Need some advice concerning prefilled cartridges vs. e-liquid

[PunkRockVampire]

I'm posting this here because I'm new to the forum and can only post here...I hope that's okay.

I've been using e-cigs for a few months, using the pre-filled disposable cartridges/cartomizers. This has been working really well for me in terms of reliability and satisfaction and the like, but I've heard that it can be cheaper to refill your own cartomizers with e-liquid instead. Is this true? There also seem to be a lot more flavours around than the ones available as pre-filled, and I'm sort of curious about trying them.

My problem is...I don't know anything about how using e-liquid actually works, and the cartridges I buy are only meant for one use. My batteries are from premiumecigarette and have been staying with those, since they've been the best of all I've tried for me (even though some of the posts I came across mentioning the place said to not buy from there?) The reason this is relevant, though, is that particular store doesn't sell any e-liquid or refillable cartomizers, or whatever it is you use for that.

So, I have two questions. Would I save enough money using e-liquid compared to disposable cartridges to warrant the switch? I'm a very heavy smoker and while switching in the first place saved me quite a bit of money, I'd really like to save more if I can.

The other question...if I would save money doing this, where could I find a cartomizer and e-liquid that would be compatible with the model of battery I have (PR118, specifically)? Any help would be greatly appreciated, since I only switched to e-cigs a few months ago and am still rather new to this.

Thanks.

 

[Spazmelda]

I'm not familiar with that brand, but I did some googling and found this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/252366-premium-e-cig-battery-question.html

So, some people there seem pretty sure it's an 808 (or kr808d-1) threaded battery. If that's the case you can find empty cartridges from other retailers.

Filling with your own liquid is easy and definitely saves money. Whether it would be worth it to switch to a different PV based on savings... I don't know, but it would probably be worth it to switch for performance reasons. JMO.

 

[PunkRockVampire]

Ah thanks...somehow I must have missed that thread.

Oddly, I actually get amazing performance with this battery I have (and my friend recommended the particular one to me for that reason)...does that mean it might not actually be 808? I want to make sure it's compatible, and I'm not very smart about a lot of this terminology, and the thread did mention a few possibilities. Is there a way to check something on the battery to find out?

Oh...also, I don't know of any websites to get e-liquid from, once I suss out what type of threads this has, since I've never tried the e-liquid before...do you have any suggestions for good sites for that?

 

[Spazmelda]

I make my own liquid, so I don't really know who to recommend to buy juices. Someone will come along and give suggestions though. There are a ton of options out there.

If you post a picture of your battery and cartomizer, someone might be able to tell if it is an 808. Other than that, you could just order a pack of 808d-1 cartomizers and see if they fit.

 

[elfstone]

It's weird, on their website they seem to sell cartos that definitely look like 808s but also some with male thread. How are yours?

Anyway, what you have it's probably already refillable. Try to pop out the cap on the mouthpiece. Use a bent paperclip and stick it into the little whole and it should be easy enough. If it comes up and you see filler material rolled up inside, then you're good to go refilling those cartos. Check out some videos like this - if it looks similar, go for it. You can also look for condom method and syringe method, they all work great.

 

[Bozzlite]

You can start looking for juice here: Freedom Smoke USA

Also, check out the forum suppliers. Click that tab at the top middle of this screen.

Refilling your cartos can be a lot less expensive. But eventually, you will need to replace them. Smokeless Image carries the 808 cartos.

 

[PunkRockVampire]

It's weird, on their website they seem to sell cartos that definitely look like 808s but also some with male thread. How are yours?

Anyway, what you have it's probably already refillable. Try to pop out the cap on the mouthpiece. Use a bent paperclip and stick it into the little whole and it should be easy enough. If it comes up and you see filler material rolled up inside, then you're good to go refilling those cartos. Check out some videos like this - if it looks similar, go for it. You can also look for condom method and syringe method, they all work great.

Yeah, male thread is where the tip of the battery has the metal bit that 'juts' out, right? If so, then yes. (EDIT: I misread, sorry. The battery has male thread, but the cart doesn't.)
And, oh...I didn't know I could actually use the used-up disposable cartridges and refill them. I thought the atomiser was only good for one use and then it couldn't be refilled. I'll have to check out those links and see if I can figure out it out proper.

Thanks for the info!

 

[PunkRockVampire]

You can start looking for juice here: Freedom Smoke USA

Also, check out the forum suppliers. Click that tab at the top middle of this screen.

Refilling your cartos can be a lot less expensive. But eventually, you will need to replace them. Smokeless Image carries the 808 cartos.

Thanks for the link, I'll definitely be checking that out. Appreciate the info on this, too.

 

[PunkRockVampire]

It's weird, on their website they seem to sell cartos that definitely look like 808s but also some with male thread. How are yours?

Oh, wait, I'm misread that...the batteries have male thread on mine, but the cartridges don't. I kind of had a stupid moment there.

 

[Dogman]

I'm mostly replying to this thread, not because i have amassed a wealth of knowledge on your particular device.

but both to give cudo's to this forum (it's a great place) and i have to start posting to get rid of the training wheels here lol.
been reading on here for a few weeks, just joined up yesterday or day before. and during all that time, every question i've had there's been someone like you who asked it before me. there's a great wealth of knowledge here. you'll enjoy learning from the very nice and experienced people on here.

there you go after 3 weeks of reading. this is my first official post

Happy Vaping

 

[Chrissie]

Punk, here is a list of good UK suppliers -

ALL ABOUT E-CIGARETTES UK - Recommended & new suppliers (e-cig/juice sellers)

Most sell really good juices that you can refill your cartomisers with. Several sell Kr808 replacement parts.

 

[PunkRockVampire]

Punk, here is a list of good UK suppliers -

ALL ABOUT E-CIGARETTES UK - Recommended & new suppliers (e-cig/juice sellers)

Most sell really good juices that you can refill your cartomisers with. Several sell Kr808 replacement parts.

Oh, excellent! Even better link, thanks much!

 

[Chrissie]

Punk, I've checked out where you said you bought from - blooming expensive! Agrees with the others, it does look like you have a KR808 & yes you can refill the cartomisers several times over.

Not all UK sellers sell KR808 parts, but I've had a quick look for you & Liberty Flights UK have them (use discount code ECR69 for 15% off - it's the 808D's listed on this page -
Electronic Cigarette - Cartomizers - Boge Cartomizers

And even cheaper at ........., use discount code allaboute for 10% off -These are prefilled with juice but same as the dry ones, they can be refilled. -
http://www...........co.uk/Intro-Vapour_Pro_Carts_16mg_Tobacco/p705283_4710750.aspx
http://www...........co.uk/Intro-Vapour_Pro_Carts_16mg_Tobacco/p705283_4710750.aspx

Edit - oops sorry, I'm guessing the second supplier i linked to isn't a registered ECF supplier so I can't post links to them or mention them Sorry ECF & sorry Punk.

 

[Jefferson62]

Filling your own carto's is the way to go. And yes you can reuse your existing cartos as well.
Some vendors will glue the white end cap on making harder to refill yourself. I have used a syringe on those and filled through the hole, but it was a pain. Most cartos should last about 10 refills or more. Buy some blank cartomizers that fit your batteries and some juice and you will be go to go.

 

[subliminalurge]

Look at it this way...

The rule of thumb is that a standard sized cartomizer holds about 1 ml of juice.

"Vapriot" juice from LeCig sells for $10 for 30 ml. I generally order 3 bottles at a time, so $30 total.

To get the same amount of juice in pre-filled cartomizers I would need 90 of them. The gas-station e-cig I started with cost me $15 for a 5 pack of cartos. So to get 90 ml I would need 18 5-packs for a total of $270.

$30 vs. $270, seems like a no-brainer to me.

And don't forget, that's not a 1 time savings, that's roughly once a month at the rate I personally go through juice.

With those kinds of numbers, refilling makes sense even if you have to throw away all of your current gear and replace it with something else (although you probably won't have to).

 

[Dogman]

Look at it this way...

The rule of thumb is that a standard sized cartomizer holds about 1 ml of juice.

"Vapriot" juice from LeCig sells for $10 for 30 ml. I generally order 3 bottles at a time, so $30 total.

To get the same amount of juice in pre-filled cartomizers I would need 90 of them. The gas-station e-cig I started with cost me $15 for a 5 pack of cartos. So to get 90 ml I would need 18 5-packs for a total of $270.

$30 vs. $270, seems like a no-brainer to me.

And don't forget, that's not a 1 time savings, that's roughly once a month at the rate I personally go through juice.

With those kinds of numbers, refilling makes sense even if you have to throw away all of your current gear and replace it with something else (although you probably won't have to).

I came to that same conclusion after my first e cig purchase. and changed strategies accordingly. preloaded cartomizers Bad, buying juice, GOOD

 

[subliminalurge]

I came to that same conclusion after my first e cig purchase. and changed strategies accordingly. preloaded cartomizers Bad, buying juice, GOOD

Yeah, and I didn't even mention how much better the juice I buy tastes than those prefilled cartos......

Nor did I take into account that I don't think my pre-filled cartos were filled anywhere close to full capacity.

And those prices were for the Mistic brand e-cig, which is sold at Pilot/Flying J truck stops and now at WalMart, so it's one that a whole lot of people are going to be trying out. So I think they were perfectly valid numbers to use for a comparison.

 

[ian559]

"premium" is indeed a kr808. I have been using them for the last few months. I use Vapor4life and premium carts on my batteries. Premiums pcc is amazing. It charges my generic kr808s great and hold 2 batts and 4 carts. The store where I bought the carts were 10.98 for 5. buy 10 get one free with a frequent purchase card. I of course refill my carts too. At home at night I vape my eGo-t.

 

[PunkRockVampire]

I know this thread is a bit old (hopefully not too old to reply), but I wanted to follow up on this to share my experience from trying these different places. I am absolutely loving Vapor4Life so much, definitely gonna start buying juice from there. Takes a bit to get the order to me, but it's worth it cos they are my absolute favourite that anybody suggested. Really good flavours and super thick vapour, and that USB passthrough they sell is also awesome for when I'm in the car or at computer, since I chain-vape a lot and hate waiting on batteries to recharge. Thanks to ian559 for suggesting that place!

 

[John D in CT]

Hi -

Yeah, I think you definitely want to get away from pre-filled cartridges, for two main reasons: 1) cost and 2) I think you'll be happier with the vaping experience you'll get from a good cartomizer.

As for "My problem is...I don't know anything about how using e-liquid actually works" -

this whole deal can definitely be confusing, can't it. Like most things, it's simple once you do it a little. I never had much luck with plain cartridges, and just dripped right onto an atomizer, using a hollowed-out cartridge for a mouthpiece, until I discovered cartomizers. Huge improvement, obviously. With a cartomizer, you just drip maybe 25 drops into the absorbent material, let it soak in for a minute or two, and vape away. Works great. Drawbacks: funky taste if you run them too dry, last only 15 minutes or so (in my experience). Still much, much better than separate atomizer/cartridge, which as i say, i could never even get to work at all.

I now use a Joye Ego-T tank system, which is absolutely fantastic, and much more convenient than a cartomizer sysytem. No burnt taste either, because you're vaping pure liquid straight from a tank, with no absorbent material involved. Two thumbs up.

Esmokeronline, ask for Tim, get the 1000 mah batteries. (No, I do not work for them).