When to change SS mesh wick

[Janusxvii]

I was just wondering how often everyone here changes their mesh wicks. I've been using the same one for about a month and a half. I have recoiled it twice and each time I "fire cleaned" it. That is to say that I burned off any juice with a lighter and then gave it another quick hit with the torch. Does anyone else do this? I'm thinking it might be time to get rid of it though since my juice is getting discolored and there is a pronounced smokey taste (kind of like burning pine pitch).

 

[Thrasher]

lol, i use them until they just dont work anymore or start to signs of damage like burns or fraying, most mesh wicks, once they get good and "seasoned" will always discolor juice. i have used some well into the 5-6 week range no problem.

most of the time after burning off the crud i let them cool and rinse in hot water or throw them in a jar with some alcohol, i have several ready to go and just let old ones soak for a while, really its up to you decide when you feel like changing it.
I also dont oxidize and just the end gets black from use this also help cut down on the brown juice effect.

 

[Rule62]

I have wicks that are months old. The thing about mesh wicks is that they just get better and better over time. They wick better; and recoiling them is easier than new wicks. I've yet to burn through one, or otherwise wear one out.

 

[Janusxvii]

Thanks for the input. I'm still pretty new to RBA's and while I spent a good two months researching how to set them up and the pros/cons of different models but this was never covered. The only prior experience I have with this sort of discoloration was from CE4's which is usually A sign that it's time to replace the coil head. This is good news since I never threw the old wick out and the new wick isn't working nearly as well.

 

[bulldog63h]

I found this and as such didn't want to start a new thread. I have been using my SS mesh wick for about three months now. It finally started not wicking as well. I have also "fire cleaned" it but i think it's finally done for. I just wanted to see if anyone else thought the same. Should i try to get it working again or just toss it and roll a new one?

 

[vapo jam]

+1 to thrasher's response. i keep using my mesh wick until it doesn't work after it's been cleaned. usually, what happens is it develops a hot spot that i can't get rid of. when i remove the wick, typically what's happened is that several layers of the mesh have been burned off, leaving a hole underneath the coil.

that being said, if it hasn't eaten the whole way through and i can salvage the coil, i'll just re-wrap the wick the other way round or flip it upside down and keep using it