Cleaning ProTank III- Flavor Wicks

[KGann]

I have been cleaning and dry-burning my tank/coils about every 3 days, and have had good success, but with one question- cleaning the flavor wicks. I have noticed all tips around the internet utilize a butane torch. I used to have two Vector torches for "other reasons", but unfortunately left them with the ex-wife when I moved across the country. I was wondering, would it be okay to simply burn them clean with a normal cigarette lighter? I understand the vast temperature difference, but common logic would lead me to believe I could still accomplish the same result with a cig lighter, though it may take longer... is this true? If not, is there any other way to clean the flavor wicks?

Thanks!

 

[BobbyQ]

You could replicate/substitute the flavor wick using a tiny bit of cotton..
But yea, I'm sure a cigarette lighter will do the job.. I save my bic for "other reasons".. and just use the stove for burning things lol..

 

[KGann]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I figured the cig lighter would still do the job, and really wish I had my old Vector's back, though the material I used them for is not as abundant up here in the north lol.

 

[KGann]

And another note, as far as the cotton wick goes, how would I go about doing that? I have tried researching around, but I have only found people working on older ProTanks, not the three. I would imagine it's the same process, but is this something I can do with a cotton ball or end of a Q-Tip, or is there a specific type of cotton I would need to track down? Do I wrap it around a tooth pick or something to establish shape, or should I simply roll it like I would a normal silica flavor wick when it falls apart?

Thanks again!

 

[EBates]

Replace the wicks that came with the atty head with approximately the same amount of cotton (from a cotton ball not qtip). Roll the cotton between your fingers to create a string like wick. Note cotton expands more so than silica.

 

[Rickajho]

1.) As far as cleaning the top wicks goes: Any source of flame will work. You only need enough heat to burn the gunk off the wick. It doesn't take much. We have gas ovens around here so I can't relate to some the the difficulties you guys have. lol

2.) Q-tip, cotton ball... I prefer using cheesecloth (the kitchen kind, not the Home Depot stuff) rolled tight and trimmed to fit. You get a feel for how much is enough. Too little and you get flooding and gurgling. Too much and it chokes off wicking, usually resulting in the nasty burnt cotton taste - which will need to be replaced and tried again. It's so cheap that if you get it wrong - no worries replacing it.

 

[KGann]

Thank you guys so much! After trying to burn clean the silica wick with a cig lighter, it turned like a charred black color, which kind of leads me to believe it will damper the flavor. Gonna try my first cotton wick!

EDIT- Charred color must have been the gunk slowly burning off, after burning for a bit longer it turned back to a clean white. Now I see why the torch would have been much better, that took quite some time with a cig lighter.

 

[KGann]

Cotton was a fail. I made a tightly rolled cotton wick, as close as the same size as my silicon wick, understanding as above mentioned that it would swell a little. Unfortunately, I had terrible flooding, and it wouldn't wick very well. Cleaned my old silicon wick thoroughly and threw it back in, taste and vapor production is back to kicking tail! Thanks again for the help folks!