When vaping, I can taste my "old" liquid. How do I clean it out?

[Juusuhako]

Hi,
since getting my Subtank Nano, when changing liquid, I've always just emptied out the few drops sitting at the bottom and then put new liquid in directly. This has worked well, as the "old" liquid flavor usually disappears after a few vapes.

However, yesterday I vaped some banana/liquorice, and since it just became empty I put in some new liquid (candyfloss). But now, the taste is still liquorice, because it was so "strong", and it ruins the other liquids flavor I put in.

How do I go about cleaning the coil after using a strong liquid? I've Googled, and most of the guides include +5-10 steps using water, alc., microwaves, "dry burning" and what not. I was hoping; can't I just let the coil sit in some hot/boiled water for a few minutes, and then let it dry completely?

 

[Linkcityredvapin]

Hi,
since getting my Subtank Nano, when changing liquid, I've always just emptied out the few drops sitting at the bottom and then put new liquid in directly. This has worked well, as the "old" liquid flavor usually disappears after a few vapes.

However, yesterday I vaped some banana/liquorice, and since it just became empty I put in some new liquid (candyfloss). But now, the taste is still liquorice, because it was so "strong", and it ruins the other liquids flavor I put in.

How do I go about cleaning the coil after using a strong liquid? I've Googled, and most of the guides include +5-10 steps using water, alc., microwaves, "dry burning" and what not. I was hoping; can't I just let the coil sit in some hot/boiled water for a few minutes, and then let it dry completely?

I use an I sub tank on my MVP 3 pro and what I do to get strong flavors out is take the cotton out of the coil. I dry burn and rinse with water repeat two or three times then I blow dry it. Now when I'm done doing that I cut a piece out of a square of organic Japanese cotton and replace it in the coil. Be careful putting it in there I twist when putting through to help avoid messing up coil. juice cotton up as usual before firing and good to go. Works for me every time and I save money not having to spend 5$ on a new whole coil and wick every 2 days. Doing this I can make one last about ten days! Hope this helps

 

[smacuser]

Unfortunately, liquorice and anise are flavors that will linger forever. You should only use them if you know you won't be using any other flavors afterwards.

 

[Juusuhako]

I use an I sub tank on my MVP 3 pro and what I do to get strong flavors out is take the cotton out of the coil. I dry burn and rinse with water repeat two or three times then I blow dry it. Now when I'm done doing that I cut a piece out of a square of organic Japanese cotton and replace it in the coil. Be careful putting it in there I twist when putting through to help avoid messing up coil. Juice cotton up as usual before firing and good to go. Works for me every time and I save money not having to spend 5$ on a new whole coil and wick every 2 days. Doing this I can make one last about ten days! Hope this helps

Thats way too much work for me. I simply wanted to know if there was a simple way to wash out the taste. Thanks for the info though.

Unfortunately, liquorice and anise are flavors that will linger forever. You should only use them if you know you won't be using any other flavors afterwards.

Thats a shame, I didnt know that. And it wont help a tad letting it sit in water? Would it even work, or would it ruin the coil completely?

 

[smacuser]

Thats a shame, I didnt know that. And it wont help a tad letting it sit in water? Would it even work, or would it ruin the coil completely?

As a last resort, try soaking the head in vodka overnight, though I doubt it will work. That flavor is that strong.

You are talking about a screw on head, right? If you boil it, you run the risk of distorting the rubber o-rings or worsening the flavor.

 

[Juusuhako]

As a last resort, try soaking the head in vodka overnight, though I doubt it will work. That flavor is that strong.

You are talking about a screw on head, right? If you boil it, you run the risk of distorting the rubber o-rings or worsening the flavor.

I guess it is, since I do screw them on. These are the ones: http://danskdamp.dk/product-images/79/37/kanger-subtank-occ-1-600x600.jpg

Fortunately I do have one more coil, I guess I'll use that for other flavors, and keep this one strictly for liquorice.

When not using the other coil, do I simply place it on some paper? Like, does it dry out by sitting out for too long? Where should I store it?

 

[smacuser]

I reuse coils for like flavors, tobaccos for tobaccos, fruits for fruits, and so on.

If you plan on using the coil for another liquorice flavor, I'd put it in a tiny zip lock bag.

 

[man00ver]

For the adventurous, here's the ever-colorful Rip Trippers rebuilding a factory subtank OCC coil. He replaces the cotton at 4:25.



As he points out, dry-burning these is not a good idea. You'll damage the grommets.

 

[sparkky1]

I guess it is, since I do screw them on. These are the ones: http://danskdamp.dk/product-images/79/37/kanger-subtank-occ-1-600x600.jpg

Fortunately I do have one more coil, I guess I'll use that for other flavors, and keep this one strictly for liquorice.

When not using the other coil, do I simply place it on some paper? Like, does it dry out by sitting out for too long? Where should I store it?

Store them on your backup tank ? Kangertech Subtank Nano 3ml Tank

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Because of nooks and crannies, I soak in 20% vinegar. Only 20-30 minutes and then very hot water rinse. I use a pair of pliers from my kit to hold the items. Then a vapertowel to dry overnight. Dry burn before re-wicking, too.

Some suggest dish soap, but their are too many chemicals.

 

[Juusuhako]

I reuse coils for like flavors, tobaccos for tobaccos, fruits for fruits, and so on.

If you plan on using the coil for another liquorice flavor, I'd put it in a tiny zip lock bag.

I emptied the tank and rinsed with water. Can still taste a hint of liquorice, so I guess I need to wait it out till it "dies" from other flavors. Or can I do more to clean it? Rub alc. in it with cotton swab?

For the adventurous, here's the ever-colorful Rip Trippers rebuilding a factory subtank OCC coil. He replaces the cotton at 4:25.



As he points out, dry-burning these is not a good idea. You'll damage the grommets.

So I can skip all before it? Cus if I rewind, hes pulling strings and all kinds of stuff out from his coil, which I wouldnt want to fiddle with. Is it as easy as pulling out the cotton, and putting new back in?

If so, I could always try on a dead coil.

Store them on your backup tank ? Kangertech Subtank Nano 3ml Tank

I dont have a backup tank, as I dont really plan on break the one I have now.

Because of nooks and crannies, I soak in 20% vinegar. Only 20-30 minutes and then very hot water rinse. I use a pair of pliers from my kit to hold the items. Then a vapertowel to dry overnight. Dry burn before re-wicking, too.

Some suggest dish soap, but their are too many chemicals.

I dont even know what dry-burn is. Like mentioned above I used water but it didnt completely remove the taste of the liquorice. So thats why I asked if I can rub alc. with a cotton swab.

 

[smacuser]

Or can I do more to clean it? Rub alc. in it with cotton swab?

I have used rubbing alcohol in the past. Let it sit in a small cupful (shot glass) overnight. Just rinse the heck out it before you use it, might even let it sit in water another night.

You'll want to use it right away after that, don't let it sit since the coil has essentially been stripped bare and might be prone to oxidation.

Pure grain alcohol (PGA; Everclear) would be preferable because it's not toxic and doesn't need to be rinsed as much; oxidation will not be as much as a factor.

 

[smacuser]

By the way, if your heads are OCC, I would not dry burn them. Cotton will toast up like nobody's business; licorice will be a pleasant taste by comparison.

 

[Juusuhako]

I have used rubbing alcohol in the past. Let it sit in a small cupful (shot glass) overnight. Just rinse the heck out it before you use it, might even let it sit in water another night.

You'll want to use it right away after that, don't let it sit since the coil has essentially been stripped bare and might be prone to oxidation.

Pure grain alcohol (PGA; Everclear) would be preferable because it's not toxic and doesn't need to be rinsed as much; oxidation will not be as much as a factor.

Shouldnt I take out the coil, and just let the tank sit in alc.? I already changed the coil today, and I still get a hint of liquorice, so im guessing the flavor has ...caught on? if you will, onto the tank material a little.

 

[smacuser]

Shouldnt I take out the coil, and just let the tank sit in alc.? I already changed the coil today, and I still get a hint of liquorice, so im guessing the flavor has ...caught on? if you will, onto the tank material a little.

The tank should be fine with a water rinse. Here, we often use the term "head" to represent the screw on coil unit (as shown in the rebuild video above).

 

[man00ver]

So I can skip all before it? Cus if I rewind, hes pulling strings and all kinds of stuff out from his coil, which I wouldnt want to fiddle with. Is it as easy as pulling out the cotton, and putting new back in?

Yes, with a relatively new coil, you could grab the old cotton with tweezers and patiently pull it out one of the side holes. You might want a small (2.5mm diameter or less) rod/screwdriver on hand, to gently push from the other side. All this will need tender care to avoid mashing up the existing coil. Then replace the wick like Rip did.

With an older coil head, both the coil and the wick are likely to be gunk-laden, which would make the operation a little too messy to trouble with. But you'll probably just replace a head that old, if it's holding a flavor you don't like.

 

[Juusuhako]

The tank should be fine with a water rinse. Here, we often use the term "head" to represent the screw on coil unit (as shown in the rebuild video above).

Ah, I see. But since I already changed the coil, it doesnt really make sense let a whole new sit in alc. And like I said, even with the new coil I still get a slight hint of liquorice (I already washed the tank). I guess the flavor is lingering abit in there for now, until it eventually "dies out". Didnt know it was that strong...

Yes, with a relatively new coil, you could grab the old cotton with tweezers and patiently pull it out one of the side holes. You might want a small (2.5mm diameter or less) rod/screwdriver on hand, to gently push from the other side. All this will need tender care to avoid mashing up the existing coil. Then replace the wick like Rip did.

With an older coil head, both the coil and the wick are likely to be gunk-laden, which would make the operation a little too messy to trouble with. But you'll probably just replace a head that old, if it's holding a flavor you don't like.

What I meant was when a coil "dies" (taste is off, eventually taste burnt), I could just change the cotton inside, and use it all over again, so I dont have to buy new 5-packs anymore? Or is that not how it works? I've always assumed its simply the cotton that "goes bad", and you could just change that.

 

[TheMike21]

Vodka and my capuchino machine have been my best allies against strong tasting liquids, my process is as follows:
step 1- unscrew the tank down to pieces and rinse it in hot water
step 2- Give it a run under the steam nozzle of the capuchino machine until the steam stops smelling like said liquid (optional if you have one of course)
step 3- Let all of the parts sleep in a shot glass filled with vodka. The tank parts in one shot glass and your coil in another.
Step 4- Next morning run it under the hot water one more time.
Step 5- Use paper towels to dry it as much as possible and then leave it for 30 min in the direct pathway of a fan to dry up.
Step 6- build it back up, prime and enjoy.

 

[smacuser]

Ah, I see. But since I already changed the coil, it doesnt really make sense let a whole new sit in alc. And like I said, even with the new coil I still get a slight hint of liquorice (I already washed the tank). I guess the flavor is lingering abit in there for now, until it eventually "dies out". Didnt know it was that strong...

So, now you have 2 heads that taste like licorice?

I need to go peek at my PGA.

 

[TheMike21]

So, now you have 2 heads that taste like licorice

Sort of, she changed the coil but the tank was not super clean so some taste lingers.

Right?