It’s a common query among vapers: when your coil gets gunked up, can you simply dry burn it clean? And what about different wire types like N80 (Nichrome) and Kanthal? Let’s break down the practices and safety considerations for each.
Understanding Dry Burning
Dry burning is a technique used to remove e-liquid residue and carbon build-up from resistance wires. The goal is to heat the coil until it glows, burning off impurities and leaving a cleaner surface. This is typically done after removing the old cotton wick.
Kanthal Wire: The Standard for Dry Burning
For Kanthal wire, dry burning is generally considered safe and effective. Kanthal is an iron-chromium-aluminium alloy known for its high resistance to oxidation at high temperatures, making it quite resilient to this cleaning method.
How to Dry Burn Kanthal Safely:
Low Power: Start with relatively low wattage, typically 10-20W, depending on your coil’s resistance.
Gentle Pulses: Use short, gentle pulses to heat the coil.
Even Glow: Aim for an even glow from the inside out. If you see hot spots, gently pinch the coil with ceramic tweezers while pulsing to even it out.
Brush Off: Let the coil cool down slightly, then gently brush with a dedicated coil brush or an old, clean toothbrush to remove any loosened gunk.
Rinse: A quick rinse under warm water after brushing can help further clean the coil.
N80 (Nichrome) Wire: Exercise Caution
N80, or Nichrome 80, is an alloy primarily composed of nickel and chromium. While it heats up faster than Kanthal due to its lower resistance, dry burning N80 requires significantly more caution, and many experienced vapers advise against aggressive dry burning for Nichrome.
Why Caution with N80?
Nickel Content: Nichrome contains a significant amount of nickel (typically 80%). Overheating nickel can potentially lead to the release of nickel oxides. While the exact health implications for vaping are debated, inhaling metal oxides is generally considered undesirable.
Lower Melting Point: Nichrome has a lower melting point compared to Kanthal. It’s much easier to accidentally overheat and damage the wire, creating permanent hot spots, weakening the wire, or even breaking it.
Oxidation Differences: While Nichrome also forms a protective oxide layer, the composition and behavior of this layer at extreme temperatures differ from Kanthal and raise more concerns among safety-conscious vapers.
If You Must Dry Burn N80 (With Extreme Care):
If you choose to dry burn N80, proceed with the utmost caution and understand the potential risks:
Very Low Wattage: Use the absolute minimum power required to get a very faint, dull red glow.
Extremely Short Pulses: Only quick, momentary bursts.
Avoid Bright Glow: Do NOT let N80 glow bright orange or white. A very dull, barely visible red is the absolute maximum, and even that is pushing the limits of safety for some.
Gentle Brush: Allow it to cool, then gently brush. Do not apply excessive heat.
Many vapers prefer not to dry burn Nichrome at all and opt for alternative cleaning methods or simply replace their coils more frequently.
Safer Cleaning Alternatives for Any Wire Type
Instead of aggressive dry burning, especially for N80, consider these alternatives:
Water Rinse & Gentle Scrub: After removing old cotton, rinse the coil under warm running water and gently scrub with a dedicated coil brush or soft toothbrush to remove gunk.
Soaking: Some vapers soak coils in warm water, alcohol, or even ultrasonic cleaners to loosen stubborn residue.
Light Dry Burn (Kanthal Only): For Kanthal, a very light dry burn to remove surface gunk, followed by rinsing, is effective and less harsh.
Replace Coils: Ultimately, when coils are heavily gunked, show signs of degradation (e.g., uneven heating, altered resistance, poor flavor), or have been cleaned multiple times, replacement is the safest and most effective option for optimal flavor and vapor production.
Conclusion
While dry burning Kanthal is a common and generally accepted practice when done correctly, exercising extreme caution with N80 wire is paramount. Due to its nickel content and lower melting point, a very gentle approach, or preferably alternative cleaning methods, are recommended for N80. Always prioritize safety and good vaping practices to ensure a clean and enjoyable experience.
