When Do You Change the Atomizers?

[elman32]

Been vaping for about two months and having trouble determining when to replace the atomizers. My local vape store guy keeps telling me I'll taste a definite burnt taste. I havnt yet. Are there any other more objective ways to tell? Does the cotton in the coil look black? Does the juice get darker? I've been using mostly nautilus minis w an iStick 30W. I've changed atomizers twice thinking they were shot, but when I later dissected them the coils and material looked fine

 

[Sgt.Rock]

As long as they taste and perform up to snuff then ride 'em out till they die.

No mystery here...follow your taste buds!

 

[RandyF]

It varies depending on how much and at what power you vape, so there really is no definitive answer. Back when I used Pro Tanks, I could usually tell when it was time. The taste would be off, or, since I used clear juices, I could see the "coil gunk" runoff into my tank.

 

[SupplyDaddy]

When it doesn't taste right to you. For me, I tend to catch the beginning of the burnt taste. That's when I change the coil or dry burn and rewick.

 

[Wolfenstark]

Over time you will get used to when things need changing.
Depends on the coil , juice, watts/volts ,vaping frequency.

 

[djsvapour]

I can spot trouble coming with BVC coils about a day before they hit the wall. The taste starts to drop, the vape gets less dry and more wet. As you can't see the filler easily, all you can look at is the mesh and the vertical coil itself and yes, they look darkened and often the mesh looks a bit unhealthy. As for "burnt" taste... I can't say I've ever had that in 30+ coils. They are not like Kanger in that respect.
So, my answer is taste and vapor. If you're really not tasting you juice (sorry, Phil) and getting soggy hits, Adiós BVC.

 

[K_Tech]

It depends on power level and coil design. For thinner, lighter e-liquids, I've gone through up to nearly 50 ml before having to change. Some thicker, darker e-liquids, as little as two or three tanks.

I go by taste, as has been mentioned. When the flavor starts to go "off", it's time to swap out.

 

[93gc40]

I change my wick every 1-3 days. Using a kayfun, do the same when I use my Protank.

 

[justinlm24]

I can definitely tell a difference in taste. I generally get 10-14 days out of a coil. You'll know that nasty burnt taste when you get it. Trust me

 

[sonicbomb]

As well as taste, I find with carto tanks like the Nautilus that as the wicking degrades it tends to gurgle and flood as well.

 

[Baditude]

As well as taste, I find with carto tanks like the Nautilus that as the wicking degrades it tends to gurgle and flood as well.

Technically, the Nautilus is not a cartotank. It's considered a clearomizer or clearotank.

 

[Cloudmann]

With the Subtank OCC coils (for me, anyhow), generally they start to spit back a whole lot after 10 or so days. Once in a while, one will last 17-20 days. With my GS Air MS, I'm still on the first coil after more than 3 weeks, and it's still vaping strong. Coil life depends on your juice and vaping volume, to a great extent. On an average day, I go through about 5ml of a thick, VG-heavy, dark, all NET concoction I make myself and it tends to be a real coil killer. If I use the RBA deck or rebuild OCC coils, they tend to last slightly longer. On pretty much any RDA/RTA, my coils last about three weeks or so before I can't burn them clean anymore. With your vaping habits, tank, mod, and juice, your mileage might vary slightly or greatly, however.

 

[elman32]

Thanks. Greatly Appreciate the Feedback folks! Was vaping Castle Long by Five Pawns on way to work this AM and the sweetness was missing. The cheapness in me said keep vaping, so at lunch it took on an almost fishy taste (not burnt). I guess its time to change atomizers!!!

 

[Happinessanddisaster]

I change them when everything starts getting a slightly burnt taste or just tastes wrong.

 

[Smittened]

I change them when they taste burnt or quit performing as expected.

 

[Shai74]

We both have a Nautilus Mini. The coils seem to last about 3 weeks. I can taste it when they're no good anymore. My partner has very little sense of smell and can't really taste it but he'll say something like "I think my coil is on the way out" and I'll smell it for him

 

[jseah]

When my coils are going, every vape starts to taste a little burnt and the flavor of the juice diminishes. I've got 4 tanks currently on rotation throughout the day (2 Subtank Minis, 1 Atlantis 1 and 1 Atlantis 2) and the coils are lasting me around 3 weeks each.