Lifetime of atomizers?

[just4747]

Hi all, noob here (Justin).

I just ordered my first e-cig, a black mini with blue LED from Steve at PureSmoker
I cannot wait to get it.
One thing though: I just came across a page on PureSmoker about general e-cig knowledge and it states that a good, well-made atomizer should last around 3-4 weeks (!).
Now that is something I hadn't ever heard..it shocked me when I read it.
I was always under the impression that cartridges/liquid and (eventually) batteries were the only things that need any real maintenance or replacement. I did not know the atomizers were something that stops working SO quickly. Is this true?
If so, what happens to the atomizer that makes it stop operating after such a short period of time?? I thought it was just a part that can repeatedly be powered by the battery just fine, and there was nothing else to worry about for a looong time as far as the atomizer goes.
Only 3-4 weeks can't be right...right??
Maybe Steve or one of you veterans can inform me on this subject, as I am now disappointed and worried about another $10+ part of the device that needs to be bought/waited for in the mail fairly often besides e-liquid and maybe batteries..ughh.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Hey Justin ...

Taken from another post just a couple days ago...hopefully this better explains it.

The reason I give a 3-4 week time frame is because its the average I see from beginners to experienced people.

Noobies will undoubtedly go through an atomizer or two within the first week or two. Its part of the learning curve. After 2 weeks, if you are still burning through atomizers, there has got to be a reason why (ie: you are doing something wrong...smoking it to dry, overworking it without giving it a chance for a cool down period, etc...)

Once you understand how an ecig works, you know how to maintain it, clean it, and always keep it wet/fluid filled, atomizer deaths start to come much less frequent.

I am still on the same mini atomizer I was 2+ months ago. Still kicking, with no issues.

Once you get past the "learning curve" and see how these bad boys work, you will understand much more.

Hope this helps!

 

[BettyRedondo]

Hi Justin, yes atomisers do have a lifespan! Although steve says 3-4 weeks, this is probably the least you can expect to get out of one in my opinion. I have some that are 3 months old and are still going strong. Don't be to worried, you have chosen a really good model and I am sure you will be pleased with it

 

[just4747]

Awesome to hear from both of you.
That's what I hope for. Plus, I am not a chain smoker of any kind, so I think with the minimal smoking I will probably be doing (compared to some of you guys anyway), my pieces will probably last longer because of that too.

One other question to you Steve, I do understand your reply message about dripping but I don't get one more part of it.
Say you have one of the 5 cartridges from the starter kit from your site (like the one I ordered). It is just about empty (no more vapor coming out) and you have the vanilla liquid next to you. Can you just wait until that original cartridge is completely empty and then fill it all the way up with the vanilla liquid and it becomes virtually a brand new vanilla-flavored cartridge that will work/last the same way and lifespan as the cartridge did with its original liquid (even fill it multiple times?)? Also, if that is a "yes," how many drips should it take to fully fill a completely empty, used cartridge with new liquid? (I know that dripping into the atomizer is about 2-4 drips depending on the model, but am unsure about dripping cartridges.) I wanted to know because I don't want to always have to be dripping into the atomizer just for a cigarette's-worth of smoking; it would be ideal to be able to fill a cartridge completely many times with new liquid.
Thanks again! You guys are awesome

P.S. Steve, do you guys send out shipping confirmation e-mails when your orders go out?

 

[CaSHMeRe]

One other question to you Steve, I do understand your reply message about dripping but I don't get one more part of it.
Say you have one of the 5 cartridges from the starter kit from your site (like the one I ordered). It is just about empty (no more vapor coming out) and you have the vanilla liquid next to you. Can you just wait until that original cartridge is completely empty and then fill it all the way up with the vanilla liquid and it becomes virtually a brand new vanilla-flavored cartridge that will work/last the same way and lifespan as the cartridge did with its original liquid (even fill it multiple times?)?

You will never COMPLETELY run your cartridge dry. There will always be a residue left over, however, you never want to run the cartridge seriously low either. Trust me, the burning/smoldering plastic taste of the cartridge filling is NOT fun or tasty for that matter. However, when the cartridge does run low, simply fill it up with a new flavor. I tend to do it all the time so I get my money's worth from the actual prefilled cartridge as well. The first refill may taste like a "combination" of flavors, but subsequent fills/topp offs, the new flavor tends to take over.

Also, if that is a "yes," how many drips should it take to fully fill a completely empty, used cartridge with new liquid? (I know that dripping into the atomizer is about 2-4 drips depending on the model, but am unsure about dripping cartridges.) I wanted to know because I don't want to always have to be dripping into the atomizer just for a cigarette's-worth of smoking; it would be ideal to be able to fill a cartridge completely many times with new liquid.

IF the cartridge is almost completely empty, I would guestimate around 6-7 drops to completely saturate it without forming a puddle at the top of the cartridge (Assuming mini there, add 2-3 for classic)

I never let the cartridge get dry, so most the time when I top off, its about 3-4 drops.

P.S. Steve, do you guys send out shipping confirmation e-mails when your orders go out?

Yup, Sure Do

 

[freddo]

i got my first e cig about 3 weeks ago. All i do is take the old cart out, drop about 3 drops directly onto the filling. You will know when to stop when you start to see the filling take no more juice. You know you have put to much in when a little puddle forms, its pretty easy. to get the most out of ur carts, buy a syringe and squeeze the old juice into a dropper bottle, or a half empty cart. Hope this helps

 

[just4747]

Hehe great. So you should keep basically keep a few carts around after they are used and constantly keep refilling them without needing to buy pre-empty carts then right?
How many times might you be able to do this semi-complete refilling to a single cart before it starts deteriorating in function (if at all)?
Is this the preferred method of using e-liquid besides dripping right into the atomizer?

Now that I mentioned it, how good/bad is it to drip into the atomizer? Although you can clean the atomizer whenever you want, does dripping do anything bad to the internals that might not get fixed with a cleaning? Like maybe stickiness inside or something like that that won't wash out, or something to the electronics in there even.

 

[mEtoke2]

Can you just wait until that original cartridge is completely empty and then fill it all the way up with the vanilla liquid and it becomes virtually a brand new vanilla-flavored cartridge that will work/last the same way and lifespan as the cartridge did with its original liquid (even fill it multiple times?)?

Yes, you can run a cart down and refill it. You will never completely empty a cart. You'll only drain about 2/3 of the cart before you notice the vapor droping off. At this time you will want to fill it up again. I find it easyest to just top off my carts every 2 or 3 times I smoke. This keeps the vapor pouring out good. I use the same cart at least 4-5days.

Good luck!

 

[just4747]

i got my first e cig about 3 weeks ago. All i do is take the old cart out, drop about 3 drops directly onto the filling. You will know when to stop when you start to see the filling take no more juice. You know you have put to much in when a little puddle forms, its pretty easy. to get the most out of ur carts, buy a syringe and squeeze the old juice into a dropper bottle, or a half empty cart. Hope this helps

Thanks for the response too freddo. I know that people (and I will too) use a syringe to put the e-liquid into a dropper from its bottle to carry around to drip with, but what did you mean by squeeze the old juice into a dropper bottle?

 

[just4747]

bump for answers to my previous questions and also Steve or anyone else...have the PureSmoker models suffered from any burning of the atomizer when used with an empty cart?

 

[RickSizz]

Yup..sucks.

 

[just4747]

They do?? Anyone else have any input?

 

[CaSHMeRe]

bump for answers to my previous questions and also Steve or anyone else...have the PureSmoker models suffered from any burning of the atomizer when used with an empty cart?

Any atomizer (no matter the manufacturer/supplier) will die if run dry for long enough...

The analogy I use: (that was given by someone else here, and I forget who to give credit to)

Coolant in a car, keep the engine the engine from running hot and overheating. If you empty the coolant out of your radiator, your car will die VERY soon afterwards.

Same applies to an ecig. Take the liquid away, and you are smoking the filling and nothing at all. The liquid keeps the components lubed and cool, thus producing vapor.

 

[just4747]

Oh ok thanks for the reply. I figured that when using an empty cart, you'd still be dripping into the atomizer which would keep the device running okay since there is still liquid in there in some form, but I guess that can't be done exclusively without consequences...I guess the best thing to do is to use carts the way they come and/or drip in them and kinda try to stay away from dripping right into the atomizer too often.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Oh ok thanks for the reply. I figured that when using an empty cart, you'd still be dripping into the atomizer which would keep the device running okay since there is still liquid in there in some form, but I guess that can't be done exclusively without consequences...I guess the best thing to do is to use carts the way they come and/or drip in them and kinda try to stay away from dripping right into the atomizer too often.

awww... you forgot to add you would be dripping directly into the atomizer.

When just starting out, I don't suggest this. Its very easy to flood the atomizer ... Flooding the atomizer brings a huge decrease in vapor production and carries the need to clean more often.

If you do drip on the atomizer directly, pull the cartridge itself out. Just use the tip. What I would suggest for someone just starting out, just topp of cartridges themselves. Once you see a cartridge get low, add a few drops of liquid till the filling looks thoroughly moist, and you are good to go. Make sure not to fill the cartridge to the point where you see a puddle at the top, this is a sign of too much liquid in the cartridge.

Hope this helps bud

 

[Neil]

I am still using the first mini Ecigarette I bought 4 month ago and it is working very good still. I did read about all the problems with atomizers and thoguht they would be more shortlived - so I bought 3 extra atomizers. But the first one is still doing great for more than 4 months, so mileage may vary. I have used a lot of e-liquid in that one too - but it feels like the 18 mg e-liquid I bought from Esmoke have very little nicotine. I want to try the new 36 mg liquid.

Also I wonder why I am not allowed to start a new thread? Does it take a certain number of posts?

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Also I wonder why I am not allowed to start a new thread? Does it take a certain number of posts?

Yup

15 Posts to start a thread outside of the Noobie Forum

 

[Neil]

Yup

15 Posts to start a thread outside of the Noobie Forum

Thanks - I did wonder whether that could be the reason. But I sure do not post much.

 

[Denni]

I've just received two new atomizers and tested them, but now they have smoke juice in them instead of the stuff they get primed with in the factory.

Do they need cleaning for storage? Should I re-prime them with pure glycerin?

I thing when in doubt I could just keep using them, rotating the ever-growing number of my e-cigs

 

[paxes]

I've just received two new atomizers and tested them, but now they have smoke juice in them instead of the stuff they get primed with in the factory.

Do they need cleaning for storage? Should I re-prime them with pure glycerin?

I thing when in doubt I could just keep using them, rotating the ever-growing number of my e-cigs

If youve only just recieved them and only tested them they should be fine to store as they are. I would advise against trying to clean them using various methods you may find on this board until they start to show signs of failing. With the super minis I place an used cartridge on the end to keep them from getting damaged.