Oxidized SS Mesh as wick - Metal poisoning?

[sangemaru]

Hi friends. I'm a new vaper, starting out with an ego-t and recently switched to an ego-c. I encountered a frequent ego-c problem where the atty starts flooding and hitting very hot burns after about a week, so i took that occasion to change my wick. I'd seen a video on youtube about changing the wick for a stainless steel mesh.
What the man would do, is take a segment of ss mesh 400, wrap it around, oxidize it in a flame to cut down electrical conductivity or something, and then insert it into the ego-c's needle.
That's what i did.
At first i was extremely impressed with this method. Huge vapor hits, great taste, very quick burn.
This lasted one day.
I woke the second day with extremely pained teeth, sensitive to the most minuscule temperature change, horrible taste in the back of my throat. I spit out some very dark-coloured residue, washed my mouth out for about an hour and it took me 2 days to get rid of the taste and the tooth sensitivity.
I've had a pretty bad case of exhaustion and headache.
This seems like a case of metal poisoning to me, although I didn't realize that the metal particles could go into the vapor.
I posted this to serve as a warning and also as a question. Have any of you had experience with using ss mesh as a wick? If yes, how?
Do you think i should skip the oxidizing process, or simply never try this again? I kind of miss the great vaping performance, but clearly don't want to get poisoned.
Thanks for any help.

 

[silentt]

I've used ss mesh a bunch in my rebuildable attys and have never had that problem. I have a genisis atty I've been using a lot recently that uses the same oxidized ss mesh and no heath complications at all. Everyone has different allergies though so I guess you could be allergic? Also where did you get the ss mesh from?

 

[sangemaru]

I got it from the top romanian vaping shop, vapers.ro during my stay here. As far as i know, I have no allergies, but i suppose i shouldn't exclude the possibility. Truth is, i've heard of plently of people who used the same procedure to great success.
Maybe some chemically-familiarized people could give their opinions regarding the possibility for rust or metallic particles to travel along with the vapor? I'd at least like to figure out where my reaction stems from.

 

[Big Screen D]

Sure it wasn't depleted uranium mesh?

Seriously, IF the mesh is what actually caused those symptoms, I have trouble imagining that whatever trace amount of metal could have been ingested could possibly cause such short term effects. We cook and process food in stainless most every day of our lives.

I say source the mesh from elsewhere and try again just to be safe.

 

[none]

First thing, it should be stainless steel which does not rust, corrode or stain in water nor should it ejuice unless you have some weird type of juice?

Like big D said we use stainless steel all the time in cooking and cutlery, maybe you just had an overdose of nicotine?

 

[Stlphilo]

First thing, it should be stainless steel which does not rust, corrode or stain in water nor should it ejuice unless you have some weird type of juice?

Like big D said we use stainless steel all the time in cooking and cutlery, maybe you just had an overdose of nicotine?

I just got my Orion and was shocked by the nicotine intake from it. I switched from 24mg to 12mg and felt much better.. I have been using SS 325 mesh for five days now with no issues.

 

[sangemaru]

Stainless steel does actually rust/corrode over time, just very slowly compared to normal steel. However you can forcefully oxidize it over a flame, which is what i did, as per the online tutorial I saw. I'm not sure where to get another type of mesh, since Romania (where i'm located atm.) doesn't really have an abundance of technical shops. I had a hard enough time finding it at vapers.ro.
Maybe if i don't oxidize the mesh over a flame, the result will be different?
Regarding the nicotine intake, it's true I used a very strong liquid, 36mg/ml self-made mix. (36mg/ml base + flavour). However, I looked up nicotine od symptomps and these don't seem to be it. I especially can't find the tooth pain symptoms anywhere.
Like Big D says, I have a hard time believing it's actually possible for metal particles to get into the vapor, but I don't particularly have any better ideas. That's why I was hoping for someone with a chemist's experience to give their opinion.
I do appreciate the input though, it appears others aren't having this issue with ss meshes.

 

[Schneck]

Stainless steel does actually rust/corrode over time, just very slowly compared to normal steel. However you can forcefully oxidize it over a flame, which is what i did, as per the online tutorial I saw. I'm not sure where to get another type of mesh, since Romania (where i'm located atm.) doesn't really have an abundance of technical shops. I had a hard enough time finding it at vapers.ro.
Maybe if i don't oxidize the mesh over a flame, the result will be different?
Regarding the nicotine intake, it's true I used a very strong liquid, 36mg/ml self-made mix. (36mg/ml base + flavour). However, I looked up nicotine od symptomps and these don't seem to be it. I especially can't find the tooth pain symptoms anywhere.
Like Big D says, I have a hard time believing it's actually possible for metal particles to get into the vapor, but I don't particularly have any better ideas. That's why I was hoping for someone with a chemist's experience to give their opinion.
I do appreciate the input though, it appears others aren't having this issue with ss meshes.

That sucks!!Hope you figure t out never heard anything like that happening using the stainless mesh as wick.

 

[Salt&PePPer]

I would be wary of the source of that mesh!

 

[jimbill]

You don't you try cotton? it works great just boil it before using this is what i use and it works magic. Amazon.com: Cotton Square Braid Candle Wick - #1/0: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

 

[Cloud Wizard]

Wow, never heard of anyone getting those symptoms from SS mesh. I use it all the time in RBA's, easily ordered from eBay (I assume eBay ships to Romania...). 2 types are common T304 (food grade) and T316 (medical grade), I most always use T316. Also mesh sizes wokr different for different viscosity juices. I stick to 325x325 (thicker juices) or 400x400 (thinner juices) - twill or plain weave.

What wire were you using for coils? Most common is either NiChrome or Kanthal A-1. Kanthal has a higher temp rating. I use either 30awg (0.25mm) or 32awg (0.2mm) Kanthal A-1 (also readily available on eBay)

 

[meli.]

sangemaru,
Firstly, the SS wick is not going to Degrade after one days use.

At first i was extremely impressed with this method. Huge vapor hits, great taste, very quick burn.
This lasted one day.
I woke the second day with extremely pained teeth, sensitive to the most minuscule temperature change, horrible taste in the back of my throat.

Secondly, I might consider a reaction to juice rather than wick, we have had many reports of First Time Vapers having issues with pained teeth, perhaps you have sensitivity to PG.

I've had a pretty bad case of exhaustion and headache.

Perhaps due to your Nic Strength being too High, or maybe vaping Alot?

Lastly I wouldn't worry about the Only Romanian Vapers Store with the only B&M Store in the Region.
We have some Eastern European Members in the Modding Forum and also in APV sections who have used this store.
It is a little Expensive and Not a Registered ECF Supplier but then neither is The Mesh Company on eBay.

 

[kalison]

I'd check the source of the stainless. I've heard poor or inferior stainless steel can contain lead or other toxic substances.

Make sure you get 304 or 316 stainless for anything going into or around your mouth.

Not trying to scare anyone, but I mean that's a list of symptoms that would scare the .... out of me!

 

[Racehorse]

I'm going to guess sensitivity to the juice base (PG), or too high nic.

However, the SS mesh you bought may not be pure SS, too.

I just had a $900 crown placed in my mouth, semi precious metals / porcelain. I have a terrrible gum infection going on all around it. Its VERY RARE, and which is why I ended up having to go to 4 (yes 4) dentists as well as get a complete lab report on the metals used. (ALWAYS ask for this when you get dental work, I know better now. If it has nickel in it, do not let them put into your mouth, seriously. ) Mine doesn't have any metals that normal people are allergic to.....they are all "noble" metals (Pd, Ag, & Sn) but in mine there is a tiny amt. of Zn, and Ru.

And as it turns out, I'm one of those extremely rare people who has a sensitivity to an infintesmal amount of Ru. So I've just had a $900 crown cut out and tossed. It took 4 people to finally figure this out, because my gum problem would not resolve. As soon as it was removed, all the infecction was gone within 24 hours!

I am NOT going to tell anyone that they are not allergic to SS, or anything that may have gone into the SS if it is not pure. Many of the temporary crowns they put on before your porcelain crown comes back from the lab are made of SS, and there are people who have problems with those as well.

EVERY body is unique.


(ETA: and even if you have a lab metallurgic report, there is always the possibility that some sub-standard lab would be using something not in the report. My lab is top notch so I know this wasn't the problem but it does happen.....some businesses will try to save $$ so don't go to cheap dentists who use cheap labs. )

 

[Edstasic]

Does it looks like the pic in this topic?: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...aterials-safe-vs-dangerous-7.html#post5855283 check it out and also i suggest going to the first page of that topic and read from the beginning, seems like SS and cotton have pros and cons.

Hope this sheds a bit of light into your situation, have you gone to a doctor? please go to one too, security is first hopefully you are ok/getting better, good luck!

 

[Chuckster]

been using a genesis did for a month now. the only thing that bothers me is that my light colored juices turn dark after a day of use. seems like its the residue from the coil end of the atty.

 

[Aaronpeh]

been using a genesis did for a month now. the only thing that bothers me is that my light colored juices turn dark after a day of use. seems like its the residue from the coil end of the atty.

I have this problem too, is it a norm for ss mesh?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[empot]

May just be nicotine. I read elsewhere that it darkens when heated/burned..

 

[xMackx]

Let us know when you figure out the problem as it could help others in the future!

 

[SDOrganicChemist]

This is a good question by the OP. I'm gonna have to look into it a bit.