Cartomiser Life Expectancy

[Takshaka]

Just wondering what the average life expectancy for a cartomiser is and whether this is something that varies a lot from brand to brand.

I have a Boge XXL which is struggling (tighter draw, less vapour, less flavour) after about 5-6ml and not letting it dry out at all.

[maccafan]

Too many variables to predict..e-liquid type (PG/VG ratio), voltages, make etc., etc, can all have an effect..

I made simple little tool with a syringe and a condom to thoroughly wash all my cartos with very hot water which extended their usable life when I used to use cartos.

Once you flush it through with very hot water and let it dry should be good as new, well almost.

[Chrissie]

Tak Cartomisers are meant to be disposable. I use the LR standard sized Boges & buy them in bulk at about 50p each. I used to be a very heavy smoker, so I'm a heavy vaper & more than happy if my Boges only last a couple of days, though mos last far more

[Takshaka]

Interesting, can we get a Blue Peter style demo of that?

[Takshaka]

Yes, I realise they are disposable items, I am just trying to find a rough benchmark for planning purposes. I will get to the stage of buying in bulk, but I am still at the stage of trying many different things to find what works best for me.

[maccafan]

Cut off the nozzle of a small 2ml syringe and cut off the bottom of the long carto condom including the stem. Then superglue the condom to the end of the syringe like this:



After the superglue sets remove the bung and attach your carto from the mouth end into this contraption like this:



Then you can boil some water and then draw the hot water into the condom using the tool and eject it forcibly over the sink. Do this 5 to 6 times..You can then put the connector end directly into hot water and run hot water back and forth a few times by using the syringe till the wadding goes white..

Dry and try..

[Takshaka]

Brilliant

I will try that

[maccafan]

It's not my idea, but agree it's brilliant...

Something I picked up from youtube when I first started vaping in January..Not that I am tight or can't afford a new one, I just don't like to see usable things get binned..Blame it on my Indian upbringing..

[Chrissie]

I agree, that is brilliant But as I pay only 50p for my cartos & am on a water meter, plus the cost of gas to heat water these days, I'm going to continue popping my cartos in the metal recycle bag when they start to wimp out

Macca, I do know what you mean as I was brought up in Yorkshire & my parents had to scrimp & save on everything. So I also hate binning anything. But the metal cartos can be recycled.

[Takshaka]

50p per carto, is that from health-cabin?

[Karma]

I'm saving all my half dead cartos to boil with a steradent tablet then pop in the freezer

No idea if this will work, but I feel bad just throwing them out

[Chrissie]

Jul 7, 2012 21:17:51 GMT Takshaka said:

50p per carto, is that from health-cabin?

Yes from Health Cabin

[maccafan]

Jul 7, 2012 21:16:04 GMT Chrissie said:

I agree, that is brilliant But as I pay only 50p for my cartos & am on a water meter, plus the cost of gas to heat water these days, I'm going to continue popping my cartos in the metal recycle bag when they start to wimp out

Macca, I do know what you mean as I was brought up in Yorkshire & my parents had to scrimp & save on everything. So I also hate binning anything. But the metal cartos can be recycled.

Yeah I used to do them in batches of 10-15 at a time for exactly that reason and used boiling water from the bottom of the kettle when we used to make tea..

Then I found clearos and all my cartos are in bits..

[Takshaka]

Logically, I expected clearos to be a far better delivery mechanism, but so far, for me, I am still finding cartos more reliable in terms of vapour, flavour, draw and heat. Still trying to test everything I can get my hands on though

[Karma]

I know cartos can be a bit of a PITA to keep topped up, but like you Tak, I keep coming back to them, they just work