First time cleaned my atty

[Suicidebob]

Let me tell you, I've only had this bad boy for a week and this sucker gets dirty. I used alcohol to run through it and than began to let it soak for about 10-15 minutes. I'm going to let it sit over night and I'll try it in the morning.

P.s. I ran out of juice tonight so I hope my drop ship from awesome vapor comes in the morning.

Otherwise, I'm screwed. Anyone been in this position?

2 topics in one thread. Who's awesome?

-casey

 

[Cowboysnavy]

I would also suggest doing a dry burn. did you use pga or isopropiyl "bad spellin" i pefer pga. never ran out of juice though i started diy soon after i started vaping. i try to mix up a couple of weeks at a time and if i run out of ingredients i know it ahead of time so i can get my next order in before i run out.

 

[dormouse]

And get a spare atty so you can use one while cleaning one. I like to have 3 - two to swap while cleaning and one total spare. When it's all clean and dry, remember to prime it and give that time to soak in because ti will be really dry.

 

[Suicidebob]

I would also suggest doing a dry burn. did you use pga or isopropiyl "bad spellin" i pefer pga. never ran out of juice though i started diy soon after i started vaping. i try to mix up a couple of weeks at a time and if i run out of ingredients i know it ahead of time so i can get my next order in before i run out.

I used Isopropyl 99%. and I need to order some VG and some flavors, I don't do the nicotine goodness anymore.

 

[Suicidebob]

How long do you recommend? Think 8-10 hours is good enough?

 

[Nomoreash]

How long do you recommend? Think 8-10 hours is good enough?

That's plenty of time, probably overkill but it won't hurt anything except maybe soften or take the paint off the atomizer. I run mine under warm water till it's clear then a soak in alcohol for 15-30 min or so, blow it out, do a dry burn to evaporate the access and I'm ready to go.

 

[Suicidebob]

Perfect- as long as I'm not going to ruin my atty.

 

[MickeyRat]

Fairly new to this but, I've tried isopropyl and that worked kinda. However, last night I got maybe 1/2 cup of distilled water boiling in the microwave, pulled it out and dropped an atomizer in it. It bubbled throught the atomizer and there was some black specks in there I didn't get with the isopropyl. I set that one aside to let it dry but, that might be better.

 

[Datpapi]

I've always been hesitant about cleaning my atty's. I tried it once a while back, and then it stopped working a day later. It was about 2 months when I attempted an alcohol soak so it could have been a coincidence. I've now stuck to blowing it out with compressed air every few days, but I can see the atomizer is now building up dark brown/black residue. Has anyone else killed or otherwise ruined their atty's during cleaning? I'm assuming an alcohol soak and perhap hot water rinse is pretty safe as several in this thread have stated they do so regularly.

 

[Caddyman]

I use PGA only to clean attys, let them sit for a hour, swirl around, sit for longer, swirl a few times, etc. usually let sit overnight. take them out and rinse with hot water, let them dry overnight, dry burn if needed when done, good to go.

 

[tsbrewers]

I have read here not to use iso-alcohol, don't recall the reason though. I have been using PGA instead.

Brew

 

[Caddyman]

only one prob with PGA is you can't get it everywhere (it is banned in some states in the US)

not in Delaware though

 

[MickeyRat]

I have read here not to use iso-alcohol, don't recall the reason though. I have been using PGA instead.

From my reading, it's okay to use isopropyl provided you make sure it dries thoroughly. If you don't want to risk PGA is a good alternative.

 

[Astronomer]

If you leave your atty in alcohol over night, you might not like what it does to the finish on the outside ( from experience ).

That is overkill anyway

I have used rubbing alcohol, but have to go to great lengths to dry it, cant get Grain Alcohol here so using Vodka... works very well and I dont have to go to such extreems to make sure it is 100% safe to vape again.

PGA = Pure Grain Alcohol = Ever clear

all basically the same stuff

 

[Caddyman]

yes pga will eat the black finish off of your atomizer...it looks crackled and stuff, doesnt bother me though

 

[DC2]

Many veterans eventually start using some variation of this method for cleaning...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/69834-my-atty-resurrection-method.html

Besides working better than anything else, it also only takes a few minutes.

Some people will tell you not to do dry burns for various reasons.
But once you learn how to do them correctly you are unlikely to stop doing them.

But yeah, until you are sure you know what you're doing, better have some spare atomizers.

 

[MickeyRat]

Many veterans eventually start using some variation of this method for cleaning...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/69834-my-atty-resurrection-method.html

I've seen that and I'll use it when necessary but, I'm pretty sure all that dry firing is a little overkill for an atty that's just gotten a little gummed up and tasting funky. If it's gummed up enough to not work, sure I'll give it a try.

 

[Astronomer]

That is what I did last night, messed up my tank atty ( ruined the puncture device and lost the wick ) but with a little vodka, and a pipe cleaner, and then dry burns until I could get the entire thing glowing orange ( not white )... I got the atty working like new again, and now using it to drip.

And it is working fantastic for that, it is liable to turn me into a dripper