It used to be so much easier. We used to use silica wicks and we liked it that way. Then cotton became the new fad and changed the way atomizers and coil builds were designed. But one thing you have to know in vaping is that there is always someone, somewhere, trying something new and unique.
But do these “crazy” materials really make a difference? And if so, which ones are the best?
Sterile cotton
Sterile cotton
You know it, you like it, sterile cotton. Give it a round of applause. This is a favorite of many vapers , and you probably used to love it too. If you’re new to this type of cotton, make sure you buy sterile, unbleached cotton.
Advantage:
• Cheap
• Easy to find
• Good taste
Disadvantages:
• Flammable
• Slow wicking
• Normal Wick
Cellulose cotton
Cellulose cotton
This cotton can be found in cosmetic stores. The brand name is Graham Professional. I don’t know what ladies do with it, but it’s a good price. Some people confuse it with rayon because the packaging looks similar.
Cellulose cotton is better for wicking than regular sterile cotton, it also burns less and stays cleaner so you don't have to replace it as often. Its shape also makes it easier to wick than sterile cotton.
It is difficult to point out the pros and cons of Cellulose Cotton, mainly because it is still a new wick material and its health effects have not yet been determined.
Advantage:
• Cheap
• Good wicking
Disadvantages:
• Must go to the cosmetics store
• Bad packaging
Cellulose Rayon
This rayon is also made by Graham. As mentioned above, the packaging for Cellulose rayon and Cellulose cotton are almost identical, except that the box says that there is rayon instead of cotton inside. Don't be mistaken.
Many people like to use rayon. Wicking it is fast and it burns hard. However, it does not hold as much juice as cotton. Therefore, it is more suitable for use in an RDA .
Many people are also concerned about the possibility of accidentally inhaling some rayon fibers, as is the case with silica. There is no scientific evidence for this, but as a synthetic material, it seems less safe than cotton.
Advantage:
• Cheap
• Good wicking
• Fire retardant
Disadvantages
• Does not retain much essential oil
• Unknown health effects
• Bad box
Pure Japanese cotton
Pure Japanese cotton
A wick material that is also very hot in the vape world, Japanese cotton is suitable for extremely picky vapers who are only satisfied with the best.
Japanese cotton comes in pieces, and it seems to have some beauty uses too. Who knows, you might be able to choose to keep the bleached and unbleached variety.
The best way to wick with Japanese cotton is to tear off the two outer pieces and cut them into strips with scissors. It's faster than regular cotton and you can wick almost instantly.
But what about vaping? It's great for vaping. Really great. It's on par with cellulose cotton, if not better. Like cellulose cotton, it absorbs a lot of e-liquid, far surpassing regular cotton in both absorbency and wicking.
Advantage:
• Excellent wicking ability
• Less flammable
• Beautiful packaging
Disadvantages:
• Expensive
Time to choose
As with most things in life, there is no one right answer. The best wick is the one you like best. You can use Japanese cotton, or if you’re comfortable, Cellulose cotton. The key is to find one that fits your vaping habits.
