Experienced vapers would agree that vape coils are the most important component in their vape devices, but if you are new to vaping, you might need a better explanation of what vape coils are all about.
From the basics of their design and function, where they fit within your vape kit, and how you change them, to the impact of coil resistance and knowing what ohm coil you should use, there is a lot you need to know about vape coils to ensure you are vaping safely.
With that in mind, we have created a comprehensive guide that covers every aspect of vape coils, explained in as simple terms as possible.
What Is a Vape Coil?
Vape coils are the part of the vape that heats up the e-liquid and turns it into vapour. Generally speaking, vape coils consist of three elements: the casing, the heating element, and the cotton wick.
- The casing is the outer shell that holds the vape coil together so that it can be easily inserted or removed from your device.
- The heating element, or ‘coil’ as it is commonly known, is a framework of heat-resistant wires traditionally wrapped into a spiral. However, more modern vape coils are fashioned out of strips to form a mesh.
- The cotton wick is inserted between the vape coil wires.
When the casing has been attached to your device, the heating element forms a connection between the positive and negative parts of your vape battery, while the cotton wick absorbs e-liquid from your vape tank. Inhaling through the mouthpiece, or pressing the power button on your advanced vape kit, sends an electrical current through the vape coil that heats the e-liquid-soaked cotton and turns it into vapour.
What Do Different Vape Coils Do?
While all vape coils function in the same way, many different vape coils are designed to be paired with certain devices and accommodate different styles of vaping.
Depending on whether you own a tank or pod vape kit, the type of vape coil you need may differ. While tank systems have a separate coil that is screwed into the base of the tank, pod systems sometimes integrate their vape coils into their replacement pods, making their methods of installation slightly different.
The shape and quantity of the coils inside the casing are similarly suited to different types of devices, as well as different wattages. Coils comprised of round wires are usually used in starter vape kits that function at lower wattages, whereas mesh coils made from strips can handle much higher wattages and are best suited to sub-ohm devices.
Likewise, vape coils containing a single coil and cotton wick carry much less electrical current than a dual or quad coil, which are capable of vaporising higher quantities of e-liquid at once.
While most vape coils are made from stainless steel wires, some manufacturers produce ceramic coils. These tend to be more durable than the alternative but, otherwise, do not affect your vaping experience.
How Do I Choose the Right Coil for My Vape?
Choosing the right vape coil for you ultimately comes down to the type of device you use, what wattage you vape at, and whether you prefer mouth-to-lung or direct-to-lung vaping.
- Mouth-to-lung vapers typically use low-wattage devices, so they will typically require higher resistance coils.
- Direct-to-lung vapers often use variable wattage devices capable of producing larger amounts of vapour. As a result, they tend to prefer vape coils containing multiple heating elements or mesh designs.
While most vape coils are designed to accommodate one vaping style or the other, some manufactures have started producing hybrid coils that are able to vaporise large quantities of e-liquid at relatively low wattages. These have been dubbed restricted-direct-to-lung coils.
What Ohm Coil Should I Use?
Ohms (Ω) are the measurement of electrical resistance that we use to categorise vape coils. The lower the resistance, the more electric current can pass through the vape coil. This generates more heat, which increases the amount of vapour and the intensity of flavour.
Deciding which ohm coil you should use will depend on your preferred style of vaping. As mouth-to-lung vaping uses less power, your coil resistance should be much higher, within the range of 1.0Ω to 2.0Ω. Meanwhile, direct-to-lung and restricted-direct-to-lung vapers must use vape coils with less than 1.0Ω that can handle higher wattages.
It is important to note that vape coils with lower ohms require higher wattages to function correctly, and when you vape at a lower resistance, you will get through more e-liquid, and your battery life will suffer.
What Is a Sub-Ohm Vape Coil?
Sub-ohm vape coils have a resistance of less than 1.0Ω and often contain a thicker wire with larger wicking holes to increase the airflow. Vape coils with lower ohm levels can handle more power, and the thicker wire increases the surface area in contact with the e-liquid-soaked cotton.
Sub-ohm coils and tanks will only work on a mechanical or regulated mod capable of handling them. Improper use can lead to a damaged vaping kit or injury to yourself and others. If in doubt, check with your vaping supplier to ensure you have the correct vape coil for your device.
If you are interested in sub-ohm vaping, we suggest an e-liquid with 6mg or less when sub-ohm vaping. Sub-ohm tanks and atomisers produce a higher throat hit than their standard resistance counterparts. Any more than 6mg of nicotine could result in your vape tasting burnt or harsh.
When Should I Change My Vape Coil?
The length of time you get out of a vape coil will vary depending on a number of factors:
- How often you vape
- The power settings of your device
- The type of e-liquid you use
- Whether your vape coil has been properly primed
You will recognise the need to change your vape coil when you start to get the burnt taste mentioned above.
How Do You Prime a Vape Coil?
Whenever you change your vape coil, you must ‘prime’ it with e-liquid to prevent it from prematurely burning. Priming a vape coil means you are kickstarting the process of saturating its cotton wick.
If you are unfamiliar with the process, we have explained vape coil priming in four simple steps below:
- Drip a few drops of e-liquid into the hole at the top of the vape coil.
- Allow the e-liquid to soak into the cotton wick.
- Attach the vape coil to your device.
- Fill your tank with e-liquid and leave it to soak for 15 minutes.
Can I Build My Own Vape Coils?
While we recommend that beginner vapers stick to starter kits if they have recently swapped from disposables or switched from smoking to vaping, more experienced vapers might be interested in how to build their own vape coils.
There are advanced tool kits available for those with the time and technical knowledge that allow you to create custom vape coils. These are often called rebuildable coils. Using alloy wires and a wicking material of your choice, you can tightly wind the wires to create the heating element of your vape coil and then feed the wick through its centre.
We must stress that certain risks are involved with building and using rebuildable coils in your vape device. Rebuildable coils need to be tested with a multi-meter before they are used. Furthermore, new vape coil units must be used on a strong basic mod with short circuit protection or a testing rig before it is used in your device.
Faulty vape coils will blow electronic devices, so unless you are well-informed about multi-meters and electronic devices in general, we would not recommend trying to build your own vape coil.
Vape Town cannot be held responsible for any damages caused by modifications to our vape kits. While we are happy to provide you with the materials to create and test your own coils, misusing vape coils or rebuildable coils is entirely at your own risk.
If you have any queries about handling vape coils safely, or if you would like the function or different types of vape coils explained to you in more detail, please contact us, and one of our vape experts will be able to help you. If you’re all set, keep an eye out for our special offers on coils!