Wick Matreials and Properties

[Cool_Breeze]

Many vapers have contributed to exploration of various e-cig wick materials. The following table and notes contain generalizations based upon posted experiences. The contents are for use as a guide and are not meant to supplant further investigation when making choices of wicking materials.

Wick Matreials and Properties

Wick Material/Property	Size	Dry Burn	Life	Flavor	Wickability	Health/Other Cautions	Form
Sq. Braided Cotton Candle Wick	#2/0 - #1	No	~Week	Good	Good	1	Cord
Bamboo	Varies	No	1 to 2 Weeks	Very Good	Good	1	Yarn Thread Multi
Stainless Steel Mesh	3/32" - 1/8" 2-3mm	Yes	More than 2 Weeks	Good	Varies with Roll		Rolled Sheet
Cotton: Batten, Rolled, Gauze	Varies	No	~Week	Good	Good	1, 4	Various
Silica	Varies	Yes	More than 2 Weeks	Good	Good	2	Cord Thread
Porous Ceramic	3/32" - 1/8" 2-3mm	Yes	More than 2 Weeks			3	Rigid Cylinder
Hemp	Varies	Some	1 to 2 Weeks	Good	Good		Cord

Notes:
1. Combustion of cellulosic materials may lead to the formulation of organic irritants, such as acrolein and formaldehyde.
2. There are concerns over possible microscopic needle-like particles entering the vape-stream from deteriorating wicks. See http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modding-forum/284030-wick-materials-safe-vs-dangerous.html
3. At present, porous ceramic wicks can be brittle and prone to easy breaking. Thicker wicks may be less susceptible to breaking than thin ones.
4. See MyWikkaSite: Cotton Wick Wiki

 

[JD1]

Good thread and chart, Cool_Breeze. The only thing I might question is the bamboo. I've never tried it myself, but I've read that it has a slight woody flavor that never quite goes completely away.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

Thanks, JD1.

Bamboo does impart some flavor...at the start. After a couple of ml, it passes. Bamboo allows for a great, smooth flavor, though I think brand and other Bamboo properties may make for performance differences.

...nice axe.

 

[BJ43]

Hard to really put in a chart.

Bamboo, tried about 7 and the only one that really worked for me is Lydia's 10.
Hemp, tried 5 and one is a 10 the other a 9 and the rest no good.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

Hi BJ -

Yes...can be that way. While evilgrym first mentioned Bamboo, supervape actually sent a bunch of it around. Did you ever have supervapes' original Bamboo? Great stuff and about twice the size of Lydia's.

On the hemp and other, I'd like to be able to offer links for the good stuff.

As well, you are right about 'hard to put into a chart.' This just sort of hits the highlights, perhaps potential of the various materials.

 

[BJ43]

Hemp
IMO Best:
Hemp Twine Cord 1mm 20 Test 5 10 or 25 Yards Color Selectable | eBay

2nd Place:
10 20 36 48lb Natural Hemp Cord 4 Size | eBay

 

[BJ43]

I asked the ebay seller of the hemp that I am using if he could get us the same twine in 2mm and it looks like he will have it by the end of the week. Here is his email:
Dear bj43,

Hello there, If you give us by the end of the week we will offer 2mm. I will let you know when we post it up so you will know. Thank you for the input. Word of mouth is always great! Thank you for being a valued customer!! We appreciate you.

- lovepedal

Hemp Twine Cord 1mm 20 Test 5 10 or 25 Yards Color Selectable | eBay

 

[Shy De]

I asked the ebay seller of the hemp that I am using if he could get us the same twine in 2mm and it looks like he will have it by the end of the week. Here is his email:
Dear bj43,

Hello there, If you give us by the end of the week we will offer 2mm. I will let you know when we post it up so you will know. Thank you for the input. Word of mouth is always great! Thank you for being a valued customer!! We appreciate you.

- lovepedal

Hemp Twine Cord 1mm 20 Test 5 10 or 25 Yards Color Selectable | eBay

Does color matter? Or just go natural? 1mm is fine but 2mm would be better? Just use standard kanthal wire? Sorry for all the questions!

 

[xpen]

Many vapers have contributed to exploration of various e-cig wick materials. The following table and notes contain generalizations based upon posted experiences. The contents are for use as a guide and are not meant to supplant further investigation when making choices of wicking materials.
(...)
Notes:
1. No known health concerns with the material when properly prepared.
2. There are concerns over possible microscopic needle-like particles entering the vape-stream from deteriorating wicks. See http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modding-forum/284030-wick-materials-safe-vs-dangerous.html
3. At present, porous ceramic wicks can be brittle and prone to easy breaking. Thicker wicks may be less susceptible to breaking than thin ones.
4. See MyWikkaSite: Cotton Wick Wiki

I could see no references to cotton releasing acrolein when burning... not even in the Cotton Wick Wiki.

Should that perhaps make for another footnote a la (2)?

Besides, good initiative. Thanks!

 

[Cool_Breeze]

I could see no references to cotton releasing acrolein when burning... not even in the Cotton Wick Wiki.

Should that perhaps make for another footnote a la (2)?

Besides, good initiative. Thanks!

Hi xpen - Do you have some information regarding acrolein and cotton? By "burning," do you mean when cotton actually starts to char? Can you provide a link? Thanks!

 

[xpen]

Hi xpen - Do you have some information regarding acrolein and cotton? By "burning," do you mean when cotton actually starts to char? Can you provide a link? Thanks!

Hi,

yes, when cotton burns/chars.

if you google around you'll find plenty of references to cellulose (including cotton) releasing acrolein when burning, among other substances like oil, tobacco, wood, and many more.

A few examples:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1267025520632
http://....physiology.org/content/88/3/888.full.pdf
Comprehensive Review in Toxicology for Emergency Clinicians - Peter D. Bryson - Google Books

Note: just to make it clear: I'm no MD so you should definitely double-check this rough info from proper sources...

 

[Cool_Breeze]

Note #1 updated. Thanks.

Hi,

yes, when cotton burns/chars.

if you google around you'll find plenty of references to cellulose (including cotton) releasing acrolein when burning, among other substances like oil, tobacco, wood, and many more.

A few examples:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1267025520632
http://....physiology.org/content/88/3/888.full.pdf
Comprehensive Review in Toxicology for Emergency Clinicians - Peter D. Bryson - Google Books

Note: just to make it clear: I'm no MD so you should definitely double-check this rough info from proper sources...

 

[xpen]

you're welcome.

just a quick note: I don't think note (1) still applies to SS mesh, as it is now... and possibly the same goes for porous ceramic.

 

[j4mmin42]

I'm not sure you described SS mesh correctly...flavor "okay to good"? really? That's certainly not my experience. And what part of stainless steel is cellulosic? Lol.

Then there's whole categories that really don't seem to gel- such as wickability. Silica wick definitely isn't "good" compared to other materials listed...and hemp, bamboo and cotton all wick differently (with cotton wicking the best of those three? Possibly, but it needs to be quantified!).

A chart like this is a great thing to have, and it was a great idea! But without more input from others, it doesn't tell the whole story...and it would be a huge improvement if you could quantify some of the categories beyond subjective terms like "good".

 

[JD1]

...nice axe.

Thanks. The guitar is great. My playing, hummm, not so much lol.

 

[daPorkchop]

I'm not sure you described SS mesh correctly...flavor "okay to good"? really? That's certainly not my experience. And what part of stainless steel is cellulosic? Lol.

Then there's whole categories that really don't seem to gel- such as wickability. Silica wick definitely isn't "good" compared to other materials listed...and hemp, bamboo and cotton all wick differently (with cotton wicking the best of those three? Possibly, but it needs to be quantified!).

A chart like this is a great thing to have, and it was a great idea! But without more input from others, it doesn't tell the whole story...and it would be a huge improvement if you could quantify some of the categories beyond subjective terms like "good".

Many vapers have contributed to exploration of various e-cig wick materials. The following table and notes contain generalizations based upon posted experiences. The contents are for use as a guide and are not meant to supplant further investigation when making choices of wicking materials.

10 chars.

 

[MDV39]

I just got Aunt Lydia's 100% viscose from bamboo, will that work? I want to start practicing rebuild my vivi nova so I can get into other RBAs.

 

[j4mmin42]

10 chars.

I understand. Again, I wouldn't have taken the time to respond on this thread if I didn't think this was an excellent idea-if done right, this could end up as an extra sticky in the RBA subforum! A collaborative effort and an extra hour or so of unbiased testing would be awesome. I'm more than willing to help if the OP or anyone is interested.

 

[xpen]

I just got Aunt Lydia's 100% viscose from bamboo, will that work? I want to start practicing rebuild my vivi nova so I can get into other RBAs.

I think viscose is only partially natural, treated/added with quite obnoxious-sounding chemicals... Look also here.

I'm no chemist, but I definitely wouldn't use that for vaping, myself.

On a side note, many rebuildable atomizers (A7, IGO-L, Eternity, ...) may be easier for learning the ropes of resistance (re)building: the vivinova head is really small, thus the risk of creating a short circuit with the resistance coil is in my opinion higher than with relatively bigger/more spacious RBA's, like the ones I've mentioned - and many others.

P.S. I've just realized this isn't the right thread for this.. it should have been there. sorry.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

Thanks, V Ninja. You've made some good points.

'Right,' I think about the SS Mesh. My experience is limited. While I've had a good wick or two, I've had some that didn't produce well. Of course the wick itself may not be the only matter. I've had a very limited piece of SS Mesh which was cut on the bias. That left me with lots of not so useful scraps. The problems I had were perhaps not 'flavor' precisely, but too airy and dry in some cases. Today arrived 2 square feet of 500 SS Mesh. I'll get with it.

Yes, on the Wickablity. There's lots of materials and variations in them. At this time, I don't think the circumstances exist to get a panel together and do testing with controlled conditions, at least as far as I know.

There might be other categories that can be added, though the form does have some limitations. I'm pretty graphically oriented per my occupation. Working in a once-removed format of cryptic text is a bit of a frustration, but not a deal killer. There may be useful tips on the composition. I started this in the Sandbox. For two reasons, I moved it here...perhaps prematurely. I posted links to it in the Safe vs. Dangerous thread and was open to feedback. I received some useful support, but not a lot. Additionally, the Sandbox sort of locked me out, so I thought it was time.

I think my basic intent is to offer some kind a synopsis of different wick approaches. I'm not so good with 'Search.' One also has to know something about what they are searching for. Someone new to the notion of RBAs would might have to do a whole lot of research to just understand that there are several different possibilities with wicks materials. I'm just trying to put the basics in one place. Beyond that, I don't think I want to say too much else about the intent. (Edit: The notion of 'Quick Start' just came to mind).

Input is important. Weighing it properly is key as well. I'm continue to receive input as it is offered, and revise as seems fit...until I don't. It would be good to be accurate...precision may be elusive.

What terms or qualifiers might you suggest to some of the categories where I have used 'good (for instance)?'

I'm not sure you described SS mesh correctly...flavor "okay to good"? really? That's certainly not my experience. And what part of stainless steel is cellulosic? Lol.

Then there's whole categories that really don't seem to gel- such as wickability. Silica wick definitely isn't "good" compared to other materials listed...and hemp, bamboo and cotton all wick differently (with cotton wicking the best of those three? Possibly, but it needs to be quantified!).

A chart like this is a great thing to have, and it was a great idea! But without more input from others, it doesn't tell the whole story...and it would be a huge improvement if you could quantify some of the categories beyond subjective terms like "good".