Nitro atomizer and SS mesh

[ckim111]

Hi all,

I'm new to genesis style atties so please forgive me for asking this.

I saw Todd's youtube on his review of the nitro genesis atty. in the build, he used SS mesh but did NOT oxidize the SS mesh wick. I was under the impression that SS mesh had to be oxidized to prevent shorts before use.

Is is there a reason why he may not have oxidized? And he did not use any non conductive materials as a sleeve either so that is not the reason why he didn't oxidize. Just rolled mesh in his vertical wicks.

Thanks

 

[garpt01]

I've seen a couple folks try that method, I never had much luck. The theory is you wrap your coil around the un-oxidized wick and pulse the coils, basically for the rest of the day (in my cases) until the coils "burn in" and oxidize the mesh. Usually my coils just eventually hot spot somewhere and break. Best method I've found is the tried and true; Oxidize with torch or lighter several times, then juice the mesh and burn off several times.
-GT

 

[Rule62]

It's the way I do it. The process really doesn't take that long. Usually just a couple minutes of rapid pulsing.

 

[ckim111]

Thanks GT,

I've seen a couple folks try that method, I never had much luck. The theory is you wrap your coil around the un-oxidized wick and pulse the coils, basically for the rest of the day (in my cases) until the coils "burn in" and oxidize the mesh. Usually my coils just eventually hot spot somewhere and break. Best method I've found is the tried and true; Oxidize with torch or lighter several times, then juice the mesh and burn off several times.
-GT

 

[ckim111]

Thanks rule! What's the advantage to not pre oxidizing??

View attachment 360299

It's the way I do it. The process really doesn't take that long. Usually just a couple minutes of rapid pulsing.

 

[Rule62]

Thanks rule! What's the advantage to not pre oxidizing??

The main advantage is that it's quicker. I don't see any point in doing all of that torching, when the only part that really has to be oxidized is the part that's under the coils; which is taken care of by the pulsing.
If you prefer to torch oxidize, it also depends how you do it. If you heat the mesh up red hot, and then quench it, the wick will become brittle, and when it's brittle, it's much easier to scrape off the oxidation layer, and get hot spots. If you still prefer to torch oxidize, my advice is to not quench.
But I've found that with the pulse oxidizing method, The wick and coil is lots more trouble free.

 

[WattWick]

If you want some kind of middle road, you can try juice burning your wicks. Soak in your least favorite e-liquid and set on fire. Or preferably just plain PG and/or VG. I do this partially to pre-oxidize a little, but mostly to clean the mesh after rolling it. To my experience, the juice burn won't affect flavor; torching will.

 

[ckim111]

Thanks. So you just soak it after rolling and not torching at all before that? Do you boil the mesh first? I'm a bit concerned about possible contaminants if I don't torch is before coiling

If you want some kind of middle road, you can try juice burning your wicks. Soak in your least favorite e-liquid and set on fire. Or preferably just plain PG and/or VG. I do this partially to pre-oxidize a little, but mostly to clean the mesh after rolling it. To my experience, the juice burn won't affect flavor; torching will.

 

[WattWick]

Thanks. So you just soak it after rolling and not torching at all before that? Do you boil the mesh first? I'm a bit concerned about possible contaminants if I don't torch is before coiling

Thought I had replied, but obviously not...

I don't clean my mesh any more than that. I do run some PG through a finished setup before using it, tho. Maybe quarter/half a milliliter or so. So, between setting it on fire and vaporizing some PG... I feel pretty good about not vaping any contaminants.

I do see your concern, tho. Leftover oils from machining and such. Finger grease. I personally don't worry about it beyond juice burning. Wouldn't hold it against you if you preferred to clean the mesh first, tho. Think I'd go for an alcohol soak.