Cotton bacon has become a vaping staple for many enthusiasts. This unique wicking material provides excellent absorbency and flavor delivery. However, wicking cotton bacon properly takes some finesse. Improper wicking can lead to dry hits, muted flavor, and other problems.
In this comprehensive guide, we provide step-by-step instructions on how to wick cotton bacon for amazing performance. From preparation to coil threading and trimming, we’ve got you covered. Follow along and soon you’ll be a cotton bacon wicking expert. Let’s get started!
What is Cotton Bacon?
Cotton bacon is a special type of cotton designed specifically for vaping. It consists of tightly woven cotton fibers that have been combed and straightened to create thick cotton pads.
The end result is a smooth, fluffy cotton wick capable of rapidly absorbing e-liquid while delivering pure, intense flavor Cotton bacon contains no additives or chemicals and is much easier to work with than loose cotton balls.
For many vapers, cotton bacon has become the go-to wicking material. But like any wick, proper preparation and installation is key.
Before You Begin Wicking
Prior to wicking your coils with cotton bacon, follow these preliminary steps:
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Clean your RDA/RTA – Make sure all old cotton and coil gunk is removed so you have a clean build deck.
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Install new coils – Cotton bacon pairs best with fancy builds like claptons, aliens, fused claptons etc. Install fresh coils and dry fire to eliminate hot spots.
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Wash hands – Clean hands will minimize cotton contamination during wicking.
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Have tools ready – Tweezers, scissors, needle-nose pliers etc. will aid the wicking process.
With your RDA/RTA prepped and tools at the ready, it’s time to get wicking!
How to Prepare Cotton Bacon
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Remove a pad – Use clean hands to remove a cotton bacon square from the bag.
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Peel apart – Slowly peel apart the outer layers. Do not rip or tug. Go slowly to maintain integrity.
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Roll gently – Once separated, gently roll and compress the cotton between your fingers to form a cylinder shape.
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Twist lightly – Once in a cylindrical shape, twist the cotton lightly between your fingers. Do not over-twist or tighten.
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Cut to size – Cut your rolled cotton so it is just longer than the width of your coils.
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Repeat – Prepare another cotton portion in the same manner. You need one for each coil.
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Fluff ends – Use tweezers or pliers to gently fluff the ends of each cotton cylinder. This aids wicking.
The cotton is now ready to insert into your RDA or RTA coils.
How to Thread Cotton Bacon Through Coils
Carefully threading the cotton through the coils is the trickiest part of wicking. Go slowly and follow these tips:
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Align cotton – Have one cotton portion ready between your fingers. Align it with one coil so it is centered through the length of the coil.
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Insert gently – Begin pushing the cotton into the coil, going slowly and gently rotating to ease it through. Do NOT force or jam the cotton through the coil.
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Repeat – Thread the second portion of cotton through the second coil in the same gentle, gradual manner.
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Adjust cotton – Using tweezers, gently manipulate any compressed parts of the cotton to make sure the coils are evenly surrounded.
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Fluff lightly – Finish by using tweezers or a needle to lightly fluff the cotton ends extending from the coils.
When done, your coils should be evenly surrounded by cotton with fluffed cotton tails extending out each side ready for trimming.
How to Trim Cotton Bacon Ends
With the cotton threaded through the coils, it’s time to trim the wick ends:
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Check length – Make sure cotton tails extend at least 3-5mm past either side of the coils. If not, gently pull more cotton through.
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Cut below deck – Hold coils over the deck, and trim cotton ends so they just reach the bottom of the build deck floor.
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Angle cut – Cut each cotton end diagonally with scissors, trimming from lower inside to higher outside.
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Fluff and tuck – Use tweezers or a needle to gently fluff the angled ends and tuck them into the juice channels or ports.
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Saturate cotton – Drip or paint e-liquid onto coils and cotton until fully saturated.
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Re-assemble – Carefully re-attach chimney, chamber and/or top cap without disturbing cotton. Screw pieces together tightly.
Your wicked coils are ready for priming and vaping!
Cotton Bacon Wicking Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional cotton bacon wicking tips for a flawless vape every time:
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Roll cotton gently. Don’t compress too tightly or over-twist.
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Thread cotton through coils slowly with gentle rotation. Never force or cram wicking through.
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Use angled trimming on wick ends to maximize saturation.
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Always fluff and finesse cotton after threading and trimming.
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Change cotton when flavor seems muted or vapor production drops.
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When re-wicking, dry burn coils first to remove gunk before inserting new cotton.
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Monitor coil and cotton condition. Rewick once cotton darkens or looks burnt.
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Use enough cotton to fill coils, but not so much that it’s overly tight or deformed.
With some practice, you’ll be a cotton bacon pro. Just go slowly, follow our guide, and vape on!
Common Cotton Bacon Wicking Problems and Solutions
No wicking method is foolproof. Here are some common cotton bacon issues along with troubleshooting tips:
Problem: Cotton burns and chars rapidly.
Solution: Too little cotton in coils. Add more when re-wicking.
Problem: Cotton mutes flavor or tastes burned.
Solution: Rewick with fresh cotton. Discard old contaminated wicks.
Problem: Getting dry hits frequently.
Solution: Ends are too short. Leave longer tails when cutting.
Problem: E-liquid leaks from air intake.
Solution: Trim wick ends closer to deck and better tuck them into juice ports.
Problem: Cotton won’t thread through coil smoothly.
Solution: Coil may be uneven or too compressed. Adjust coil and open up space.
With some trial and error, you can diagnose any wicking problems and make adjustments. Don’t give up!
Frequently Asked Cotton Bacon Questions
How much cotton bacon do I need per coil?
About half a pad is sufficient for one coil. Start with more cotton and use less if it’s too tight.
Do I need to boil or prep cotton bacon before using?
No. Cotton bacon is ready to wick right out of the package once sections are rolled.
Which coil builds work best with cotton bacon?
Intricate builds like claptons, aliens, fused claptons, etc benefit most from cotton bacon’s fluffy density.
How often do I need to change my cotton bacon?
Change cotton at least every few days, or whenever vapor production drops or flavors seem weak.
Is it ok to re-use cotton bacon pieces?
For the best vaping experience, always use fresh cotton sections. Do not attempt to reuse old wicks.
Why is my cotton getting singed and burnt?
This usually occurs when there is too little cotton in the coils. Add more cotton on your next re-wick.
With the right preparation, coil threading technique, trimming, and troubleshooting, you’ll be a cotton bacon pro in no time. For the cleanest flavor and huge vapor clouds, a good wick is key. So grab some cotton bacon and get wicked!