this post is mostly for JAGGER, but the rest can read too
So I have been thinking more that I should have about your problem. I have a experiment I want you to try. Mind you, this has all been done before, and none of this is stuff I came up with.
I have read a ton about everyone maintaining their wicks and coils by taking the juice out, burning, dunking in water etc, but to be honest do not do it that often.
Last night I decided to do it with all my devices. I took mr. p's advice and used distilled water as well.
I took all the juice out and took a shot glass and filled it with distilled water. Held the button down till it was all glowing, I mean ALL the coils. Looked for shorts and corrected them if they were there. DId this four times. Filled them back up with juice and today the color of the juices was NOTICEABLY lighter and cleaner.
I wonder if you should try this. Mind you, I am using mostly jack frost wicks not too. Get it all good and hot so that it creates a lot of steam when you dunk it. hold it upside down so that the water does not go back in much.
let me know. In order to replicate exactly, use distilled water.