Preferred Wicking Material

[serenity21899]

I finally got my Reomizer working (my first rba). Trying it out now, and the first thing I notice is it is a bit harsher that I am used to. It reads about 2.25 which is actually a bit higher than I wanted it, was shooting for 2.0, but not messing with it cuz it works.

Anyways, I was wondering if the harshness was due to it being an atty in general, or from the silica wick. I have only dripped prior to this, and I don't notice harsh when doing that. I know I don't like how shreddy silica is. So, my question is, what others materials might work better? If it matters, its Kanthal 30guage wire I am using.

Thanks

 

[Justice]

I'm really liking my bamboo thread I just started using about a week ago. It seems to wick well and very easy to work with.

 

[JC Okie]

I finally got my Reomizer working (my first rba). Trying it out now, and the first thing I notice is it is a bit harsher that I am used to. It reads about 2.25 which is actually a bit higher than I wanted it, was shooting for 2.0, but not messing with it cuz it works.

Anyways, I was wondering if the harshness was due to it being an atty in general, or from the silica wick. I have only dripped prior to this, and I don't notice harsh when doing that. I know I don't like how shreddy silica is. So, my question is, what others materials might work better? If it matters, its Kanthal 30guage wire I am using.

Thanks

susieq, there are many, many wicking materials being used these days besides silica. Lots of people are using cotton...just 100% cotton from cotton balls. You just tear a little piece off, roll it between your fingers to make a point, (trim off the tip a tiny bit if you notice stray hairs so it will not catch on the wire), and put it through the coil. Also, I use 100% cotton embroidery thread a lot (DMC 5) that I get from Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Sometimes I use 100% cotton crochet thread (Peaches & Cream from Walmart), and I have used (forgot about it for awhile...need to revisit) bamboo thread - Aunt Lydia's #10 (or #3...thicker but I like it.) The cotton ball wicks seem to be this week's preference, but you should try some or all of them and see what you like. They are all really cheap and all easily found locally. The cotton balls I get are 100% organic cotton....brand name Studio 35 Beauty and I get them from Walgreens.

If you want, I would be happy to send you a "care package" with samples of all these....and more. I have huge rolls of everything listed above, and way, WAY more than I could use in my lifetime. PM me if you want some. That goes for anyone reading this who might be curious about wicking materials....I have lots and I'm willing to share with anyone who wants some. PM me. I'm Jan.

 

[nerak]

susieq, there are many, many wicking materials being used these days besides silica. Lots of people are using cotton...just 100% cotton from cotton balls. You just tear a little piece off, roll it between your fingers to make a point, (trim off the tip a tiny bit if you notice stray hairs so it will not catch on the wire), and put it through the coil. Also, I use 100% cotton embroidery thread a lot (DMC 5) that I get from Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Sometimes I use 100% cotton crochet thread (Peaches & Cream from Walmart), and I have used (forgot about it for awhile...need to revisit) bamboo thread - Aunt Lydia's #10 (or #3...thicker but I like it.) The cotton ball wicks seem to be this week's preference, but you should try some or all of them and see what you like. They are all really cheap and all easily found locally. The cotton balls I get are 100% organic cotton....brand name Studio 35 Beauty and I get them from Walgreens.

If you want, I would be happy to send you a "care package" with samples of all these....and more. I have huge rolls of everything listed above, and way, WAY more than I could use in my lifetime. PM me if you want some. That goes for anyone reading this who might be curious about wicking materials....I have lots and I'm willing to share with anyone who wants some. PM me. I'm Jan.

Jan, that care package that you sent to me has been divided up and PIF to two other people! And I still have some left!

My bags were not as nice as yours, and my label was not as neat, but I did my best!

Anyone wanting Jan's samples will be amazed at the professional way they arrive.

Thank you again Jan!

 

[Gioajack]

Picking the perfect wicking material is like picking the perfect girlfriend, it'll never happen but it sure is fun testing them all.

The obvious, easiest to work with and least expensive choices are; 100% cotton yarn, bamboo yarn, cheesecloth, rolled cotton and cotton balls. For $10 you can buy enough of each of 'em to keep your great-great-great grandkids supplied.

Each has it's pros and cons which in many cases boils down to subjective likes and dislikes. None are terrible, all are actually pretty damn good. Since tastes seem to change on a fairly frequent basis you may find that for a few weeks you really like the taste of one then when it starts to get a bit routine you simply change over to another wicking material and so on.

For the last couple of weeks I've been very much enjoying rolled cotton, (was stuffed in the top of one of my medication bottles), when that gets boring I'll try cotton balls, (probably no difference but I have a bunch so why not), then back to cheesecloth, bamboo, etc., etc., etc.

Play around with stuff till you find the one you like best... by that time they'll invent some new-fangled RBA that uses barber hair as wicking material.


Jack

 

[fatherdano]

you crack me up Jack!

I agree though, just roll up some cotton socks you'll be fine. Boil them a little first if your squeamish.

 

[serenity21899]

susieq, there are many, many wicking materials being used these days besides silica. Lots of people are using cotton...just 100% cotton from cotton balls. You just tear a little piece off, roll it between your fingers to make a point, (trim off the tip a tiny bit if you notice stray hairs so it will not catch on the wire), and put it through the coil. Also, I use 100% cotton embroidery thread a lot (DMC 5) that I get from Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Sometimes I use 100% cotton crochet thread (Peaches & Cream from Walmart), and I have used (forgot about it for awhile...need to revisit) bamboo thread - Aunt Lydia's #10 (or #3...thicker but I like it.) The cotton ball wicks seem to be this week's preference, but you should try some or all of them and see what you like. They are all really cheap and all easily found locally. The cotton balls I get are 100% organic cotton....brand name Studio 35 Beauty and I get them from Walgreens.

If you want, I would be happy to send you a "care package" with samples of all these....and more. I have huge rolls of everything listed above, and way, WAY more than I could use in my lifetime. PM me if you want some. That goes for anyone reading this who might be curious about wicking materials....I have lots and I'm willing to share with anyone who wants some. PM me. I'm Jan.

I appreciate the offer, but if I get my .... off my desk chair, and go find my ol' box of craft stuff, I actually have most of that stuff. I used to crochet and do other crafty stuff. I'll start trying this stuff with the next one.

 

[JC Okie]

Jan, that care package that you sent to me has been divided up and PIF to two other people! And I still have some left!

My bags were not as nice as yours, and my label was not as neat, but I did my best!

Anyone wanting Jan's samples will be amazed at the professional way they arrive.

Thank you again Jan!

Karen, you are SO sweet!! Glad you are getting some good out of it. What do you use the most? What did you like/not like? I have been using regular old organic cotton lately, but I think it's because it's just so easy. I need to go back and re-try some of the other stuff to remind myself of what I did or didn't like and why or why not. I'm for sure going to try some bamboo again after reading Justice's post. I can't remember not liking it....and I'm wondering now why I'm not using it. Seems like there's a new "best" wicking material every month. Once I got to cotton balls, I pretty much stuck because they're just so easy.

 

[serenity21899]

Picking the perfect wicking material is like picking the perfect girlfriend, it'll never happen but it sure is fun testing them all.

The obvious, easiest to work with and least expensive choices are; 100% cotton yarn, bamboo yarn, cheesecloth, rolled cotton and cotton balls. For $10 you can buy enough of each of 'em to keep your great-great-great grandkids supplied.

Each has it's pros and cons which in many cases boils down to subjective likes and dislikes. None are terrible, all are actually pretty damn good. Since tastes seem to change on a fairly frequent basis you may find that for a few weeks you really like the taste of one then when it starts to get a bit routine you simply change over to another wicking material and so on.

For the last couple of weeks I've been very much enjoying rolled cotton, (was stuffed in the top of one of my medication bottles), when that gets boring I'll try cotton balls, (probably no difference but I have a bunch so why not), then back to cheesecloth, bamboo, etc., etc., etc.

Play around with stuff till you find the one you like best... by that time they'll invent some new-fangled RBA that uses barber hair as wicking material.


Jack

I thought I was the perfect wife. At least for today ( or whenever I make cheesecake for him).

Some more good ideas, thank you. Again I have most of this stuff already.

 

[serenity21899]

you crack me up Jack!

I agree though, just roll up some cotton socks you'll be fine. Boil them a little first if your squeamish.

Well, if they are the hubby's sock, I need a big stick just to pick them up.

 

[JC Okie]

I appreciate the offer, but if I get my .... off my desk chair, and go find my ol' box of craft stuff, I actually have most of that stuff. I used to crochet and do other crafty stuff. I'll start trying this stuff with the next one.

Just make sure it's cotton, susieq. A lot of the threads/yarns out there are synthetic. If it's 100% cotton, it'll say. Have fun.

 

[nerak]

Karen, you are SO sweet!! Glad you are getting some good out of it. What do you use the most? What did you like/not like? I have been using regular old organic cotton lately, but I think it's because it's just so easy. I need to go back and re-try some of the other stuff to remind myself of what I did or didn't like and why or why not. I'm for sure going to try some bamboo again after reading Justice's post. I can't remember not liking it....and I'm wondering now why I'm not using it. Seems like there's a new "best" wicking material every month. Once I got to cotton balls, I pretty much stuck because they're just so easy.

I do like the bamboo! There is one I used that I have to look again to see what it was. It was thicker strands. I will try and post tomorrow, not going to drag it out now. I usually put a different one in each RBA I am doing. Then forget what had which!

I use the cotton balls too. They are easy to do at work if I need to replace a wick.

 

[garyinco]

susieq, how does the draw compare to what you've been used to? I've found the amount of air entering the RBA makes a big difference. Too much air seems harsh to me. If you haven't tried slipping a ring from a cartomizer condom partially over the airhole, give that a try. About a 1/4" wide should work. It's easy to adjust how much of the airhole is covered. The reomizers are pretty airy to me.

 

[serenity21899]

It seems better now after breaking it in for a bit. I think that it is just something I need to get used to. But I will keep the above tip in mind if I need to. i don't think airy bothers me, although I actually have nothing to compare it to. Since I actually bought it in the classies, it did not come with a coil, as some RBA's do. Regardless, I'm gonna stay with it until Rob puts out his Reomizer2. I bought this one mainly to learn and experiment with, being totally new to RBA's.

 

[MT Pockets]

Just about to start rebuilding, got an Igo L on the way....how do you use cheesecloth?

 

[JC Okie]

Just about to start rebuilding, got an Igo L on the way....how do you use cheesecloth?

Here's a thread that will show you exactly how people use cheesecloth. MyWikkaSite: Cotton Wick Wiki Just scroll down a little ways and there are some great pictures of how to fold it and make it into a wick.

 

[MT Pockets]

thanks so much JC, this looks pretty simple and wifey has some in the pantry.......

 

[LarryPer]

How about Hemp?? I 'll bet it will give you a nice buzz
Any termite problems with Bamboo?


The big talk around the net are stainless screens
Do they take the place of wicks?
Would they last longer?
Any one using them?
Are they experimental?

Have a nice day

 

[Northernshrink]

My preference is the 100% cotton butchers twine (food grade) simple to work with and about 2.50 for a 300 ft roll I should be good for a while. Organic cotton balls are also great just seem to get a bit longer out of the twine.

 

[inkdog]

My go to wick has been cotton ball but am trying hemp and bamboo this week. So far I like the hemp for things like my vivi nova rather than my hornets. Bamboo seems to be doing well in a hornet after sitting over night.