Why is silica even used?

[WattWick]

I'm curious as to what "we all know" and what these "unknown dangers" amount to. That's sort of contradictory, no?

What the heck is an "unknown danger" anyway? Either we know something is dangerous, or we don't.

 

[Azarias]

I heard this discussion years ago.
Back then it was like a silica vs. mesh thing.

I always wondered how dust is supposed to "fly around" in a wet environment. Or does somebody suck on a completely dry build?

 

[supertrunker]

The mesh thing scared me because i used to hybrid my wicks and run silica with a mesh saddle.

Just asked HRH if she'd like to suck on a totally dry build and i think i am going to work later and sleeping in the shed.

Happy Father's day.

T

 

[Jimi D.]

I heard this discussion years ago.
Back then it was like a silica vs. mesh thing.

I always wondered how dust is supposed to "fly around" in a wet environment. Or does somebody suck on a completely dry build?

Yeah, I remember that. I went back to silica after spending 8 hours on shorts and hotspots on stainless steel. Man did I suck at SS mesh.

 

[Jimi D.]

@supertrunker I did that too ! That had to be the worst pain I've ever endured ! It felt like my brain was cooking !

 

[supertrunker]

I'm curious as to what "we all know" and what these "unknown dangers" amount to. That's sort of contradictory, no?

What the heck is an "unknown danger" anyway? Either we know something is dangerous, or we don't.

Sorry.

T

 

[Thrasher]

Absolutely. It's the dust that's the killer. If any fibers are actually breaking and inhaled. They would just be swallowed. The microns are just too big. Makes a great Medamucil though.

Shard fart? Pew,pew stuck the dog in the eye again

 

[Azarias]

Yeah, I remember that. I went back to silica after spending 8 hours on shorts and hotspots on stainless steel. Man did I suck at SS mesh.

I tried 2 SS mesh attys. After spending 10hrs on one weekend trying to build them I threw them away. And all mesh I still had and never touched a mesh atty again.

 

[440BB]

Silica has worked well for me for a number of years, and I still consider it far safer than cotton.

 

[philoshop]

Keep yer wicks wet and yer powder dry.

 

[retired1]

Keep it on topic. The thread derails are getting VERY old.

 

[Azarias]

I still see silica coils as a good wick for newbies.
If you really don't pay attantion and suck your atty dry you can eff up your OCC coil.
Sure the silica dryhit isn't tastier than a cotton dryhit but at least you can just refill your tank and vape on. Your OCC coil will probably be useless after that.

 

[TFL!]

Read this thread The "dangers" of silica wicks | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[bloodless2010]

I still see silica coils as a good wick for newbies.
If you really don't pay attantion and suck your atty dry you can eff up your OCC coil.
Sure the silica dryhit isn't tastier than a cotton dryhit but at least you can just refill your tank and vape on. Your OCC coil will probably be useless after that.

Have you tried rewicking with a silica wick? not easy.. Cotton is super easy to re-wick if you burn it, plus it comes in huge bundles for super cheap.. I'm currently using a standard coil head that I took the silica wick out of and put some cotton in there, and I'm not even worried about it burning because I can replace it

 

[Azarias]

Have you tried rewicking with a silica wick?

Sure. That's how I learned building.
Back then there was silica, mesh and Ortmann. Even Ekowool wasn't that well known. I built with silica and Ortmann for years.
Sure nowadays I wick with different cottons.

 

[Bootiewootsy]

I also use the silic wicks as I find the flavor better and they last longer.. I vap mostly dark sweet coffee juices.. Also fruity juices..
Since I worked with porcelain dust for many years, I know that can damage lungs.. That would have been more to the silica issue than the wicks..

 

[Azarias]

I vap mostly dark sweet coffee juices.. Also fruity juices..

Oh yes. The last coffee flavors I had ruined my cotton wicks after 4ml. The silica didn't last that much longer but at least I could just dryburn it without rewicking.

 

[AndriaD]

Why was it used in the first place and not just cotton?

Because it's a great deal harder for newbies to burn it and get a dry hit, than with cotton. Once you figure out that vaping is something you're going to continue doing, then you can figure out the mysteries of cotton wicking. Or rayon, or banana strings, or whatever.

Andria

 

[Thrasher]

Have you tried rewicking with a silica wick? not easy.. Cotton is super easy to re-wick if you burn it, plus it comes in huge bundles for super cheap.. I'm currently using a standard coil head that I took the silica wick out of and put some cotton in there, and I'm not even worried about it burning because I can replace it

i think you overlooked something somewhere, lol. With silica there is no need for rewicking, a quick dryburn and its clean again

 

[bloodless2010]

i think you overlooked something somewhere, lol. With silica there is no need for rewicking, a quick dryburn and its clean again

All the silica wick coils I've used eventually get gunked up and all horrible to use..