CARTA Classic — Avoiding Excess Reclaim

Reclaim is residual concentrate that didn't fully vaporize and collected in the atomizer or glass. While some reclaim is normal, excess buildup reduces flavor, clogs the airpath, and can cause error codes. Here's how to minimize it.

Why reclaim builds up

• Loading too much concentrate — excess melts and overflows the insert
• Temperature too high — concentrate bubbles aggressively instead of vaporizing evenly
• Inhaling too hard — pulls liquid out of the insert and into the airpath
• Irregular cleaning — reclaim accumulates between sessions

Prevention steps

1. 1
   Load less concentrate

   Use a rice-grain size dab. Overloading is the most common cause of reclaim buildup — less material vaporizes more completely.

2. 2
   Use lower temperatures

   Stay in the 400–500°F range for cleaner vaporization. Excessively high temps cause concentrate to bubble up and overflow. Experiment with Preset 1 (500°F) first.

3. 3
   Inhale slowly and steadily

   Long, gentle draws let the vapor stack properly. Pulling hard creates negative pressure that sucks liquid out of the insert.

4. 4
   Wipe after each session

   After the atomizer cools, use a cotton swab to wipe away any residual concentrate from the insert and atomizer chamber.

5. 5
   Clean regularly

   Soak the atomizer in 90% isopropyl every 25–50 sessions. Clean the glass top and base connection points at the same time.