It used to be so much easier. We used to use silica cotton wicks and we liked it that way. Then cotton became the new fad and changed atomizer designs and coil builds. 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 love it, sterile cotton. Give it a round of applause. It’s a favorite of many vapers , and you probably loved it too. If you’re new to 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 wicks better 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 are yet to be 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 rayon instead of cotton. Don’t be mistaken.
Many people like to use rayon. Wicking it is fast and it doesn’t burn as well. However, it doesn’t hold as much juice as cotton. So it’s better suited for RDAs .
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 very hot wick material 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 apparently has beauty uses too. Who knows, you might choose to keep the bleached and unbleached kind.
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 vaping? Vaping is great. 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 prone to burning
• 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 what suits your vaping habits.
