Frustrated ex-smoker, please help.

[ec1324]

Hi everyone,

I'm really new to e-cigarettes, and decided to get a refillable device (sorry, don't know the technical terms) after having a go on my friends one'. I bought an iClear 16 starter kit, which contained 2 x iClear 16 clearomizers (single coil), 2 x INNO 650 MaH batteries, a charger, and some e liquid (70% PG, 30% VG). I followed the instructions exactly, and filled the e liquid to the top point, and keep topping it up regularly (but not overfilling). However, after only a day or so use, I keep getting a really harsh, dry burnt taste on the back of my throat every few times I inhale, and it's driving me mad. It tastes like I'm inhaling burning plastic or something, and I'm starting to worry that I'm doing more harm to myself by smoking this than real cigarettes.

Does anyone have any advice about how to solve this? I looked at the wicks and they look like they're black at the top; perhaps this has something to do with it? I was really excited about getting this device, and just feel like I want to go back to smoking now. I've considered an alternative option - a Kanger EVOD - as apparently this doesn't use the same wick system and so might alleviate the problem? Is this a good model from experienced user's experience?

Any advice is appreciated, plus any pointers towards good UK online suppliers, as I currently feel really frustrated.
Thanks and best wishes

 

[*deleon517*]

welcome aboard ec,

frustration is inevitable with trying something new. Once it gets to your liking its all going to be worth it. As far as what will work better for you, our guess is as good as yours. I would try and find a local spot to buy or meet people with different devices that will allow you to try something different out.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Hi and welcome to ECF. Clearomizers are great but do need some maintenance. Washing cleans the tank and wick and dry burning removes the "gunk" from the coil- rinse head in water after dry burn.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Compliments of Chrissie here's a link to reputable U.K. Vendors with discount codes. Note also at top of page a link to a map of B&M Shops:
http://allaboute-cigarettes.proboar...quid-vendors-discount-codes?page=1&scrollTo=2

 

[RoseB]

The dry burn video pretty much solves the issue of gross burnt taste. iclear 16 clearomizers don't do well with heavy e liquids. Maybe try adding a few drops of distilled water each time you fill, and give it a good shake.

 

[Rancor0681]

Kanger evod or mini protank 2 will give you a better experience overall

 

[CreepyLady]

Hi and welcome to ECF!!

It sounds like you are pulling harder and more frequently than your clearo can handle. You have to allow a break here and there so that they have time to catch up and wick more liquid. Also tilting/twirling a little to keep the wicks saturated will help. For the one that is black at the top - it sounds like you have burnt the wick from firing when they arent saturated (these are the terrible tasting painful burning hits you have gotten) do you have any new coil heads? If not - if one is burnt and the other clearo is not - retire the burned one and order a new head for it.

As far as vendors - I am sure some UK users will be along soon to help you out on those! Good luck and happy vaping


*** ETA - took me a minute to type this - already tons of help! Yay!

 

[DetraMental]

You could also try primer hits before taking an actual hit from your clearomizer. You do this by drawing on the end like you're taking a hit without hitting the button. Do this 2-3 times then hit it using the button. This will help wick the clearomizer.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

I looked at the wicks and they look like they're black at the top; perhaps this has something to do with it?

That's the juice "gunking up" on the coil. Washing "may" help but washing and dry burn will turn the gunk into ash. Darker and or high VG ratio juices will gunk a coil fairly quickly.
As for the wicks they're silica and are impossible to burn in your Ecig.

 

[MikeS71]

You also need to make sure what voltage your vaping at if the batts are variable... I used the iClear 16's for a while and you really do need to tilt/twirl them pretty regularly... just hold it horizontal and spin it around so the juice saturates the wicks near the top.

 

[djsvapour]

Welcome.

I am a little worried you got two "single coil" iClear16s. The whole point of "dual coil" iClear16s is to avoid the horrible poor wicking and nasty burnt hits. As far as I know, your kit should with come with dual coil iClear16s or there is another kit sold by Innokin

Inno iClear 16 Kit, Innokin eGo CE4 Kit - Best Electronic Cigarette | E Cigarette Manufacturer| Innokin

Single coil, top coil clearomisers are easily burnt, which is what you are experiencing.

I have to admit to using the Kanger T3S *instead* of the evod. It's bigger, and has a clear tank which you can see what you are doing with.

Kanger T3S Clearomizer (Clear)

Innokin are a good make, but those are not a very good type of clearo. I killed lots of them when I started vaping.
You either have to sloooow down (big time) and swoosh the liquid around OR get a different style.

 

[ec1324]

Wow, thanks for your help everyone. It's great here! Finally feel like I have some people to talk to about all this DJS Vapour - yes, I do have the single coil, and am starting to realise that this was a mistake! Do you know if the Kanger T3S or EVOD clearomizer would work on my INNO battery, or am I best off jus buying a new starter kit? Also, for anyone in the UK - I'm thinking of using Vapeland, as this is what my friends use. Anyone have any experience of these guys?

Thanks again, you've all been really helpful

 

[Kanakala]

I had the same issue! Turns out for me I needed a bottom coil clearomizer because it burns cooler. I also needed a vv battery so I can change the volts. Makes a huge difference because changing the volts would change the burn flavor down! I promise it gets better once you get your setup figured out! I'm in love with vaping now and am so glad to not be smoking! I totally understand the frustration though...I was up all night on Saturday researching because I couldn't understand what was wrong. Good luck!

 

[ec1324]

Good to know I'm not alone Kanakala Which model and vv battery did you go for in the end? I feel so new and lost with all this, there seems to be a million products out there, and I just want a nice vape where I don't feel like I'm doing more harm than good to my lungs

 

[djsvapour]

DJS Vapour - yes, I do have the single coil, and am starting to realise that this was a mistake! Do you know if the Kanger T3S or EVOD clearomizer would work on my INNO battery,

I can't see any reason why not. Your battery should have both 510 and eGo connection/threads. Small internal thread and large "outer" thread.
Vapeland are OK (good). Shame about the prices on some of the clearomisers. I remember when they announced they were moving to "Vision" and "Kanger" brands almost exclusively. Good prices on 30ml Hangsen.

If you need a quick reference to vendors.

http://allaboute-cigarettes.proboar...-vendors-discount-codes?page=1&scrollTo=23191

 

[djsvapour]

VV (VW) is good, of course. Best to try some 1.8ohm atomisers/heads on your batteries before you make the leap.

I have lots of devices, but 90% of the time am happy vaping with a 1.8 on a regular battery.

 

[rsdntbplr]

Hi everyone,

I'm really new to e-cigarettes, and decided to get a refillable device (sorry, don't know the technical terms) after having a go on my friends one'. I bought an iClear 16 starter kit, which contained 2 x iClear 16 clearomizers (single coil), 2 x INNO 650 MaH batteries, a charger, and some e liquid (70% PG, 30% VG). I followed the instructions exactly, and filled the e liquid to the top point, and keep topping it up regularly (but not overfilling). However, after only a day or so use, I keep getting a really harsh, dry burnt taste on the back of my throat every few times I inhale, and it's driving me mad. It tastes like I'm inhaling burning plastic or something, and I'm starting to worry that I'm doing more harm to myself by smoking this than real cigarettes.

Does anyone have any advice about how to solve this? I looked at the wicks and they look like they're black at the top; perhaps this has something to do with it? I was really excited about getting this device, and just feel like I want to go back to smoking now. I've considered an alternative option - a Kanger EVOD - as apparently this doesn't use the same wick system and so might alleviate the problem? Is this a good model from experienced user's experience?

Any advice is appreciated, plus any pointers towards good UK online suppliers, as I currently feel really frustrated.
Thanks and best wishes

Hello and Welcome!

You definitely came to the right place for support and advice with Vaping and e-cigarette use. I've only been on the forums for less than a week and I've gone from not knowing a thing at all to being considerably more educated about the "thing that sits on the thing which smoke stuff comes from, I think" and I've finally began to experience Vaping at a much more enjoyable level.

What you've described is definitely a "wicking issue". I'm not going to be patronising - I assume you know what that means but I'll make it nice and clear. You've got a single top coil sat at the top of your clearomizer and down the sides of the clearomizer you have wicks - they absorb the liquid so it can get to the coil, where it is heated and you breathe it in. Wow, that does sound patronising The issue is, these systems can only handle slow Vaping. If you vape more than a small amount, the wicks can't quit saturate the coil enough to get a clean hit to the Vaper, and your coil burns and that's where the burnt taste is coming from.

The best way to solve the problem is to get a bottom coil clearo or tank. I had the exact same issues as you so I invited in a bottom coil Aerotank and the experience is a lot more enjoyable.

To minimise the effect, simply tip your e-cig horizontally and slowly twirl it whilst Vaping to ensure that both the wicks and the coil are saturated enough for an enjoyable Vape. When running slightly low, lie your e-cig down horizontally in between Vaping, with one of the wicks at the bottom (facing the surface beneath) to allow the eliquid to be absorbed and soaked in to the wick and therefore, the coil. I did this with my V3 clearos and it worked a treat! Though if you've already burnt your coil and/or wick, you'll need to fit a new head or replace the clearo or the taste will remain.

I've never tried anything from Vapeland. My favourite supplier so far is www.vapeescape.co.uk for equipment and www.wickedeliquid.co.uk for juices - the Bubblegum flavour is lovely and vapes quite well. Their tobacco flavours are also some of the nicest I've tried. I steer away from VapeEscape for juices as pretty much all of them are a 70/30 blend.

By the way: always good to see another UK Vaper on the forums. Especially a Londoner as it's so close to home!

 

[ec1324]

Thank you again everyone - all really helpful And not patronising at all rsdn, it's great to have someone explain the basics as that's definitely what I'm lacking! Thanks too for all the links...definitely feeling more confident now!

 

[bulldog63h]

All you need to do is tilt your ecig so the liquid soaks the wick and coil. Do this after every hit or two and it should do just fine. You don't need to go out and buy something new unless you want to (except extra coils).