HEY HE STOLE MY IDEA.
Same here, almost from the start of using them. "Hey, that is my idea" can probably be yelled by many of us; no filler ring. Even when, say a mod falls over, for hours, the ceramic cup will fill and it only takes a drag to get it out. Depending on the viscosity of the
juice I usually have a little around the edges of the middle ring, which is down near the cup, and sometimes a layer of
juice all the way over the middle ring.
I use drip tips and haven't had any issues with juice in my mouth. Also, use mods or manual batteries so not to worry about juice going down to the battery. I'm not sure, though, that juice will stay completely away from a battery with this method
so auto battery users beware.
To fill I, too, drip it down the sides with all rings out. Let it sit a bit and put more in. Then when it is full, even a little over filled, put middle ring only back in, down to the cup, and gently blow from battery end to remove the little excess out that may get into the air stem.
When I'm using juice from 60 ml bottles I still use the syringe. I've run several E2's over trying to pour from a big bottle that doesn't have a drip tip.
For travel, the top ring will keep your juice from leaking if it is not too awfully thin bodied. I don't know about those because most of my juices have a good percentage of pg.
Alice
I've been using the method described by hairball for the last two weeks. I don't use the silicone plug that fits over the cup, but do use the thin flat "O" ring plug with a drip tip. The "O" ring seems to prevent leaks and doesn't inhibit the wicking action. The "O" ring is very easy to remove and replace for filling from a drip bottle. I am extremely happy with the results and am done with experimenting and into just using and enjoying.