I use RTAs a lot more than I did when I started. These days, it isn't really worth it to me to clean store bought heads (although I used to). For me, a good rinse under almost scalding water, then sitting in water overnight (I would've used distilled, but we have a huge water filter under our house, as our water was terrible) then rinsing again and air drying was my method. I stopped doing it as I use more RTAs, and although I still enjoy some rebuildable tanks, my replacement of store bought heads has gone WAY down. I don't rinse and reuse anymore, merely because coil life death happens kind of unpredictably the second go round. Sometimes I'd get a few days, sometimes less, and it just became not worth it. I do save (hoard) used coil heads, in case I can't obtain certain ones in the future....
It's also a very self-sufficient way of vaping. Making coils and using rayon is inexpensive, and once you learn how to do it (it's a learning curve, but a worthwhile one) you don't have to rely on manufacturers to provide coil heads.
The rebuildable atomizer system forum would be a great place to start to learn more about doing it. Best of luck,
Anna
+1 on the learning curve. I've just started with an RDA (BONZA) and I'll say
@christylh8 - Dripping is MUCH easier as far as if you make a mistake or if something isn't quite right with your coils then you have a much easier time of fixing them rather than having to mess about with removing the deck from the tank especially if they're postless. My GeekVape Zeus is an amazing RTA but given the size and dexterity of my hands it's a mission to change over coils and cotton. The Bonza deck is really open and as long as you have the right tools it is a real joy to install. I also splurged for a proper toolkit (highly recommend). You can get heaps of post designs as well, I've had a look at the HellVape Dead Rabbit up close and it has a different way of going about things so personal preference I suppose.
Probably another thing that I would suggest just based on the last few days with my RDA and with my RTA is do yourself a favour and splurge for a set (enough to do your atomiser twice over) of REALLY good handmade coils, cost wise it's expensive but they do last a long time but the other advantage is that if you ever decide to make your own you know exactly what to look for as you've had premium gear inside to start with. Not to mention that if you're anything like me with this stuff my head would nearly explode with all the information out there, can get quite overwhelming. But I promise it's worth it.
I'm also with Anna on this one - buying drop-in coils makes life easier no question, but the first thing I noticed when I got my first vape mod was when I was at the counter asking for replacement coils...
"and can I get a packet of replacement coils?"
"Yea we only have the GT2"
"Ok, when will you get stock of the others?"
"Really not sure at this stage"
NB: It's pretty much the same in any store I went to either online or local
First indicator that things can go south REALLY quickly unless you go full survivalist and have a shipping container full of them. So if nothing else it's a handy skill to have and to be able to make use of if your drop-ins supply suddenly evaporate and you have a deck that can handle it. It strikes a personal chord for me as I haven't had a cigarette since the day I started vaping.....and I'll be damned if I go back.