I've tried the water pik too and noticed all the wick fibers. I was hoping to push up any blockage. I'd put this on the Definitely Don't list too.
The needle method works even better on the 1.5s because the
coils are so tight. The needle shouldn't go between the coils. WHen I clean them they are so gunky I can no longer see the coils. The gunk forms a hard solid casing over the coil. Actually the more build up the easier it is to clean. When you poke it with the sharp needle with a little pressure the gunk casing shatters and substantial pieces break off. Once you see part of the coil it is easier to poke the rest off by working the angles. As the needlle penetrates the solid gunk build up and breaks it, it has a very distinct feeling like going through a piece of charcoal--kind of crunchy. Very satisfying.
Sometimes by breaking the gunk casing off the coil sides you inadvertently get the stuff blocking the holes stuck on the bottom as one big continuous hunk. Not worth fussing too much if it doesn't since if you move the coil around you could break the wire. If you do get the bottom stuff off the renewed vapor production and air flow is closer to 100%.
Dental tools are too blunt to shatter the gunk. An extremely sharp needle point goes deeper into the gunk to shatter it, without excessive force.
I've been soaking the approx 1 mm pieces of broken off carbon gunk in different liquid chemicals hoping to find the holy grail solution to dissolve it, but so far no success. They stay solid and can only be crushed to pulverize them. I'd love to find an easier method.
I just cleaned my attys last night. When they gunk up next time in about 5 days, I'll do a before and after photo to show how clean they get. My befores look similar to the coil H_Bomb showed as the worst he had ever seen.
On the other hand, if I do in fact find that the remaining atties in my last batch are only able to produce good flavor for only a few days, I will be forced to stop buying them.
