Cotton frustrations

[Ca Ike]

I've been using rolled cotton balls for a while now and love it over silica by far. The vapor output it easily twice that of silica in the same build and flavor is much better.

However I have noticed issues with it. Getting a consistent wick is nearly impossible, not because of varying amounts since I found a way to minimize that but because of the cotton itself. Fiber orientation is critical for good wicking and cotton ball fibers are all directions. The other thing hampering wick performance is the amount of pills in the cotton. These act like a dam significantly slowing juice flow. The only way I can get a good consistent wick is to comb the cotton and that's a lot of extra work.

I'm looking at rayon and ramie fiber but every source I find seems to be out of stock. Anyone know where to get raw cotton that's already combed to remove pills and tangled fibers?

 

[ShariR]

I have heard that the Shiseido organic cotton makeup pads are about the same as the KGD. Check you big mall retailers like Macys and Nordstrom. One person I know has tried 100% organic makeup pads from CVS and said they work. Have not tried either so I don't know for sure.

Good luck. I am thinking the 100% cotton, rolled cotton from CVS is good too but it is sterile, not organic.

 

[R Coy]

I've been using rolled cotton balls for a while now and love it over silica by far. The vapor output it easily twice that of silica in the same build and flavor is much better.

However I have noticed issues with it. Getting a consistent wick is nearly impossible, not because of varying amounts since I found a way to minimize that but because of the cotton itself. Fiber orientation is critical for good wicking and cotton ball fibers are all directions. The other thing hampering wick performance is the amount of pills in the cotton. These act like a dam significantly slowing juice flow. The only way I can get a good consistent wick is to comb the cotton and that's a lot of extra work.

I'm looking at rayon and ramie fiber but every source I find seems to be out of stock. Anyone know where to get raw cotton that's already combed to remove pills and tangled fibers?

I got a package of this:

Amazon.com : Muji Japan 4 Layers Facial Cotton Pad (60 sheets) : Facial Cleansing Pads : Beauty

and it seems to work well, it is combed and flat so I just cut strips and insert in my coils.

 

[bm2112]

I use the Sterile cotton balls from CVS as well. I roll mine open, make sure its even/flat, and pull off a nice strip and roll it together fairly tightly.

 

[Newportlocal]

I just bought this the other day. Super happy with it. Wicks and tastes better to me.
Koh Gen Do (Certified Organic in Japan) - vaporologie

 

[Rickb119]

I use cotton cooking twine that I buy at BBY and use a bead needle (Hobby Lobby) to pull it into the coil. It is not organic and not bleached (I boil mine a couple of times).

If you don't absolutely have to have organic, give it a try. It's cheap and easy.

 

[supermarket]

If you have a CVS by your area, I HIGHLY recommend you use Rolled Cotton from them. Only cotton I use, and by far the best.

 

[R Coy]

I use cotton cooking twine that I buy at BBY and use a bead needle (Hobby Lobby) to pull it into the coil. It is not organic and not bleached (I boil mine a couple of times).

If you don't absolutely have to have organic, give it a try. It's cheap and easy.

What is a BBY?

 

[Ryedan]

PBusardo reviewed the wicking abilities of organic cotton, hemp, Japanese cotton, & rayon. Organic cotton came in last place. Rayon and Japanese cotton if I remember correctly tied for best. I believe Japanese cotton is Koh Gen Do (KGD).

I bought Graham rayon Cellucotton 44060 (500 foot box) from a local Sally's Beauty Supply. Check on the Sally's website for a store near you, or you can order online from them. I have not bought Koh Gen Do, but a search should turn up suppliers.

 

[donnah]

I use the koh gen do cotten purchased from sephora.com. I wasn't sure it would be worth what I paid but it is! Super easy to get consistent wicks with all the fibers going in one direction.

 

[DoPeWAFFL3]

I have Swisspers organic cotton balls and they are amazing. There is no odor, or taste when you first ever drip it.

 

[Sthur]

Sephora sells them too.

Pure Cotton - Koh Gen Do | Sephora

 

[Newportlocal]

Sephora sells them too.

Pure Cotton - Koh Gen Do | Sephora

Out of stock right now.

 

[JMarca]

Try some Rayon you can get the stuff online from Sally's or locally if you go to their site and look up a local branch, stuff is dirt cheap for a lifetime supply.

I've been on regular organic cotton for months but as PBusardo said in his video cotton does have that clothie/drying taste property. I always needed to have water nearby.
I've also got some Koh Gen Do a friend gave me, found that too be better than regular cotton balls but there is something about cotton, maybe it's just me.

 

[Newportlocal]

I noticed the cloth taste on the organic cotton after he mentioned that. The KGD doesn't have that flavor which he stated as well. He talked about that at 29 minutes on the video.

 

[Ca Ike]

That dry, dusty taste I found is due to pills in the wick burning slightly. The pills or small tufts are what chokes cotton ball wicks. If I comb the cotton ball once unrolled to remove those, then I don't get that taste. It's just a pain to do and you have to use a lice comb

 

[dspin]

I have never liked any kind of cotton - especially balls until I found Pima Cotton Sliver.

They sell sample pieces and its worth your while to try some. Just pull off a strand length wise and roll into desired wick size. Pure clean flavor, its all I use now. Unfortunately due to demand the price has gone up


Pima cotton sliver

 

[coalyard]

I use RiteAid rolled organic cotton balls myself. The fibers are straight, and there are almost no pills in it. I dunno, maybe I got a good bag of it since I have seen other cotton that is like what you are describing. Since that bag will likely last me until I die, I will consider myself lucky...

 

[minitater]

Another option: I quit using cotton balls and went to braided cotton wicking material (ebay for a few dollars for several yards).
It comes in various sizes and I can poke this braided wick thru my coils easily and then add another on top for a flavor wick.

 

[DavidOck]

Used the rolled sterile cotton for a long time, and then tried the Graham cellucotton (rayon). No pills, wicks better, easy to work with, strands are laid uniformly. Can't see myself going "back" to cotton.