I have never used the evod but use the pt3 and aerotanks for a while. The pt3's are plated but have shown no wear in 6 months of nearly daily use. The Aerotanks are all SS parts and I find the threading is much smother on all of the Aerotanks compaired to the Pt3's. The packaging has always been exceptional and there are scratch off serial number on the products from Kanger I bought to help prevent getting knockoffs (until they copy the scratch off) yet I still wash all the parts before using. I also run the atomizer through water, this allows for a quick burn off without scorching the wicks and gives oil sometime to get flowing.
I have never experienced any of gassing or noticed any problems with the pt3 or Aerotanks. Atomizers are a different thing, I have never tasted anything off with them either but if you burn one dry it is done, the flavor will be tainted from then on. So I just don't know if I want to be inhaling that burning of the atomizer all that much, so don't, lol.