First Post - a few questions

[wmmeyer]

I just got started a few days ago with a No7 kit from the local tobacco shop. Its doing OK for me so far, and I have an Elite 808 kit on order from CigEasy.

As surprising as it may seem, I DO have a few questions
1. The Elite comes with the 2ml cartos, and I'm wondering how to handle those, since I plan on sampling many different juices. Is there any way to clean a carto out so you can put a different kind of juice in it? Seems like ya'd want to get rid of all traces of one flavor before ya put a new flavor in. Any way to do that, or would it be best to just get a whole bunch of empty cartos? I did order a 5-pack of the Clear and Easy tanks, thinking those would be easier to clean that ones with the wicking material in them.

2. Do ya have to fill a carto up completely? Like, if I was sampling a new juice, could I just fill the 2ml carto only 1/4 full? Any loss of flavor or vape starting out with a less-than-full carto?

I'm sure I'll be back with a bunch more questions, but I'll greatly appreciate any advice or tips.

 

[mostlyclassics]

Hi, wmmeyer, and welcome to the ECF party!

Is there any way to clean a carto out so you can put a different kind of juice in it? Seems like ya'd want to get rid of all traces of one flavor before ya put a new flavor in. Any way to do that, or would it be best to just get a whole bunch of empty cartos? I did order a 5-pack of the Clear and Easy Tanks, thinking those would be easier to clean that ones with the wicking material in them.

It is possible to clean cartos, but it's a fairly involved process no matter what method you use. You can find a bunch of threads here dealing with cleaning cartos -- just do a search.

Do ya have to fill a carto up completely? Like, if I was sampling a new juice, could I just fill the 2ml carto only 1/4 full? Any loss of flavor or vape starting out with a less-than-full carto?

You really do have to fill a carto completely. If you're using a filler-type carto, the e-liquid doesn't just pool at the atomizer end, it diffuses through the filler. Too little e-liquid = fried carto. If you're using a tank-type, most designs won't function properly if you don't fill them to the specified level. And with tank-types, pouring e-liquid back into its original bottle is really not an option, since e-liquids change so much when exposed to heat, air, and the materials in both the tank and the atty part of the carto. Or, at least, that's been my experience.

For sampling, you should get an atomizer and drip a few drops into it. A decent atty only costs a few dollars, and they're easy to clean. To clean (after using it to sample a few drops, not to clean a thoroughly gunked-up atty), simply swish it vigorously in vodka or isopropyl alcohol, then make certain it's thoroughly dry before using it again. Note the italics!

 

[dormouse]

1. Buy a sealed manual battery, atomizer, drip tip and test the juices on that.

There are sealed manual 808's at SmokelessImage. Or ANY manual KR808D-1 as long as it doesn't look like you can see into the battery through a hole on the threaded end. Gets a standard resistance (not LR) DSE901 atomizer and 901 drip tip at LiteCigUSA.net. Fits right on with no adapter needed. Or with an adapter you could use another model standard resistance atomizer.

2. You will singe the carto if you do that. You don't test juices in cartos.

---
Filling cartos (most standard cartos are 1ml capacity - find out what yours are first)

When I fill the first time (and whenever adding a lot of juice) I hold tissue against the threaded end hole of the carto. Tilt and drip in 18 drops (per ml capacity of the carto) slowly (wait after the first few which may take longer to soak in). Then I wait 15-20 seconds. Then I see how many more drops the stuffing will soak in easily. Then I do cleanup of the threads, then tilt open end down into a tissue and puff into the threaded end hole to make sure the air channel is clear, then while still pointed down I touch soft tissue to the top of the stuffing to sop up any excess (helps prevent leaks). Then to settle it I let it lay on different sides for 15-20 minutes to spread the juice to every area of the carto. 15-20 minutes is more than enough settling with the thin juices I use. Only the first fill needs some settling time (to make sure every bit of stuffing is damp).

As I vape, I keep it damp. If the vapor seems light or dry or tastes even a tiny bit off or if the carto is getting abnormally warm, I see if it could use some juice. And you can also check the top of the stuffing - if it has gone white you could probably add a bit of juice before heading out or putting a new battery on it etc.

I use thin juices, PG w/ 20% or less VG and a couple of Vapor4Life WOW juices. If I get a juice that drops a lot of flavoring sediment, I find a different juice.

 

[chevelle]

Welcome to ECF! Best of luck too! Only thing I can add to this is...As always, the Mouse speaks the Truth!

 

[wmmeyer]

Thanks everyone for the speedy responses and solid info. I feel smarter already!!!

 

[Boodle]

+1 for an atomizer. Drip 2-3 drops of juice in to test flavors. Rinse with hot water before bed and you're ready for more testing tomorrow. You really can't do that with cartomizers. I only put my fave juices in a carto. You're stuck with that flavor once you fill the carto. Sometimes you can add some vanilla or something but it doesn't work great.

Cleaning cartos was a waste of time for me. I tried the boiling method of boiling, draining, filling with distilled water again, boiling, repeat, repeat... and on and on. Ugh. Some came clean. Others had a tight draw or some weirdness when refilled. You don't know until you fill it with juice if it's ok. I think the amount of money I was wasting filling bum cartos I could use to buy new cartos. Maybe I was just lazy

If you're trying carto cleaning, drying them inside a (clean) sock in the dryer worked well as did the setting the oven to 200, turning it off and putting a pan full of cartos in over night. I didn't think of any of this stuff. All ideas are from from creative ECF members.

 

[Baldr]

I, too, would suggest that for testing flavors, you want to do it by dripping.

I'd recommend against buying a big batch of cartomizers. You may not want to use cartomizers a month from now, as there are other options.

My favorite set up is a EMDCC - ego mega dual coil cartomizer. These are cartomizers, but they are much, much bigger than a regular cartomizer.

eGo Mega Dual Coil Cartomizer Flat-Tip

But because those are so big, I don't ever fill them with an untested juice. I use an atomizer and drip tip, and do that for testing. Only if I've dripped a fair amount and still like that particular juice do I fill an EMDCC with it.

 

[wmmeyer]

Thanks to everyone for the great info. To keep everyone updated (and to get my post-count up) here's where I am now:

I have the SS Choice No7 Micro that I bought first, that is the perfect answer to my above questions. I got a pack of empty cartridges and a seperate atomizer for it, and its the perfect size to put samples in. At a buck per cartridge, its not cheap, but not too bad. I'm not trying to sample hundreds of juices, just a half-dozen or so. (I tried dripping some juice on the atomizer and scared myself. I'm probably not doing something right, but it did a lot of snapping, crackling, and popping.)

I got the Elite 808 and LOVE it. It came with 5 cartos that are HUGE. I also got a 5-pack of the Clear and Easy Tanks and I really like those for my "keeper" juices.

Tomorrow will be two weeks since I quit smoking and have not had a real cigarette. Not only that, but I'm having a blast with all this stuff. Whoda thunk a cherry cola flavored "Smoke" would be good?

 

[ChodaBoy]

i'm new here but everone is giving really good advice. chances are in a week you'll only want your cartos when you're on thee go cause it's easy. i use a tank for on the go, and a 306 with a drip tip at home cause the flavor is so much better. I'd take the 306 on the road but it doesn't seem safe dripping and drivin lmao.

Vape On People

 

[mostlyclassics]

Whoda thunk a cherry cola flavored "Smoke" would be good?

Amazing, isn't it? One of my top ten flavors is cherry limeade. As a soda pop, the very idea turns my stomach; as a flavor for e-liquid, it's astonishingly good.

I'm sure you'll find other unlikely flavors which you'll like.

 

[wmmeyer]

I'm sure you'll find other unlikely flavors which you'll like.

I'm sure you're right!!! Certainly something to look forward to, even though it boggles the mind of a newbie.