Newbie help with 510 atmomizer flooding.

[H2S04]

I got a 510 starter kit from awesome vapor about a month ago and took to it right away. At some point I think I flooded my atomizers unknowingly and tried various cleaning methods and dewicking them. These two original atomizers now have a burnt/fishy taste to them that I can't get out.

I suspect my problem may have started with dewicking as I got two new atomizers today, opened one, dewicked it and blew out the primer. Immediately it had the same nasty taste so I blew it out, put the tip back on and took a puff. It tasted dry and burnt, but different from before so I figured it was out of juice. I put two drops right on the bridge (using a drip tip) and it immediately becomes flooded again and has the fishy taste. I've done this cycle of blowing out, checking that the atomizer is dry, and redripping three times now. There's nothing in between the dry burnt taste and the fishy flooded taste, it's always one or the other. Am I screwing this up by dewicking? Please help, I have one untouched atomizer left.

 

[718]

I only dewick as a last resort. I would never start off with a brand new dewicked atty. The wick cirtainly serves a purpose. Debridging is another story. If you don't use carts then Debridging is ok.

When I use an atty and it starts to get a burnt taste that won't leave. I try cleaning it, if cleaning does not work then I dewick and make sure I ordernew attys.

I like valuevapor and greenhouseone for attys. I'm a 510 and 901 user.

 

[dormouse]

Put the tip back on? Hopefully a drip tip. If you are using a cart you should not dewick your attys. The wicks is what draws liquid from the cart to the atty. If you are using a drip tip then you probably haven't got all the primer out. Blow it out, prime the atty, let it soak in so the actual vaporizing part isn't running dry. vape that mostly off without inhaling. Blow out, re-prime, wait, vape mostly off and if it starts tasting ok to inhale you are done getting rid of it. Else blow out and repeat.

 

[H2S04]

I'm blowing them out with the drip tip off. My theory is that I flooded it and in my ignorance thought the wick material was burning on the heating coil.

 

[brandon555]

Taking the wick out will make it leak more.

But I don't understand how your flooding it with three drops. I put six drops in a new atty... more if Im vaping at 5 volts.

 

[cckilla]

It could be the juice you're using. Did you try a different brand or flavor after you cleaned it? I'm currently vaping "Dr.Cola" 24mg from ecigExpress.com and it tastes fine. I'm an M201 user. Also I always give my atty plenty of juice and top off frequently.

cozzicon posted a link in this thread that might help. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-maintenance/113362-cleaning-510-attys.html

 

[H2S04]

When I say flooding I mean that it gurgles when I pull on it and the vapor feels really humid and tastes terrible. If I blow it out and pull on it again there is no gurgling sound and the vapor tastes burnt but does not have the same awful taste. If I put one or two drops on the atomizer bridge it goes right back to gurgling and tasting terrible.

 

[DivisionMatrix]

Dewicking or debridging shouldn't affect the flavor, I debridge all my attys as soon as I get them (I only drip), I would suggest cleaning your atty under hot water, doing a quick alcohol soak, and trying a different flavored juice.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I don't even bother with dewicking or debridging because I don't think it makes any difference. Did you blow out the atomizer before you started using it? That might be the reason it tastes horrible. I would try blowing it out again until nothing comes out of it, then add three drops and try again. A little gurgling and sizzling is normal. If it sounds like it's choking and you're not getting any vapor production, then it's flooded. Try taking long, slow, gentle draws. If you suck on it like you're drinking a milkshake through a straw it's just going to end in sadness and frustration.

Start dripping with 3 drops and vape until the flavor changes and the vapor starts dropping off. Add two drops and vape. Whenever you blow it out, start with three drops again. Hope this helps!

 

[H2S04]

Thanks for all the fast replies guys, I'm trying to make this work and I'd rather stick with the e cig over regular cigarettes. I opened a new atomizer, blew it out thoroughly, and added a few drops. I've been puffing on it for a bit now topping off with different juices and it's producing a decent amount of vapor, but there's just a kind of dry metallic taste that still lingers.

 

[WNM]

dewick or not to dewick

 

[pkj]

On the bottom (threaded end) of your atty:
Do you see in very very very tiny print the letters

LR ??

I am wondering if the burnt taste doesn't have something to do with an LR atomizer. They burn hotter than a regular 510 atomizer.

And I agree with previous posters. I dewick and debridge as a last resort. I would never perform that surgery on a new atomizer.

And yes, gurgling is a sign of a flooded atomizer.

 

[H2S04]

The last atomizer seems to be working fine now, looks like my lack of experience and panic made me ruin a few atomizers. Thanks again for the replies people, I like these things much better than real cigs.

I think I flooded my old atomizer when I was dripping while driving on a road trip. What's the consensus on cartomizers, are they better for driving since they hold more juice?

 

[pkj]

I can't answer your last question. I tried cartomizers a couple times and did not care for them.

I use the eGo T-Tank system while driving.
When not driving, I am dripping.

Someone should be along shortly with cartomizer experience and provide you with some ideas.
Happy Vaping,
Paula