Dark stuff coming out of carto

[Automaton]

So I re-filled a carto, took a couple pulls, it had a really hard draw. So I blew it out a bit. And the stuff that came out was... really dark. Dark brown. I looked through it and the hole was BLOCKED. Blew s'more. More brown stuff. Tried again. The draw is still a tight, but a little better. But the taste isn't very nice. It doesn't taste burnt, but really sharp.

The juices I've used in it are all very light, if not clear. I've only refilled it a couple times.

...Should I just toss this one? Or pull out the filler and make a dripper? Not liking the look of that brown crap.

 

[Sylvie]

""pull out the filler and make a dripper"

that is what I do when it starts dripping brown juice/gunk out.. Old juice ruins the new juice you put in so, I wouldn't keep using it with filler unless you boil/clean it out first and even then it doesn't seem to last as long as it does if you simply pull the filler out and use it that way (making sure to leave wick stuff around atomizer and not adding more than 2-3 drops at a time for it sure likes to find its way to the battery hole if you put more in it than that at a time).. I actually prefer my juices more after pulling filler out these days

 

[mistinthewoods]

Yeah Mistress, I'd toss that one. Sounds like it burnt some filler right away.

 

[Automaton]

Yup. I gutted it. Hiding underneath some caramelized, gunked up juice was a burn hole.

I rinsed it would with hot water, did a long Taryn spin, and put a couple drop in. Not much vapor. I'm guessing it's still a bit water-wet. I'm dumb. *sigh*

I'm gunna let it sit overnight. I cut a hole in the top of a condom to use as the mouthpiece since if I'm gunna drip, having to pry the regular one out will get annoying. Hopefully the water will dry out a bit. I'll try again later.

 

[Automaton]

...And gutted another one that still had a plastic-y taste after washing. No burning on that one at all. But I didn't rinse it, so now I'm dripping on it. Not sure what I think of dripping yet.

 

[br5495]

This is the same stuff that builds up on an atomizer. The juice I use makes mine black. I run a straight piece of wire through mine each time I refill, which keeps the passage open.

I have 3 different types of atomizers, each with a different size hole in the center of the threaded end. Therefore, 3 different wire diameters can be used to keep them cleaned out. Paper clips work pretty good, but the best thing I have found is a set of tip cleaners for an acetylene torch.

You stand a good chance of damaging the coil when doing this, so you can't just jam a full size wire through one. If the tube is partly blocked, begin with a smaller wire. Be gentle. Don't force anything. Once the hole is open, more air comes through to keep the coil cooler and the taste returns to normal.

My wife and I have been using this method for a few weeks now. So far we have had good results with it. However, the juice she uses makes more crud than mine....br

 

[VaporPhreak]

I get the same thing with all my cartos... wait till you have a few of them and then try this:

Remove mouthpieces
Drop into a mug with a couple of cups of boiling water in it
Stir em around fairly violently for about 5 minutes
Let em sit for a minute
Stir em around fairly violently for another 5 minutes
Pull one out with needle-nosed pliers and run under a cold tap for a couple seconds
Blow out the water
Run under cold tap for a couple seconds
Blow out the water
Run under cold tap for a couple seconds
Blow out the water completely
let sit overnight to dry

Seems like a long process, but I have resurrected many a carto this way... work with attys too most times

 

[Shai]

I don't know much about cartos...actually, I've never seen one. But couldn't you just boil it to clean it real good? Or is it plastic? Soak it in hot water perhaps?

 

[Automaton]

You could, but that brown stuff is a sign of bigger problem. I took it apart, and indeed, the filler was burned. No amount of washing will get rid of that taste, or make it safe to vape.

It's kinda cool to have a dripper now, but I gotta say... my intact cartos taste better.

 

[Shaka]

Aloha Mistress!

Are the cartos for your kr8 expensive? Reason I ask is I'm real confused by all the efforts people use to keep their cartos going...they're dirt cheap and are designed to be expendable...yes? (btw, not referring to your conversion to dripper...recycling is good!)

The filler in cartos begin to break down from the 1st time you use it, it's just the nature of the design...and it doesn't matter how careful you are to keep it wet...the heat from the vaporizing coil IS degrading the filler.

For my peace of mind, I chuck em after refilling about 3ml each. I've tossed a couple that were still working like new...remind myself about the degrading plastic I'm inhaling and the fact that it costs less than 5 analogs.

Mine cost $1.79, and to waste electricity to boil them, vodka to soak them, and rice to dry them in (all mentioned in many threads), and MOST important, the time and effort involved to try and squeeze more questionable use from this 1.79 item...just doesn't mesh with me...very, very confusing.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Mahalo!!

 

[Automaton]

That's a very good question. And were I richer gal, I'd probably refill them a couple times and be done with it.

But I'm not. I am incredibly broke. I only spent $50 a month on smoking, by buying cheap bulk tobacco marketed as "pipe tobacco" to get around taxation (it was cut more for rolling cigarettes, and marketed as pipe). It wasn't very nice-tasting, but it got the job done and it was within budget.

But even at $50 a month, I could barely afford my habit.

I've spent the equivalent of 2 months worth of cigarettes on getting started with e-cigs. I do not have any more money to spend, and I won't for a good long while. I have to make it work as much as possible. Because I can't afford to replace anything.

I will gladly spend as much time as necessary to squeeze every last bit of use from my cartos, even if it has a large cost in time. Because the alternative is going back to cigarettes.

I actually wanted to do this a year ago, but at the time the cost was still too high. Only now are e-cigs getting to be within my budget, and even then, just barely.

I'm trying to find the balance between my health and my budget, and it's a very hard line to walk.

Aloha Mistress!

Are the cartos for your kr8 expensive? Reason I ask is I'm real confused by all the efforts people use to keep their cartos going...they're dirt cheap and are designed to be expendable...yes? (btw, not referring to your conversion to dripper...recycling is good!)

The filler in cartos begin to break down from the 1st time you use it, it's just the nature of the design...and it doesn't matter how careful you are to keep it wet...the heat from the vaporizing coil IS degrading the filler.

For my peace of mind, I chuck em after refilling about 3ml each. I've tossed a couple that were still working like new...remind myself about the degrading plastic I'm inhaling and the fact that it costs less than 5 analogs.

Mine cost $1.79, and to waste electricity to boil them, vodka to soak them, and rice to dry them in (all mentioned in many threads), and MOST important, the time and effort involved to try and squeeze more questionable use from this 1.79 item...just doesn't mesh with me...very, very confusing.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Mahalo!!

 

[br5495]

I'm in about the same boat as you, Mistress. My main income is Social Security and I keep using stuff for as long as life can be coaxed from it.

I have been using cartomizers since March 12, 2010. Fortunately, I found a mild tobacco with a BETTER flavor than a cigarette, and it tastes best with a cartomizer. I use better ones today, but still use some of the old originals with secondary flavors. As long as they keep working, I'll keep using them. I'd rather maintain them every now and then instead of dripping 2 or 3 drops all day long.

However, my son gave me a BE112 Atomizer for Father's Day. The taste from it is almost the same. If I were a hardcore dripper, then I think it would be my choice. It will hold 10 drops without leaking and I use it part time just so I can rub elbows with the "in crowd".

So hang in there gal. I'm on your side....br

 

[Kilroy]

They're designed for one use. Anything else you get is a bonus. Keep them moist, that's your best bet, but once its not good, let it go.

 

[Shaka]

...I'm trying to find the balance between my health and my budget, and it's a very hard line to walk.

I respect your position totally, and thank you so much for sharing that with us. And that's why I wanted your thoughts because you always have a basis for what you say, and now I know where you're coming from.

It's just that there are so many posts about stretching out the life of cartos like it's the proper thing to do, and it's just not...they were never designed to be used that long. Resurrecting and maximizing the life of atties is fine, but not so for cartos imo...they're two completely different animals.

Too often I hear people hiding behind the "its gotta be better than smoking cigarettes." I feel we must start paying attention to what we're inhaling with our vapor and try at least to minimize the unknowns. OK, I'll step down from my soapbox (old people tend to do that ya know).

Much mahalos to you Cassie, and keep on doing what you're doing!

 

[Automaton]

Yeah, I do strip the ones that I start getting "bad signs" from. Of the 4 I've pulled apart, one was DOA, 2 were burned, and one wasn't, but I just couldn't wash the nasty taste out, and until you take 'em apart you don't know for sure.

But every time I have to do that, it's another little jab to my resources. REALLY don't want to go back to cigs, so I'm going to have to get good at this fast.

Tryin' my best!

 

[Shaka]

...As long as they keep working, I'll keep using them. I'd rather maintain them every now and then instead of dripping 2 or 3 drops all day long....

Aloha BR! I'm on SS too, and on Mistress' side too! My only point in all of this is that cartos were designed from the ground up to be disposable, so the quality of construction and materials has got to be 2nd tier or worse, that's why they can be sold so cheaply compared to atties for example.

There is a potential health danger in overusing cartos...and stretching out usage beyond what they were designed for like it's the proper thing to do is not wise imo. I think we all have to stop hiding behind the false security of "anything's better than cigarettes" attitude and pay closer attention to what were sucking into our lungs with e-cigs.

My first post was not directed at anyone...I value Mistress' opinion and asked for her thoughts. All I'm trying to do is raise some red flags, that's all.

 

[Automaton]

Aloha BR! I'm on SS too, and on Mistress' side too! My only point in all of this is that cartos were designed from the ground up to be disposable, so the quality of construction and materials has got to be 2nd tier or worse, that's why they can be sold so cheaply compared to atties for example.

There is a potential health danger in overusing cartos...and stretching out usage beyond what they were designed for like it's the proper thing to do is not wise imo. I think we all have to stop hiding behind the false security of "anything's better than cigarettes" attitude and pay closer attention to what were sucking into our lungs with e-cigs.

My first post was not directed at anyone...I value Mistress' opinion and asked for her thoughts. All I'm trying to do is raise some red flags, that's all.

I'm looking out for the red flags, and I'm trying not to prioritize my budget over my health. But the expense of atty's, and the likelihood of my blowing a few in the early weeks, was just too big of a cost for me. I couldn't swing it.

I'm thinking when I get more money, I may buy another round of cartos, and also some 901 atty/carts, which should work without an adapter on my Kr8 batts.

I think I will still use cartos out and about because dripping would annoy the hell out of me on the go, but I may switch over to attys/carts at home. We'll see. I'm really tight right now...

 

[Stephaniems]

People like to fiddle around with stuff its kinda fun even tho a PITA at the same time, I love saving money and will stretch my carto's or attys as far as they will go as long as they work an taste decent. Besides the further I can make an atty work the more money I can spend to try all these new flavors coming out.

 

[Shaka]

I think I will still use cartos out and about because dripping would annoy the hell out of me on the go, but I may switch over to attys/carts at home. We'll see. I'm really tight right now...

That's what I do Mistress, drip at home (esp at the computer) and cartos on the go. I do hope you find some relief with your budget crunch so you can get started in dripping. It actually is the most economical way to vape, because all you need to drip are attys and juice...and with reasonable care, attys could last you quite a long time (I'll be disappointed if I don't get at least 4 months from mine).

Besides the further I can make an atty work the more money I can spend to try all these new flavors coming out.

Hi Stephanie! I also feel we should try stretch the life of all the hardware we have...with the exception of cartos. I feel quite strongly that you shouldn't for your health's sake. Some manufacturers are aware of this potential problem, that's why they're starting to release the 2nd generation of cartos (C-E2) that have no filler inside to burn.

My $1.79 carto gives me almost a carton of cigarettes ($80) worth of vaping. I think I'm doing OK by chucking it without trying to squeeze more life out of it......for my peace of mind.

 

[Israfil]

The problem with that is that there are people who go through 2 fillings of a carto in a day, sometimes 3. Personally I plan on getting cartos and joining the research in making them live longer, however, I understand what you're saying and have a few things I intend to try out to remove those risks.

Just please try to remember that for some of us it's worth it, if nothing else for the sake of experimentation. Maybe we'll find a way to restuff cartos next!