Wick Materials: Summary.

[Lance_Wallen]

Could some one in the know please post a summary of wick material information? What's being used, pros and cons of the various materials and suggestions. The "safe and dangerous" thread is... well, it's unmanageable and I think this information needs to be out there in a clean and concise way. If you want to post something haphazard and unorganized I will reformat the document, give credit where credit is due and create a proper post that can hopefully be pinned. Thank you in advance, I'd prefer this not turn into some massive debate thread, I know there are 'camps' regarding the various wicking materials but that's the thing about pros and cons, people have preferences and you might like the juicy taste of an orange but I might not like fruit I have to peel so I prefer an apple... get what I'm sayin?

 

[rondasherrill]

SS Mesh is number 1 for flavor, but requires oxidizing. Wicks also last the longest, and can simply be rinsed out.

Cotton wick is number 2 for flavor, but NO dry burning. If the wick gets dry, you will know it, and need to replace it.

Silica Wick is last for flavor, but is probably the most idiot proof. Handles the high temps of a dry burn, wicks well, but there are also potential long term health risks. Although that is currently yet to be proven one way or the other.

There are various other methods for using each of those, and different types of those, but that's a generic overview. I'm sure someone will be along soon to expand on it.

 

[Switched]

SS Mesh is number 1 for flavor, but requires oxidizing. Wicks also last the longest, and can simply be rinsed out.

Cotton wick is number 2 for flavor, but NO dry burning. If the wick gets dry, you will know it, and need to replace it.

Silica Wick is last for flavor, but is probably the most idiot proof. Handles the high temps of a dry burn, wicks well, but there are also potential long term health risks. Although that is currently yet to be proven one way or the other.

There are various other methods for using each of those, and different types of those, but that's a generic overview. I'm sure someone will be along soon to expand on it.

That about sums it up

 

[roadrash]

If we were to have a poll on wicks, my choices would be.

1- The ss wrapped with a cotton diaper, Genisis style
E-2 for the rest.
2- gauze with a tiny bunny ball on top.
3- gauze wrapped with ss and a tiny bunny ball on top.
4- gauze
5-candle wick
6-Bunny ball.
7-Bamboo

 

[Lance_Wallen]

wtf is a bunny ball?

 

[rotohammer]

I'll add that unbraided threads from candle wick work as good as gauze but easier to work with consistently.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

I'll add that unbraided threads from candle wick work as good as gauze but easier to work with consistently.

Did you unbraid a previously braided cotton candle wick?

 

[TomCatt]

wtf is a bunny ball?

cotton ball


My List of Wick Materials:

Cotton:

• Rolled cotton (cotton batton) - CVS pharmacy
• Cotton Balls
• Cotton Candle Wick - Amazon - I believe 1/0 and 2/0 are popular sizes (someone correct me if I'm wrong)

Bamboo yarn - similar to this


Stainless Steel Mesh

• 400 mesh - good for thinner (higher %PG) juices
• 325 mesh - good for thicker (higher %VG) juices

YouTube videos on making SS mesh wicks:
Scubabatdan
Using cigarette rolling paper for wick oxidation


Hybrid SS/Cotton
Quigstip
Quigsworth using bluegrasslover's cotton batten


Silica

 

[Switched]

cotton ball

I would have left him guessing I guess cotton tail didn't come to mind

 

[Luther]

Any suggestions on the best place to get the ss mesh?

 

[TomCatt]

SS mesh
The Mesh Company
eBay


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[rotohammer]

Did you unbraid a previously braided cotton candle wick?

Yes, as per the link in my sig. It's easy to unbraid by picking at it with a paperclip.

 

[Lance_Wallen]

ok, so I'm not seeing a lot of love for bamboo, is it no longer strongly in consideration? I'm not ignoring this, I'm letting info flow a little more so I can summarize everyones info in a "guide" to wicking.

 

[roadrash]

Yes, as per the link in my sig. It's easy to unbraid by picking at it with a paperclip.

Funny, In the beginning we were taking gauze apart then braiding it into candle wick.LOL

 

[roadrash]

ok, so I'm not seeing a lot of love for bamboo, is it no longer strongly in consideration? I'm not ignoring this, I'm letting info flow a little more so I can summarize everyones info in a "guide" to wicking.

IMO, Bamboo is just about the same as cotton for wicking. A little different taste which I like at times. The stuff I have is #10 crotchet thread so it's a little small for some applications. Still better than silica.

 

[TomCatt]

From what I've seen, most of those who've tried bamboo love it. It may be that it's just that cotton is more readily available.


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[Cool_Breeze]

I favor Bamboo Yard. 6 strands yielded some dry this. Twleved strandes delivers.

 

[Moletheus]

A square inch of sterile 100% cotton gauze rolled up is doing wonders for me


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[LucentShadow]

I'm liking the #10 bamboo crochet thread best, at the moment. Works quite well for me at 7-8 strands in a vivi nova head. Gives a very slight woody flavor for awhile, which I like better than the cotton flavor. Very repeatable when it comes to making a new wick, as I can just count out strands.

Bunny balls are my second favorite. These take some practice to get repeatable results. I'd guess that I can get 15-25 wicks per ball, if i didn't toss so many bits in the attempt to get what looks like the right amount, with the right shape. Small amounts with a somewhat loose coil will wick like crazy, and even flood when it sits, I've found.

Cheesecloth was pretty good, but not as good as cotton balls in taste and wicking, for me.

I did not like the cotton yarn that was popular. It tasted off, and bothered me a bit. I didn't boil it for long enough, I guess. Maybe 5-10 mins, twice, with a change of water.

 

[Digital-Dragon]

I've only used the candle wick, and the "rolled cotton" from cvs. Both are blowing me away. I didn't unweave the candle wick or anything, and its just working so great in my phoenix. I think I like the candle wick a little better. I want to find a source for raw organic cotton next.