Whether you have an e-cigarette, a pod mod, a refillable pod or even a box mod, the core elements are the same. Composed of three main components, e-cigarettes and vape devices contain a rechargeable or replaceable battery, a vaporizer and an e-liquid reservoir.
At the very heart of each device is the atomizer. Typically consisting of three parts – the main body, the coil and the wicking material – an atomizer is a small yet mighty component that converts energy from the battery to heat the coil and vaporise e-liquid.
SUMMARY
HOW DOES A VAPE COIL WORK?
To vaporise e-liquid, vape coils must withstand serious heat. It is therefore important that coils are made from conductive and heat resistant wire materials such as Kanthal, Ceramic, Stainless Steel, Titanium and more. As each wire has slightly different properties, choosing the right coil for your device and for your vaping habits can be a minefield. Though there are numerous different types of vape coils available to choose from, the most popular include:
Kanthal
Kanthal coils combine iron, chromium and aluminium to withstand high temperatures of up to 1400 degrees. Kanthal has a quick heating time and produces great flavour without the unpleasant metal taste. As kanthal coils tend to be of a higher resistance, they are generally better suited to mouth to lung (MTL) vaping and devices with Variable Wattage mode.
Ceramic
Ceramic coils are well-loved for their improved airflow, great flavour and smooth draw. By not conducting heat, ceramic coils have an increased lifespan and decreased risk of dry hits. What’s more, ceramic does not react with e-liquids and so does not interfere with flavour.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel coils combine chromium, nickel and carbon. Stainless Steel coils have a quick heating and cooling time and are amongst the easiest to clean and last longer than many coils on the vape market.
BEST RESISTANCE COILS FOR VAPING
The resistance of a vape coil is measured in ohms and the required ohm level greatly depends on the device type, e-liquid formulation type and the preferred amount of vapour production. Choosing the right ohms has a direct impact on the quality of your vape.
Low resistance
With a lower ohm coil (below 1.0ohm), vapers experience significantly more vapour and flavour. In fact, coils with lower ohms are typically used for sub ohm vaping – a vaping experience that produces impressive vapour and flavour. Sub ohm vaping is more typically referred to as cloud chasing and is achieved by using a low ohm coil with a high VG e-liquid.
High resistance
Higher ohm coils (over 1.0ohm), on the other hand, produce less vapour. This means e-liquids are depleted less frequently and are more cost-effective. Higher resistance coils are best suited to e-liquids with even measures of both Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) for a great combination of flavour and vapour.
High resistance or low resistance?
As a rule, box mods should be paired with low resistance coils at higher wattages for impressive vapour production; pen-style devices used with 50:50s or Nic Salts at a lower wattage for a vaping style that is most like smoking; and pod mods and refillable pods with most liquids depending on preferred vaping style and the device wattage output.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR COILS TO GET THE BEST POSSIBLE PERFORMANCE
Coils should be changed regularly to ensure a great tasting vape every time, although the length of time a coil may last depends on vaping style and e-liquid preference. As high VG e-liquids tend to be thicker and sweeter, the accompanying coil can burn out quicker than with other e-liquid formulations. Vapers will know when their coils should be replaced when noticing a distinct burnt or unpleasant taste to their vape.
Depending on the device type you have, changing a coil is relatively straight forward and simple to do. With many pod devices, coils tend to be built into the replacement pods – vapers can simply remove the old pod and replace with a new one. With other devices, changing a coil is less simple but, for the most part, still very simple due to advanced “plug and play” attachments that allow vapers to insert their coil and vape.
Are ceramic coils safe to vape?
Ceramic coils are popular with many vapers. However, some studies highlight risks associated with ceramic coils. As studies are inconclusive, it is best to take caution and conduct further research before choosing the right coils for your vaping habits.
What is the best vape coil for flavour?
The best coil varies greatly between vapers. Some vapers prefer low ohms for impressive flavour and vapour production, while others prefer higher ohm coils for a vaping experience that is more like smoking a cigarette. While most coil resistances will produce great flavour, the right coil depends on vaping style and device type.
Why does my coil burn out so fast?
Sub ohm, direct to lung (DTL) vaping styles typically burn out a coil faster than mouth to lung (MTL) vaping styles.
How long does a vape coil last?
How long a vape coil lasts depends on many factors including the length of inhale, device type, e-liquid formulation and coil material.
What is the best vape coil for clouds?
Low resistance coils with a large surface area are the best coils for impressive cloud production. Pair with high VG e-liquids like Shortfills, 30:70s and Shake n Vapes.
How often should I change my vape coil?
There are no hard and fast rules in regards to changing your coil. The longevity of each coil depends on length of inhale, device type, e-liquid formulation and coil material among many other factors. Coils should typically be changed when experiencing a burnt-like taste. While coils can be cleaned to extend the lifespan, coils that taste burnt will soon overpower the e-liquid flavour if not replaced.
How to clean a vape coil?
As a general rule of thumb, coils should be cleaned every four weeks. This may be more or less depending on the longevity of the coil, how often the coil is used and what type of e-liquids are used. The best way to clean your vape coil is as follows:
- Remove the coil from your device
- Remove the wick
- Hold under a warm running tap for a few minutes
- Wipe with or soak in non-flavoured alcohol
- Leave to air dry
- Add to device and dry burn remove remaining droplets of water
Is it bad to vape with a burnt coil?
Vaping with a burnt coil has an unpleasant flavour.
