What's the deal with using grain alcohol to clean?

[michaelg04]

I see a lot of posts where people state they clean their stuff with Everclear for example. I have an ego-c and I just clean my stuff with rubbing alcohol, 70%. What's the difference in using grain alcohol?

I only clean the cone, atomizer holder, and outside of tanks with rubbing alcohol, the atomizer I don't clean that way. Should I not use rubbing alcohol?

 

[vanjo]

For me I do not like the smell of rubbing alcohol. It has a perfumy scent. I use vodka to clean mine. But if you are just using it to clean the unit and connection i do not see aany problems with it. GO BULLS!

 

[bjannr]

I use to use the 91% rubbing alcohol. Then I got some Everclear. In my opinion it works a bit faster and you don't get that left over smell.

 

[Maestro]

Rubbing alcohol is poisonous and grain alcohol isn't. However, if you let it dry and rinse it, I don't think it really matters.

 

[darkstorm]

Rubbing alcohol is poisonous and grain alcohol isn't. However, if you let it dry and rinse it, I don't think it really matters.

Isopropyl alcohol is not THAT toxic and it evaporates completely. It was not that long ago I remember doctors taking thermometers out of an alcohol bath and shoving them in patients mouths without so much as a cursory wipe. Any small amount used in cleaning is not going to be dangerous. It does seem to leave a floral flavor so for that reason I switched to PGA.

 

[michaelg04]

Ok thanks all. Basically for what I use it for is ok and if I don't taste it then no biggie. Thanks

 

[bigpman]

I cleaned one of my resurrectors in 91% IPA by letting it soak in it for 12 hours. Then I let it dry, on the counter top, for 24 hours and no smell and no residue. IPA will evaporate 100%, with enough time of course

 

[michaelg04]

cool thanks

 

[spider362]

I use PGA but not for cleaning. I use water for that. What I use the PGA for is to displace the water and clean out all the impurities that could be left behind (except with distilled water).

I'm also not sure if extended contact with alcohol (and even boiling) will cause any deterioration of non-metallic parts, either.

 

[AttyPops]

Rubbing alcohol is poisonous and grain alcohol isn't. However, if you let it dry and rinse it, I don't think it really matters.

Both are poisonous... just one to a lesser degree. Very small (trace) amounts of ISO won't hurt ya, but most people blow it out real well and rinse. It's an effective, and inexpensive solvent. Good points on the smell, and that vodka/PGA is also effective. It's hard to get Everclear in all areas of the country since kids are reckless and drink it until they OD (and die of grain alcohol poisoning) because they don't know better. (Good time to mention this to your kids!)

I use the 91% isopropyl alcohol once in a while. I mostly just rinse with water though. I always blow it out well and clean it well after using.

Also, keep isopropyl alcohol and PGA away from kids and pets!

BTW... make sure that if you use isopropyl alcohol, the ingredients say "isopropyl alcohol and distilled water" AND THAT'S IT. Sometimes, rubbing alcohol is sold with oils for rubbing into muscles and such (topical). DON'T want to vape that. People call it "rubbing alcohol" but some types can have fragrance, oils, other stuff (menthol) whatever. So "isopropyl alcohol" is a better term.

 

[BHam]

For me I do not like the smell of rubbing alcohol. It has a perfumy scent. I use vodka to clean mine. But if you are just using it to clean the unit and connection i do not see aany problems with it. GO BULLS!

DA BULLS! But I use everclear for two reasons. One: I hate how strong it is to drink, and two: it cleans really well and faster than my rubbing alcohol. I also don't get that rubbing alcohol scent on my batts. I clean twice a month.