Cleaning Sub-Ohm tank coils

[Michael Klueppel]

Hi,
I want to share my opinion regarding the cleaning of Sub-Ohm tank coils.
I am basing my experience on my Freemax Mesh Pro, SMOK TFV8 Baby V2 and 3 TFV12 Prince tanks.
All the videos I found so far show cleaning with grain or Isopropyl alcohol, boiling water or even Vodka. The problem in the videos is that they used totally gunked up coils.

I do the following:
After 3 tank fillings I take the coil out and run it under hot water for about 2-3 minutes. I hold the opening of the coil directly under the faucet. Then I blow really hard into the coils. Afterwards I fill up a coffee mug with hot water and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Then run it again under hot water and blow the excess out. Now you need to let the coil completely dry. I put the coil on top of the exhaust fan of my desktop computer.

The important thing is to Not let the coils get really dirty, that's why just 3 tank fillings. Through the gunk and dirt you get hot spots and burn the cotton. I didn't feel any difference to a brand new coil and one that has been cleaned after 3 tanks.

I bought the FreeMax around Christmas and am still using the coils from my initial 3 pack.

What do you think? How do you clean your coils ? or are you just throwing them out when they are dirty?

 

[P3ch3]

I put the coil on top of the exhaust fan of my desktop computer.

well, nothing wisely here.. i would suggest, get a proper dryer... im certified PC technician if you want to discuss why not there...

What do you think? How do you clean your coils ? or are you just throwing them out when they are dirty?

well, i dont use drop-in coils, for RTA's coil (twsited wire, no cotton) holds like 3 re-wicks, then is burnt, metal has lost most of their capacities, beter get a new one

Regards,

 

[Michael Klueppel]

well, nothing wisely here.. i would suggest, get a proper dryer... im certified PC technician if you want to discuss why not there...

well, i dont use drop-in coils, for RTA's coil (twsited wire, no cotton) holds like 3 re-wicks, then is burnt, metal has lost most of their capacities, beter get a new one

Regards,

they aren't dripping wet when I put them on the computer case so they can't cause any harm.
I use mesh coils and check if their ohm reading is still the same and I also visually inspect them. The picture is a triple mesh TFV12 Prince coil after 11 of my cleanings and 33 tanks (~200ml).

 

[P3ch3]

 

[Baditude]

@Michael Klueppe
I don't. I throw them out when dirty after 3 - 4 - 5 weeks. This practice goes back several years from my days of using cartomizers in cartotanks. I realized after many trials it just didn't make sense trying to clean used cartomizers.

After 35+ years of smoking a pack or more cigarettes a day at $4 - $6 a pack, having a $3 - $4 carto or clearo head last 3 - 4 weeks was a blessing in comparison.

If what you do works for you, more power to you. Just seems like a lot of TIME and WORK. I'm retired, so I don't do any more work than I need to.

 

[jim_87]

Hi,
I want to share my opinion regarding the cleaning of Sub-Ohm tank coils.
I am basing my experience on my Freemax Mesh Pro, SMOK TFV8 Baby V2 and 3 TFV12 Prince tanks.
All the videos I found so far show cleaning with grain or Isopropyl alcohol, boiling water or even Vodka. The problem in the videos is that they used totally gunked up coils.

I do the following:
After 3 tank fillings I take the coil out and run it under hot water for about 2-3 minutes. I hold the opening of the coil directly under the faucet. Then I blow really hard into the coils. Afterwards I fill up a coffee mug with hot water and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Then run it again under hot water and blow the excess out. Now you need to let the coil completely dry. I put the coil on top of the exhaust fan of my desktop computer.

The important thing is to Not let the coils get really dirty, that's why just 3 tank fillings. Through the gunk and dirt you get hot spots and burn the cotton. I didn't feel any difference to a brand new coil and one that has been cleaned after 3 tanks.

I bought the FreeMax around Christmas and am still using the coils from my initial 3 pack.

What do you think? How do you clean your coils ? or are you just throwing them out when they are dirty?

I gave up sub ohm tanks a while ago. They don't give that great flavor (my experience). I threw away the coils when needed. I found it cheaper, and more flavorful to buy an rda, wire and cotton to make my own coils.

 

[r77r7r]

Hi,
I want to share my opinion regarding the cleaning of Sub-Ohm tank coils.
I am basing my experience on my Freemax Mesh Pro, SMOK TFV8 Baby V2 and 3 TFV12 Prince tanks.
All the videos I found so far show cleaning with grain or Isopropyl alcohol, boiling water or even Vodka. The problem in the videos is that they used totally gunked up coils.

I do the following:
After 3 tank fillings I take the coil out and run it under hot water for about 2-3 minutes. I hold the opening of the coil directly under the faucet. Then I blow really hard into the coils. Afterwards I fill up a coffee mug with hot water and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Then run it again under hot water and blow the excess out. Now you need to let the coil completely dry. I put the coil on top of the exhaust fan of my desktop computer.

The important thing is to Not let the coils get really dirty, that's why just 3 tank fillings. Through the gunk and dirt you get hot spots and burn the cotton. I didn't feel any difference to a brand new coil and one that has been cleaned after 3 tanks.

I bought the FreeMax around Christmas and am still using the coils from my initial 3 pack.

What do you think? How do you clean your coils ? or are you just throwing them out when they are dirty?

Sounds like the best way to do it. Always wondered why people waited too long. Wonder if you can use one of those tiny dental brushes?

 

[stols001]

To me that sort of sounds like an exercise in mold or bacteria or something.

I gave up on cleaning coils very early in my vaping experience. Of course, I didn't do it after 3 tankfuls but I just got the impression that it wasn't that good for me.

If the vacopalypse ever comes and I start to run out of coils, maybe I would try it, IDK.

But, for me there was something just ook about doing it and yes, it sounds like a fair amount of work, as much or more as just learning to build, but hey, do what works for you.

Anna

 

[Michael Klueppel]

i don't think mold or bacterias are issues here. I forgot to mentikon that I replace the soaking in hot water part every 5 cleanings with soaking in grain alcohol.
These coils cost around $3 on average which isn't that much but it can add up. I use RBAs as well when I'm at home but found there not really good when leaving the home because they leak.

 

[Marper]

I don't bother cleaning my cleito 120 stock coils, I get about 2 weeks out of each one and whatever you do it's not going to be the same, I tried vodka, water ect, flavour is just gone, mesh cost about 13 uk for 5 and the ss cost about 9 uk for 5,why waste good vodka when you can get the coils pretty cheap, the art is to watch your watts, control the coils and you will get a longer coil life

 

[Michael Klueppel]

I post wasn't really about discussing the economics of it. I just wanted to point out how you can keep them clean if you choose to do so.

 

[P3ch3]

coils are toooo cheap to be re-cleaning and tryin' to save the most...IMHO...

If you like that enthusiast cleaning, labors and more why not RBA's?

Regards,

 

[Dudeman]

Since you already own rba's, why not just use an rta as well? Much easier to dry burn and change the wick than trying to clean premade coils.
Doesn't get much cheaper and easier than that and tastes better than premade as well.

 

[GOMuniEsq]

All the videos I found so far show cleaning with grain or Isopropyl alcohol, boiling water or even Vodka. The problem in the videos is that they used totally gunked up coils.

If a method works for a gunked up coil it'll work for a barely dirty one too.

I blow really hard into the coils.... run it again under hot water.... I put the coil on top of the exhaust fan.

Contamination from your spit and tap water and dust?

What do you think? How do you clean your coils ? or are you just throwing them out when they are dirty?

I leave the coils on the deck. Run under tap water to get rid of excess wicking and juice. Dry burn to combust the wicking remnants and carbon deposits, quench in isopropyl alcohol. Dry burn to inspect for hot spots and ensure dual coils are balanced. Then one final dry burn and a quench in alcohol to neutralize any nickel sulfide, leave a nice finish, and allow for quick drying. Don't put red hot coils in the alcohol or it will catch on fire. Don't get alcohol on the seals.