Coil duration issue

[psychonaut25]

There are two ways with which I can tell that a coil has gone bad

1. It begins to hurt my throat when I vape
2. The flavor of the liquid changes from sweet to bitter and metallic

What I've noticed, though, is that every time I buy a new tank (I generally stick with the Kayfun series, although my budget only permits me to buy clones- but I try to get the best clones out there) is that my coils tend to last a week or two before going bad, at first. But after I've owned the tank for a couple of months, I begin to notice that my coils start to go bad after only a couple of days.

This has been a pretty consistent experience over the past few years. I don't really understand why, but it seems as if my tanks' ability to maintain a good coil for a long duration diminishes the longer I use them. I only vape one particular flavor, with the same nicotine dosage and PG/VG ratio. I've stuck with that exact liquid for probably more than five or six years, so that's a variable I can isolate.

Has anybody else experienced this? Does anybody know a way to remedy the problem?

 

[Zaryk]

I never experienced this issue. I use one coil for multiple months before changing it. I do dry burn and clean my coils frequently though. But on average I will use a coil for around 2-3 months before the urge to change it kicks in, but when I do change the coil it typically functions fine but produces slightly weaker flavor.


Do you dry burn and clean the coil often on your RTA?

 

[DaveP]

There are two ways with which I can tell that a coil has gone bad

1. It begins to hurt my throat when I vape
2. The flavor of the liquid changes from sweet to bitter and metallic

What I've noticed, though, is that every time I buy a new tank (I generally stick with the Kayfun series, although my budget only permits me to buy clones- but I try to get the best clones out there) is that my coils tend to last a week or two before going bad, at first. But after I've owned the tank for a couple of months, I begin to notice that my coils start to go bad after only a couple of days.

This has been a pretty consistent experience over the past few years. I don't really understand why, but it seems as if my tanks' ability to maintain a good coil for a long duration diminishes the longer I use them. I only vape one particular flavor, with the same nicotine dosage and PG/VG ratio. I've stuck with that exact liquid for probably more than five or six years, so that's a variable I can isolate.

Has anybody else experienced this? Does anybody know a way to remedy the problem?

I vape Kayfun clones, also. The consistency of the juice and the flavorings used to make it play into coil life. Generally, clear juices give you longer coil life and darker juices can be coil killers. It's more about the particulates in the juice and not necessarily the darker colors that make them lessen coil life. When you are heating juices to 400F + there's going to be some coil residue buildup with any flavor.

I usually recoil a Kayfun every week or two, sometimes longer, but I vape mostly 70% pg/30%vg unflavored in my Kayfuns. That's probably the best of all mixes for coil life.

If I need to rewick a Kayfun I wash and dry burn the coil lightly, then run it under tap water. If it's not smooth and clean at that point I recoil. Rewick time is a good point for recoiling if it's necessary since you have the tank apart for rewicking.

 

[psychonaut25]

I vape Kayfun clones, also. The consistency of the juice and the flavorings used to make it play into coil life. Generally, clear juices give you longer coil life and darker juices can be coil killers. It's more about the particulates in the juice and not necessarily the darker colors that make them lessen coil life. When you are heating juices to 400F + there's going to be some coil residue buildup with any flavor.

I usually recoil a Kayfun every week or two, sometimes longer, but I vape mostly 70% pg/30%vg unflavored in my Kayfuns. That's probably the best of all mixes for coil life.

If I need to rewick a Kayfun I wash and dry burn the coil lightly, then run it under tap water. If it's not smooth and clean at that point I recoil. Rewick time is a good point for recoiling if it's necessary since you have the tank apart for rewicking.

I also vape 70PG/30VG. I prefer higher PG juices anyway. The juice I use is Steam Juice's Tropical Steam. I only vape at 14 watts because I don't sub-ohm- I build my coils at about 1.8 ohms, or at least that's what I always shoot for.

I also never rewick my coils. I've done it before, but I find the flavor is never as fresh as a new coil, and kanthal is pretty inexpensive.

 

[psychonaut25]

I never experienced this issue. I use one coil for multiple months before changing it. I do dry burn and clean my coils frequently though. But on average I will use a coil for around 2-3 months before the urge to change it kicks in, but when I do change the coil it typically functions fine but produces slightly weaker flavor.


Do you dry burn and clean the coil often on your RTA?

Nope. I don't rewick. I've tried it before, but I don't find it as fresh as a new coil. I also don't sub-ohm so I only vape at 14 watts.

 

[DaveP]

I also vape 70PG/30VG. I prefer higher PG juices anyway. The juice I use is Steam Juice's Tropical Steam. I only vape at 14 watts because I don't sub-ohm- I build my coils at about 1.8 ohms, or at least that's what I always shoot for.

I also never rewick my coils. I've done it before, but I find the flavor is never as fresh as a new coil, and kanthal is pretty inexpensive.

I haven't used atomizers that take factory coils in many years. I rewick my rebuildables every time I replace a coil. Since it's inside the coil I just throw away the coil, wind a new coil, and insert a new wick once it's in place.

A roll of SS316 and a box of Sally's Cellucotton will last a couple of years or more with rebuildable attys.

 

[Beamslider]

I get several months out of the same coil by burning off and rewicking. I use ss316L and find that it tastes better after some usage instead of fresh coil.

Usually I rewick about once a week. True that wire is very cheap but I don't really see much use for an RTA if rebuilding every time it is changed.

 

[stols001]

I might try a different coil material? I am not good at Kayfuns so I'm sorry I can't really be of use.

Anna

 

[Ryedan]

What I've noticed, though, is that every time I buy a new tank (I generally stick with the Kayfun series, although my budget only permits me to buy clones- but I try to get the best clones out there) is that my coils tend to last a week or two before going bad, at first. But after I've owned the tank for a couple of months, I begin to notice that my coils start to go bad after only a couple of days.

This has been a pretty consistent experience over the past few years. I don't really understand why, but it seems as if my tanks' ability to maintain a good coil for a long duration diminishes the longer I use them. I only vape one particular flavor, with the same nicotine dosage and PG/VG ratio. I've stuck with that exact liquid for probably more than five or six years, so that's a variable I can isolate.

Has anybody else experienced this? Does anybody know a way to remedy the problem?

I have not experienced this. Something is changing in your setups that is either not changing in mine or you have an extremely good sense of taste.

IMO you might not be cleaning the tank well enough to avoid the vape changing over time. I would try completely disassembling a tank and doing a really thorough clean on it.

That's all I've got. Best of luck with it.

ETA: One more thought. If you are not already doing so, to maximize consistency over time also clean a new tank the same way before first use.

 

[DaveP]

What I've noticed, though, is that every time I buy a new tank (I generally stick with the Kayfun series, although my budget only permits me to buy clones- but I try to get the best clones out there) is that my coils tend to last a week or two before going bad, at first. But after I've owned the tank for a couple of months, I begin to notice that my coils start to go bad after only a couple of days.

It's strange that you get good performance at first, then later a coil goes bad in a couple of days. Juice of any kind can eventually cause the coil to crust up at some point. I've been using the same tanks for years. I recoil periodically when the coil doesn't shine after a hot water wash. After a wash I dry burn just until I see a little puff of smoke and then rewick.

Most of the time I don't bother with dry burning at all. I just cut a section of wire from a spool and wind a new coil. Coil wire is cheap. I like SS316L best of all. Kanthal was fine, but you can't dry burn it. It's probably best to replace the coil every time you rewick a rebuildable atomizer.

 

[stols001]

@DaveP are you trying to make me fail at work, or drive me insane from lack of sleep?

Maybe it is "best" to recoil every time you rewiick but HOLY goodness.

Anna

 

[Marper]

I find aliens, claptons ect gunk up pretty quickly, I just dry burn and clean with a little wire brush however I'm now into ss316 flatwire and they are indestructible, very good flavour and so easy to clean ready for a rewick.

 

[G and C]

We use similar setups. I vape on 1.8ohm Kanthal coils at 11w, on a Kayfun Prime. I have found that the length of time that a coil/wick setup will last me is quite often related to the juice I'm using. I make all of my own, and I have a few flavors, usually simpler, less sweet flavors, that a coil can last me a month or two. I have others, usually sweeter or more complex recipes, that will burn through coils in a couple of days, or maybe a week if I'm lucky.

I also don't like to clean coils. When my coil/wick setup is done, it's done.

 

[Robbert]

Since it only happens after using the rta after a few months of use and not when new maybe they need a good cleaning or oring replacement??
I’ve been vaping non flavored 20/80,30/70,and 40/60 with 0-6mg and my cotton stays white and coils stay shiny.
When I vape flavors then no more shiny coils or white cotton.

 

[mimöschen]

... I like SS316L best of all. Kanthal was fine, but you can't dry burn it...

Just no. It's the opposite way.
You can dry burn Kanthal to your heart's desire no problem.
SS on the other hand should just glow lightly, or else it develops a toxic coating.

 

[DaveP]

@DaveP are you trying to make me fail at work, or drive me insane from lack of sleep?

Maybe it is "best" to recoil every time you rewiick but HOLY goodness.

Anna

It only takes a minute or two to wind a new coil and install it. If it feels rough, I replace it. My pg/vg and lightly flavored clear juices don't really ruin a coil as quick as those that are dark and highly flavored.

I can go two weeks or longer without needing to recoil or rewick.

 

[DaveP]

Just no. It's the opposite way.
You can dry burn Kanthal to your heart's desire no problem.
SS on the other hand should just glow lightly, or else it develops a toxic coating.

I stand corrected. It was Nickel

I only use SS316 these days, but Kanthal was my first recoil wire once I got away from factory coils. That was years ago. There was considerable discussion about what could be dry burned back then. I usually just wipe a new wire with an alcohol pad now and just wind and install.

A chemist’s advice: Don’t Dry-Burn your coil | Vaping Post