Noob with lots of questions

[SomeTool]

Hi I apologize in advance for asking questions I'm sure have been answered but some of my questions are vague and I'm still not certain on the terminology so my searches haven't been very successful. TLDR bulleted question list at the bottom.

I received a Joye eGo kit Saturday from FSUSA and have been experimenting with it since. I tried the pre-filled cartridges that are labeled mlb high, mlb med etc. and I didn't really like the taste of those nor was I able to get a very good hit from them. FSUSA included a 3ml bottle of butterscotch almond @ 24mg/ml strength which I was uncertain how to use since none of the empty cartridges have any filler in them so I just started dripping it into one of the cartridges which came pre-filled with marlboro flavor and while it probably doesn't taste as good as it should it's not terrible and definitely provides me with the hit I'm looking for to replace my pack a day analog habit. What should I use as a filler material in the empty cartridges I received with my kit and where can I purchase it? Is it something that can be purchased locally or will I need to order it online? Is it possible to simply pull the filler from the pre-filled carts and wash it off so the previous marlboro flavor doesn't affect my new flavors?

I'm also discovering that 24mg/ml is probably too strong for me as I can definitely tell I'm getting a lot more nicotine than I'm used to. Unfortunately I ordered some bottles of 25mg/ml juice from cignot before I realized that strength is too high so I think I'm going to have to cut them down to get a lower nicotine content. Can I simply mix the proper ratio of VG or PG into the existing juice to cut it down? How much juice should I be putting into the cartridge each time? I have been dripping about 3 drops in there each time and that usually gives me about 10 to maybe 15 hits. It seems like that's about all the cartridge can hold because when I've tried to put 4 or more drops in the liquid comes right up to the top of the cartridge and it makes a sort of gurgling sound when I hit it although it still generally hits the same.

Also I'm not sure I quite understand the difference between cartridges and cartomizers. I think my kit came with cartridges but I keep reading about carto's and it sounds like they are maybe a cartridge and atomizer all in one?

So far I've had zero problems replacing analogs and I'm very satisfied with the hit I get from this device. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide and thanks also for all the info I've picked up browsing this forum, it really seems to be a great, supportive community. I've watched some of the newbie videos and they're really helpful.


TLDR question list:
-What material should I use to fill the empty cartridges that came with my eGo kit and where can I find it? Can I wash the filler material that came with the pre-filled carts in my kit?
-How much juice should I put into a cartridge at a time? I've been dripping about 3 drops in there each time which gives me ~10 hits it seems, am I doing it wrong?
-I bought 6.5ml bottles of all VG or <4% PG juice from cignot @ 25mg/ml which I later realized is going to be too strong, can I simply cut it with VG or PG and if so where can I buy VG or PG?
-What's the difference between a cartridge like one that would come with an eGo kit and a cartomizer?

 

[Luvs5rugrats]

This is a good thread to read about cartridges and how to fill and what to refill them with. You can also directly drip 2-3 drops right into your atomizer. I can fit about 15 drops into an empty, dry cartridge with new filler. When it starts to dwindle in flavor and vapor, I top it off with about 6 drops.

You can cut your juice down with PG or VG (or a little of both), just be aware that it will also cut your flavor strength, too. VG can be found at CVS, Wal-mart or other pharmacies and PG can be found in a lot of online stores that sell e-cig supplies. I have used My Freedom Smokes and cignot to get mine and they offer wonderful service. A cartomizer is a cartridge and atomizer in one unit. I've never used one but they can be refilled, as well.

 

[Sainted_S]

TLDR question list:
-What material should I use to fill the empty cartridges that came with my eGo kit and where can I find it? Can I wash the filler material that came with the pre-filled carts in my kit?

The blue filter material for fish tanks they sell at pet stores; Marineland Rite Size U. Some people swear by Lipton Pyramid Tea Bags, they didn't work for me. You want to look at Cart mods to get your sweet spot, what works for one person may not work for another. I would wash the filler material extensively before using it and you can wash and reuse it when needed.


-How much juice should I put into a cartridge at a time? I've been dripping about 3 drops in there each time which gives me ~10 hits it seems, am I doing it wrong?

I usually fill the cart until it looks like a slushy on top and vape until it needs more to look like a slushy again, then I add a few drops.

-I bought 6.5ml bottles of all VG or <4% PG juice from cignot @ 25mg/ml which I later realized is going to be too strong, can I simply cut it with VG or PG and if so where can I buy VG or PG?

If the juice is unflavored you can cut it with VG, adding 6.5 ml of VG (the most readily available the Humco Vegetable glycerin at WalMart near the pharmacy) will bring it down to about 12.5 mg. If the juice is flavored and you cut it, it will reduce the taste.

-What's the difference between a cartridge like one that would come with an eGo kit and a cartomizer?

A cartomizer is a single-unit combination of an atty and cartridge.

 

[TL1000RSquid]

I've had good luck with pyramid tea bags but so far I've only tried them in CE2 carto's.

 

[SomeTool]

Thanks for the quick reply's, I'm digging in to the carto thread Luvs5 linked, should keep me busy for a while. I'll try the pyramid tea bags tonight and see if they'll work, if not then I guess it's off to the pet store haha. Never thought I'd be buying smoking supplies from a pet store.

 

[Rosa]

HI, welcome to the forum! My responses in bold:

TLDR question list:
-What material should I use to fill the empty cartridges that came with my eGo kit and where can I find it? Can I wash the filler material that came with the pre-filled carts in my kit?
Just rinse the filler material in hot water and roll it in a paper towel to dry it off. I also recommend cutting it in half so that it's the same thickness but half as long, use it as a plug in the end of your cart so your cart will hold more juice - it shouldn't leak this way either. I like to use the "Marineland Rite Size U" foam for my carts - it wicks up better than the standard filler so you use more of the juice that you put in: Marineland Magnum Foam Sleeve "Rite-Size U" 3pk. you can buy it for about $5 anyplace that sells aquarium stuff, just cut it to size.

-How much juice should I put into a cartridge at a time? I've been dripping about 3 drops in there each time which gives me ~10 hits it seems, am I doing it wrong? If you poke a toothpick down the side of the cart when you fill it it'll help get the air out so more juice fits. I used to always squish the filler down with tweezers, fill it, pull the filler back up to the top and top off until it looks like a slushy on top. The gurgling sound you're hearing means you put too much juice - it's bad for the atty and makes your draw harder. I don't like cartridges, they are too fiddly.
-I bought 6.5ml bottles of all VG or <4% PG juice from cignot @ 25mg/ml which I later realized is going to be too strong, can I simply cut it with VG or PG and if so where can I buy VG or PG? You can cut it with plain PG or VG but it'll dilute the flavor. If you want to lower the nicotine, buy some 0mg juice in the same flavor and mix it with that so you don't dilute the flavor. You can buy VG at Walmart near the calamine lotion or rubbing alcohol (humco glycerine) or you can get it at Michaels arts/crafts store near the cake decorating stuff (wilton's glycerine) if you want to just dilute it today and bother the flavor.
-What's the difference between a cartridge like one that would come with an eGo kit and a cartomizer? The cartridge that came with your eGo is probably just a standard 510 cart (wide as a pen, the cone fits over it), the cartomizer is a cart with a built in atomizer. If you get the eGo specific cartomizers you'll need to take them apart and fill them with a syringe, but you can use a standard 510 cartomizer too, if you like, which is a lot easier to fill but doesn't last as long. If you go with the standard 510 cartomizer get the soft cap ones so you have a couple of options of ways to fill them.

... and you didn't ask about drip tips. Drip tips replace your cartridge on the end of your atomizer, they are just an empty mouthpiece that funnels juice into the atomizer. All you do is drip 2-3 drops of juice into the mouthpiece and give it a little blow and then vape. You get about 10-15 drags before you need to drip more juice in - but there's no meddling with carts, cart fillers, tweezers, toothpicks and all of that. IMO, they are WAY easier to use than cartridges. And they are only about $2, so if you try it and don't like it you aren't out a bundle of money.

IMO, here's my assessment of the ways you can use your e-cig:

from most hassle to least hassle: cartridges, drip tip, cartomizers
from most expensive to least expensive (to use and maintain): cartomizers, cartridges, drip tip

 

[Hoosier]

Wow!

Great responses!

I just saw the question and before I can get to replying (someone else's computer problems sidetracked me) a series of excellent answers are up.
Welcome. Looks like you're well on your way on your new journey.

 

[SomeTool]

Thanks Rosa, I'll be sure to include some drip tips in my next order and give them a try.