Do you have to "temper" kanthal?

[1LastShot]

I just rebuilt my first head (ce5), and it is currently soaking. I just realized I had seen a video where they "tempered" the kanthal by running a lighter over it before building. I didn't do that. Did I screw up?

 

[st0nedpenguin]

It's yet another of the many rebuildable atomizer myths.

Unless you're rebuilding something that terminates on bare posts like a line/maxi/mini it's a waste of time.

 

[UncleChuck]

As far as I know, there aren't any real performance issues behind torching the wire. It's simply to make it softer and easier to work with. It may offer some sort of insulation qualities in the way oxidizing mesh does, but that again is really an ease of setup issue.

It would burn off any oil, dirt, or gunk that's on the wire from the factory too. If your build is working and tasting right there is no need to worry.

 

[FogHawg]

Some do it, some don't. I like to heat it red w/a bic lighter before I wrap because it takes some of the springyness out of the wire & burns off any mfgring residue that might be present.

 

[1LastShot]

Thanks for the info if this one works fine, then maybe I will torch the next one just to see if there is a difference.

 

[Rule62]

I do it, just out of habit. I run my mini torch up and down my piece of wire a couple times before wrapping. Probably not necessary.

 

[1LastShot]

Well, I just fired up this one for the first time and something's definitely not right...dot think its from not tempering though. Off to figure out what I did wrong.....