Ceramic Wick options

Heartwood · Aug 18, 2018

Lately I've been experimenting with ceramics. I found these neat little guys on Amazon. They are made for cigarettes they contain a small porous ceramic filter. With a little work I chip out the center to make room for Japanese organic cotton.and before use I clean them in grain alcohol. They have been working quite well for me

Heartwood · Aug 19, 2018

Heartwood said:
Lately I've been experimenting with ceramics. I found these neat little guys on Amazon. They are made for cigarettes they contain a small porous ceramic filter. With a little work I chip out the center to make room for Japanese organic cotton.and before use I clean them in grain alcohol. They have been working quite well for me

Heartwood · Aug 19, 2018

Also these are ceramic bio filters for ponds anf fish tanks. I plan to cut a chunk and shave into a rod to use as a genesis type of Wick. Havent tried it yet but ill let you know if it works.

KGuardian · Aug 19, 2018

Heartwood · Aug 19, 2018

Half wicked

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Heartwood said:
Also these are ceramic bio filters for ponds anf fish tanks. I plan to cut a chunk and shave into a rod to use as a genesis type of Wick. Havent tried it yet but ill let you know if it works.

this was done years ago...look up the fc-2000 porous ceramic wick.....there is a large thread over at ECF called "The Next Big Thing Porous Ceramic wicks" ECF may have closed the thread down but it went on for years ...there was a large group of folks who used to make our own AO wicks. about 3 or 4 years ago.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Heartwood said:
Lately I've been experimenting with ceramics. I found these neat little guys on Amazon. They are made for cigarettes they contain a small porous ceramic filter. With a little work I chip out the center to make room for Japanese organic cotton.and before use I clean them in grain alcohol. They have been working quite well for me

forget the grain alcohol ..the way to clean a porous ceramic wick is with an ultrasonic cleaner it will push the dust particles out of the wick and improve it's ability to wick juice. also the best way to sculpt porous ceramic is with diamond tools..diamond wheels or with diamond hand files...

5150sick · Aug 20, 2018

That's pretty cool.
I must have missed this because this is the first time I've ever seen it in the center of the coil like that.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

Do some research about concerns related to the inhalation of ceramics.

I'll pass, personally.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
Do some research about concerns related to the inhalation of ceramics.

I'll pass, personally.

porous ceramic is one of the safest wicks to use from a health stand point..we inhale the material it is made from all the time...as dust.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

pulsevape said:
porous ceramic is one of the safest wicks to use from a health stand point..we inhale the material it is made from all the time...as dust.

The dust is exactly the concern. Long term exposure is bad news for your pulmonary system. Silicosis is the name, and you probably don't want it.

See also: https://www.judgecloud.net/is-ceramic-coil-safe/

Among countless other studies done on the subject, available online for your viewing pleasure.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
The dust is exactly the concern. Long term exposure is bad news for your pulmonary system. Silicosis is the name, and you probably don't want it.

See also: https://www.judgecloud.net/is-ceramic-coil-safe/

Among countless other studies done on the subject, available online for your viewing pleasure.

one of the guys who used to be active on the ceramic wick thread over at ECF had a PHD in toxicology....

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

That's great and all, but it isn't a toxic material in and of itself. Inhale fine glass-like particles for years on end and it scars your respiratory system, doing irreparable damage. Ask OSHA/WCB or a respiratory therapist, or, google.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
That's great and all, but it isn't a toxic material in and of itself. Inhale fine glass-like particles for years on end and it scars your respiratory system, doing irreparable damage. Ask OSHA/WCB or a respiratory therapist, or, google.

you inhale silica everyday ....it is the most common material on the earth;s surface...I don;t have to google anything I have gone over this debate many times over I started vaping on ceramic four years ago and sat through hours of investigation and research on the potential health risks of using porous ceramics as a wick ..what I learned satisfied me .but I encourage everyone to make their own inquiries.I would still use ceramic wicks the minute they work out the bugs to make it more cost effective and practical.and I do use them still from time to time when I want the best flavor available in vaping.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

If that's the choice you've chosen to make after doing the research, that's fine with me. In my opinion however, vaping is all about harm reduction, and repeatedly lung hitting hot ceramic who's structure is compromised further from every heat cycle isn't something I want to risk for myself. Of course we inhale the dust daily, but in extremely insignificant concentrations. Sucking on a hot ceramic heating element isn't a comparable comparison.

A ceramic wick probably isn't as dangerous as resurfacing concrete flooring without a mask, but they're both a poor choice if your respritory function is a priority imho.

Everyone should make their own call, but they should know the concerns and potential risks before jumping in blindly.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
If that's the choice you've chosen to make after doing the research, that's fine with me. In my opinion however, vaping is all about harm reduction, and repeatedly lung hitting hot ceramic who's structure is compromised further from every heat cycle isn't something I want to risk for myself. Of course we inhale the dust daily, but in extremely insignificant concentrations. Sucking on a hot ceramic heating element isn't a comparable comparison.

A ceramic wick probably isn't as dangerous as resurfacing concrete flooring without a mask, but they're both a poor choice if your respritory function is a priority imho.

Everyone should make their own call, but they should know the concerns and potential risks before jumping in blindly.

the dust seems to me to be relatively harmless, but more to the point the wick is wet...and so dust is not airborne,secondly by cleaning it with an ultrasonic cleaner you force the dust out of the pores of the wick..people eat and cook on ceramic cookware daily.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

The wick is wet, until it's not. Repeatedly heating it damages it on a molecular level, causing further disintegration, so initial cleaning may not save it from expelling glass particulate in the future. Also, there is no guarantee that the vapor itself isn't acting as a transport mechanism, delivering microscopic glass particles to your trachea and lungs.

Further, ceramic cookware is glazed for a reason. That glaze keeps the particulate trapped... And eating off of something and repeatedly getting it to 400+ degrees and directly inhaling off of it are again, not comparable whatsoever.

I'll let you have it though. You clearly know absolutely everything on the topic.

r055co · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
The wick is wet, until it's not. Repeatedly heating it damages it on a molecular level, causing further disintegration, so initial cleaning may not save it from expelling glass particulate in the future. Also, there is no guarantee that the vapor itself isn't acting as a transport mechanism, delivering microscopic glass particles to your trachea and lungs.

Further, ceramic cookware is glazed for a reason. That glaze keeps the particulate trapped... And eating off of something and repeatedly getting it to 400+ degrees and directly inhaling off of it are again, not comparable whatsoever.

I'll let you have it though. You clearly know absolutely everything on the topic.

Yep, I don't trust Ceramic wicks

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
The wick is wet, until it's not. Repeatedly heating it damages it on a molecular level, causing further disintegration, so initial cleaning may not save it from expelling glass particulate in the future. Also, there is no guarantee that the vapor itself isn't acting as a transport mechanism, delivering microscopic glass particles to your trachea and lungs.

Further, ceramic cookware is glazed for a reason. That glaze keeps the particulate trapped... And eating off of something and repeatedly getting it to 400+ degrees and directly inhaling off of it are again, not comparable whatsoever.

I'll let you have it though. You clearly know absolutely everything on the topic.

no..that is not true alot of ceramic cookware is not glazed...as for repeated cleaning of the wicks ..I don't do it myself the heat has nothing to do with breaking down the wick,it is the fast cool down period that causes the ceramic to crack..I don't clean ceramic repeatedly because I don't think it works that well and it does make the wick more fragile....

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

People cook with charcoal too, but few would encourage dripping off of a hot briquette.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
People cook with charcoal too, but few would encourage dripping off of a hot briquette.

no they cook over charcol not in it...you are being purposelly obtuse.they cook in clay pots, they cook in tandooris, they cook in Tagine, all over the world for centuries.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

Yes, I am being obtuse, but the parallels you are attempting to draw pretty much intersect. Cooking food on or in something is not the same as soaking it in PG and sending it to 400f+ repeatedly throughout the day whilst directly inhaling it's exhaust. People worked around silica dust for centuries before PPE became the norm. They mostly died of "consumption" as silicosis hadn't been discovered yet. I'm not suggesting that ceramic wicks will guarantee harm to the end user, but there is legitimate cause for concern in my eyes. As long as people are aware they need to read first, vape second, then ultimately the choice is theirs and I'm a happy person.

I know you're a smart guy, and usually don't find cause to outright disagree with your assessments, but this time I happen to have reached a different conclusion than your own. Such is life... Especially the vape life.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
Yes, I am being obtuse, but the parallels you are attempting to draw pretty much intersect. Cooking food on or in something is not the same as soaking it in PG and sending it to 400f+ repeatedly throughout the day whilst directly inhaling it's exhaust. People worked around silica dust for centuries before PPE became the norm. They mostly died of "consumption" as silicosis hadn't been discovered yet. I'm not suggesting that ceramic wicks will guarantee harm to the end user, but there is legitimate cause for concern in my eyes. As long as people are aware they need to read first, vape second, then ultimately the choice is theirs and I'm a happy person.

I know you're a smart guy, and usually don't find cause to outright disagree with your assessments, but this time I happen to have reached a different conclusion than your own. Such is life... Especially the vape life.

indeed this is all new ground we are covering and the best we can do is research each for own what are the best risks I admire the fact you took the time and effort to research the issue yourself.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

pulsevape said:
indeed this is all new ground we are covering and the best we can do is research each for own what are the best risks I admire the fact you took the time and effort to research the issue yourself.

Likewise. And sorry for being a smart-ass. It's in my nature. :cheers:

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
Likewise. And sorry for being a smart-ass. It's in my nature.

ditto

Ralph_K · Aug 20, 2018

Ceramic isn't going to break down from 400F.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

Ralph_K said:
Ceramic isn't going to break down from 400F.

Peak temps aren't the biggest issue for this application, however heat cycling it thousands of times may be of potential concern. You'd need an electron microscope and trained scientists to make that claim with any semblance of certainty.

Ralph_K · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
Peak temps aren't the biggest issue for this application, however heat cycling it thousands of times may be of potential concern. You'd need an electron microscope and trained scientists to make that claim with any semblance of certainty.

Ceramic can handle 2000+F just fine. You're just trying to make shit up. This isn't CNN

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
Peak temps aren't the biggest issue for this application, however heat cycling it thousands of times may be of potential concern. You'd need an electron microscope and trained scientists to make that claim with any semblance of certainty.

AO stones that are bonded without a frit at over 2000 degrees ....it is not the 400 degrees that is a problem they can handle that no problem....it is when the wick is "torched" at high temps to clean it...the sudden cool down is what cracks the stone... or when the wire is hot wrapped onto the wick under a torch ....when the stone is made it's cool down is under control and done slowly.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

Ralph, go do some research instead of stirring the pot. Much of this has been documented by folks a hell of a lot smarter than you or me.

Dry burning, rewicking the core, handling with sharp tools, all can easily disturb the surface creating microscopic dust to be released. So even if the repeated heat cycling doesn't effect the ceramic in a negative way, there is still cause for concern. But you go right ahead and show everyone you're right. I encourage it.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

we breathe microscopic dust all the time....anyone who has lived in Texas, Nevada Kansas,New Mexico Arizona central valley of california,Utah has breathed in enough dust to make the dust from an AO wick look like nothing....go through one year of sand storms in southeren Arizona, and yet we don't have the massive lung problems from those population you say is inevitable.our lungs evolved to be able to handle organic dusts at common and even uncommon conditions...look at Saudi Arabia...they are not burdened with huge numbers of lung disease.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

"In order to produce a porous ceramic material, raw materials such as silica powders and pore-forming materials like starch or other organic polymers are needed. Then they are mixed and put into a mold with high pressure. Samples are obtained with a fixed shape. The samples are put into a furnace and set to a high temperature. Pores are formed while the pore-forming agent combusts and escapes. This kind of pore plays an important role by introducing e-liquid into your vape. However, to make enough pores, the temperature to stick the materials together is lower which causes low tensile and compressive strength. The powders fall off or crack when the ceramic coil is touched or shaken. All the powders can be introduced into the lung by air which is dangerous (the speed of air can reach 223mph when we are vaping).

High pressure from the vapor will expand and damage the structure of the porous ceramic material. Loose powders will fall off and go into the lung. Causing death.

Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. Symptoms are inflammation and scarring in the form of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. This is a type of pneumoconiosis. Silicosis can be complicated by the development of severe scarring, where small nodules gradually merge together, reaching a size of 1cm or greater. Progressive massive fibrosis is associated with more severe symptoms and respiratory impairment. Silicosis can also be complicated by other lung diseases such tuberculosis, non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection, and fungal infection, certain autoimmune diseases, and lung cancer (“Silicosis.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis)."

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

pulsevape said:
we breathe microscopic dust all the time....anyone who has lived in Texas, Nevada Kansas,New Mexico Arizona central valley of california,Utah has breathed in enough dust to make the dust from an AO wick look like nothing....go through one year of sand storms in southeren Arizona, and yet we don't have the massive lung problems from those population you say is inevitable.our lungs evolved to be able to handle organic dusts at common and even uncommon conditions...look at Saudi Arabia...they are not burdened with huge numbers of lung disease.

Never said nor implied it was inevitable, just worth knowing more than "ceramic tastes great, lets use it."

Folks can feel free to use whatever they like, regardless of the outcome. I don't really mind either way.

...and fuck a CNN.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
"In order to produce a porous ceramic material, raw materials such as silica powders and pore-forming materials like starch or other organic polymers are needed. Then they are mixed and put into a mold with high pressure. Samples are obtained with a fixed shape. The samples are put into a furnace and set to a high temperature. Pores are formed while the pore-forming agent combusts and escapes. This kind of pore plays an important role by introducing e-liquid into your vape. However, to make enough pores, the temperature to stick the materials together is lower which causes low tensile and compressive strength. The powders fall off or crack when the ceramic coil is touched or shaken. All the powders can be introduced into the lung by air which is dangerous (the speed of air can reach 223mph when we are vaping).

High pressure from the vapor will expand and damage the structure of the porous ceramic material. Loose powders will fall off and go into the lung. Causing death.

Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. Symptoms are inflammation and scarring in the form of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. This is a type of pneumoconiosis. Silicosis can be complicated by the development of severe scarring, where small nodules gradually merge together, reaching a size of 1cm or greater. Progressive massive fibrosis is associated with more severe symptoms and respiratory impairment. Silicosis can also be complicated by other lung diseases such tuberculosis, non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection, and fungal infection, certain autoimmune diseases, and lung cancer (“Silicosis.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis)."

that is a ceramic made with a frit....that is not how the stones we vape on are made.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
Never said nor implied it was inevitable, just worth knowing more than "ceramic tastes great, lets use it."

Folks can feel free to use whatever they like, regardless of the outcome. I don't really mind either way.

...and fuck a CNN.

I would not personally vape on a ceramic made in China....I don't trust their honesty about how the ceramic was made.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

pulsevape said:
that is a ceramic made with a frit....that is not how the stones we vape on are made.

Strange then that it was specifically referenced by Uwell, in relation to ceramic coils used for vaping purposes. I'm not that well versed in the various manufacturing aspects, admittedly.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

Droogbc said:
Strange then that it was specifically referenced by Uwell, in relation to ceramic coils used for vaping purposes.

as I said I vaped on ceramic wicks I made from stones I knew how they were made. my point is though ceramics are incrediblely safe material.probablly far more than the wire and ss mesh we commonly use.

pulsevape · Aug 20, 2018

To illustrate my point...I grew up in southeren Arizona where dust storms were a common occurnce....after being out in them you would cough up spittle that was brown for an hour afterwards..it did not create a population plauged by lung problems.

Droogbc · Aug 20, 2018

Well, we're all gonna die of something anyway I guess. Be it wick, wire, or charcoal BBQ's. Taste is important.

...and my Silicon Carbide e-nail is pretty tasty. Though that's not used with nearly as much frequency as my e-juice vapes, and it's water filtered, for whatever that's worth... which is probably very little, lol.

I take calculated risks myself. Just looking out for those who might be completely unaware. After all, cigarettes were considered to be healthy at one time too. We saw how that turned out.

Heartwood · Aug 20, 2018

Well that became quite the battle. As life does so.sometimes. I just enjoy. Fabricating, repurposing and experimenting with making things into other things. Will that possibly kill me someday? Who knows. I made a crossbow out of wood siding and sis kebab skewers. When I was 7. I shot my brother in the knee with it. It didn't kill him, but he couldn't run track for a while. Lol. I got into vaping for the diy fun of it more than any other reason.

Ceramic Wick options

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