Cleaning my atty...

[Arkus1]

So I have read through the maintenance threads, and there seems to be a gabillion ways to clean an atty. I am considering using Isopropyl Alchohol (91%), and I am wondering if there is anyone else who has actually done this.

 

[larktdl]

If the atty is in good working order and the intention is to rid the atty of gunk and odd tastes use this method

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...nty-tip-cleaning-your-atomizer-right-way.html

I have tried several methods: This one works the best.

 

[Kent C]

So I have read through the maintenance threads, and there seems to be a gabillion ways to clean an atty. I am considering using Isopropyl Alchohol (91%), and I am wondering if there is anyone else who has actually done this.

I wouldn't use isopropyl - highly toxic and it can leave a film. Best is to just blow out the atty and if you're not having problems with it, don't do anything else. If you must, use something for human consumption - highly suggest 151 clear, unflavored cheap vodka - Galen's charcoal filtered. It dries quickly (unlike water and others) and it doesn't leave a film and many ejuices use PGA to dilute anyway. Don't soak for over 30minutes and 10 minutes would be better, esp. with attys with thread/wicking in the coil like the 510. Blow out by mouth on both ends and let dry a bit. Prime with PG if you're going to store it or Prime with ejuice first - 2 drops on the bridge if you're going to vape.

 

[CaptJay]

I dont clean mine - a couple of good blows and wipe the threads on the batt and atty and it should be good to re-drip
I'm not convinced attys like being cleaned lol.

 

[Kent C]

wipe the threads on the batt and atty

A good point that isn't mentioned enough. Connectivity issues can be linked to not doing this - a bit of vodka helps - and then wipe down the threads

 

[Arkus1]

I wouldn't use isopropyl - highly toxic and it can leave a film. Best is to just blow out the atty and if you're not having problems with it, don't do anything else. If you must, use something for human consumption - highly suggest 151 clear, unflavored cheap vodka - Galen's charcoal filtered. It dries quickly (unlike water and others) and it doesn't leave a film and many ejuices use PGA to dilute anyway. Don't soak for over 30minutes and 10 minutes would be better, esp. with attys with thread/wicking in the coil like the 510. Blow out by mouth on both ends and let dry a bit. Prime with PG if you're going to store it or Prime with ejuice first - 2 drops on the bridge if you're going to vape.

Exactly what do you mean by highly toxic? It's recommended use is as a first aid antiseptic... "first aid to help prevent the risk of infection in: minor cuts, scrapes, and burns"
So, although it is not to be consumed, it does not seem to be excessively dangerous...
Just food for thought, I did ask the on-site pharmacist (wal-greens guy ), I told him I was trying to clean a small metal device with a heating element in it used to vaporize liquid, and he gave me the ok on it *shrug*

 

[OaklandCA]

you can't drink it don't breath it. its for external use only. burn rinse and drip.

 

[Arkus1]

you can't drink it don't breath it. its for external use only. burn rinse and drip.

Ya alright, I can get behind that.

 

[Kent C]

Exactly what do you mean by highly toxic? It's recommended use is as a first aid antiseptic... "first aid to help prevent the risk of infection in: minor cuts, scrapes, and burns"
So, although it is not to be consumed, it does not seem to be excessively dangerous...
Just food for thought, I did ask the on-site pharmacist (wal-greens guy ), I told him I was trying to clean a small metal device with a heating element in it used to vaporize liquid, and he gave me the ok on it *shrug*

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...u-use-rubbing-alch-clean-atty.html#post858848

I really don't care if anyone uses it, I just recommend against it when vodka does the job and dries faster. I use isoprop on all other electronic stuff and it's natural to think it's ok here and perhaps it is.... your choice.

 

[DerekPGH]

you can't drink it don't breath it. its for external use only. burn rinse and drip.

what about nicotine liquid? can't drink that, we all actually enjoy breathing it in 8-o

 

[larktdl]

I agree with CaptJay, first blow them out and wipe the threads.
If that doesn't work, then and only then, it is time to consider cleaning it. Or you could just throw it out and use a new atty.

 

[bjc]

If you do decide to use rubbing alcohol make sure you rinse it out thoroughly. Isopropyl fumes are not good for you.

 

[Raven1]

I would not use isopropyl on anything that cannot be dried out thoroughly. You really can't be sure that the inside of an atty (the part you cannot see under the bridge) is thoroughly dry before using, even if you let it sit for hours. That's why I only use vodka to clean atties, rinse with warm water, blow out and let sit overnight before using. At least if there's still some vodka residue in there, you're sure it's safe for consumption, unlike isopropyl. I do use isopropyl sometimes for other cleaning purposes (like carts - rinse with water afterwards of course), but only because I can be sure that those can fully dry before using.

 

[nad33m]

boil water, pout into cup, drop atty in, swirl around for few minutes , leave for 20 minutes.

You will see all gunk and nylon/cartridge fibres floatsing around. rinse atty in clean water. Leave to dry. (i leave mine on the back of the tv - heated for a couples of hours till dry)

when dry, drop 3 drops juice into atty. start vaping. if its really bad you can do dry burn berfore you add the liquid.

 

[Meta4]

Last night I went to clean my attys in vodka and discovered that all I had in the house was Grey Goose... just couldn't bring myself to do it.

 

[Kent C]

what about nicotine liquid? can't drink that, we all actually enjoy breathing it in 8-o

Think chew, snuff, snus.....

 

[ezmoose]

I use distilled water, a Turkey Baster with a short piece of 3/8" clear tubing pressed onto the end, and a Mattress Inflator with a piece of 3/8" clear tubing adapted to it.

1. Heat the water to boiling.
2. Push addy into 3/8" hose on the Turkey Baster.
3. Suck hot water through addy and squeeze it back out again; repeat several times.
4. Stick addy into 3/8" hose attached to Mattress Inflator; throw on the switch.
5. Place addy under a lamp to finish drying.

Note: Depending on the tightness of the fit, you may have to squeeze the hose against the addy to keep it from popping out of the 3/8” hose.

I'm not comfortable introducing chemicals into my addy for cleaning; distilled water seems to work just fine.

 

[ezmoose]

PS - I use DSE901 Atomizers and KR808D-1 Cartomizers; the cleaning method I described works well on both. Plus, I don't let the crud build up; I clean often.

 

[BlackFlame]

I've used isopropal alcohol-- I flush with water after use.

For those warning of the danger-- you realize you're breathing isopropal alcohol fumes from the moment you open the bottle, even if you're using it to clean a wound. Also the stuff is in tons of other cleaning agents, namely nail polish remover. If you rinse with isopropal alcohol in a well-ventilated room, then flush with water, you're really in no more danger than, say, a manicurist who uses nail-polish remover all day long.

Why use isopropyl as opposed to good old fashioned drinkin' booze-- well, for one, drinkin' booze is way better when you drink it. For two-- isopropyl alcohol is a much more powerful solvent. If drinkin' alcohol were as powerful a solvent as isopropyl alcohol, it would be drinkin' booze that they used for nail polish remover. You're going to get more gunk out of the atty with isopropyl alcohol than with boozin' alcohol. For another, it's cheaper in highly refined grades-- 91% grade you can pick up at the pharmecy for like 3 bucks. 91% boozin' alcohol, aka 182+ proof liquor, is much more expensive and harder to come by. Higher concentration means higher solvency-- means cleaner atties.

 

[Darkvapor]

The issue with isopropyl alcohol is ingesting. and at that you would have to ingest a lot more than what is left behind in the atty. Breathing in the fumes of Isopropyl alcohol, is not that much of a danger unless you have a high concentration. in order for that to happen you would have to be in a sealed up small room with a lot of it to saturate the atmosphere in the room.
its all about the volume + concentration + exposure time. all of which i highly doubt will happen with cleaning an atty!