any liquid used and be a real problem getting them dried out. I currently use an ultrasonic cleaner with water.

or do you just use them and pitch them after a few fills?

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I usually just rinse mine under hot water in the sink and let them dry a couple of days.

 

[garyinco]

You might want to try vodka in your ultrasonic. Seems a little better in getting the juice out. I haven't had much luck in cleaning cartos. Seems like like more trouble than it's worth. I also live in CO like WomanOfHeart (love your sig/banner...) so it's real dry here. If I lived in a moister climate I'd either put them in a food dehydrator (handy to have) or cook them in an oven for an hour at 100 degrees or whatever the lowest temp setting is. I'm allergic to molds and these things will grow them.

Also, you can put them in a sealed jar with rice. The rice will act like a desiccant. Again, more trouble then it's worth. Just keep the same flavors in them, and when they start to go bad, pitch 'em...

 

[Bob 4D]

What kind of ultrasonic cleaner?

 

[garyinco]

What kind of ultrasonic cleaner?

IMO, I don't think you need anymore than one of these from Harbor Freight. Works great on attys, ce2 type cartos (which are also more trouble than they're worth), eyeglasses, and other small parts you want to get the grime off.

 

[riverwhiskey]

It's a "Chicago". Not the cheapest one, i think it was around $49 on sale at Harbor Freight. I orriginally bought it for cleaning jewelery and small electronic parts before i started vaping. Turned out to be just the thing for cleaning atomizers. I always clean them before first use. Makes a big difference in not dealing with primer juices, especially on the larger atomizers. Then of course i use it to clean them about once per week or sooner if taste begins to lag.

 

[swedishfish]

Never had luck washing them so I just throw them away. They really are meant to be disposable, unfortunately.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I haven't tried an ultrasonic cleaner yet, but I plan on getting one next payday. I've heard great things about them.

Thanks for the compliment, garyinco! You should come out to our next Vape Meet if you live in the Springs or Denver area!

 

[hairball]

I've had really good luck with an ultra sonic jewelry cleaner and a food dehydrator.

I boil mine for 15 minutes on top of the stove to start, rinse and sling.

Then here's what I do pertaining to the jewelry cleaner:

Get some water almost to boiling.
Sling out as much water/juice out of the cartomizer that you can get out. Do it into a sink.
Rinse under hot water and sling again. Do this a couple times.
Load cartomizers into the jewelry cleaner and add the hot water.
Cycle the jewelry cleaner 4-5 times (3 minutes each).
Drain off the water and refill.
Cycle 2 more times.
Drain water and carefully remove the cartomizers.
Rinse under hot water and sling them again to get as much water out as possible.
Now put them into a food dehydrator and set on high. My dehydrator has a top fan to circulate the air.
Leave for 12 hours.
Refill and vape.
**If you have long cartomizers or jumbo's, drying time will vary.

 

[riverwhiskey]

Kinda what i figured. Not a big problem, so that's probably what i will do also.
Thanks for the good advice.

 

[cyberwolf]

I've had really good luck cleaning them with an oral syringe as mentioned on this video. I've also posted a written version here. The syringe allows you to easily pump hot water through the cartomizer, and I've found that distilled water eliminates any aftertaste from the water. The best part is that you can also use it to get them reasonable dry.

 

[riverwhiskey]

oooh! Hairball that sounds like a lot of work. But. I just may try your "process' to see what happens. Since i already have all the components you mentioned, what's to lose?

And i really would prefer to be able to clean them, rather than having to order and wait. Always keeping some new ones in reserve, of course.

 

[mwa102464]

The Syringe works great with PGA in a cup and keep flushing the carto with a final rinse or two of boiling hot water. ! Also use the hairdryer to dry or throw them in a box of rice to help dry them.!

 

[Silversmyth]

Original Bogue Systems .. Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner .... Cleans Jewelry + Optics + Eyeglass + Cd + Dvd with sonic waves + Blitz Gem & Jewelry Cleaner (Concentrate 8oz.) + 100% Cotton Flannel All-in-one Jewelry Cloth | Super Deal


This one was 22.95 a week or so ago when i got one--nice little unit.
See they went up a bit.
FREE shipping also.

 

[ancient puffer]

Riverwhiskey, there's a neat "trick" that gets most of the moisture out (way more than you can drain or blow out). This thread explains it, complete with a video

 

[MagnusEunson]

I'm curious if anybody tried the syringed tipped generic-ish steamers they sell at home accessory stores? I was just posting on another thread that I tried grain alcohol with limited success and as I was finishing that it occurred to me I've cleaned similar items in industrial settings using steams with a stock of modified attachments with fantastic success and it easily dried. -Magnus