Vodka soak, gone, wrong?

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Ok, so this will probably end up being a long post, you'll understand when you get to the end...

I've read tidbits about soaking coils in vodka to clean them, and I'm down to my last 2, one of which is "half burned out" I had a co-worker and fellow ecf member show me how to "dry-burn" to clean coils, at which time I, we, realised only half of my coil was working. That explains my weak hits... I'm using smokeless image T3s on a X2 battery BTW.

Anyway, decided to bite the bullet and try the whole vodka soak thing...
And here I sit, making this post, and remembering why I don't keep alcohol in the house. I haven't had a drop of alcohol, well, liquor, in over 6 years. I gave it up after I crawled out of the bottle of Captain Morgan I bought when my father passed away unexpectedly at a young 48. He was perfectly healthy, it appeared anyway. Took a nap one day and never woke up. Details later, for those that would like to know.

Anyway, so I soak the coils in a shot glass, and think hell, one little sip won't hurt...

Yea, the bottle is empty.

I have no self control, and I know this, that's why I don't keep alcohol in the house. I drink beer when I fish, and occasionally I'll have a few just to unwind, but I've seen rock bottom, and I refuse to go back.

There really is no point to this thread, other than this one question, my coils are still sitting in what's left of that lil ol 2 dollar bottle of regret, so what do I do with them now? Rinse with water, allow to dry for a while, and try dry-burning again?

Thanks for taking the time to read, hope you're having a good night.

http://smokelessimage.com/sig2/showimage.php?day=16&month=4&year=2013&smokedperday=20 &costperday=6.00&icon=si_sig10.png
 

440BB

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You're right on track - just shake out the alcohol and rinse under hot tap water a couple times. If you pat it dry, you can power it up a few times for about five seconds and it will be good to vape. The first couple puffs will be weakened by the water being vaporized, then it's good to go. If you're not in a hurry you can let them dry overnight instead.

One other idea I would suggest for cleaning coils is rubbing alcohol. It's not only cheap, it isn't a temptation. Some may disagree, but as long as you do a thorough water rinse after soaking, it works very well. I've been using it for the last year on atomizers and clearomizers with great results. Best wishes!
 

BlueSnake

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Ok, so this will probably end up being a long post, you'll understand when you get to the end...

I've read tidbits about soaking coils in vodka to clean them, and I'm down to my last 2, one of which is "half burned out" I had a co-worker and fellow ecf member show me how to "dry-burn" to clean coils, at which time I, we, realised only half of my coil was working. That explains my weak hits... I'm using smokeless image T3s on a X2 battery BTW.

Anyway, decided to bite the bullet and try the whole vodka soak thing...
And here I sit, making this post, and remembering why I don't keep alcohol in the house. I haven't had a drop of alcohol, well, liquor, in over 6 years. I gave it up after I crawled out of the bottle of Captain Morgan I bought when my father passed away unexpectedly at a young 48. He was perfectly healthy, it appeared anyway. Took a nap one day and never woke up. Details later, for those that would like to know.

Anyway, so I soak the coils in a shot glass, and think hell, one little sip won't hurt...

Yea, the bottle is empty.

I have no self control, and I know this, that's why I don't keep alcohol in the house. I drink beer when I fish, and occasionally I'll have a few just to unwind, but I've seen rock bottom, and I refuse to go back.

There really is no point to this thread, other than this one question, my coils are still sitting in what's left of that lil ol 2 dollar bottle of regret, so what do I do with them now? Rinse with water, allow to dry for a while, and try dry-burning again?

Thanks for taking the time to read, hope you're having a good night.

http://smokelessimage.com/sig2/showimage.php?day=16&month=4&year=2013&smokedperday=20 &costperday=6.00&icon=si_sig10.png

I haven't had a drink in almost 30 years. I've thought about getting some to clean coils, but haven't for that very reason. I have dry burned and rinsed with rubbing alcohol and just let them dry with good results. One thing that helps is getting some 1mm silica wick and replacing the top wicks that lay on top of the coil. You can wiggle the top tube off the coil and remove the 2 tiny pieces of wick laying on top of the coil. Then I dry burn, pulsing the button on and off getting the coils glowing good on and off. Then I do a quick rinse in the alcohol. When it's dried out good I put a 2 pieces of the new 1mm wick on top, put the tube back on and using something very sharp like small cutters or nail clippers cut the wicks off. Then I always put a few drops of juice on the wick ends before putting them into my filled T3.

You can also look around the forum and find videos on rebuilding the T3 heads. Hope this helps and good luck.
 

zoiDman

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...

One other idea I would suggest for cleaning coils is rubbing alcohol. It's not only cheap, it isn't a temptation. Some may disagree, but as long as you do a thorough water rinse after soaking, it works very well. I've been using it for the last year on atomizers and clearomizers with great results. Best wishes!

Another good Solvent for Crudded-Up Coils is White Vinegar. As long as it is Rinsed Well, there shouldn't be any Lasting Taste in a Coil/Wick.

Cheaper than Alcohol also.

Wholly crap, that worked really well! They're like brand new, and hittin like a freight train! :D

Analog free since April 16th! (Day after my daughter was born ;) smokless image saved me! )

Isn't it Cool to Resurrect an Atty or Clearo that you were going to Toss?

And Right On for quitting Analogs when your Daughter was Born.
 
Thanks everyone! Some really good tips here :thumbup:

To the poster that mentioned replacing the top wick, I have some old top coil clearos that I salvaged the wicks from, been doing that for a while, but I was almost out. Wife went to the local smoke shop this morning and on a whim, I had her check to see if they carried wick material... They do! She bought me a foot of it, 75 cents! Awesomesauce :D
Analog free since April 16th! (Day after my daughter was born ;) smokless image saved me! )
 

Riverboat

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All that soaking doesnt do much.....when a coil is old its what it is.....replace it as there is nothing like a fresh one....

Like I said....it doesnt do much......Replace your atty/coil, you want the best vape around dont you....?
Dry burning is hard on the coil....as soon as you see it glow release the fire button...
 
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Katya

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For those who can't/don't want to use vodka or PGA, I recommend either denture cleaning tablets (dissolved in distilled water, preferably) or 91% Isopropyl alcohol ("rubbing" alcohol is not strong enough); if using ISO, you'll have to rinse the coils thoroughly and let them dry completely to get rid of the bad stuff in ISO.

I don't use vinegar because I fear it may damage some protective surfaces and delicate electrical contacts.
 

Cheechako

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For those who can't/don't want to use vodka or PGA, I recommend either denture cleaning tablets (dissolved in distilled water, preferably) or 91% Isopropyl alcohol ("rubbing" alcohol is not strong enough); if using ISO, you'll have to rinse the coils thoroughly and let them dry completely to get rid of the bad stuff in ISO.

I don't use vinegar because I fear it may damage some protective surfaces and delicate electrical contacts.
This was my experience with vinegar!
I think I'll try the denture tablets.
Which of these is most effective at removing the gunk that accumulates beneath the coils?
I recoil and rewick with cotton and most fo the time I only have to rewick and there is a kind of "sludge"
beneath the coil area that rinsing won't remove...
Thanks for the help!
 

zoiDman

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I haven't had Any problems using Vinegar in Attys or Clearos.

But that is Not To Say that there couldn't be problems.

I have had Terrible luck with Denture Tabs. That is, the Atty I tried it on Tasted like my Dental Hygienist Smells. Kinda a Cross between Minty Fresh and you Don't Floss Enough.

LOL
 

Katya

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This was my experience with vinegar!
I think I'll try the denture tablets.
Which of these is most effective at removing the gunk that accumulates beneath the coils?
I recoil and rewick with cotton and most fo the time I only have to rewick and there is a kind of "sludge"
beneath the coil area that rinsing won't remove...
Thanks for the help!

I use PGA (Everclear) myself because it's 96% pure ethanol (192 proof), but sooner or later you'll have to dry burn the coil--or just get a new one. Nothing will dissolve that baked-on gunk from the coil.

I have tried every cleaning method and nothing beats a PGA soak.

You can dissolve a denture cleaning tablet in distilled water and just soak your coils or you can use this solution in an ultrasonic cleaner--works pretty well. Use the unflavored variety--or rinse thoroughly afterwards if you're using the minty kind. That taste doesn't go away easily. ;)

You can also nuke your coils in a microwave. I drop my coils in a bowl of distilled water and put them in a microwave for 10-15 min. Just make sure all the metal parts are fully submerged in water!!!!
 
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Katya

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I haven't had Any problems using Vinegar in Attys or Clearos.

But that is Not To Say that there couldn't be problems.

I have had Terrible luck with Denture Tabs. That is, the Atty I tried it on Tasted like my Dental Hygienist Smells. Kinda a Cross between Minty Fresh and you Don't Floss Enough.

LOL

:D

Next time, try the unflavored kind. :p
 
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