helpful items to have around

[~Mary23]

I was typing this up for a friend and decided it might be useful to new vapers here, too.

Vaping is as much a hobby for some as it is an alternative to smoking. It can be as involved or not as you choose, but you will still need to do some minor upkeep on your equipment. Here is a list of items I keep on hand for vaping that you can get anywhere (*asterisks* mean it is necessary):

*Qtips* - for cleaning cartomizers and inner threading on batteries
alcohol prep pads - for cleaning outer threads and in general (about $1.50/box near diabetic supplies or rubbing alcohol)
*rubbing alcohol* - for cleaning with q-tips
denture tablets - for cleaning atomizers
Crest Pro Health mouthwash - for cleaning atomizers, especially to remove heavy flavors
*distilled water* - for cleaning atomizers, cartridges, empty juice bottles, syringes, etc.
paper towels - for drying, for prep surface, etc.
Pyrex clear 1 or 2-cup measuring cup - for microwaving distilled water (if you use Pyrex brand the handle stays cool - other brands do not)
plastic syringes - for measuring liquids for diy or cartomizers
plastic tweezers - for removing atomizers from very hot distilled water (I use a slotted spoon b/c I can't find my plastic tweezers)
regular tweezers - for removing cartridge filler
*med-large paperclips, unbent* - for removing inner cups from carts (Volcano, end plugs from cartos, adjusting filler and blue foam in carts
dental pick/scraper - for removing inner seal on cartos or adjusting the plates on batteries or atomizers
stickers/labels and Sharpies - for marking bottles
small rubberbands or colored tape - for color coordinating carts, cartos, and juices
blue foam - Marineland Rite Size U fish filters from major pet stores or online, used in carts instead of other fillers
contact lense cases with screw-on lids - some people use these for dipping juices with the Volcano but is no longer necessary since there are drip-tips to fit them now
plastic toolbox or tacklebox - to store juices, extra carts, and other items

Other items I use that are optional but I find necessary for me are:
-a USB hub so I can charge multiple batteries at once - some people use multi-chargers from online
-VG (glycerin) for adding to some harsh juices
-Agave Nectar, Liquid Stevia, and Ethyl Malto for sweetening diy or purchased juices
-PGA for thinning VG
-tiny funnels
-extra plastic bottles for sharing or mixing together juices
-a medium to large cabinet with acrylic organizers for all my supplies
-a little notebook for keeping track of online store passwords, discount codes, notes, etc.

I'm quite compulsive about cleaning my equipment so I go through a LOT of qtips, alcohol, and distilled water.

Hope this helps someone. Wish I had been given a list instead of having to dig for all this info and learning it a bit at a time.

[VicarVaper]

Excellent list!!

I will be on the lookout for some of these items once I try out cartomizers. I already have equipped myself with the rest

[hnkjay]

Well rounded list, tools and uses even. Very Helpful!!! Thanks Mary!!!!

[~Mary23]

Well rounded list, tools and uses even. Very Helpful!!! Thanks Mary!!!!

Aw, shucks! I learned every single bit of it on this board. The only thing I can take credit for is finding out that the dental pick works great for removing the inner seal on cartos. But, thanks!

[jscott1]

great list! For me, viva paper towels are a definite must - I have one in my goody box, and one with me at all times. Every time I change or check a cart, I have to wipe them off because juice gets on the cart where it sits in the atty. When dripping (since I am no good at this) I wipe off the DT on the top inside either with a q-tip or paper towel because I can never get the juice to go in cleanly, it always hits the rim on the inside!

[A.Jay]

Great list


One item did make me think a little tho... the unbent paperclip... it is unbent because it has no bends, unlike your typical paperclip, but in effect you had to bend it to remove the bends... hmmm




i'm sorry, its late, and little paradoxes like this capture my mind in its weakened state

[~Mary23]

Great list
One item did make me think a little tho... the unbent paperclip... it is unbent because it has no bends, unlike your typical paperclip, but in effect you had to bend it to remove the bends... hmmm
i'm sorry, its late, and little paradoxes like this capture my mind in its weakened state

I have struggled over this same thing since the day I started vaping and learned to use the paperclip for carts. I finally decided that a paperclip is what it is, bent wire, and to use it I have to unbend it. I have to stay there or my brain will explode, lol.

[jscott1]

Great list
One item did make me think a little tho... the unbent paperclip... it is unbent because it has no bends, unlike your typical paperclip, but in effect you had to bend it to remove the bends... hmmm
i'm sorry, its late, and little paradoxes like this capture my mind in its weakened state

I have struggled over this same thing since the day I started vaping and learned to use the paperclip for carts. I finally decided that a paperclip is what it is, bent wire, and to use it I have to unbend it. I have to stay there or my brain will explode, lol.

ok, but but but if you unbend it, it ceases to be - it is an ex paper clip... (insert monty python voice)

[A.Jay]

Great list
One item did make me think a little tho... the unbent paperclip... it is unbent because it has no bends, unlike your typical paperclip, but in effect you had to bend it to remove the bends... hmmm
i'm sorry, its late, and little paradoxes like this capture my mind in its weakened state

I have struggled over this same thing since the day I started vaping and learned to use the paperclip for carts. I finally decided that a paperclip is what it is, bent wire, and to use it I have to unbend it. I have to stay there or my brain will explode, lol.

ok, but but but if you unbend it, it ceases to be - it is an ex paper clip... (insert monty python voice)

Correct! Because clipping paper is no longer in its list of skills.

[Maddoktor2]

A roll of toilet paper is also good to have on hand for wiping up small spills, cleaning threads, soaking up excess juice from flooded attys and cartos, etc.