I need serious help. Just started vaping already wanting to stop. Protank problem?

[OBDave]

The vodka trick has been around for years, a holdover from when I first tried vaping and failed, so it must work...I've taken some heads and tanks gunked up with some pretty heavy juice (some coffee flavor I bought at a smoke shop with my first Ego knockoff), soaked them in a shot glass full of ghetto store-brand charcoal filter vodka overnight, rinsed with hot water, dried for a day, reassembled, and had them working again within a half dozen puffs.

I also went through a phase about a week and a half into vaping (a few days after I quit smoking completely) and everything tasted like crap, even my favorite all-day-at-work juice. It passed after 3-4 days. No clue if this happens to everyone, but just throwing it out there because I've seen others on this thread mention it.

My biggest suspicion is that there may be something wrong with your battery and you're burning flavors, especially fruity ones. If you've got a local vape shop that's cool with you, maybe load up a fresh tank of juice and take it down, ask if you can test it on one of the batteries they use for sample flavors at the vape bar...

 

[astuteman247]

I have the same tank on my provari. To clean it between different flavour juices, I drop it in a mug (1/4 full) of apple cider vinegar, stir it around with a spoon for a few minutes then rinse with hot water. I then repeat the process with vodka and just let it dry naturally overnight.

 

[Utsuru]

If you unscrew the head off the base, the end that goes into the base is the bottom. At that end, there is a white rubber grommet that is secured into place by a metal pin that goes into the head. That grommet is in direct contact with both the wire legs; one hot leg fire and that smell will haunt your tank. I wasted few tanksof juice before i figured it out.

I also show those parts in my video if you want to watch.

To clean the Protank, disassemble everything, pop the center post off the head and rinse thoroughly with warm water. The inside of the tank itself is smooth glass and should be relatively easy to clean. The part that gets gunked up the most and generally creates the most trouble is the coil chamber. Rinse it, let it dry. You can carefully so a dry burn after each rinse to check if a hot leg has developed.

As for vodka, i have never used it to clean any of my devices. Its just too much hassle, and frankly, you dont need to do all this crazy stuff to maintain a coil head. A rinse under warm tap water should do for most cleaning purposes.

Ok I carefully examined all of the Kanger heads I have. I've been screwing around with so many I've gotten a bit disorganized but I had two sitting in a baggy that were deemed "bad" by me. On one of them, the rubber grommet is an off-white, tannish color, every single other one is a bright white. This leads me to believe that perhaps this did get burned and put that taste in my tank and it really needs a good cleaning/airing out. Have you witnessed this yourself and do they go from bright white to a darker off-white tan? It would make sense.

On the other hand that still doesn't totally explain these other juices, I figured they're in tiny bottles and parts of samplers so they should already be pre-steeped a bit, and I've steeped them myself for a few days. It's either I'm not filling up the tank right or I don't know. Is a really fresh, pre-steeped juice incredibly foul and disgusting, or is it just a bit "off" I'm not sure what to look for in that regard.

Thanks again to all the helpful people here on the forum, any additional input is greatly appreciated!

 

[fryrai]

The taste could be related to air being in the chamber of the head. I noticed this problem with my vapeonly bcc mega and my protank. You gently blow the air into the tank you will see air bubbles come out of the sides of the wick. After you do that give it a vape and it should be good to go. This normally happends when your tank has low amounts of juice in it or just from reflilling it. It also happends from just setting the tank on it's side if the tank isn't full.

 

[Kanj.nguyen]

Ok I carefully examined all of the Kanger heads I have. I've been screwing around with so many I've gotten a bit disorganized but I had two sitting in a baggy that were deemed "bad" by me. On one of them, the rubber grommet is an off-white, tannish color, every single other one is a bright white. This leads me to believe that perhaps this did get burned and put that taste in my tank and it really needs a good cleaning/airing out. Have you witnessed this yourself and do they go from bright white to a darker off-white tan? It would make sense.

On the other hand that still doesn't totally explain these other juices, I figured they're in tiny bottles and parts of samplers so they should already be pre-steeped a bit, and I've steeped them myself for a few days. It's either I'm not filling up the tank right or I don't know. Is a really fresh, pre-steeped juice incredibly foul and disgusting, or is it just a bit "off" I'm not sure what to look for in that regard.

Thanks again to all the helpful people here on the forum, any additional input is greatly appreciated!

If you use different juices in the same tank the burnt rubber smell will still be in it. Its in the tank itself, more specifically in the very chamber that the juice is getting vaporized.

I have had this problem when i was rebuilding my Protank. I use metal wick so it is even more of an issue, almost inevitable. But nothing a night by the window cant solve.

A freshly made juice shouldnt taste too awful. It is almost definitely the tank.

 

[retired1]

Protank is trash. Ruins anything you put into it and makes it taste like flavorless aluminum. It will eventually give off less aluminum, but it never goes away and it will never give flavor.

MBV is trash. Period.

Funny how personal opinion becomes fact so quickly here. While you may not like certain juices or clearomizers, that doesn't make it fact for everyone else.

Ok I carefully examined all of the Kanger heads I have. I've been screwing around with so many I've gotten a bit disorganized but I had two sitting in a baggy that were deemed "bad" by me. On one of them, the rubber grommet is an off-white, tannish color, every single other one is a bright white. This leads me to believe that perhaps this did get burned and put that taste in my tank and it really needs a good cleaning/airing out. Have you witnessed this yourself and do they go from bright white to a darker off-white tan? It would make sense.

On the other hand that still doesn't totally explain these other juices, I figured they're in tiny bottles and parts of samplers so they should already be pre-steeped a bit, and I've steeped them myself for a few days. It's either I'm not filling up the tank right or I don't know. Is a really fresh, pre-steeped juice incredibly foul and disgusting, or is it just a bit "off" I'm not sure what to look for in that regard.

Thanks again to all the helpful people here on the forum, any additional input is greatly appreciated!

Some juices just need to sit. I've gotten some that were just plain horrible upon arrival, but 3-4 weeks later were very good. As for your heads, as long as they're functioning correctly, I wouldn't worry too much about the color. As they age with use, they'll get a bit darker. Just make sure you're cleaning them on a regular basis.

 

[DoogieTony]

Do the heads have a plastic type smell before you use them? If so then, I'd suggest soaking your heads in isopropyl alcohol or vodka/pga then thoroughly rinsing in warm water. Repeat several times.
Let the heads dry.

When you fill your tank again let it sit for 10-15 min. and then take a few short vapes at the lowest setting (3.2v)


I had a similar problem when I first received my vivi novas.
The problem was that the rubber caps on the heads had absorbed some machine oil or something similar from the manufacturing process. It gave a horrible plastic/chemical taste until I scrubbed them in isopropyl.
I'm thinking the rubber in the protank could be similar.
Good luck!

 

[bikerbeagle]

I don't own a Protank, but I read in another thread around here that someone believes the 'metalic' taste is coming from the glue that is holding the metal caps to the pyrex glass. I think they used vinegar to get rid of it. Your mileage may vary. I'm just passing the information along.

 

[DavidOck]

One other thing, which unfortunately won't help with this tank, but clean every new device before use. As mentioned, machine oil (or whatever) from manufacturing may be in it, and once burned in, can be difficult to remove.

 

[bstrang6]

Sorry if this has been mentioned, but take a grip of the tank with your hand, and in the other the base ( part the coil goes into ) and un screw them a quarter or half turn.

This made my protank come alive. Apparently they can create a vacuum inside and this lets the air in a bit. I have not has any leaking. Also grab yourself a vivi nova, they are dirt cheap and honestly I like them more than my pro tank.

 

[txtumbleweed]

Sounds like a voltage problem to me. You need to try one with a different battery.

 

[wandawag]

welcome to ecf and vaping. these folks will get ya fixed.....

 

[uitzetter]

I agree with txtumbleweed.

I don't think you have set the voltage to high yourself because you have tried new 2.5 Ohm heads from 3.2v to 4.2v. That should not be a problem. Unless the twist is having a problem of course.

If however, the taste is returning normally now, it is unlikely the twist either. But I do not know much about electronics, so please, somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

What I did notice is the following. (btw I vape a twist + protank / vivi combi also, although since the protank the vivi's are gathering dust). If you once did burn your juice in your tank:
-Toss the remaining juice
-If the rubber grommet is burnt, cut the burnt part from the grommet. It's harmless
-Rinse everything, just don't stick a new head in and start vaping again with new juice. The burnt flavor can overpower everyting. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Depends on the juice I guess.
-Do not forget to rinse the tank itself
-Try if you get leaking if you keep off the silicon thingy on top of the air post. I find it gives better flavor.
-If you vape thick juices take one or more of those "loose" flavor wicks off the head. The juice might be too thick to wet the wick fast enough. You can get anything varying from dry hits to a really off taste. It can be right away, it can be after a few drags.

Also, if your flavor comes back now and then and after a while its gone again, it can be just you. I don't mean this in a nasty way of course. Let me explain. I chain vape. A lot.. And after a time, even a flavor I love can have a really off taste to me. Not quite vapors tongue, but nothing seems to taste right. It's not that I do not taste anything, but nothing tastes as it should. I always have one atty dedicated with a strong menthol liquid I prepared with diluted menthol chrystals (you could also use a premixed strong menthol flavor or try brushing your teeth with really fresh toothpaste if you don't have menthol juice). A couple of minutes vaping that and I'm good to go.

 

[AttyPops]

Did you learn to swim by jumping into the rapids of a stream and deciding you'd just "learn it all at once or die trying?"

What is with all the people that haven't even used e-cigs before and go straight into tanks and RBA's? Not slamming you OP, but there's easier ways to get into e-cigs. Tanks and such are toys people play with after they get everything working for them and get off the stinkies.

There's been a lot of posts recently about "how come people keep recommending _____ to newbies?" and "Vaping is too complicated". The reason is there's a lot of stuff on the market, but it's not for new vapers just getting into it. The title says it all:
I need serious help. Just started vaping already wanting to stop. Protank problem?

Seriously. I suggest you get some cartos. Fat cartos, skinny cartos, clearos or whatever. Even an atomizer and drip tip. Get everything working so you know how it all works and can concentrate on vaping and getting off the cigs. THEN....get a multi-meter. And THEN....get a RBA or tank setup. But you'll always have some cartos/clearos/atomizers around that just plain work. You won't feel like quitting or getting frustrated if you have stuff to fall back on that works. Get spares too.

 

[InTheClouds]

It's a learning curve for sure, so much to learn. I was in a shop the other day with some very helpful folks and realized just how complicated it can get. Baby steps for me. Good luck!

 

[AttyPops]

Yeah, and just to be clear, I'm not slamming the OP at all! I'm glad he got into vaping and the protank is a pretty good tank. I just don't want him to get discouraged right off the bat either.

There are a number of youtube videos on the protank. But basically, you need a working setup first so you can vape and tinker with other stuff. And starting off with tanks and RBA's are....problematic...for most. You need to know what an "ok" vape is like. You need to go through the stinkie withdrawal period (assuming you're switching from cigs to e-cigs). You don't need all that "fiddle factor". You need to know how your juice works "normally" and voltage and ohm values that you like.

It's hard to learn all that and add tanks in too because you have to fiddle with them a bit. Remove extra wicks. Stop leaks. And if you haven't vaped before, it just makes the learning curve harder.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Did you learn to swim by jumping into the rapids of a stream and deciding you'd just "learn it all at once or die trying?"

What is with all the people that haven't even used e-cigs before and go straight into tanks and RBA's? Not slamming you OP, but there's easier ways to get into e-cigs. Tanks and such are toys people play with after they get everything working for them and get off the stinkies.

There's been a lot of posts recently about "how come people keep recommending _____ to newbies?" and "Vaping is too complicated". The reason is there's a lot of stuff on the market, but it's not for new vapers just getting into it. The title says it all:
I need serious help. Just started vaping already wanting to stop. Protank problem?

Seriously. I suggest you get some cartos. Tank cartos, clearos or whatever. Even an atomizer and drip tip. Get everything working so you know how it all works and can concentrate on vaping and getting off the cigs. THEN....get a multi-meter. And THEN....get a RBA or tank setup. But you'll always have some cartos/clearos/atomizers around that just plain work. You won't feel like quitting or getting frustrated if you have stuff to fall back on that works. Get spares too.

Totally agree, and like Pops, I'm seeing people trashing the evod in favor of their RSST....for a first week noob. WTH? While I can personally crash and burn on anything, and did, proving the learning curve theory, vaping is an evolutionary process. The KISS adage. Like others have suggested, one needs backups, and then backups of backups, particularly when first vaping, because bad vaping experiences with noobs can lead to a return to the analogs, and this should be the number one focus. I know the evod and Protank heads are the same, but that's not my point. You shouldn't have to learn math, physics and chemistry to get into vaping. But you do need knowledge.

Since any problem I have seen on vaping ends up being a process of elimination, the backups thing comes into full importance here. For example, if the juice tastes burnt in one setup. Ok, change the voltage, then change the battery, then change the topper, then change the juice, then change the head, etc. Initially, you can figure out what it's not, and then eventually what it is. Sometimes it's equipment error, sometimes operator error, sometimes both, but you need to have a process that allows one to figure out which.

It's hard to get a bad vape off a carto, though that's if you don't burn the coil and filler in the first five seconds, as I have done. So, live and learn. Watch some video reviews. For beginners, it's hard to beat the New Year's Day Phil Busardo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFSk5fW7bo

Good luck and vape on! Great question btw! Hydrate, Backup, Vape On, and welcome to the Forum. My

P.S. every piece on the Protank can be purchase separately, i.e., the base, the head and the tank, and often for less than the original purchase price.

 

[crxess]

Sorry, I stopped reading after 3 pages.
To many suggestions coming in and to little information offered out.

Dry hit - Lack of Vapor, harsh burnt type taste
Burnt taste - to much power for wicking - like lighting a filter
Yuck Taste - To cool or not good juice - Better Battery or Juice may need Steeping
No flavor - usually until wicks break in - become pure and only release e-liquid vapor

Steeping - Fruits 1 day -Desserts types 1-2 weeks - Tobacco Flavors up to 1 month

Protank(and any Clearomizer) effected by E-liquid thickness
Generally set up to work well with 70/30 mixes
Some (wicks)work fine with thicker 50/50+ e-liquids
Others may need a Flavor wick removed for thicker e-liquids. This allows better wicking and eliminates Dry/burnt hits.

Tank is just a liquid holder with a straw - a sippy cup for adults .
Base is just the Bottom of the container.
All conversion is handled by the BATTERY and WICK/COIL along with decent air flow

All attention should be directed to:
Power(battery)
Performance(Wick, coil, air flow)
Flavor(quality of e-liquid)

I would suggest rinsing everything, remove 1 flavor wick and test with a Non-tobacco flavor that is Vape ready. If better you are moving in the right direction. If the ProTank starts to leak, replace the flavor wick.

So you understand, All delivery systems can benefit from some tweaking depending on individuals use.

 

[pokerplayer]

Totally agree, and like Pops, I'm seeing people trashing the evod in favor of their RSST....for a first week noob. WTH? While I can personally crash and burn on anything, and did, proving the learning curve theory, vaping is an evolutionary process.

It happens on many forums. I am part owner of one the more popular cigar enthusiast forums on the web (one I wont name here, and yeah yeah I know I know). Over the years we get guys with little to no experience giving advice to others with little to no experience, thus the blind leading the blind. The more seasoned veteran members try to lead the new guys in the right direction, but many times its a frustrating losing battle. Their hearts may in the right place, but their personal lack of experience usually results in giving out the wrong or inaccurate advice.

Like many things, its a learning curve, but its also part of the fun as well. Trying this, trying that, until you arrive with a setup combo that works for you, the individual. Just because someone says this is the best, dosent mean its best for everyone. Find out what best for you and you alone. I may only have a few posts here but Im by no means new to vaping. I just never did join a vape forum until recently (I blame being married, running a corporation as CEO, and trying to maintain a cigar forum).

As was previously mentioned, try something simple like a clearomizer on your twist. When out and about I always have a twist batt and my Mini ViVi Nova handy and it takes care of my needs. Keeping it simple works more often than not.

Hoping you don't give up on the vape thing and go back to cigarettes. Vaping is what got me off & kept me off cigarettes almost 4 years now.

Good luck!

 

[ElectricalSocket]

Sorry, I stopped reading after 3 pages.
To many suggestions coming in and to little information offered out.

Well that's a bit rude, considering other people have given information and someone else hit the nail on the head, not you.

OP: Are you me? I did tons of research, jumped in head first, and what happens? The Protank is the reason I've been smoking for the past 1+ months. After all of the mental energy I put into this, I gave up after failing with diy unflavored juice. Is it the PG, VG, Nic, Protank....? I didn't know and I didn't care. I was done at that point. Information overload + trying so hard + failing = Done. I'm glad I finally came back to look this up though and find out I'm not the only one.

Just started to give this another go about a week ago. Bought some good juice thinking the off taste was one of my juice components. What happens? NASTY happens. No, this has nothing to do with the juice, steeping, voltage, wick, or grommet. I have everything cleaned, 1 week old juice, just ripped out the grommet and it's pristine white with no scorch marks, voltage @ 3.5-4.2, beautiful cotton ball wick boiled for 30 min and replacing the water twice...

This HAS to be the GLUE. There's no other explanation and there's a few other people mentioning this off-taste or the excess glue melting off into their juice. I'm surprised there aren't many comments on the few threads I found about this. OP is not an idiot and I'm about 100% sure his problems are not noob error.

My suggestion? Listen to Attypops. I'm about to look into what dripping attys are good. What's more of a pain in the ***, trying to troubleshoot a faulty product or dripping a few drops in? I don't like the idea of cartos, and the only reason I wanted to move up from a stardust/ce5 was because I don't like the idea of silica wicks. It worked though, and tasted great. Yay there's a new PT coming out! Yeah...no thanks. I'm done with messin around and want to quit for good. Baby steps. Get what works and what's simple first. Then we can buy a clearo when China stops stringing us along like fools. My 2 pesos