Frustrated

[callit2010]

Hi

I've been successfully quit from "analogue" cigarettes for nearly 6 months now, but I have a few issues with vaping and hope to find a solution through the good people here at e-cigarette forum.

From what I've seen online there seem to be no people in my category. I love vaping, I have tried the odd analogue since and it makes me want to throw up. However, the maintenance required to vape seems a lot, and before I get flamed, I know most people here seem to love that element, like people who buy old cars and fix them up, etc. But I don't have the time or resources for this. I just want a convenient way to vape the flavours I like with as little maintenance as possible. However when I go to my local store, they almost seem patronising in the way they tell me I need to do this, this, this and this. Now before I continue let me tell you I have more patience than most analogue smokers I know. If they had moved over to this (and no-one I know has yet; they've either cold turkey quit or smoke analogues as ever) then they are not the kind of people who would be bothered to do even as much maintenance as I do to maintain a vaping habit. But it seems what I do is not enough, and increasingly it appears I will almost need to set up a small lab for the required cleaning and modifying I need to do.

I don't have a great deal of money, so I haven't been able to try these all-singing all-dancing £100+ types of kit. From the start I have used G-hit or Ego-Twist batteries combined with combination atomisers (clearomisers) and VG liquid. I am quite happy with the vape I get from this, and am not looking (nor have the time) to experiment, or see if I can find something "better". When all works I am happy with things exactly as they are.

However it seems increasingly that things aren't working often. I use a clearomiser for just over a week and then replace it with a new one. I fill it only to the top of the wicks (despite the tank having markers going higher) and keep it upright whenever I can. I charge the batteries until the charger goes green and then take them off the charger. I store the batteries in a plastic container. Before refilling a clearomiser I blow down it from the other side (the side that would normally connect with the battery) to remove any air in it (with the mouthpiece removed). When I refill it I use a refill bottle thing (with the needle-like tip) (sorry I don't have the vaping terminology that you guys seem to) and make sure to get it into the clearomiser without going in the air-hole. Before reconnecting to the battery I gently dab the end of both the clearomiser and battery end with a q-tip to remove any moisture before reattatching, screwing it firmly (but not over-tightly) on.

For someone who doesn't want to embrace vaping as a kind of sub-hobby (I literally only want it to replace smoking. Even when I smoked I wasn't a tobacco afficionado or anything) this seems an awful lot of work between refills (which occur a lot as I vape a lot). I keep a good stock of liquid, spare clearomisers, spare batteries and spare chargers. Oh, and I only charge on a non-flammable surface and don't leave the batteries charging overnight or unattended.

Even though this is what I would consider high-level maintenance, I am willing to keep doing this as it keeps me from smoking for real. However it seems this is not enough.

Seemingly all the time the end of the clearomiser is wet and thusly the top of the battery is too.

Whenever I look for simple advice on-line, I can't seem to find anything other than from people who embrace the art of maintaining vaping equipment. I realise me wanting simplification will ruffle a few feathers in said community, as they seem to give me the "if you can't stand the heat" attitude. This is a shame as I really don't want to go back to smoking, and I fear a lot of real smokers when presented with the level of maintenance required for vaping will return to their ways, as like I said I have more patience than a lot of smokers I know.

What I'm asking is, basically, is there something glaring I'm doing wrong? I've changed dozens of clearomisers and must be on my fifth battery since I began in July. If there is a kind of e-cig that is easier to maintain, even if it does cost a lot, would it be worth my while? I'm pretty desperate as I smoked 50 real cigarettes a day for nearly 30 years and this has been the only thing that has enabled me to stop - but more than that, I prefer it so much that I never want to return to analogues.

Help is appreciated. Please move this post if there's a more suitable board for it, mod.

Thanks in advance

 

[AthensGa]

I don't know which clearomizer you are using, but you might want to put more juice in it. When mine is too low (just covering the wicks) it floods (gets fluid in the center post then it makes a gurgling noise and spits fluid at me.)

The only maintenance that I do is to soak the coils after each use with vodka.

 

[Smallville]

Sounds to me like you're doing everything correct.

One thing I noticed from your post, it is OK to have a small amount of juice on the battery pin. Not an ocean of course, but it will produce about a needles head worth on the battery from use. What I suggest is, each time you fill up, swab the battery connection with a qtip. Otherwise, from what I read you're gtg.

Keep in mind that cigarettes are simple, a stick and lighter and away you go. This involves another step sometimes than just pulling it out of your pocket and going to town, but stay with it and do what feels comfortable to you, not what others tell you.

 

[r77r7r]

Find Chrissie on this UK website. She's a great vet and may be willing to take the time to help you out.

Home | ALL ABOUT E-CIGARETTES UK

 

[callit2010]

Thanks guys for the quick replies

Well I'm glad I seem to be doing okay. I've now started swabbing both the battery connection on both battery and clearomiser with a q-tip between refills.

I originally used to fill the clearomisers up to the highest marking on the tank (the 2.4 mark) but the store told me I was overfilling. For the most part it seems to be okay, but I've realised that when it gets "slurpy" sounding, it's usually because the ego-twist battery is getting low. I actually prefer the non variable g-hit battery I have, but it's getting old now, but at least you get the coloured warnings of battery depletion, rather than just that flashing white light meaning it's dead (on the ego-twists).

These are the clearomisers I tend to use



but I sometimes use these



I might try the vodka thing at some point but it just seems a bit of hassle - usually when there's vodka around it goes in my mouth

Thanks again!

EDIT: thanks r77 will try that website

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Thanks guys for the quick replies

Well I'm glad I seem to be doing okay. I've now started swabbing both the battery connection on both battery and clearomiser with a q-tip between refills.

I originally used to fill the clearomisers up to the highest marking on the tank (the 2.4 mark) but the store told me I was overfilling. For the most part it seems to be okay, but I've realised that when it gets "slurpy" sounding, it's usually because the ego-twist battery is getting low. I actually prefer the non variable g-hit battery I have, but it's getting old now, but at least you get the coloured warnings of battery depletion, rather than just that flashing white light meaning it's dead (on the ego-twists).

These are the clearomisers I tend to use

View attachment 284071

but I sometimes use these

View attachment 284072

I might try the vodka thing at some point but it just seems a bit of hassle - usually when there's vodka around it goes in my mouth

Thanks again!

EDIT: thanks r77 will try that website

Chriissie is definitely the go to Lady in regards to advice.
In regards to clearomizers many of us use the ones that are "rebuildable". Rebuildable Clearomizer has a head (wick+ coil) inside. When it gets dirty we unscrew the tank and either wash the head or replace it. Replacing takes about 15 secs and makes the process very economical. Washing- just let the head sit in a container of alcohol overnight.

Edit: Using rebuildable Clearomizers my Clearomizer operating cost is about 20 cents per week. This is the reason they are so popular.

 

[zoiDman]

... If there is a kind of e-cig that is easier to maintain, even if it does cost a lot, would it be worth my while? I'm pretty desperate as I smoked 50 real cigarettes a day for nearly 30 years and this has been the only thing that has enabled me to stop - but more than that, I prefer it so much that I never want to return to analogues.

Help is appreciated. Please move this post if there's a more suitable board for it, mod.

Thanks in advance

Have you tried Filler type Cartomizers?

They are Very Easy to use and involve Little or No Maintenance.

 

[Btsmokincat]

My suggestion would be to get some bottom coil clearomizers like the Evod, Protank or Smok ARO and a bunch of coils. They are very simple and easy to use. I have both Evods and a Mini Protank II. They work great, good flavor and vapor production and I've never had a leak with any of them. I use the coils for about 3 weeks without cleaning then change them out. When I have 3 or 4 used coils, I clean them all at once. In my opinion they are very hassle-free!

As for a battery, I can't say enough good things about the Itaste MVP2! It has variable voltage/variable wattage, Ohm meter, battery level indicator, puff counter and you can charge your cell phone with it! Not to mention it has a built in 2600mah battery that lasts me about 1,000 puffs between charges! Plus you can charge it with any cell phone charger!

I know some people don't like box mods, but don't let website pictures fool you, it is much smaller than one would think. I can almost hide it in my hand (Mini Protank II attached to my MVP2)...

 

[wv2win]

Cleromizers are generally inconsistent and high maintenance. There are literally thousands of posts on ECF that prove this point.

A good glass carto-tank set-up is much more consistent, is no maintenance and provides generally better flavor. Using a Phiniac glass carto tank and either Smok or Ikenvape, 3-hole punched cartos, I have never had a leak in over a year and each carto lasts 8 - 14 days before needing replaced. The 5ml tank gets me through 12+ hours. And just to reiterate: there is no maintenance (other than adding eliquid once every 12+ hours).

Here is a picture of one:

 

[Razorback]

Look for a Vision brand Vivi Nova, or Vision Mini Vivi Nova. They don't leak, the heads last a good while and are inexpensive, and very dependable. My . Also, I don't clean them, just use until the juice looks real dirty (usually a week or 2) and throw away and screw on a new one. They're about 2 bucks apiece. Just do what you have to do to stay off the analogs... It's worth the extra hassle, I promise!

 

[Tinkiegrrl]

For greater battery life, plus an indication light to tell you when it's going low, I suggest the iTaste MVP 2 made by Innokin. I've seen the MVP around for $40. I am not familiar with suppliers for the UK though. It is a variable volt and variable wattage device, but with variable watts, you can set it to what you prefer and it'll give you a consistant vape no matter what the ohm reading on your atomizer or clearo is. When the battery goes low, the fire button will flash yellow. It is a 2600 mAh battery, and I found it lasts me 2 or 3 days. Also, I suggest bottom coil clearomizers, like the Kanger Evod or Kanger Mini Protank II. You can change the coil heads (part that heats the liquid) very easily and you can find them at pretty much every vendor you look at online. The coil heads are inexpensive. About $6 for a pack of 5. It's possible to just keep replacing them as you go, rather then cleaning them or maintaining them. The Evod is a plastic clearo, and the Mini Protank is glass and steel. A glass one may be prone to cracking if dropped, but you don't need to worry about what kind of liquid you are putting in it. Some react with plastic and cause the plastic to crack.

 

[floofgoofer]

From what I've seen online there seem to be no people in my category. I love vaping, I have tried the odd analogue since and it makes me want to throw up. However, the maintenance required to vape seems a lot...

You are not alone. I know many people I would love, love, love to turn on to vaping... but I know they would absolutely never do all the fiddly .... I seem to have to do. I can relate to the rest as well, good post.

 

[Jwaterski]

I don't think it's ever going to get as easy as smoking was... Damnit. But to me anyway it's still worth the extra effort.

 

[always9988]

The closest to smoking you can really get (as in very little hassle) would just be using prefilled cartomizers. Starts tasting funny, or no flavor? Toss it and screw on a new one. It is also one of the more expensive ways to go, which is why most on here delve into the higher maintenance stuff. It can definitely be frustrating if you are in a huge hurry to leave the house. You have to be sure to have enough of everything to last a whole day with you rather than just grabbing your smokes (or buying them on your way) and having a lighter. It all comes down to how much you want to spend and how much time you want to spend on it.

 

[Huckleberried]

I'd have sworn my boyfriend typed this post. Same set up, same fiddling habits down to the letter! Sounds like you're doing everything right. As someone else mentioned, a little juice on the battery is normal. I just got an mvp 2, it came with an iclear 16 b. I gave that to him and he loves it. He usually uses the same kind you use, exactly, so I didn't think he'd like the iclear, since the "b" is a bottom coil. I was very wrong. Good luck to ya!

 

[Don Robertson]

I have had great success with the KANGER T3S Bottom COil Clearomizer. They were my first - from a local shop and can be found on the 'web' from many sellers. These folks offer great Customer Service and I believe their prices are great as well: Buy Ecigs Online | Ecigarettes and Vapes | VaporAuthority.com

You may read the thread: The Best Starter Kit I’ver Ever Seen here on ECF at: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ego-type-models/470972-best-starter-kit-i-ve-ever-seen.html

I just ordered the E-MAX $44.95 KIT http://www.maxvaper.com/default.asp and from all I have read it is a great performer. I know the T3S has NOT LEAKED even in my novice hands and I presume the E-MAX is also leak free or folks would be all over it with comments.

MAINTENANCE? I wash it out -- flush really well -- have never bothered with "Vodka" (perhaps I should) and blown them dry with a low heat from a hair dryer (to protect the tank material just in case it MIGHT distort). I fluff up the WICKS and in 30 days have yet to need to change the COILS. I DID replace the 2.5 ohm with 1.8 ohms and like the "vape" much better. AIR DRAW is easily kept in check with a good cleaning and I have never had one "plug up". So overall - to this novice on a limited budget (Hello Social Security! The Cost of Living DID GO UP more than 1.5%) I am VERY happy with the T3S and anticipate the same with the E-MAX. ADMITTEDLY - if I were to go to a GLASS TANK (which I may next year) I might be surprised and never go back to the T3S; I don't know.

Good Luck and have a wonderful Holiday Season (And being politically incorrect ........... CHRISTmas Season)!

From Senility Central --- Old Man Don

 

[Nightcall]

I agree, vaping can be annoying and frustrating. Sometimes I enjoy it greatly and sometimes I'm tired of the fiddling and tinkering and spending money trying new stuff that is less maintenance. The thing that keeps me going is I haven't smoked a cigarette in over 3 months and that is great. Sometimes during the fiddling I forget that, and i remind myself and feel better.

I agree with the people who said get something with a replaceable head or atomizer, such as a carto tank, Evod or a Vision Vivi Nova (get the glass V-Fate if you get a Vivi Nova). Changing heads is not maintenance free but not difficult and easier than cleaning.

I definitely don't recommend a Protank for someone who wants maintenance free. I stand by that.

 

[Johnny Popular]

I know a lot of people might disagree with me, but sounds like you need a good mechanical mod with a hassle free tank like an iClear30s. I have been using my k100 with the iClear as of late opting out of my RBAs and RDAs for the hassle free operation it offers. The wicks last a long time and the tank is solidly built. One can pick up a setup like this for just under sixty US dollars if one shops around. But beware, there are some issues with mech mods. In my opinion this has been the most rock solid setup I have ever used.

 

[devauto]

The closest to smoking you can really get (as in very little hassle) would just be using prefilled cartomizers. Starts tasting funny, or no flavor? Toss it and screw on a new one. It is also one of the more expensive ways to go, which is why most on here delve into the higher maintenance stuff. It can definitely be frustrating if you are in a huge hurry to leave the house. You have to be sure to have enough of everything to last a whole day with you rather than just grabbing your smokes (or buying them on your way) and having a lighter. It all comes down to how much you want to spend and how much time you want to spend on it.

I agree with this recommendation. I started off the same way, wanting this to be as easy as smoking. That resulted in a LOT of money spent on things to make it easy (multiple starter kits, different batteries, prefilled cartos from many vendors, etc.). In the end, it got me through, so it was worth every penny.

If you get to the point that you don't mind fiddling with stuff once every week or two, then perhaps buying blank cartos and juice would work for you. The only fiddling at that point would be to sit down for an hour or two and fill up a supply of them for the next week (2?). It will bring the cost down from the prefilled cartos, and drastically reduce the fiddling time necessary, while maintaining simplicity.

HTH, and Good Luck!

 

[floofgoofer]

I'd have sworn my boyfriend typed this post. Same set up, same fiddling habits down to the letter! Sounds like you're doing everything right. As someone else mentioned, a little juice on the battery is normal. I just got an mvp 2, it came with an iclear 16 b. I gave that to him and he loves it. He usually uses the same kind you use, exactly, so I didn't think he'd like the iclear, since the "b" is a bottom coil. I was very wrong. Good luck to ya!

Im really happy with a couple of the newest generation of clearomizers coming out, iclear30S is fantastic, but haven't got to try that one.


I almost bought an(other) MVP just because it had a 16B with it. Yes I am that sick. But I just spent 14dollars on needle nose tweezers so I could improve my "fiddling" technique... which is the sicker proposition?