I'm a Smoke-51 user AND supporter.......
This was my first device and I chose it out of convenience of use (being a two piece), and that it has the design to dispose of catridges and replace with new everytime, both the part that contains the juice AND the atomizer.
After being on this forum a bit, I found myself so intrigued with the different flavors available in the liquids that are offered that I ordered up a sample pack from Christian at Johnson Creek thinking that I would simply "experiment" and see if I could reload these cartridges myself.
It can most definately be done, however, you'll need to realize that you cannot remove and clean the wadding due to the atomizer style and overall design. This means that you are limited in how many times you'll be able to drip liquid into the cartridge before it becomes too non-absorbant or too contaminated to continue using it safely without risk of germ or other unknown cultivations.
I oppologize that I'm pretty much non-tech and can't offer you a video to view specific to the Smoke-51 cartridge reloading, but I'll try and best describe my own experience:
- I found that the occassional cartridge wouldn't provide the advertised longevity due to premature drying out as well as the weak "tasting" flavour than I expected, and this wasn't satisfactory to me, so I decided to experiment and experience the vast available flavors that weren't offered for the 51.
- Ordered a sample pack from Johnson Creek in two different strengths, both higher than whats advertised from Smoke-51 to allow me to both sample the different flavors and to experiment with nicotine strengths to best suit my heavy analog use.
- I had started keeping all my spent or inaffective cartridges precluding my decision to experiment, and also held onto the plastic caps that came with them.
- Before trying to refill the cartridges, I decided to disect one and investigate its construction if not simply to see how it worked but to also see if I could do it or not. I don't think this is necessary for YOU to do simply because the design is basic and I'll cover my findings below. But if your simply the inquisitive type..... have at it.
- Because I'm pretty much a sterile freak I take care to having a clean surface to work on that I wouldn't mind should I spill any liquids or damage the surface I use.
I also sterilize ANY implement I will use with alcohol making sure they are disinfected. And I will have a very small container of alcohol to drop the cartridge seals (see below) into to clean and disinfect.
And call me crazy, put I also will put on cheap bought sterile gloves to avoid skin contact with with liquid nicotine and prevent myself from OD'ing on nicotine.
- Plan on doing at least a pack of five cartridge refilling at a time, as the setting up is not worth the effort to only do a single cartridge at a time.
- You will first need to remove the seal at the end of the mouthpiece. I ended up getting those little mini needle nose type pliers that have a curved tip on the end of them simply because the cartidge tip was obviously put in hot and adheres itself to the cartrige shell and wanted something more rigid than tweezers to jiggle it out.
Insert "one" tip of the pliers into the hole of the mouthpiece seal on an angle (just enough to enable you to grip its edge but not enough to distort the hole itself), and gently grip the outer surface with the other tip of the pliers and jiggle/pry it loose then out. You may need to attempt it at different locations around the seal to prevent damaging the seal itself. Drop the removed seal into the tiny container, thimble or cap that you prepped to clean it/them and sterilize and let it sit in the alcohol for now.
- Visually inspect the wadding you will now see exposed to make sure that it is not discolored or burnt. I tend not to use the cartridge while vaping to the point that it runs completely dry giving that burnt taste with the intent that I will be refilling it. Don't bother refilling cartidges you've taken too far, as the burnt taste will never leave it.
You will also now be able to see the atomizer system with the core (heating) element wire running thru the center hole of the wad.
Do not disturb the wadding by attempting to stretch it out as this will chance destroying the atomizer setup that this design uses.
- You can use your own ingenuity to create a holder for the cartridges to drip into so as to prevent them falling over. I use a crude made piece of styrofoam at the moment until I find an 8" long by 2" wide and 3" thick piece of solid pastic to drill holes into to hold the cartridge.
- Once you've stabilized all the cartridges securely enough, after removing the seal and inspecting, take your dropper of liquid choice and accurately squeeze slowly about 5 drops evenly around the wad top surface making sure to avoid the center hole that the heating wire runs thru.
Add care not to touch the dropper to the cartridge (or anything else for that matter), chancing contaminating the dropping in any way with its return to your juice.
Don't worry about the wire lead the runs on the outside of the wad, just make sure not to directly drip into the center hole because for whatever reason it will either make the cartridge unusable by flooding it, or will cause "spitting" of the liquid into your mouth should it still work. And I can tell you honestly that it is VERY unpleasant.
Also, attempt to not drip so close to the outter edge that you cause surface on the "outside" of the cartridge as it will stain the faux finish making it appear unappealing. It is however simply cosmetic and will not interfere with its activity.
- Once you have applied your first 5 drops, at a pace that does not create a "pooling" of the liquid on the top surface area of the wad, move on to your next cartridge and repeat the proceedure.
- When you have complete each one, start at your first one again and apply another 5 drops slowly paying attention again to not cause pooling on top of the wad.
This is where you will need to discern how much you can drip into it, remembering not to end up pooling. It may take the additional 5 drops or it may not, so you'll have to decide for yourself the "total" amount of drops you want to refill with. I have found that I can do so hassle free by limitting my total drops to 10.
- Take your soaking seals out of the alcohol and wipe them clean with a cloth, to remove any stubborn staining or debris, and place it evenly into the opening of the cartridge while gently pushing down on it to make sure it is flush with the out edges of the cartridge.
You'll note which way it will go in by the uneven finish of one side where it adhered to the cartride housing.
- I find that if you leave them to absorb "at least" overnight before using them, they tend to work better and will not spit as they sizzle the juice as it will if you attempt to use it too soon.
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And thats it !!
MOST IMPORTANTLY....... I want to extend the care and caution you should be observing should you decide to bring e-liqids and refilling equipment into your home.
Do NOT leave these supplies in the open where children or pets may get into as they can be quite poisonous with their quantity and level of nicotine.
The same can be said for the cartridges themselves.
Also, I think it goes without mention the safety concern of having hypo's within reach of those who they can hurt the most.
Even though I don't have children, I do have pets that I love dearly and the odd visitor that will bring their kids along for a visit. So, I keep all supplies in a locked box in the cellar, and my ready to use cartridges up high out of reach.
I find describing it and pointing out every detail makes it appear more difficult than it really is and that it would take much longer than it actually does. So don't be intimidated by trying it as it is really not that time consuming nor is it difficult at all.
Its all about playing with your toys, lol.
I've also found that attempts to use a hypo and needle not advantagious with these cartridges for filling due to their construction for myself. You may however find it otherwise.
Just a note...... I have tried taking "fresh" out of the box cartridges and opening them to see if they are prematurely dried and will drip into them to enhance the experience from the get go. However, you will obviously need to use less liquid drops to wake them up, and when doing this I tend to leave them "absorb" longer for about 2 days.
You'll also notice that most liquids flavor need time to release their flavor over the original flavor that was in the cartridge. So I try to keep the liquid flavor relevent to the original flavor:
Original cartridge flavor -- Liquid flavor:
Tobacco -- Any tobacco liquid flavours or chocolate
Chocolate -- Any chocolate liquid flavours or tobacco
Menthol -- Any menthol liquid flavours or fruity flavours
Coffee -- Any chocolate liquid flavours or sweet flavours
You get the idea....... but experimenting is key to find your personal preferences.
Again, this is not yet optimized as I have been conversing back and forth trying to get the distributors to push the manufacturer's of the Smoke-51 to offer "blank" cartridges to allow us to add our own choice of strengths and flavours. But, so far it appears as though its falling on deaf ears. I don't think they'll have much choice in the end once these are mainstream and popular or they might find themselves left in the dust hoping on keeping only the market interested in "ease of use".
Hope that helps you out and works well for you. Remember, GO PLAY WITH YOUR TOYS !!!
VapeOn,
Greg
