Confused on filling cartos

[C Jay]

I've been watching some tutorials about the best ways to fill cartos. So far I've seen people use the condom method, syringes, plunging with tubes attached to syringes, and dripping.

They all look effective enough but one thing confuses me. I thought it was necessary to keep the juice out of the air hole that runs through the carto (the tube surrounded by filler material). Except for dripping, most of the videos show juice coming up this hole or with sucking juice through the carto the whole thing being saturated. Do I really need to keep juice out of this hole or are the people making the videos getting the juice out somehow off camera?

 

[piggy]

I always use the condom method, which is simplest and works quite well. As for the center hole quandary, I think it has something to do with pressure/suction that keeps the hole clear. Just don't over do it. I usually lower the carto slowly and as soon as the juice peeks out from the top I pull back. Then I have another go at it, using the same method, just to make sure it's saturated.

The condom method won't work with cartos that are built for tanks (the ones with the lip on bottom).

 

[Vapo Marx]

I've used two methods: dripping and syringes. I find the latter faster and easier although it does seem more likely that juice will bubble up through the air passage, especially if I try to feed it too fast. I blow through the carto when I'm done, then swab the battery side with a Q-tip.

The videos I've seen tell you to stick the needle all the way to the bottom of the carto but I seem to get better results if I only go partway.

 

[Spazmelda]

I don't worry a bit about getting juice in the air hole. I use the condom method and just blow the carto out afterward. I blow it out into the condom and squeeze the little bit of juice back into the bottle if it's a juice I'm worried about conserving every last drop.

oh, I should add, this is for a first fill. That's all I ever really do, since I use cartos in tanks. If I was topping off I'd just add juice to the top and let it soak in, then blow to clear the airhole into a tissue.

 

[C Jay]

Thanks for the replies. Seems like a quick blow through the carto just in case is the best bet.

 

[Caridwen]

I tilt the carto on an angle and drip about 10-15 drops. Then I give it a thermometer shake to push the liquid down and continue to add drops until the cartomizer won't take anymore liquid.

If you ever use a clear cartomizer, you will notice that there are sometimes dry little pockets where the the liquid wasn't absorbed. Dry cartomizer = coils burning the filler material.

I roll the cartomizer a bit on it's side to distribute liquid- depending on the liquid you use this can be important. Wait about 10 minutes and use.

 

[John_]

Nothing cataclysmic happens when juice gets in the air hole. When the carto is not connected to a battery there is nothing wrong with juice getting everywhere except maybe the mess. Juice in the air holes and battery connection can cause problems when the device is hooked up to a battery. If there is juice in the air tube there is a much higher chance you will get juice in your mouth which, many of us can tell you is a very unpleasant experience. When juice gets into the battery connection while the device is firing it can cause electrical issues such as shorting.
When the carto isn't hooked into anything, juice away until its filled, condom/dripping method usually. Just make sure you blow out all the excess juice and wipe off that battery connection.

I've been watching some tutorials about the best ways to fill cartos. So far I've seen people use the condom method, syringes, plunging with tubes attached to syringes, and dripping.

They all look effective enough but one thing confuses me. I thought it was necessary to keep the juice out of the air hole that runs through the carto (the tube surrounded by filler material). Except for dripping, most of the videos show juice coming up this hole or with sucking juice through the carto the whole thing being saturated. Do I really need to keep juice out of this hole or are the people making the videos getting the juice out somehow off camera?

 

[piggy]

Juices with more VG will also fare better using condom method.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

I use the condom method with a 60/40 PG/VG dark, sweet juice and have no problems. I also use my boge SR/LR carto's in several tanks, the AGR, being one of my "affordable" tanks, and, of course, I have to have my stainless steel XL Skinny drip tip. This provides a great vape for days for me. Sure the setup is a bit more than a clearo, but the vape is also considerably better, imho. I simply blow out the carto form the drip tip into a Kleenex to clear the air tube, and this is generally, not a big problem to begin with, and seems to self-correct as I vape anyway. The fact that Cartos rarely leak on me, is a big plus, and the tanks mean I don't have to refill every two hours, or whatever. Good luck to you!