Cleaning NEWEST Stardusts?

[Bodasafa]

First things first. Yes, I did a ECF google search for cleaning instructions, but all of the threads I found seem to be older, as in the first run of stardusts.

So I am a new vaper that just got a Kgo and 3 Stardusts. Ive been vaping all 3 of them for 5 days and I am wondering when I know its time to clean them.

I know you need to clean them when you do a flavor change, but if I am just using the same juice how long do I go before cleaning?

Also what is the best way to clean these without taking them apart? I do not want to remove the tube and cause issues. I just want to clean them out decently. I am not into rebuilding wicks and such, if it gets that bad or a coil goes I'll just get a new one.

The reason I am asking is I saw people removing the condom at the top, but with the new style, with the metal cone, pointy thing coming out the top I'm not sure I can get in there to pull it up without screwing something up.

Or do I really need to do that?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Bodasafa]

Bump for a reply please.

 

[nansc]

I'll bump too I want to know too.I just got one that tastes like soap and I don't want to take it apart either.Maybe nobody knows how.

 

[Bodasafa]

Yeah like I said I have a rough idea, run water through it, let it dry. Then do some dry burns.

I was mostly interested in knowing about the condom on top, if I should mess with it, or if its a problem because of the updated design.

 

[GWG73]

There isn't any problem with removing the condom w/ the cone. I personally do so to help get the water, or vodka into the coil area to help with the cleaning. You'll find varying opinions on how much cleaning is necessary, from a simple rinse and dry burn to complete dissassembly of the unit. In regards to just removing the condom, no worries about doing so. If you have something (tweezers, small needle nose pliers, I even use a toothpick) to get in there, just grab hold and pull it out. To re-install, just place it in the opening to start, then use the mouthpiece to push completely in and onto the tube. I don't dry burn them anymore, as my wife says that even a little bit gives (to her) a burning flavor that is present moving forward.

In regards to when....it just depends on how it's working for you. For us, the taste will start to drop off, the wick ends will start to look gummy, and it's just obvious that it's not performing as well. I think this will depend on type of juice, thickness of juice, and just how much you vape. My wife gets about 10 or so tank fills before she feels it needs cleaning, but I know others get a lot more...some less.

 

[Bodasafa]

Thanks for that GW.

Ive been rotating 3 stardusts, but one of the flavors I don't vape as much so I notice the draw is super tight, probably the coil getting gummy. But I vaped on it for a while and blew it out and it was back to good.

How much life span are you getting out of yours?

 

[GWG73]

We have a bunch...okay, a lot....so there are always some in rotation between using, soaking, and drying.

I do notice that if one sits with juice in it unused for a while, it's tight like you say. Vaping away on it does take care of that issue for me.

As far as lifespan, I have yet to actually kill one of the coils. The tanks have cracked, and the wicks have gotten really nasty, but not one has actually died. We weren't actually tracking until recently and it looks like the wife can get almost a 30 ml bottle through them without feeling a drop-off. I don't actually use them regularly myself, but she does...and I have to do the maintenance. lol Because it's important for me that she really enjoys the vaping (meaning she doesn't want to go back to analogs), I make sure it's always fresh for her.

To directly answer your question, my opinion is 2-3 days of heavy vaping before a cleaning, a few weeks before some major cleaning/rebuild/discarding, and as long as the plastic hold out they can last forever if you're willing to do some rebuilding. I have figured out a way to get them apart really quick and easy, and rebuilding them has also gotten easier for me. I can break one down and have it back up and running in under 20 min. I know you mentioned that isn't something you want to mess with, and I understand. I initially felt the same way, however, because for us they need more maintenance than others feel I needed to see if I could cut into the costs of replacing them frequently.

 

[Bodasafa]

Yeah so far so good. No cracks, though it has only been since last Saturday morning so 6 days.

I am probably due to clean my first one tho soon. I am almost out of the juice I have been using in it.

I am going to be in the same boat as you, my wife is going to start on these and I will be doing all the maintenance. Ive already been the only one doing the research. She thinks I'm being an obsessive nerd with vaping. Shes all like "as long as it gives me the nicotine when I have stress I don't care what it is!"

That's great and all, but if I had not done a weeks worth of solid research and signed up to this great community on ECF, I would not have the good equipment I have that is working well to start me off.

 

[dragonbone]

Wow, awesome stash! I think I need to stock up on some Stardusts! I wish I could 'train' my hubby to clean mine hehe...

We have a bunch...okay, a lot....so there are always some in rotation between using, soaking, and drying.

I do notice that if one sits with juice in it unused for a while, it's tight like you say. Vaping away on it does take care of that issue for me.

As far as lifespan, I have yet to actually kill one of the coils. The tanks have cracked, and the wicks have gotten really nasty, but not one has actually died. We weren't actually tracking until recently and it looks like the wife can get almost a 30 ml bottle through them without feeling a drop-off. I don't actually use them regularly myself, but she does...and I have to do the maintenance. lol Because it's important for me that she really enjoys the vaping (meaning she doesn't want to go back to analogs), I make sure it's always fresh for her.

To directly answer your question, my opinion is 2-3 days of heavy vaping before a cleaning, a few weeks before some major cleaning/rebuild/discarding, and as long as the plastic hold out they can last forever if you're willing to do some rebuilding. I have figured out a way to get them apart really quick and easy, and rebuilding them has also gotten easier for me. I can break one down and have it back up and running in under 20 min. I know you mentioned that isn't something you want to mess with, and I understand. I initially felt the same way, however, because for us they need more maintenance than others feel I needed to see if I could cut into the costs of replacing them frequently.