Coil Gunk

[schlinky]

So much like all of you, I'm experimenting with TC, SS wire in particular. I'm not a fan of the idea of using Ni, Ti or Niffy so that leaves me with SS and my mod has just been updated with an SS profile so I can finally adjust the temp in sensible increments.

Even in Ti mode my cotton is coming out clean and unmarked, the problem is the coils. They go brown, which happens when they get a bit of heat through them and then build up a progressively worsening layer of gunk and I'd like that 'new coil' taste to last a bit longer.

I'm assuming the gunk is a by-product of the sugars in the liquid burning off and that if I continue to vape at the (heat) level I like then this will continue to be an issue or maybe there's some tips and tricks I'm not aware of.

I typically set my upper limit temp and a low wattage so I can get a long draw (8 seconds or so). The coil temp gradually builds and hits the limit after 4 seconds or so. Maybe that's completely irrelevant but I thought I'd mention it

What do you do to ensure your coils stay clean?

 

[Mr Numpty]

I've noticed some of my juices don't gunk coils at all, and some gunk them rather quickly. I'm starting to think it's more down to the juice than any other factor.

8 second draws! I'm not sure I can even breathe in for that long.

 

[jsixtysix]

I've noticed some of my juices don't gunk coils at all, and some gunk them rather quickly. I'm starting to think it's more down to the juice than any other factor.

This. Entirely agree, was going to post something similar yesterday after re-coiling a quad 26650 dripper with claptons, went through a third of a bottle of Praxis' Amber. Was very surprised to see pretty much pure white cotton in there after that.

 

[Mr Numpty]

Spaced coils seem to gunk less than microcoils, though, whatever the juice.

 

[scrumpox]

I've been obsessing about this for weeks ... microcoils are out now, using spaced coils exclusively for TC and increasingly for non TC.
I think there is a difference between discolouration and gunking and the juice has to be a contributory factor. I wonder what happens when you vape an unflavoured juice ...

 

[jsixtysix]

Noticed that if the wick touches anything - side of chamber etc. - that's where it discolours. Seems anywhere juice can pool or rest that's where the gunk is. Probably why spaced coils stay a little cleaner. Somebody science it up pls.

 

[schlinky]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Ok maybe not 8 seconds but a good long while, it's a slow lung draw at relatively low wattage.

Spaced coils are definitely the way forward for me, no messing around with pulsing and squeezing and it removes the doubt that dry firing the coil may be damaging the metal composition.

The downside is I'm making more coils than I ever have! At least with SS it's not an expensive option.

I did originally think I'd be making less coils though because they'd be staying cleaner for longer.

 

[scrumpox]

I know exactly what you're thinking @schlinky , we were both thinking that TC was the silver bullet to longer lasting wicks and coils ... a time saver for vapers.

What's missing here is the temperature recommendation from the juice makers. That should close the loop on all this. As it is, it looks like you're still burning the juice even at the controlled temp. If that temp is above the point where the juice burns it's neither benefit nor advantage is it?

 

[schlinky]

Yeah, it's a tough one. There's so many factors in the equation, juice viscosity, wicking, the coil, the voltage, the temperature etc.

Plus my evic mini is incredibly variable, I need to set the temp anywhere from 330f to 490f to get the same sensation depending on the coil when to my mind the mod should be doing the work for me and 440 should be 440 no matter what's in the tank.

Just because I'm burning juice on the coil doesn't necessarily mean the temp is too high, maybe my wicking's off or the airflow is too tight. Maybe what I like is just too hot, maybe I should try a thinner juice to help wicking.

But yes, i did think that TC meant things were more predictable, safer and less prone to burning. So far it's just made things more complicated

 

[scrumpox]

Believe it or not this is not a before and after shot ... they're both after 12mls of juice. Everything is the same except the juice. Same build, same mod, same wattage. (I have 3 RDTAs and 2 iPV D2s.)
The darker one is a tobacco blend, that's discolouration which is probably phase one of gunking but if doesn't progress beyond phase one I don't think it's a problem at all. Flavour was fine, it was still wicking really well. After a quick rinse the wicks were as white and perfect as the others. Also the coils rinsed clean, no ash after a dry burn. The discolouration is therefore caramelisation, not of the sweetener in particular but something else in that juice. Sure, this is not TC but I am obsessing about wicking again as a result of TC trials and everything leads me to the same place ... the juice. We simply don't know the burning temperature of juices.Just my luck that my favourite juice is the one on the right.