Ok, what am I missing?

[SmokingInTexas]

Hi all.

I regularly read this forum, and have now had some experience with all of this, and so I have an.....assumption, and some questions.

I think a lot of us have had this experience... You get a new atomizer, crank it up, and the vapor is AWESOME. You really enjoy this new atomizer, BUT, after about 4 days of use, the vapor is still acceptable, but no where NEAR what it was on day one. So, you wash, clean, scrub, change carts, bats, etc. but can't seem to get it back to it's original glory. I've had this happen to me with an Njoy, Generics, a mini, and now with my Janty.

So, I been thinking about the construction of the atomizer and trying to figure out what changes from day one through day four. Here is what I am thinking...

I don't believe that the wire mesh used to transfer the juice from the cart to the atomizer and surrounding the porcelain pot is degrading. It's function is simply to transfer and hold the juice, and I find it hard to believe that this role degrades so rapidly. Second, The heating element itself may become charred somewhat, but again, I doubt that it's ability to produce sufficient heat to vaporize the juice disappears. I'm also ruling out the batteries here because if I use those very same batteries on another new atomizer, I'm back to AWESOME vapor again. So, this only leaves one element, the material used in the core of the heating element.

I've seen in some of the photos that this core is normally charred and black after use. It is believed that this cores role is to provide physical support to the heating element, and to provide a method for the juice to get from the steel wool to the heating element. Now THIS sounds like it's a likely candidate to be the component that is so drastically changing over those magic 4 days. So my questions are.... Does anyone know what this core material is? And, if it's role is as assumed, why are they not using the same steel wool that is used on top of and around the pot? I assume that it too could support the heating element, transfer the juice, and NOT burn up.

And, depending on input from all of you, I have one last question... Is there any way to disassemble an atomizer NON-DESTRUCTIVELY? If I thought I could actually take one apart AND put it back together in a functional state, I would probably like to experiment a bit with this core-material and try and identify why my atomizers are only my close friends for about 4 days.

OK, so what am I missing?




Tex

 

[ted26]

After ripping several atomizers apart i have come to the exact same conclusion as the mesh is still clean and free of debris but the wick is charred and stops soaking liquid as it should.

I struggled at first with the cleaning and think i found the secret to getting them 100% back to life as the one i have at present is 11 days old after 2 cleans as good as new.(could also just be luck)

When the atomizer starts to block place it in a pan stood on the battery end and fill with water to the level of the collar, then boil the water for 15 mins or so.(this makes the atomizer hotter than the water and causes bubbles of air to rush up inside the atomizer)

Now swish it about, drain, blow out water, add 3 drops of liquid, full cart and hey presto.(can take a good half hour puffing to flush water out and liquid in)

This could all be luck or simply the use of different liquid but give it a shot and let me know what you think

 

[ApOsTle51]

steam cleaning !!! now theres a thought. i have a steam steriliser here for baby bottles etc..i may just try that when my atomizers start playing up.

 

[SmokingInTexas]

Hi Ted.

Funny about your suggestion. I JUST got done boiling a generic pen style and my mini. Of course, the pen style atomizer I am playing with a Glycerin/Coconut flavoring mixture (cause I puff to much with the high nicotine ones and needed something to play with) but it is cranking out a LOT of vapor, but again, I can't attribute it just to the cleaning. I am going to boil another two generic pens and will only use (factory) carts to test those.

As for the mini...It too appears (so far) to be producing a lot more vapor. Lets see if it lasts.

Boiling does (on my first try) appear to improve the atomizer performance.

Anyway, I'd still like to get some answers. I'm silly that way.


Tex

 

[ted26]

Yep had a few goes myself and the key seems to be standing it on its end as this gets the air bubbles to pass through the chamber cleaning the wick.

I'm sure between us all we can find a solution to the clogging issue as it seems to be around every corner.

 

[ted26]

steam cleaning !!! now theres a thought. i have a steam steriliser here for baby bottles etc..i may just try that when my atomizers start playing up.

Got me thinking about converting one of those old whistling kettles to keep forcing steam through the atomizer!

 

[Ruby]

Apostle that was a brilliant thought!

I hauled my trusty old 'Steam Bee' out the cupboard and put the nozzle onto my atomiser. It has a pressurised steam that shoots out in bursts so I was a bit afraid I would blow my atomiser to pieces but thought it worth the try. I could not believe the gunk it blew out. Better still I haven't waited for it to dry out either and it is working beautifully!

Just one word of caution it does make the atomiser very very hot - so if anyone tries this bear that in mind.

I think I have found my holy grail for cleaning. It's very fast to do as the little steamer heats up quickly. One gets a combo of pressure & steam with this device. And it is great for cleaning other stuff too.

JML Steam Bee from JML Direct

 

[Ruby]

Felt inspired by the first attempt so I just steamed all my atomisers. Again I just waited till the atomiser cooled and then started puffing! All working like new so far.

I found two things, firstly the burnt taste has gone from my one atomiser that I tried cleaning yesterday with alcohol and then boiling. I thought I had ruined it as it seemed dead, but this morning it perked up. Although boiling improved it I could still taste a charred type of undertone. That is sorted now and I feel really pleased about it as I detest that burnt taste.

Second thing was that it left my atomiser very thirsty! I dripped a few drops onto it but the cart still seemed to empty really fast. Topped it up and enjoying the feeling of having brand new out the parcel atomisers. Hope it lasts and things don't go pearshaped tomorrow - but so far so good!

 

[phylo]

These are great ideas.. I might have to try them out on some of the atomizers I tested and I didnt feel comfortable selling because the draw was more than it should be..

Phil

 

[dc2k08]

a steam bee eh? would love to try this. anyone up for swopsies on an ultrasonic jewerly cleaner?...i know you are!!

 

[leaford]

I found a cheap one at Amazon: Amazon.com: Electric Steam Cleaner: Home & Garden

 

[dc2k08]

nice find leaford, but not as cool. by the by everyone, the ultra sonic jewery cleaner is a real trooper. you could go into business with it cleaning peoples jewelery. be a great start-up

 

[leaford]

Sorry, my cool-quotient has always been low.

 

[jpc815]

Ruby, I am trying to verify this, you blow the steam in the end you put the cart on, correct? Suggestion, might be a good idea to hold the atomizer with tongs if you have any! Thanks! This is a very good idea!

 

[Ruby]

Jan tongs would be best as the atomiser gets very hot but I couldn't find mine.

I put the atomiser on some paper towel. Put the nozzle of the steam bee on both the cart end & the battery end, I did the cart side first but I don't think it would make a difference which side was done first. I hoped the nozzle would slot into the atomiser but it did not - however because it is a rounded tip it still blocked off the atomiser very well so no steam escaped from the sides. Gave about three bursts of steam both sides until the water residue came out clear. Took no more than a minute at most from start to finish.

I thought of covering the hole on the atomiser but decided not too as this little tool has a lot of steam pressure.

Waited till the atomiser had cooled down, checked there was no moisture on the battery end and primed the coil. All atomisers started up with no problems.

I think it cleaned it very deeply as I had to top up my cart faster than usual. I read somewhere there is a wick in the coil? (might be confused) - I think the steam got that. I suppose if it is a fabric based wick then steaming might be the best way to clean it - much like it is for upholstery.

Still going strong today and I still can't get over the fact that I have got rid of that burnt taste, it was really bugging me - that's the BEST!

 

[ApOsTle51]

Glad it works Ruby. I'll have to invest in a handheld steamcleaner now

 

[SmokingInTexas]

OK, I don't have a steam source (at the moment), but boiling the atomizers has brought both my generic pen style atomizers back to life.

Now, I need to convince myself to boil my Njoy and my Janty. I loved the Janty when I got it, but it's been slowly dropping in vapor, and the draw is so light, it's really annoying sucking on it to see thin whisps of vapor.

I have never seen anyone from Njoy post here, but I know someone from Janty does, so... Hey Janty, if I boil my atomizer and it doesn't improve, will that void my warrantee? Not sure what to do about the Njoy, but, they have already replaced it once, and I've only been e-smoking for about 5 weeks.

As for my mini, it's still working fine today, so it appears the boiling (and from what I read the steam cleaning) might just be the way to extend atomizer life.

I'd still like to know if you can disassemble the pen-style atomizer non-distructively.


Tex


P.S. 6 days now - Real Cigarette Free!!!!!!

 

[Ruby]

Hi Tex

I boiled mine too. I was desperate to get rid of the burnt taste so I first ran pure alcohol through it then boiled it. It definately improved the vapour & the burnt taste was diminished but not totally gone as it has with steaming.

I think if it's okay to boil the janty, njoy etc - steaming would probably be fine too...but I don't know for sure.

I only know my 901 atomisers came back from steaming with the coil gleaming clean and all burnt taste gone, plus ready for use in minutes.

With boiling I had to let the atomiser dry out over night as it refused to work until the next morning - do you find you can use them straight after boiling?

I think both are good methods and both should prolong use, but the steamer hit the spot with burnt taste, eradicating it entirely - so it's better than boiling for me.

ApO - I don't think you'll be disapointed...let us know what you think after you've given it a try.

Bear in mind my atomisers are still relatively new - I would love to know if an old crusty atomiser could be revived by steaming method... I'd hedge my bets on it but I might be wrong!

 

[SmokingInTexas]

Hi Ruby.

Well,....pretty much. LOL

I let them sit till they cooled down, then blew them out till I didn't see any more moisture, then primed them with about 4 drops of juice. It took a few puffs, and I used the USB battery with the manual button (THANK YOU JANTY) and they just came to life.

Sure is sweet, all that vapor again.


Tex