I use both the ISO Alcohol rinse method, and/or the hot water method. Both work. Kinda depends on the gunk. Also, some juices gunk an atty faster than others (dark juices, in particular, seem to do this the most).
Hot Water Easy Method
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1) Blow out the atty - get as much of everything out as possible.
2) Run hot tap water through the cart end for say, 10 seconds, letting it run out the threaded end.
3) Blow out again
4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you think it is running out cleanly/easily (like if you just tuck an edge into the stream).
5) Blow it out again. Blow a full breath through it. Get it as dry as you can.
6) Dry it - options
.....A) Let it dry overnight (Nah)
.....B) Put some PG/VG into it and blow it out a couple of times
.....C) Do a "warm burn" just heating it up enough to evaporate most of the water
7) Add juice and vape it. If too wet, blow out juice and repeat.
Don't believe any crap about having to use distilled water, or boiling the heck out of it (a valid method, but not essential)
ISO
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Note: Ingredients should say 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, distilled water...AND THAT'S IT. Stuff sold as rubbing alcohol can often have other things in them (like oils, fragrances, etc.) so make sure you are using the pure stuff (Isopropyl Alcohol).
1) Blow it out
2) Put ISO (91% or higher) in to a bowl two about 1/2 inch - shot glass works here too
3) Dip atty into iso and let it run out threaded end.
4) Do this until it runs clean. Can let it soak too if needed.
5) Blow out two breaths worth.
6) Can optionally do a "warm burn" to heat it up and evaporate off any remaining alcohol. I usually don't need to.
If you're worried about ISO taste, rinse it as in the water method above (don't need to tho). Small amounts are harmless. It evaporates away completely if you let it. Blowing it out well should get rid of it.
Either of these methods only take me a couple of minutes per atty. I only use one atty per month, so I keep it clean and clean it quickly.
Remember to blow it out once or twice per day between cleaning days... keeps it working. Dry burns are hard on the coils, but may be required as a last resort (where you would throw it out anyway). Never dry burn an LR atty, it will pop.
Good Luck!
P.S. Vodka is good too... with O.J. in a glass. Dang expensive for atty cleaning, and isn't as pure. Also has trace sugars and other stuff in it... mostly water. High proof stuff, like everclear, is still a greater % water than ISO, and is hard to find.
2 cents.
I just hold with pliers and let the steam all the nasty stuff right out
