question for people to use cotton wicks.

[Bigflyrodder]

All very interesting indeed, thanks for the methodical up close pics. No idea what the coloring but I wouldn't be shocked to hear they could be caused by impurities in the wire, liquid, hot spots, etc. I imagine we all like to think the ingredients in juice, wire, wick, etc. is much more "pure" than it actually is.

 

[EddardinWinter]

so here we see the micro coil after 2 mL of e-liquid.
i noticed as i was checking on it in between puffs that strands of cotton are getting past the tiny gaps in the micro coil and are falling over on the top of the coil then burning up. also the red color is back but this time its all over the coil... i have yet to take the coil off the wick because i want to do it very carefully. i don't want to disturb the wick under neath the coil so we can get a real good look at it.
View attachment 324411
View attachment 324413

removed the coil from the wick. most of it was not that interesting just a yellowish brown color.
this red/purple spot on the surface was under the coil. View attachment 324416

Impressive. I would note that proof of individual fibers being burned does not make for harmful levels of VOCs. We breathe VOCs every breath we take indoors or outdoors. Many occur naturally. What is harmful about VOCs is extended breathing of unhealthy concentrations. So if one fiber falls and burns every five puffs...that could result in negligible concentrations which are well below accepted IAQ standards.

I have thought about the test, and I think to reduce the cost, the test really only needs four samples initially. One at high wattage and one a low wattage, testing each with a fresh wick, and a wick at the end of it's life span. If we find elevated levels of VOCs in any of the four samples, we investigate further based on this result. I am awaiting pricing for the test that I emailed my lab this morning about. Should that come back at a reasonable cost, we will proceed. I suppose I need to document how the samples are taken...

 

[EddardinWinter]

I would also add, based on these photos, Dave, I think the most dangerous levels of VOCs could be expected at the start of a wicks life, rather than at the end of it.

Ironically, changing wicks frequently could prove to cause an elevated hazard!

 

[Kuljit]

When I use lighter juices, once every few days...though it could last longer because the wick isn't discolored at all. When I'm vaping El Kamino (darker juice), I replace the wick every day! That stuff is so good, but it destroys the cotton and gunks up the coil super fast.