Cleaning with Vodka

[MechaHerc]

hi guys, i have a question when i found this here

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/clearomizers/263396-ce2-ce3-ce4-what-difference.html

We've had CE2's that taste horrible out of the box for a couple of days. I believe that it's some type of primer or something from the manufacturing process. So, when we get them, the first thing we do is take them apart and either soak in vodka or rinse under hot water. Put them on a paper towel to dry, reassemble, and they all taste great from nearly the first vape.

We've had very few wicking issues, even with 100% VG.

instead of using vodka, can i cleaning it using vinegar?

thanks in advance guys..

 

[llamainmypocket]

I would not. Vinegar has a strong flavor and smell. It also may not be good to vape. It can pull stains out of carpets.

 

[NGAHaze]

I wouldn't advise using vinegar ... it causes metals to corrode. Granted, the reaction would probably be mild in the short period of time you are talking about but then you also have to potentially worry about it affecting taste if you do not get all of it out. The good thing about vodka or PGA are the disinfectant properties and the fact it evaporates readily. You can use the cheapest vodka you can find, that part doesn't matter; 100 proof is better but you can get by with 80. I like PGA myself but it does cost a little more.

 

[ScottP]

What about rubbing alcohol?

 

[NGAHaze]

While rubbing alcohol would evaporate more readily, it is not meant for consumption or rather to be taken internally so I don't believe it would be suitable really. While I haven't personally tasted it, I seem to recall someone saying that it tasted nasty too ... I doubt it would kill you or anything like that but I'm not sure I'd want to risk it.

 

[Targetlock]

Rubbing alcohol is a mix of water and isopropanol. It doesn't evaporate "clean" and is toxic to humans.

Ideally you want to use pure grain ethanol but not everyone has access to it so vodka is used.

 

[bilbobaggins30]

You want the highest proof stuff money can get you. If it burns, it is good to use. However, I cannot purchase vodka, so I use 90% rubbing alchol, but anymore, I only use that to clean terminals and stuff. I mainly use water, followed by a good dry burn, followed by me dripping onto the wick directly on my ViVi nova, and then filling the tank, and it works just fine.

 

[irwink]

I've used 100 proof vodka for a couple of years to clean all my stuff. Works great. Don't try vinegar unless you are a masochist. Tried that on cartos a long time ago and even after rinsing with water that taste was still there.

 

[Topwater Elvis]

151 or 190 proof PGA (ever clear) evaporates quickly, removes coil gunk, clean wicks, reduce sometimes eliminate odors & tastes and sterilize delivery devices.
High proof vodka works too.

 

[gman11377]

Yeah, have to say that of all the cleaning methods, the most effective has been Everclear. No taste, smell, residue, everything gets squeaky clean. Local liquor store even has a store brand called gem clear, 190 proof and 9.00 a bottle. Not bad at all. I would go with vodka though if you can't get PGA, I figure if you can drink it then you should be safe enough. Isopropyl alcohol isn't supposed to be ingested in any form, and vinegar has a specific long lasting taste and smell.

 

[oldbikeguy]

Another vote for everclear here.

 

[Tibby]

Sambooka or Goldschlager.

 

[Heavyrocker]

Rubbing alcohol is not going too kill you,i just soak and let it dry and rise with water after.

 

[440BB]

Rubbing alcohol is not going too kill you,i just soak and let it dry and rise with water after.

I use rubbing alcohol for cleaning clearos, attys and equipment. It cuts through the gunk very well and is inexpensive. I soak and rinse with it, then follow with a good hot tapwater rinse. I save at least one vodka gimlet a week!

 

[BostLabs]

100 proof Vodka. Don't have to use much and it cleans very well.

 

[NGAHaze]

I use rubbing alcohol for cleaning clearos, attys and equipment. It cuts through the gunk very well and is inexpensive. I soak and rinse with it, then follow with a good hot tapwater rinse. I save at least one vodka gimlet a week!

My concern with a tapwater final rinse is the potential introduction of contaminants. Risk is probably pretty low admittedly but I'd probably go with distilled water if I were using this method. Just my opinion of course.

Vape On!

 

[John Alexander]

I've used vodka and vanilla extract. Both worked very well.

 

[mare ze dotes]

As for the tap water, If you are concerned, Do a final few rinses with distilled water. It is so cheep. I do that, but I cant say if it makes a difference or not.

And dont do the vinegar. I killed a few clearos with it. I tried soaking them in baking soda to get taste out, by then they were R.I.P.

 

[Targetlock]

Rubbing alcohol is not going too kill you,i just soak and let it dry and rise with water after.

No it won't likely kill you, however it doesn't change the fact that isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) isn't the ideal cleaning agent for something used to ingest/inhale orally due to it leaving residue upon evaporation. It's okay as a topical astringent (on your skin) but I'm sure everybody knows that what's okay for your skin isn't always best to inhale even in minute amounts.

Everclear (which isn't available where I'm at) would be ideal, however a high alcohol content, food-grade product is much safer to use.

 

[Worzel]

Sambooka or Goldschlager.

Hahaha! Rumple Minze, makes everything minty!