I started getting a skin rash roughly two weeks ago. That rash was followed by feeling just a bit less than normal, and I noticed that I couldn't even handle taking a vape off my subtank mini and iStick for more than 8W of power. I realized that, either in the process of making my e-liquid, or general hygiene with my RTA, something had fouled up my tank. I tried to rinse in hot water, wrap a new coil, etc. It worked for about 5 minutes, then I could taste/feel something that was off. I even used some store bought juice and noticed the same thing. I realized that whatever microbe I had, it was firmly attached to my Subtank mini.
I tried boiling it in water for 5 minutes. That didn't do it, so... barring having an autoclave, I followed some other lab procedure for cleaning microbes that also get rid of the endospores. This involved boiling all the parts for 30 minutes, take them out to dry and cool... then do that 2 more times. I re-wicked and put in the same store bought juice and bam... perfectly smooth flavor and feel.
I have culled all of my DIY syringes (which is where I think the issue came from), and all my DIY stuff. I am starting from scratch using no syringes... only glass beakers, stainless funnels and glass finished bottles. Everytime I make juice, I will be completely sterilizing all my equipment in the dishwasher with the sterilize setting.
While I'm not 100% sure my little affliction was caused by my poor DIY hygiene, something definitely DID foul my subtank mini, and it was giving me a less than savory experience.
So, hopefully my story can just reiterate what you all likely know: keep it clean people!
I am no expert but both PG and VG have anti-microbial properties. However, since we are using flavoring, I have no idea how potent those anti-microbial properties are in the mixtures we all vape.
That said, I once left an RDA alone for a couple months (with a wet wick). When I came back to use it again, it was green with mold.
VG isn't anti-microbial and can actually be used as a medium for storing cultures.
Google this paper: "STERILITY TESTING AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF COMMERCIAL GRADE GLYCERINE"
It's a study done back in the 70's. Of course, they couldn't test for all types of microbes, but they did find that Glycerine exhibited anti-microbial properties compared to controls.
I use 70% isopropyl alcohol to sterilize my gear after I rinse it in distilled water.
I clean all my gear with 99.9% isopropyl alcohol. I have to remove the rubber gaskets on syringes though they don't seem to like the alcohol.
I'm fairly certain that 70% isopropyl actually works better as a disinfectant. Something about how it doesn't evaporate as fast, therefore can work longer, while still being concentrated enough to kill the microorganisms.
My ghetto-fabulous method to sanitize is an overnight soak in a tub of cheap vodka. It's only 80 proof - but most isopropyl is "denatured" (poison has been added intentionally) and I don't really want to vape that by accident.
What? No.
Isopropyl alcohol is toxic all on it's own but when it evaporates it leaves no residue.
Denatured alcohols are ethanol that has been denatured with methanol so that if you drink it it'll poison you. Methanol does leave a residue that can be toxic.
tl;dr: if it doesn't say denatured on the can it doesn't have any methanol.
I don't think they add poison to it anymore. That was done during prohibition and a number of people died from drinking it. Now they just add chemicals to give it a putrid taste.
Again, no. Isopropyl alcohol is a completely different chemical from ethanol.
Iso will kill you all by itself, no need to add methanol. Some hardcore boozehounds will and do drink hand sanitizer though. It's toxic, way more toxic than ethanol.