Ego cartomizer problem (chemical like taste and irritation)

[zoiDman]

I have a theory about the horrible taste. Unfortunately, it isn’t based on any Scientific facts. So take it for what it’s worth.

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I have used 510 – Kr808D-1 – RN4081 cartos for a while. I found what I consider to be a trend when it comes to getting a horrible taste. I’ve noticed that the chemical taste seems to occur when the carto has been used and then sits unused for a period of time.

I first noticed this with some RN4081 Cartomizer from Smokestik. They came prefill and the first one I tried was fine. I use my RN4081 as a backup so it doesn’t get day to day use. I pulled it out after about a week of non-use and the carto had the Chemical taste bad. I dissected it and it wasn’t burn. In fact it looked new. But it smelled terrible. Maybe it was just a bad cart? I tossed it as a bad carto.

As a test, I decided to vape a RN4081 carto regularly and see when the terrible taste occur. So I vape on a new pre-filled carto in the mourning and it went all day with no problem. Around 4:00 pm I refilled it seemed fine. I used it for 3 days straight with now problems. I concluded that the first carto was just a bad one and put my RN4081 back in the drawer as a backup.

About 2 weeks later, I pulled it out while waiting for my eGo to charge. The first hit of the cart was ok but the second was brutal. So I took it apart and once again, it looked ok. No burning but smelled horrible.

So a thought occurred to me. Could it be that if a carto is used and then left to sit for awhile that something happens inside the carto? A chemical reaction? My thought was that perhaps the nicotine or the flavoring was breaking down the wick or filler material or both?

Now fast forward to the new eGo. I got One blank eGo carto from TW with an order of a 1000mAh battery. I filled it and was impressed so I ordered a 5 pack from cignot the next day. I took about 5 days for my 5 pack to arrive and during that time, I refilled my first eGo carto about 4 times. It was working good.

Then the 5 pack from cignot arrive so I put the first eGo carto from TV away and filled up a new one with a new flavor. It taste great and I used it for about 3 days. Then I went back to the first carto. On the second hit, I could taste a hint of that chemical taste. At $4 a piece I was going to throw it out so I ran to the sink and flushed it out with warm water.

I let it dry out and then try it. It was fine. No chemical taste. I have refilled it a few times and it is going strong. No chemical taste. Just like my other eGo Cartos.

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So here is my Theory.

1) If a carto is used and then left to sit for a period of time, The chemicals in the e-Juice (Nicotine, Flavors, Sweeteners, etc) react with the carto filler/wick and produce the terrible taste. It isn’t burning, it is a chemical reaction.

2) Once the reaction occurs, if it is wash out immediately, the carto is not ruined.

3) If a Carto is used constantly, the chemical reaction does not have time to occur or build up to significant quantities to cause the chemical taste.

4) Perhaps once the chemical reaction occurs, it does not occur again.

Once again, I’m just throwing this out and do not have any scientific evidence to support it. Maybe some of the chemists out there can comment of the reactive nature of some of the material inside a carto, Kevlar and filler material, with the chemicals that make up a flavored e-Juice.

 

[Lyndagayle]

Interesting theory zoidman. It won't work with my problem though because mine were new and I was so enthused, I kept them going in rotation (2 of them) and the only time they were laid to rest for any length of time was when I was sleeping. The taste I got was definitely some sort of reaction, either chemical or electrical because it irritated my throat and upper chest to the point I had to slow down on my vaping habit for several hours. It definitely was more than just a bad taste. Maybe you're on to something. I hope some others will chide in on this. We really are guinea pigs with all of the new e-cigs and accessories. It's going to be interesting to see if this is a widespread problem or just a hit and miss thing. I'm still using hubby's carto that came in the same batch as mine and it's performing like a charm and tastes yummy. It's been running full speed for a week now.

 

[zoiDman]

Let me ask you this.

When did you first notice the bad taste? Was it in the mourning after they sat all night? Or was it mid or late day while vaping normaly?

 

[Katya]

Zoid, for what it's worth, I had similar chemical taste from 4081s when I first started using them. I would get it sometimes within first 30-40 min of vaping. Then I was told by some experienced users that this happens when the coil/wicking fibers in the carto get too dry. Now, I top off my cartomizers even before I start vaping. I remove the endcap and drip 4-5 drops into the center airflow tube, directly on the heating coil and let it soak in. Then I drip some more into the batting. Some new prefilled cartos accept 10-14 drops right out of the box, which is an indication that they are seriously underfilled to begin with. After that initial "priming" I top them off early and frequently. I never had that bad taste since.

Of course, you have to be careful not to overfill; if you do, the thing won't cooperate because the air chamber at the bottom of the carto gets too full. It's a balancing act. I was also advised that 4081 cartos (and SLB 510) should not be refilled from the battery end because of the way they are designed (the air chamber again). BTW, the big eGo cartos have similar design (the coil), so some of the above tips might apply to them.

Just my experience. YMMV.

 

[zoiDman]

Lyndagayle ....

To be honest with you, I'm a little out of my league when it comes to Chemistry. My background is in Mathematics. So I started a new thread that perhaps some more Chemistry informed people can post to.

Here it is,

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...72-question-all-chemists-ecf.html#post1613059

 

[zelda]

I think Katya hit it right on the mark. You have a dry carto and without the liquid you will get that strange chemical taste. My strange taste is gone from making sure the ego carto was completely filled.

Hey love the bird avatar -cute!

 

[zoiDman]

Zoid, for what it's worth, I had similar chemical taste from 4081s when I first started using them. I would get it sometimes within first 30-40 min of vaping. Then I was told by some experienced users that this happens when the coil/wicking fibers in the carto get too dry. Now, I top off my cartomizers even before I start vaping. I remove the endcap and drip 4-5 drops into the center airflow tube, directly on the heating coil and let it soak in. Then I drip some more into the batting. Some new prefilled cartos accept 10-14 drops right out of the box, which is an indication that they are seriously underfilled to begin with. After that initial "priming" I top them off early and frequently. I never had that bad taste since.

...

I have found that keeping the carto wet is the best method for avoiding the Chemical taste for my 510 cartos. But it didn't work on the RN4081 cartos and One of my eGo cartos.

It might be something in certain flavorings that causes it. It could be that some cartos have sub-standard materials in them that break down. It could be that the atomizer wire is not a NiChrome wire and it gets hotter than it should.

What makes it difficult to track down is that it is allmost impossible to know where a cartomizer comes from and what "Brand" it is. So much of the stuff that comes from China are "Clones" or "Knock-Offs".

I not even sure the web site retailers can ensure that what they purchase to resell to consumers is what they are supposed to be.

 

[Katya]

Hey love the bird avatar -cute!

Watch it, Zelda! It's a very sensitive issue.

 

[zelda]

Watch it, Zelda! It's a very sensitive issue.

Sorry I forgot this was a different thread.(Hey they're staying up late with YOU ).

 

[zelda]

I have found that keeping the carto wet is the best method for avoiding the Chemical taste for my 510 cartos. But it didn't work on the RN4081 cartos and One of my eGo cartos.

It might be something in certain flavorings that causes it. It could be that some cartos have sub-standard materials in them that break down. It could be that the atomizer wire is not a NiChrome wire and it gets hotter than it should.

What makes it difficult to track down is that it is allmost impossible to know where a cartomizer comes from and what "Brand" it is. So much of the stuff that comes from China are "Clones" or "Knock-Offs".

I not even sure the web site retailers can ensure that what they purchase to resell to consumers is what they are supposed to be.

With the cartos too they may simply be duds. I've had cartos that don't work right from the start. The quality control l has gotten so much better than when I first started but still...

 

[Katya]

I have found that keeping the carto wet is the best method for avoiding the Chemical taste for my 510 cartos. But it didn't work on the RN4081 cartos and One of my eGo cartos.

It might be something in certain flavorings that causes it. It could be that some cartos have sub-standard materials in them that break down. It could be that the atomizer wire is not a NiChrome wire and it gets hotter than it should.

What makes it difficult to track down is that it is allmost impossible to know where a cartomizer comes from and what "Brand" it is. So much of the stuff that comes from China are "Clones" or "Knock-Offs".

I not even sure the web site retailers can ensure that what they purchase to resell to consumers is what they are supposed to be.

Agreed. We know nothing, really. That's why it's so important we share our observations and experiences. All I know is that I never got that nasty taste back since I started priming the coil, directly. Not the filler, like you'd do with the kr808s or the 510s that have that rigid wire running up the length of the stuffing, but the coil itself. But that's just my story. YMMV.

Who knows what else goes on there.

 

[zoiDman]

With the cartos too they may simply be duds. I've had cartos that don't work right from the start. The quality control l has gotten so much better than when I first started but still...

It could very much be a Quality Controll issue.

I considered things like impurities on the atomizer wire left over from the manufacturing process. I know that some of the atty's I bought when I used carts had what we all call "primer fluid" on them.

Perhaps something similar could be on a carto atomizer wire in say 1 out of every 50 cartos?

 

[Lyndagayle]

Let me ask you this.

When did you first notice the bad taste? Was it in the mourning after they sat all night? Or was it mid or late day while vaping normaly?

It was late afternoon. I had been using them all day and it just happened suddenly. My first thought was I had let it get too dry so I topped off and it didn't hold but about 1/2 ml and started leaking out the bottom. I put that one down and tried the other one and within the hour, it had the same horrible, painful taste.

 

[Lyndagayle]

Lyndagayle ....

To be honest with you, I'm a little out of my league when it comes to Chemistry. My background is in Mathematics. So I started a new thread that perhaps some more Chemistry informed people can post to.

Here it is,

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...72-question-all-chemists-ecf.html#post1613059

This should be an interesting thread to follow.

 

[zoiDman]

It was late afternoon. I had been using them all day and it just happened suddenly. My first thought was I had let it get too dry so I topped off and it didn't hold but about 1/2 ml and started leaking out the bottom. I put that one down and tried the other one and within the hour, it had the same horrible, painful taste.

It doesn't fit my Theory perfectly but the hour of non-use is interesting.

I hope someone who is Chemistry oriented sees the thread our this thread.

I keep think about the cartos with the bad taste that I opened. Only to find a perfect, unburned material inside. Wouldn't it be wild if it was something like Red dye #5 in a flavoring that can react with the carto material.

BTW - What type of e-Juice were you using. You don't have to mention the maker. In fact, better that you don't. Just the flavor / PG:VG and the mg level.

 

[Lyndagayle]

It doesn't fit my Theory perfectly but the hour of non-use is interesting.

I hope someone who is Chemistry oriented sees the thread our this thread.

I keep think about the cartos with the bad taste that I opened. Only to find a perfect, unburned material inside. Wouldn't it be wild if it was something like Red dye #5 in a flavoring that can react with the carto material.

BTW - What type of e-Juice were you using. You don't have to mention the maker. In fact, better that you don't. Just the flavor / PG:VG and the mg level.

My juice is very clear and hardly any color at all, that goes for both flavors as I had two flavors going, same supplier, in two cartos. They are both 70/30 PG/VG. If I name flavors, it would give away the maker. These are very clean flavors with little or no coloring. I have no problems whatsoever in my attys nor the current carto I'm using (which contains one of the same flavors that went haywire). It's a strange problem and I certainly hope someone figures out what might have caused it because I'm quite certain it is isn't good to vape anything that causes pain/irritation. We certainly need to know how to prevent it if at all possible.


BTW...there wasn't an hour of non use as I rotate flavors all day and these two were being rotated every 15 minutes or so. I was about an hour after the first one went crazy that the same thing happened to the second one. I kept vaping them after the bad taste started (which probably wasn't very smart) thinking I could top them off and it would eventually get back to good.

 

[thelook]

Ok, I have noticed that 2 people have said that they have "washed" their Mega carto's out, sorry OP I know this is OT
How are you washing and drying them? Am I missing something?

 

[Lyndagayle]

Ok, I have noticed that 2 people have said that they have "washed" their Mega carto's out, sorry OP I know this is OT
How are you washing and drying them? Am I missing something?

I had not washed them. They were barely 3 days old and performing like a charm. Performance didn't go bad, just the bad taste. The one I'm using now came out of the same order and hubby had been vaping with it 5 days and I'm still vaping on it. It works and tastes great. I did blow the juice out of the one I autopsied but that's all I did to it. I wanted everything to remain intact so I could see if there was any scorching or burning.

 

[Lyndagayle]

I just thought of something zoidman and posted it under your new thread...

"Zoidman, I just read the first part of the Wiki article and something piqued my interest. Somewhere on this forum, I've read that when you buy polyfill to make your own cart mods, you should make sure that it's NOT the flame resistant type.....something about it could cause a chemical reaction that would be harmful to inhale. I don't think I dreamed it. Hopefully that person will see this thread and make a comment."

 

[stashbldr]

Ok, I have noticed that 2 people have said that they have "washed" their Mega carto's out, sorry OP I know this is OT
How are you washing and drying them? Am I missing something?

I washed one out, yesterday. I had been using it for 5 days, had refilled it and/or topped it off over 7-8 times. It had been working like a champ the whole time but then it suddenly became very hard to draw on and the taste was bad, almost like a chemical taste.

So I was going to just toss it, because after all the "ad" for it had said it was good for 2-3 refills .. but I decided what the heck, I'll see if I can blow out whatever is making it hard to draw on.

I blew and blew .. but it was clogged up. So that's when I said "either toss it or experiment with washing it".

I did it under hot running tap water, the hottest water temp I could get just from the tap. Ran water into it for about 15 seconds, tried to blow .. nope it was still blocked. Then I ran some hot water into a bowl, stuck the battery end into the water and alternated blowing and sucking and voila, within 10 seconds whatever had been clogging it cleared out.

So then I blew it out over a paper towel, I could blow thru it perfectly, no clog. Blew it out for another minute and then propped it upright but leaning a little to it's side (so that air could get into the battery end) and left it overnight.

This morning I did a partial fill on it, because I didnt want to waste 2ml of juice if it was gonna be dead .. then gave it a try and it worked great, no more "hard draw", no more bad taste .. working just like it did when I used it the very first time.

Dont know how much longer this one carto will last but heck, when I bought them I had figured each one would do just what they had said and only work for 2-3 refills, so anymore than that is a bonus as far as I am concerned .. sweet!