All About Vape Coils

Without a vape coil, your device may as well be a decoration. Coils deliver flavour and vapour and are essentially the heart of your vape kit.

But what exactly is a vape coil? The answers you're looking for are below, so read on!

Vape coils provide the flavour and vapour you enjoy when vaping. They consist of a 510 connector, organic cotton, and a mesh heating wire. When you saturate the cotton with e-liquid, and the separate battery device heats the wire, the e-liquid vaporises, producing the vapour we inhale.

You can find your coil in the tank or pod, depending on what kind of vape you use. In tanks, the coil is screwed into the bottom (in most cases), and pods they're built with the coil already inside, so you don't have to faff about fitting it.

This all depends on how much you use the coil and how often you maintain it. On average, a coil lasts between 1 and 2 weeks before a fresh one should be swapped in. If you puff away frequently on it, it'll last a shorter time; the opposite is also true here.

A couple of other factors can alter the longevity of your vape coils. 

The first is the type of e-liquid you use. Vape juice, which has lots of sweeteners, can clog up your coil faster, and in turn, you will be swapping out your vape coils faster to regain the same level of flavour.

The next is coil material. When selecting a coil (especially if you're using a tank), make sure that it's of high-quality material and that you buy it from a reputable source (like Ecigone!) as there are many Fakes being sold on the market.

The final one is taking smaller puffs. A coil will deteriorate faster if every puff you take is long. Shortening your draw can help increase the coil's lifespan and, in turn, give you better value for money.

Resistance is a key element in the way your vape coil works. You'll see the word "Ohms" written on the vape coil or in a product description, and Ohms measure electrical resistance. It works like this: The higher the resistance, the less electrical charge will pass through your coil, resulting in a cooler vape and less vapour. The lower the electrical resistance, the more charge that will pass through your coil, giving you a warmer vape and more vapour.

High-resistance vape coils (between 0.8 - 1.2 Ohms) are generally found in low-power devices like pod kits and AIO devices, while low-resistance vape coils (0.1 - 0.6 Ohms) can be found in high-power devices like sub-ohm vapes.

So, to sum up: 

• High resistance + low power = cooler vape and less vapour.

• Low resistance + high power = warmer vape and more vapour.

Different vape coils have different resistance levels to accommodate various styles of vaping and power levels. Let's examine the different levels of vape coil resistance. 

A 1.0 Ohm or higher coil is considered a High-Ohm (High-Resistance) coil. These vape coils allow less electricity to be passed through them, resulting in a more extraordinary coil for cooler vapour and a more subtle flavour—perfect for vapers who want to enjoy a smooth cigarette type Vape style

Coils with a resistance lower than 1.0 Ohm are considered Low-Ohm (Low-Resistance), also known as sub-ohm coils. They allow more electricity to be passed through the coil, heating up to higher temperatures, making them ideal for vapers who like a far more robust flavour and much denser vapour clouds.

Along with resistance comes vaping styles. Different resistances allow for various vaping styles, and which one you choose depends on your preference. Let's take a look at them.

Mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping mimics the draw of smoking and is perfect for those switching to vaping from cigarettes. This style involves drawing vapour into the mouth and then inhaling it into the lungs. Coil resistances between 1.2 Ohm and 0.8 Ohm are ideal for this style and offer a controlled, tighter draw for subtle yet flavoursome vapes.

Restricted Direct Lung (RDL) sits right between MTL and DTL in styles, giving the best of both worlds. This style uses coil resistances between 0.7 Ohm and 0.5 Ohm for a middling draw that balances flavour and vapour production.

Direct to Lung (DTL) is the final style, which involves inhaling vapour directly into the lungs. Coil resistances of 0.4 Ohm and below are perfect here. They produce an extremely strong flavour coupled with dense vapour clouds, which many vapers enjoy.

When it comes to vape coil resistances, there's one more thing you need to consider—e-liquids. Different vape coil resistances work far better with different e-liquids, so let's examine them and see what works best for different vaping styles and resistances.

The best e-liquids for an MTL vape coil are nicotine salts and freebase nicotine e-liquids. 

Nicotine salts - or nic salts - provide a smooth throat hit at high nicotine levels due to their composition and are absorbed quickly into the body, making them perfect for those transitioning from smoking.

Freebase nicotine e-liquids are also excellent with an MTL vape coil; however, they have a far harsher throat hit compared to nic salts and stay in the system far longer for a slower release.

Freebase nicotine e-liquids are also great with an MTL vape coil, however they have a far harsher throat hit compared to nic salts, and stay in the system far longer for a slower release.

Thanks to their mid-ground between MTL and DTL vaping, an RDL vape coil can utilise a wide range of e-liquids, including nic salts and freebase nicotine e-liquids.

A new type of e-liquid an RDL vape coil can use is a high VG e-liquid like a shortfill. These e-liquids vaporise at higher temperatures, producing much more vapour and a stronger flavour. Shortfills also have 0 mg of nicotine, which you can top up to 3 mg by adding nic shots.

A DTL vape coil works best with a high-VG e-liquid, like a shortfill. While high-VG e-liquids do work well in RDL coils, they work considerably better in a DTL vape coil. The higher power needed for DTL coils produces far denser vapour clouds and robust flavours.

The way to prime a coil is the same, but it differs slightly depending on whether you're using a tank or a pod. Let's start with the tank:

1. Get your device, tank, coil and e-liquid ready to begin priming.
   

2. Drip a couple of drops of e-liquid onto the coil-wicking material - just enough to saturate it.

3. Insert your coil into the tank - some tanks have different installation methods, but it's usually just a push-fit, or it's screwed in.

4. Attach the tank to your device and let the coil sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the e-liquid to saturate the wick properly.

5. You're ready to go! Fill up the tank with e-liquid, and you're ready to start vaping!

Now for the pods:

1. Nearly all pods have a pre-installed coil, so you can fill the pod with e-liquid and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before vaping. It's as easy as that!

Priming is essential if you want your coil to last as long as possible. Think of it as stretching before a run. If you don't, you risk injury. It's the same with coils. Without priming, you risk burning out your coil, which can produce a burnt taste and getting the dreaded dry hit, which renders the coil unusable. 

Adding a few drops of e-liquid to saturate the coil wick gets it ready to vape and can significantly extend the life of your coils. Just 10 minutes of prep time can save you disappointment and money in the future.

If you're new to vaping, knowing when to change your coil may seem tricky, but rest assured, we'll guide you through it. Coils tend to last 1-2 weeks, depending on usage. You'll know when your coil needs a change based on a few telltale signs:

• The flavour isn't as potent as it used to be.

• It's producing a burnt taste.

• There's little vapour produced.

• A bubbling noise is heard.

• The device is leaking.

If you experience one or more of these, it is time for a fresh coil. Simply prime the new coil described above, and you'll be ready!

Vape coils are made of several different materials, each providing a different benefit. Stainless steel is perfect for vapes that employ wattage and temperature control options, while kanthal is a popular option due to its ease of use and durability. Materials like nichrome heat up quickly, while others, such as titanium and nickel, are mostly used in vape setups that prioritise temperature control.

So those are the most common materials. Let's now talk about coil styles. Two styles of coil are the most popular among vapers:

Mesh coils are made from a strip of metal with holes that give them a larger surface area. This means more e-liquid can be vaporised at once since the heat is spread evenly, creating consistent puffs from start to finish.

Ceramic coils are best known for their lifespan and clean flavour. Like mesh coils, ceramic creates even heat distribution and reduces the chances of a burnt taste. They also have less chance of gunk building up, meaning fewer replacements and more consistent flavour for longer.

Hopefully, you've found our vape coil guide informative and helpful. Coils are essentially the heart of your vape kits, so it is crucial to know which one to get, how they work, the materials to consider, and how to take care of them properly. But it's just one step on your vaping journey. How you intend to use the coil will change which coil you buy.

As always, if you have any questions, we encourage you to reach out with any questions you have; our team is ready to assist you. In the meantime, take a moment to explore the FAQs below!