"Organic" Cotton, and Silica

[ecitek]

New to the Reomizer, but not completely new to genesis type attys.

I messed around with a mesh covered silica wick, and a mesh wick, and although okay, I found the plain-jane silica wick to have great flavor and easy to build.

I ordered some 28ga Kanthal because I thought I'd try some micro coils w/cotton wick. I live in a small town and even though there are a couple of large stores and pharmacies, NOBODY sells sterile cotton, or "Organic" cotton balls.

So, I got a bag of 100% (regular) Cotton balls, and I do not see how anything but the label would be different. These are Cotton, and nothing else. What is the deal with the organic label?

One thing I have found is that folks on ECF are easily blown away by what I have found to be marginal, or even crappy stuff. And I have spent a buttload of cash being sucked into that (so "likes" and stars do not impress me). Luckily, Cotton balls aren't going to break me . But unless there is a huge difference, I really don't want to special order some stupid cotton balls.

So what gives with the organic cotton fad?

And if the cotton has to be changed so often, then why not just use silica. Seems to work really well and last a while.

Go ahead - educate me.

 

[super_X_drifter]

Bro, I never used silica so I can't school ya in that. But as simple as cotton is, no need. Here's why I like cotton:

I can build micro coils to the diameter I want then insert wick to fit.

Lasts atleast a week with unflavored nic, but even if it only lasted 1 day, I'd still rock it.

The ease of rewicking an "in place" coil is unmatched by any other medium.

I have never used organic, so not aware of any fad or superiority.

You can order the super .....in stuff from CVS online. Here's a link:
http://m.cvs.com/mt/www.cvs.com/shop/product-detail/CVS-Rolled-Cotton?skuId=955492

Doubt I actually schooled ya, but cotton is so good I never used anything else except a dabble in Nextel for about a week. I never used a genesis either though. Good luck bro

 

[Dturp]

A few people use regular cotton. I think the only difference is how the cotton is "washed" during the processing of it into cotton balls.

Either way avoid cotton balls that are near perfumes or any odorous aisle the flavor seeps into them and can be tasted! You might also look in the bandage area for sterile cotton.

 

[Intervap]

I would say peace of mind. Chemicals in the manufacturing and growing process could, in theory, be pretty harmful if you inhaled them.
I've heard people say of nasty chemical tastes from just regular ole cotton, but I don't experience that. I've never used organic or sterile cotton, but I have boiled mine. I dunno.

 

[DoogieTony]

The flavor you get from using cotton wicks kills silica outright.... I mean really puts it to shame. I've used just about every common type of wick and cotton preforms better in all aspects except longevity but it only takes maybe 30 seconds to replace so that's really negligible .

The reasoning for sterile cotton is that there should not be any odor transfer from the store (or where ever it's been) to the cotton. Odors will become apparent in the taste from the wick. A lot of the cotton bags have small holes punched or rips that let funk in.

Normal 100% cotton balls should work fine, but if you notice an off taste....its store funk. You might consider boiling the cotton a couple times because you never know what chems were used in the manufacturing process.

You don't have a Walmart? they sell sterile and organic types


The preferred stuff is CVS brand balls or rolled

 

[ecitek]

...You don't have a Walmart? they sell sterile and organic types ...

Yeah, we have a Walmart, but they do not stock it on the shelves. Worst case, if my current purchase doesn't work out, I can have some shipped to my store.

 

[johni]

I tried two batches of cotton balls, one from Wally, with less than great results. Broke down and ordered the CVS sterile rolled cotton online and it was worth it (lifetime supply). No boiling required (what a PITA to have to boil wicks). Best flavor of any others wicks I've used, easy rewicking.

 

[FreshSafari]

Bro, I never used silica so I can't school ya in that. But as simple as cotton is, no need. Here's why I like cotton:

I can build micro coils to the diameter I want then insert wick to fit.

Lasts atleast a week with unflavored nic, but even if it only lasted 1 day, I'd still rock it.

The ease of rewicking an "in place" coil is unmatched by any other medium.

I have never used organic, so not aware of any fad or superiority.

You can order the super .....in stuff from CVS online. Here's a link:
CVS Rolled Cotton - CVS pharmacy

Doubt I actually schooled ya, but cotton is so good I never used anything else except a dabble in Nextel for about a week. I never used a genesis either though. Good luck bro

super_X_drifter is 100% correct, I have been using silica for maybe 7 months before I said **** it.
It was a pain to switch coils with the wick and the taste was just meh!
Took his advice and got some of the CVS cotton and haven't looked back since! (Thank you super_x_drifter)
The flavor is far better than any silica I have tried, and it's so easy to pull out, hehehe yah I said it..
Pull old cotton wick out, dryburn microcoil, and insert new wick, I have been using the same coil with new wick's for a week.

Try the cotton balls, and if it doesn't work get some of the CVS stuff, hassle free and cheap!
Now with that said, I have been having a dope couple weeks of vaping, so much more enjoyable!

Toast to super_x and the rest of REOville ​

 

[pesky_human]

Sterile cotton is what you want. Mad easy to re-wick. I do mine every day whether it needs it or not and it takes about 2 minutes, which includes cleaning out the inside of my RM2, wiping the Reo down with alcohol, and putting juice in the bottle.

The sterile cotton doesn't impart flavor, which is why it is desirable. As long as you keep it wet, you will never know it is even there. And, a piece the size of a cotton ball (I used the rolled cotton, but as long as it's sterile it doesn't matter what shape it is in) will last you for weeks if not more of daily re-wicking.

 

[Vapeaddikt]

The CVS shizzle mentioned above is my choice with RM2's/Micros because of the simplicity of feeding it though a micro wrapped around a 1/16th or less. I don't know how long it lasts because I do new wraps every day right now b/c I'm still in the honeymoon phase. Once it passes I'll see. I'd guess so long as I don't burn the wick a week maybe. Thing is I can roll and replace the cotton in like 5 seconds. I keep a small ziplock bag of it w/ me.

I'm sure if you keep your "eye" on it it will all work out

As far as "organic" goes I could care less. Just needs to be sterile. The one box I got will last a LONG time unless I let it get contaminated.

 

[Matthee]

Hi Ecitek. Mine is a bit of a contrary view at this stage, but I'm new at it. As to taste, I prefer silica, but then I could not find sterile cotton down here so that could be the problem. Not that the rolled cotton gives a bad taste, to me the silica delivers the flavour of the juice better. As to the cotton itself - on 2 occasions the cotton just broke. Once at the one end of the coil, and this morning I found the wick just below the drip tip. Maybe I just suck too hard! And yes, my technique might not be perfect, but I do try to follow the tutorials on this forum as closely as possible. Let us know how you experienced it. I shall keep on trying in between, but so far I've gone back to silica every time.

 

[ltrainer]

New to the Reomizer, but not completely new to genesis type attys.

I messed around with a mesh covered silica wick, and a mesh wick, and although okay, I found the plain-jane silica wick to have great flavor and easy to build.

I ordered some 28ga Kanthal because I thought I'd try some micro coils w/cotton wick. I live in a small town and even though there are a couple of large stores and pharmacies, NOBODY sells sterile cotton, or "Organic" cotton balls.

So, I got a bag of 100% (regular) Cotton balls, and I do not see how anything but the label would be different. These are Cotton, and nothing else. What is the deal with the organic label?

One thing I have found is that folks on ECF are easily blown away by what I have found to be marginal, or even crappy stuff. And I have spent a buttload of cash being sucked into that (so "likes" and stars do not impress me). Luckily, Cotton balls aren't going to break me . But unless there is a huge difference, I really don't want to special order some stupid cotton balls.

So what gives with the organic cotton fad?

And if the cotton has to be changed so often, then why not just use silica. Seems to work really well and last a while.

Go ahead - educate me.

Here's a link with some info.
Why Choose Organic? - Hae Now

 

[NicoHolic]

I stick with organic cotton balls from the health food store. If you don't read the ingredients list on the food you eat, and avoid things like aspartame, MSG, and high-fructose corn syrup, and go for organic produce and fruit, you probably won't see the need to do so.

 

[ecitek]

If it makes a big difference in flavor, then I might give it a try. A few bucks for a lifetime supply is probably worth it.

 

[bunker0617]

Got a box of cvs sterile cotton today not really a fan prefer my organic cotton balls first one to pm I'll send it to ya!

 

[bunker0617]

Cotton gone!

 

[DoogieTony]

Hi Ecitek. Mine is a bit of a contrary view at this stage, but I'm new at it. As to taste, I prefer silica, but then I could not find sterile cotton down here so that could be the problem. Not that the rolled cotton gives a bad taste, to me the silica delivers the flavour of the juice better. As to the cotton itself - on 2 occasions the cotton just broke. Once at the one end of the coil, and this morning I found the wick just below the drip tip. Maybe I just suck too hard! And yes, my technique might not be perfect, but I do try to follow the tutorials on this forum as closely as possible. Let us know how you experienced it. I shall keep on trying in between, but so far I've gone back to silica every time.

Sounds like you burned straight through the wick! I'm sure that didn't taste good
Either you're using too much or not enough cotton. The wick is not getting enough juice to stay wet.
The wick needs to fill the coil but not be too snug, so it slides without much resistance.

 

[Matthee]

Sounds like you burned straight through the wick! I'm sure that didn't taste good
Either you're using too much or not enough cotton. The wick is not getting enough juice to stay wet.
The wick needs to fill the coil but not be too snug, so it slides without much resistance.

Thanks DT. Will try some more.

 

[damnjabbs]

Is there any difference in sterile vs sterile USP?

 

[Matthee]

Well, as I understand it, USP just means that the product also complies with the standards of the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention as to safety, quality, etcetera. So, there might or might not be a difference in product, but both should be sterile, i.e. devoid of any form of life - bacteria, etc. Personally, just for peace of mind, I would buy the sterile USP one.