How to Wick Cotton Bacon for Vaping

Cotton bacon has become a vaping staple for many enthusiasts. This unique wicking material offers exceptional absorption and durability. But wicking cotton bacon properly is key to getting optimal performance. In this guide, I’ll teach you how to prepare cotton bacon to wick coils.

As an avid vaper and contributor to Vaping Daily, I’ve tested countless wicks. While many materials work well, I kept coming back to cotton bacon for its consistency and pure taste. Once I learned how to optimize wicking it, I was able to take fuller, better hits from my vapes.

If you’re struggling with dry hits or muting of flavors from poor wicking this cotton bacon tutorial is for you. Let’s dive in!

Why Use Cotton Bacon for Wicking

Before getting into prep and wicking, let’s look at why cotton bacon is a top choice:

• Absorbency – The unique structure traps juice for excellent wicking ability.

• Durability – It holds up better to wear and tear than basic cotton balls.

• Purity – No added chemicals or bleaches. Just pure USA-grown cotton.

• Flavor – You get a clean, pure taste without cotton muting flavors.

• Easy to work – Cotton bacon doesn’t fray like balls when pulled.

When wicked correctly, these properties make cotton bacon ideal for delivering massive clouds with pristine taste.

Prepping the Cotton Bacon

Cotton bacon comes compressed into strips or sheets. You’ll need to “break it in” before wicking:

1. Peel – Slowly peel apart a strip, starting from the corner. Don’t worry about it ripping.

2. Fluff – Use fingers to fluff up and expand the cotton. Pull the layers apart.

3. Roll – Lightly roll the cotton between fingers to further loosen and aerate fibers.

4. Repeat – Do this prep for however much cotton you need for your coils.

This process aligns the fibers for optimal wicking. Don’t skip it!

Wicking Cotton Bacon for RDA/RBA

Time to make your wicks!

1. Measure coil – Determine the inner diameter of your coils in millimeters. This gives the needed wick width.

2. Cut cotton – Cut a length of prepped cotton 1-2 mm wider than your coil diameter.

3. Twist – Twist the length of cotton lightly into a tight “thread.”

4. Thread coil – Thread the cotton through the coil, leaving equal lengths sticking out each side.

5. Trim – Trim the excess cotton so the ends rest just inside the juice wells on either side.

6. Fluff and tuck – Fluff out the cotton ends and tuck them into the wells.

7. Prime wick – Drizzle juice directly onto the cotton until it’s fully saturated.

8. Assemble and vape – Reassemble your RDA/RBA and enjoy!

Troubleshooting Leaks and Dry Hits

Still having issues? Here are some tips:

• More cotton – Try a wider wick or more compact threading to hold more juice.

• Thinner wick – A wick that’s too tight can choke liquid flow. Make it a bit looser.

• Shorter tails – Cut wick tails shorter so they don’t obstruct wells.

• Fluff wells – Use tweezers to further loosen cotton end fibers in wells.

• Thinner juice – High VG juices may not wick well. Try a thinner PG blend.

• New coil – Old, gunked coils can hinder wicking. Rewick fresh coils.

• Less power – Overpowering worn coils burns juice faster than it wicks. Lower voltage.

With some tweaking, you should be able to zero in on your ideal wicking method for leak-free, flavorful hits every time.

Wicking Cotton Bacon for Sub-Ohm Tanks

Sub-ohm tanks require a similar process:

1. Remove coil – Carefully remove the pre-built coil from the tank deck.

2. Thread cotton – Take a prepped bacon strip, twist it, and thread through coil opening.

3. Trim – Trim excess cotton with scissors so it’s flush with the base of the coil.

4. Reinsert – Reinsert the coiled cotton into the tank deck, ensuring the wick holes line up.

5. Prime and reassemble – Saturate with juice, reassemble the tank, fill and vape!

The process is easier since the coils come pre-made. Just be sure to change cotton whenever you swap coils.

Why Rewick Regularly

I recommend rewicking cotton bacon every few days to keep performance consistent:

• Residue Buildup – Burnt juice residues mute flavor over time.

• Shrinkage – Heat causes cotton fibers to gradually shrink and compact.

• Tearing – Constant heating slowly degrades and tears cotton.

While cotton bacon holds up better than basic cotton, regular rewicking maintains optimal absorption, durability and taste.

Storing Cotton Bacon

To keep unused cotton bacon fresh until ready to wick, make sure to:

• Store in sealed bag or container away from air, moisture and debris.

• Keep in cool, dry place away from direct light or heat.

• Wash hands before handling to prevent oils and dirt from contaminating.

Proper storage preserves the integrity of the fibers. Improvements in packaging now allow cotton bacon to stay fresh for up to 2 years.

Safety Precautions

Like all vaping materials, some basic safety precautions apply:

• Avoid contact with skin, eyes, nose and mouth.

• Wash hands after handling.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

• Use only as directed for vaping purposes. Not for medical use.

Following the manufacturer’s guidelines will ensure proper use.