What I've learned about wicking

[nwasiq]

I'm proud to say that today marks the 3rd month of me successfully quitting smoking and entering the beautiful world of vaping! I'd like to share what I've learned about wicking and also, for you guys to point out anything that could be improved since I'm a noob.

1. Less is more. It took me the longest while to figure out how much fricking cotton to use! I could never seem to judge whether the amount I've used is too tight on the coil or too loose. But now, I think I've got it. It should be loose enough that you can easily pull it on either direction when you pull the cotton from both ends but tight enough that when you try to pull from one end, you can't do it without moving your mod. Do you agree?

2. The ends should be pushed away from the juice channels completely and should be gently touching the deck, not spread out like I initially thought.

3. When you hear a 'singeing' sound after a 'not so long' pull on your atty, it means the wick can't keep up and the cotton might be a bit too tight. I'm still confused about this point because on my lemo, I can hear the singeing sound but still get no burnt taste whatsoever but on my subtank mini, it most definitely means that the wick is burning slightly or I'm about to get a burnt taste. What do you think?

4. It's better to prime your cotton without the barrel section than doing it from the top of the barrel. I like to be sure that the cotton actually is pushed away from the channels

5. Japanese cotton gives no 'wet socks' taste at all!

Really looking forward to your advice

 

[ignotus]

Well, I learned the opposite. I use as much cotton as I can fit through the coil without it tearing. I do this with Shiseido, I do this with KGD, I do this in every RTA I own and never have a dry hit or cotton taste at relatively high wattages. To each his own.

 

[93gc40]

I'm proud to say that today marks the 3rd month of me successfully quitting smoking and entering the beautiful world of vaping! I'd like to share what I've learned about wicking and also, for you guys to point out anything that could be improved since I'm a noob.

1. Less is more. It took me the longest while to figure out how much fricking cotton to use! I could never seem to judge whether the amount I've used is too tight on the coil or too loose. But now, I think I've got it. It should be loose enough that you can easily pull it on either direction when you pull the cotton from both ends but tight enough that when you try to pull from one end, you can't do it without moving your mod. Do you agree? Kinda, Sorta

2. The ends should be pushed away from the juice channels completely and should be gently touching the deck, not spread out like I initially thought. As long as the wick is not IN the channel I'm good

3. When you hear a 'singeing' sound after a 'not so long' pull on your atty, it means the wick can't keep up and the cotton might be a bit too tight. I'm still confused about this point because on my lemo, I can hear the singeing sound but still get no burnt taste whatsoever but on my subtank mini, it most definitely means that the wick is burning slightly or I'm about to get a burnt taste. What do you think? Never heard a wick burn???? Fizzing when vaping mean the juice is vaping, spitting means too much and too little juice. burnt wick are identified via taste and smell not sound for me.

4. It's better to prime your cotton without the barrel section than doing it from the top of the barrel. I like to be sure that the cotton actually is pushed away from the channels. Don't always pre wet the wick when I build. If I'm not in a hurry I'll just let the wick, wick naturally.. Again as long as the wick is not going DOWN the channels I'm good.

5. Japanese cotton gives no 'wet socks' taste at all! IDK, never had need to spend money on fancy cotton. Balls from Walmart or Bolls from the field at the end of my street work fine, with a bit of cleaning. Only time I've had the wet socks issues was when I used too much or too little cotton or too much power.

Really looking forward to your advice

I'm glad you found what works for you.

 

[SLIPPY_EEL]

this vid posted by yosh vapergate shows how to wick with cotton balls and not only is there tons of cotton wick but it makes it very spongey and i have never had that socks taste from it that people talk of >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1hqRp9TDDE

the above vid shows imo the best way to wick hot builds and the little is more aproach i used to use in bottom feeders with less power

 

[Haadkoe]

How do people know what socks taste like... That's what I'd really like to know.

 

[nwasiq]

How do people know what socks taste like... That's what I'd really like to know.

hahah, any taste that makes you cringe is a "wet socks" taste I guess

 

[nwasiq]

this vid posted by yosh vapergate shows how to wick with cotton balls and not only is there tons of cotton wick but it makes it very spongey and i have never had that socks taste from it that people talk of >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1hqRp9TDDE

the above vid shows imo the best way to wick hot builds and the little is more aproach i used to use in bottom feeders with less power

That much cotton in an RTA though? If its this tight, wont there be a lot of hindrance for the juice to go in between the coil?

 

[nwasiq]

Well, I learned the opposite. I use as much cotton as I can fit through the coil without it tearing. I do this with Shiseido, I do this with KGD, I do this in every RTA I own and never have a dry hit or cotton taste at relatively high wattages. To each his own.

With cotton so tight in the coil, you have no problems vaping at 25-35 watts?

 

[ignotus]

With cotton so tight in the coil, you have no problems vaping at 25-35 watts?

1Ω @ 20 watts in my Rose v2. One thing I've noticed in my builds is that more cotton supports a higher wattage. My current build will top out at 18 watts if the wick is looser than I described above.

I know people say that cotton expands when wet and therefore too much will choke the coil, but I believe it's not really dependent on how much juice is actually inside the coil when you fire because the coil constantly sucks juice through the wick toward it. Hence, bigger it better.

 

[nwasiq]

I recently found this technique. It's extremely impressive how much heat the wick can handle here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajaLd7-tzkw

 

[defdock]

I'm proud to say that today marks the 3rd month of me successfully quitting smoking and entering the beautiful world of vaping! I'd like to share what I've learned about wicking and also, for you guys to point out anything that could be improved since I'm a noob.


3. When you hear a 'singeing' sound after a 'not so long' pull on your atty, it means the wick can't keep up and the cotton might be a bit too tight. I'm still confused about this point because on my lemo, I can hear the singeing sound but still get no burnt taste whatsoever but on my subtank mini, it most definitely means that the wick is burning slightly or I'm about to get a burnt taste. What do you think?


Really looking forward to your advice

i find this happening alot with "under wicking" - usually the sizzling sound after taking a not so long draw, is juice sizzling in a gap between the wick and coil.

when this happens with me, i look at the wick and i have to think - i used too little cotton and fluffed it so much, after juicing it and firing it, it shrunk the cotton back to size ultimatly leaving a gap between the wick and coil.



i always rewick a 2nd time, when i hear that noise

 

[Bootiewootsy]

Ok, Now I am going to make you snicker and lol... I found some unwaxed butcher twine.. I tried it for a wick and after breaking it in, I love the taste..I usually use cotton or 3mm silica.. I was shopping one day and seen this and made in USA 100 percent unbleached cotton twine..Anyone ever tried something like this?

 

[PaulBHC]

I bought some long ago at Bed Bath and Beyond for around $5 but from China. Couldn't get it to work as well as cotton ball.

 

[thetrucker]

I have never used unwaxed butchers' twine-----but a few days ago decided to try a paper dinner napkin.

I just tore a piece off and made a wick and it worked unbelievable well.

 

[jrlakeman]

I have never used unwaxed butchers' twine-----but a few days ago decided to try a paper dinner napkin.

I just tore a piece off and made a wick and it worked unbelievable well.

I was thinking the cotton out of the diy cig filters but i have no clue what it is in those things. They absorb stuff like its there job but maybe its best to stay away any cig all together. LOL

 

[93gc40]

I'm proud to say that today marks the 3rd month of me successfully quitting smoking and entering the beautiful world of vaping! I'd like to share what I've learned about wicking and also, for you guys to point out anything that could be improved since I'm a noob.

1. Less is more. It took me the longest while to figure out how much fricking cotton to use! I could never seem to judge whether the amount I've used is too tight on the coil or too loose. But now, I think I've got it. It should be loose enough that you can easily pull it on either direction when you pull the cotton from both ends but tight enough that when you try to pull from one end, you can't do it without moving your mod. Do you agree?

2. The ends should be pushed away from the juice channels completely and should be gently touching the deck, not spread out like I initially thought.

3. When you hear a 'singeing' sound after a 'not so long' pull on your atty, it means the wick can't keep up and the cotton might be a bit too tight. I'm still confused about this point because on my lemo, I can hear the singeing sound but still get no burnt taste whatsoever but on my subtank mini, it most definitely means that the wick is burning slightly or I'm about to get a burnt taste. What do you think?

4. It's better to prime your cotton without the barrel section than doing it from the top of the barrel. I like to be sure that the cotton actually is pushed away from the channels

5. Japanese cotton gives no 'wet socks' taste at all!

Really looking forward to your advice

Most of those rules will only apply to you and your individual mod, atty and build.

Example on my Kayfun, I do what EVERYONE says cause issues , I STUFF the cotton down into the deck and ONto the channels. sometimes even down into the channels.

Singeing sound means there is voltage flowing though the coil and that coil is WET.

I don't even prime the cotton I do put a few drops into the tank before installing the top cap though, This forces some juice up into the chamber.

Cotton is cotton and all tastes like cotton, when you don't get it right.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

How do people know what socks taste like... That's what I'd really like to know.

You never tried the wet socks flavored ejuice? Pretty good stuff if you are into feet.

 

[Rickb119]

Ok, Now I am going to make you snicker and lol... I found some unwaxed butcher twine.. I tried it for a wick and after breaking it in, I love the taste..I usually use cotton or 3mm silica.. I was shopping one day and seen this and made in USA 100 percent unbleached cotton twine..Anyone ever tried something like this?

That's all that I use (from BBY). I use a bead needle (Hobby Lobby) to thread it into the coil. Wicks great and has no taste. I do boil it first to get the "natural" out of it.