My DIY Vape keeps emitting a certain smell, which I can’t describe. Also, while being very smooth, it produces a subtle weird feeling in the throat. The airpath is completely ceramic, set aside the stainless screen in the bottom, the spring steel ring on top and the self wound coil. Is this weird smell probably the taste of Kanthal?
I think I’ve read kanthal is known to impart a taste or smell, I think possibly it is reactive with air. I wonder if you heated it in air for a while if it would form an oxide layer and some of that would subside, or if it would get worse? I have no experience with it. I was interested in wrapping it on the outside of a quartz cap, out of the air path. Edit: meant to reply to @eyevape
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I have identified the stinker, it’s the ceramic enclosure itself. This is strange, as it’s the very same material that the Pinky is made of.
Anyone knows if the Pinky ceramics need some special treatment or extended burn off in order not to smell funny?
The only thing I did when building my pinky was wash everything in hot water and dish soap before assembly. Never had any weird taste or smells. You could try cleaning with a degreaser, dish soap and then a few hours in the oven.
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Thanks, I will try that with the next iteration.
I’ve just torched it glowing red, that eliminated the smell 
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I am not an expert in material science, but I think its important to mention that not all ceramics are safe to use in a vapor path. I would stay away from anything that releases a smell when heated or particles when touched.
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I’m with you generally, but this particular ceramic is approved by pretty much everyone who built a Pinky. At least it’s recommended on 420vapezone.com and I’ve never read complaints about the material. A friend of mine doesn’t even notice any smell, for him it’s just like hot air. Any Pinky users have an opinion on this?
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Fingerprints smell nasty when they boil off of anything, but especially off of metal. There is a catalytic reaction that occurs with the metal and skin oils. Sometimes I wear gloves when assembling stuff. Alumina like the TIG cups itself should be inert and not able to hold a smell, I would just be worried about if it flakes off or anything.
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