gunk, gunk, GUNK!

[Aal_]

So ... i have been having this problem and mentioning it all the time. It is time to make a separate thread for it. I am using a Penelope with Boba's Bounty. Gunk builds up fast and i mean after 1/1.5 tanks, and from there on vapor gets cooler, throat hit less and more time drawing to get a good amount of vapor and flavor. Tried Bishopheal's method of cleaning it with rinsing, dry burning, rinsing, dry burning ... Did not work! i was affraid to burn the whole wick at some point. So few questions here:

1- How do I clean Boba's gunk? is it safe to repeat the process for a loooong time in order to remove it all? will it all be removed at the end?
2- I have no access to Vodka, and prefer to keep it that way.
3- How do I prevent Gunk in the first place?
4- is gunk build up a good thing, or just a misconception?

for info I am using 2 x 3.5mm silica wicks, kanthal 32 AWG at 2.0 Ohms, and silver NR wires. It is a single coil double wick setup.

 

[meli.]

Best place for Penelope advice is the GG Forum.
I think once you've dry burned and there is still stuff on the coil use a something like a dental pick and lightly scrape the gunk off, be careful not to disturb the wires too much, rinse, dryburn again, if there is still gunk there, do it again scrape, rinse, dryburn. I do it with my coils, and I have stuff build up on mine, I don't use Boba's Juice. It's natural for juice to burn onto the coil. Everyones Juice does it, be it bought or DIY'ed.
Do you have any other type of Alcohol at home?

 

[Aal_]

Do you have any other type of Alcohol at home?

i have the 70 degrees one for babies

 

[Kopfstimmen]

I don't know the Penelope, but possibly a ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry? I've been kicking around the idea of getting one of those.
I also don't know much about non-drink alcohol *smirk*, but make sure what you have isn't toxic. The one thing I do know about it is that "denatured" alcohol has been made poisonous.

 

[bacc.vap]

I find that the high % vg juices tend to build up quicker on the coil and cause the coil to develop a thick burnt crust. Basically I just rinse with water, dry burn, and then pick off anything remaining with a dental pick and repeat the rinse and burn if necessary. One things for sure, if you don't get all of it off the coil it'll won't taste right. I don't use that much high VG juice or I'd probably look into the ultrsonic cleaner myself, it'd be worth it if it works.

 

[zoiDman]

...
2- I have no access to Vodka, and prefer to keep it that way.
...

You might find that Soaking in White Vinegar for 45 minutes works just as well as soaking in Vodka.

Just be sure to give it a Good Rinse after you have soaked it.

 

[fourthrok]

I've used white vinegar for cleaning too...works okay. Worth a try!

 

[zuzette]

i don't have a Penelope but i have had some great success using denture cleaning tablets on my vivi Nova heads...even in the thick stuff. rinse well but leaves no taste.