Cleaning Cartomizers -- anyone doing it this way?

[1BRC]

Are there any methods that people use to clean their "disposable" cartos?

What I just tried (with a Lavatube tube-tank carto) was to use a syringe to suck water through it. Sometimes I would plug the weep hole, and other times I would plug the air inlet, but I don't know if that made a difference. The first couple syringes I sucked through it were very dark, like used motor oil -- way darker than anything I ever vaped. After doing it about 4 or 5 times, the water started to come out clean.

When finished, I blew out as much water as I could, and then used the PV on 3.7V (it's a 3 ohm coil, so this is turned way down) to steam some more water out. Then, I filled the thing as if it was a new carto, and started using it again.

It looks like it worked well, as it is vaping like new again. In the pic, you can see the bowl of dirty water -- that is after I sucked about 5 more syringes of clean water through. The first water to suck out was almost black.

I know there's no possible way I invented this (it's too obvious)... but, has anyone else done anything similar? How do y'all clean your cartos?

 

[mitzeli]

I dropped mine inside a turkey baster then sucked water through them and then blew it out. I dried them by placing them in front of a fan overnight.

 

[Johnnie Price]

I just decided to retire one of my stiff Echomizers, so I'm attempting a full disassemble and rebuild. It dismantled well and I dry burned the atty, so now I'm just waiting for everything to dry so I can attempt to re-assemble it. Hopefully it goes well.

 

[Buggs5347]

Good job! I've seen kits with things similar to what you are doing. I've also seen people boil them several times.

I've never cleaned one. After using one for several days to a week or so and refilling it numerous times, I just toss them, myself.

 

[exodus454]

I gave up on cleaning cartos a looooonnngg time ago.

 

[tmcase]

I clean new cartos that I've filled and didn't like the taste of with the syringe method and they come out clean. I never dry burn a carto though. I let them dry for a day or two or dry them in the oven before I fill them again. For cartos that I have used for awhile I just toss because the flavor is never the same after cleaning.

 

[MacSabbath]

I tried rinsing them last night (a rinse out about 6 times each) and blew out the excess water each rinse. I don't think it worked so well for me. Hit and miss. 1 cart got a very bad vape. The other tastes burnt and nasty. Reluctant to try any others. I've only used these carts once before without refilling so I think I just need to find cheap aftermarket cartomizers. Reminds me too much of smoking an old cig that has been sitting around for who knows how long.

 

[flintlock62]

I use a cleaning kit from smoktek. I just visited the site, and don't see it any more.

 

[FantWriter]

Humbly submitted for your consideration . . .

Adapting Syringe to Wash 808D-1 Cartomizers - YouTube

 

[Iffy]

I ¢an't $ee goin' through da effort to ¢lean 'em anymore. Been dere, didn't like the lo$$ of the ¢arto's ¢apability.

BTW, my la$t order wa$ $.75 ea¢h with free shipping during a $ale. Loaded up on 'em!

 

[Doglips]

I've tried a few times hit and miss sticking them right up to the kitchen sink nozzle with hot water flowing...could see the water flowing out the bottom hole..let them air dry ...good for when I forget to order them and realize I'm out.

I tried boiling some that I had used cinnamon juice in....seemed to work but man they looked ugly inside.

 

[moorefredc4]

I bought a 35CC syringe at Tractor Supply (2 for about $3.69 in a package) and attached 7/16in clear tubing (Lowe's 27 cents/foot) to it with black duct tape (incredibly strong) then I fill a tupperware with warm water and insert the driptip end of the cart in the other end of the tubing and suck water in and out about 6 to 10 times. Without removing the cart from the tubing I pump air through the cart a dozen or so times until there is no fine mist coming out of the cart. I then am ready to fill again, seems to work perfectly and the rig cost only about $3.00 to make (if you already have the duct tape) I'll followup in a few weeks with my experience on several more cartos. BTW a couple of my cartos had some thick sugary ejuices and those came out clean and odor and taster free.

 

[MacSabbath]

I used some of the ones I cleaned out and got a nasty feeling in the back of my throat like I was smoking an old analog cig that had been sitting around for a few days. I just went ahead and bought some new ones even though I am already broke from buying so much e-liquid. I will just use the ones I cleaned out as back up/desperation like you say and use them more sparingly now. I went through all my blanks in about 2 days trying different flavors I hated. What a waste.

 

[tmcase]

I went through all my blanks in about 2 days trying different flavors I hated. What a waste.

You should use an atomizer to test your new juices. You won't waste cartos this way.

 

[FantWriter]

I've had a problem with nasty taste only when I've let crud build up on the coil. Nothing can effectively clean them then. The trick I've learned is to clean them after every second or third use, before it starts to build up on the coil.

I've calculated it several ways, and cleaning my cartos works out to over $14 an hour in savings over the cost of replacing them when they go bad, and I don't have the foul taste when they start to go bad. I wash 30 at a time and let them dry a day before refilling.

 

[dragonfly72]

I boil mine in a small pot for about 3 minutes....dump the water, fill with clean water and boil again for 3 minutes.
Let them cool...shake excess water out and let them dry.
It works great. The only flavor that still lingers for me is Pluid.
The rest are like new again.

 

[Unforeseen]

Moved to Assorted PV Topics -Cartomizers

 

[Johnnie Price]

I just decided to retire one of my stiff Echomizers, so I'm attempting a full disassemble and rebuild. It dismantled well and I dry burned the atty, so now I'm just waiting for everything to dry so I can attempt to re-assemble it. Hopefully it goes well.

Worked like a charm! These mega horizontal coil cartomizers rock!

 

[john333]

my dual coil 2ohm carts start losing flavor after about 3 days. they still work fine just flavor loss. i save them up until i have enough to fill a cup - standing up. i soak them in vodka for a day - swirling them whenever i walk by. dump out the now very dark vodka and refill. another day goes by. i place them 6 at a time in my ultrasonic cleaner (cheapo jewlery cleaner for $25). i leave them in us cleaner for three minutes. i have a piece of cardboard with holes punched in it. also has two sides folded to make a U shape. place them over a heating vent or a fan overnite. i look thru the air hole and see how much clearance there is. if they look blocked i run a sewing needle thur and try and clear. every once and awhile will get a dud but for most part they taste very good. no fowl taste at all. i know this sounds labor intensive but each step only takes a couple minutes. thing is i dont use them that much. i just like a new cart after the hour breakin time. other thing, i dont know how well the ultrasonic cleaner really works with the coils enclosed in a metal tube. if anything goes wrong with a cart i just toss it.

 

[Marvin & Sennie]

after cleaning when you blow through it should the air come out easy or tight? we've had both.