The world of vaping has many new terminologies, and if you’re a newbie, it can get confusing. More than often, with vaping, there’s more than one word for the same thing. To make it even worse, there are usually several variations of each product, from batteries to tanks. It’s pretty ridiculous if you think about it.
Today, we’re going to demystify one of these components that make vaping possible— the vape coil. It’s been dubbed “the heart of a vape,” but is it true? Stick around and find out more about vaping coils and how they work.
What Is A Vape Coil?
A vape coil is regarded as the heart of your vape device or your mod because it’s the part that heats your e-liquid and turns it to vapor. Three essential components make up the vape coil: wire material, resistance, and wicking material.
The lower the resistance, the more power it gives out. Power is measured in ohms, and coils with a lower resistance than 1 ohm are called sub-ohms. The wire material can be made out of nichrome or kanthal, which are the most common materials. The wicking material is what transports your e-liquid. It’s commonly made from cotton or ceramic.
Despite all these components, the vape coil is quite a simple mechanism.
The Different Types of Vape Coil
Regardless of whether you’re using custom cheap vape coils that you made yourself, or a pre-made one, there are a couple of things you should consider. The wick, for instance, is one of these aspects.
The wick determines the type of vape, and each wick gives off a different effect on both flavor and cloud production. Another classification of vape coils is the metals used to make the wire. Different metals have other properties when it comes to flavor, time, and mode of use.
Types of Wicks
Ceramic Wicks
Ceramic coils are porous so that the air can pass through them. They are one of the most commonly used coils because they offer users a smooth draw, and most users claim it pronounces the flavor of the e-liquid more than other materials.
Ceramic coils can also withstand a high wattage and are an excellent fit for high-powered mods. They also last longer than cotton coils.
Rayon Wicks
Rayon wicks are very effective in carrying e-liquids. They are similar to cotton wicks. The only issue is that you’ll need to wrap a little bit more material around your coil if you’re using rebuildable atomizers.
Cotton Wicks
It’s the most popular type of wick used in vape coils. Cotton is a very effective carrier of e-liquids, and it doesn’t change the flavor of your e-juice. This makes it have a tremendous advantage over the other wicks.
Types of Wires
Stainless Steel
When it comes to building your vape coil, going with stainless steel is advisable. The stainless-steel wire can be used in both wattage mode and temperature mode. It’s a versatile metal that can last up to 25 years if looked after carefully.
There are various grades of stainless steel, so there’s a lot of debate around which stainless steel grade is considered the best. However, most users claim that 430-grade steel wire is ideal because it has magnetic properties and is also long-lasting and durable compared to other grades.
Kanthal
Kanthal is an amalgamation of chromium, aluminum, and iron, and it’s a pretty popular wire used in both homemade and pre-made coils. Its ramp-up time is quite fast, allowing it to create impressive clouds of vapor.
However, kanthal coils only work in wattage mode. It’s a soft and easy wire to work with, and it also holds its shape pretty well, making it a close second after steel.
Nichrome
Nichrome is a combination of chromium and Nickel in 80% and 20%, respectively. This unique element heats up quicker than Kanthal, and it offers users huge cloud production while intensifying the flavor. Additionally, it protects the heating element from oxidation, preventing any color change or difference in the taste of your e-liquid.
Nichrome is only used in wattage mode and, because of its quick ramp-up time, is quite popular with Sub Ohm vapers.
The Right Time to Change Your Vape Coil
Your vape coil won’t last forever. Its lifespan will depend on the frequency and which you use it and the heat levels. The VG/PG of your e-liquid can also burn it faster, as can the voltage and wattage you use with your device, and you might need to change your coil often.
Also, if you’re a frequent vaper and you’re used to putting your device through the ringer, you’re going to need to change the coil more often. Cloud chasers also burn through coils and wicking material faster because of the high wattage, high VG e-liquid, and sweet flavors.
Conclusion
The basics of vape coils are easy to understand, and the information here will help make comprehending them even more accessible. One of the best ways to educate yourself about vape coils is to watch YouTube tutorials because of the visual guides. The type of coils mentioned above is only the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty more vape coils available, and knowing the significant wicks and wires will tell you which situations are best for them and choose pre-made coils for your tank.