Beginners Guide to Vape Coils

It can be somewhat bewildering when you first start vaping given the sheer wealth of choice available on the market today, and to know what the best coil or coils are to purchase.

Beware of fakes. Unfortunately, like most things that are popular there are also fake coils on the market. The best way to steer away from those is to always purchase coils from reputable vape companies like Ecigone.

Don’t worry, there’s an easy way to check if your coils are genuine, on the packaging your coils came in there should be a ‘scratch & check’ area. Scratch this area to reveal a code that you can then input on the manufacturers website to confirm you have genuine coils.

In this guide I will break down the differences of each coil type and hopefully you will be able to choose the right coil(s) for you.

There are three main considerations when you are looking for the right coil, they are;

• Coil Type - MTL (Mouth-to-lung) or DTL (Direct-to-lung)

• Coil Resistance - This is measured in Ohms denoted by the Ω symbol

• Coil Power - This is the wattage or power required by the coil to perform effectively

In this section I will explain the differences between MTL and DTL vaping so that you can decide which route you want to take when starting out.

MTL Vaping

This is a very popular way to start your vaping journey as it most closely resembles smoking a cigarette as you first draw the vapour into your mouth and then inhale, again, just like smoking a cigarette. MTL is a very popular way to vape for beginners and advanced users alike.

• Device and Coil Setup - For MTL vaping, typically you will need a high resistance coil (above 1.0 Ohm) and a suitable e-liquid (we recommend using a 50/50 e-liquid for MTL vaping). Most pod kits cater to both MTL and DTL either by way of adjusting the airflow to suit or by supplying two separate pods, one for MTL and one for DTL but, do check before purchasing.

• Vaping Experience - MTL vaping provides more of a restricted airflow over DTL which can be perfect for people transitioning from smoking to vaping as it provides a very similar experience to cigarette smoking.

• E-liquid & Nicotine Strength - As I mentioned above generally speaking you will need to purchase a 50/50 ratio e-liquid, this means a 50/50 split between Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG) content. Typically you would choose a higher nicotine strength e-liquid for MTL vaping to satisfy your nicotine cravings quicker and to provide a harsher throat hit.

DTL Vaping

This form of vaping is usually for more advanced users, many people transition from MTL vaping to DTL because it’s more suited to higher power mods and tanks which produce much more vapour as opposed to MTL vaping. DTL involves inhaling the vapour directly into your lungs.

• Device and Coil Setup - Usually, if you want to DTL vape you need a more powerful vape kit or a standalone mod and tank. It’s what’s commonly referred to as; ‘Sub-Ohm’ vaping and by that we mean to use a low resistance coil typically below 1.0 Ohm to achieve a satisfying DTL experience.

• Vaping Experience - DTL vaping is a very popular way to vape, you may have heard the term ‘blowing clouds’ in relation to vaping this is usually possible when DTL vaping and requires the use of a sub-ohm coil.

• E-liquid & Nicotine Strength - With DTL vaping you can use any e-liquid with a 70/30 ratio and above, usually with a lower nicotine concentration than with MTL vaping. A lot of vapers will choose a 80/20 e-liquid for maximum vapour production.

When we talk about coil resistance we are talking about the electrical resistance of the wire inside a coil. The resistance is measured in Ohms (Ω) you will find this rating on the packaging the coil(s) came in and in some cases printed directly onto the coil itself. The higher the number the less power is required to operate the coil and the lower the Ohm rating the more power is required.

Ohm Ratings:

• Low Resistance: Coils with a low resistance (below 1.0 Ohm) are commonly referred to ‘sub-ohm’ coils and are a popular choice with experienced vapers. These coils allow a higher current flow through them over MTL coils which produces higher vapour production and is often suited to DTL vaping.

• High Resistance: Coils with a higher resistance (1.0 Ohm or above) require much less power to operate and are usually used in MTL vaping. They are an ideal choice If you want or prefer a more discrete vaping experience as high resistance coils will produce far less vapour over a low resistance coil.

• Power Output: Depending on the maximum power output of the mod you have will determine the type of coil you can use, all mods are capable of firing MTL coils but not every mod can fire a low resistance coil so it’s important to check the power rating of your mod before purchasing new coils. The user manual for your mod will tell you the minimum and maximum power output of your mod.

• Vapour Production: As I have mentioned above generally speaking the lower the coil resistance means more power is needed to fire that coil which in turn dictates the level of vapour production for that coil. So, it all depends on which route you want to take, high resistance for a more restrained or stealth vaping, or low resistance for maximum vapour production.

• Battery Life: This is one of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a coil because an MTL coil will require far less power to run over a DTL coil so especially if you are away from home you would be better off choosing a higher resistance coil to preserve battery life so you can keep vaping for longer periods. For more information on batteries, view our battery safety guide.

So in summary, the resistance of a coil is a very important consideration when choosing the right coils for you and your mod. It will have an impact on the power output, vapour production, flavour, and battery life. Some people prefer the flavour output of a high resistance coil and vice versa, it all comes down to personal preference depending on your level of experience and vaping style.

In this section I will answer the most commonly asked questions relating to coils and coil maintenance.

It is vitally important that with a brand new coil that you prime it before firing it, if you don’t prime your coil there’s a good chance you will burn the cotton inside the coil which will give you what we call a 'dry hit’ this will taste like burnt cardboard and is very unpleasant, it’s not something you want to experience twice.

Priming your coil is a simple procedure, when you take a fresh coil out of it’s packaging take your e-liquid and put drops of it on the wicking material, you will find small openings around the bottom edge of the coil which exposes the cotton inside, and also place a drop or two of e-liquid into the opening of the coil at the top.

Once you have done this, place the coil inside the pod/tank and fill with your chosen e-liquid and leave it to soak for at least 5-10 minutes before firing it. This will ensure that the coil is fully saturated with e-liquid and will prolong the life of the coil.

If you experience a ‘dry hit’ from a new coil it is likely that it wasn’t primed correctly before firing, if you did prime the coil properly the next issue could be the thickness of the e-liquid you are using.

If you are using a 80/20 e-liquid it is advisable to start off on a low wattage and slowly work your way up to the coils recommended wattage to break the coil in gently.

If the viscosity of your e-liquid isn’t the issue you may have the wattage set too high for the coil you are using, always check the maximum wattage your coil can handle.

This can vary quite a bit, there are several factors that have a hand in coil life but, you should expect around one to two weeks from a new coil.

Things that can extend the life of a new coil include;

• Priming your coil properly

• Do not exceed the wattage/power rating of your coil

• Continuous vaping can dry out your coils wick

• Using a suitable e-liquid for your coil

One thing to consider is the sweetness of your e-liquid. Vaping very sweet e-liquids such as; dessert and bakery e-liquids can affect the life of your coil, this is because sweeter e-liquids can cause a caramelised layer to form on the surface of the coil over time, leading to a slightly burnt taste.

Other than your e-liquid something else that can affect your coils life is running your coil above its rated power, so, if your coil has a maximum wattage of 30w and you run it at 40-50w not only do you run the risk of dry hits but it will greatly reduce the lifespan of the coil.

As I have mentioned above you should expect around 1-2 weeks out of your coil but, this can vary depending on your vaping habits and the type of e-liquid you vape.

Usually, once you start to notice that the flavour has dropped off and/or you start to notice a burnt taste, it’s time to change your coil.

To help extend the life of your coil make sure you prime your coil properly before vaping, this will ensure the cotton has been fully saturated with e-liquid before you take your first hit, which should negate dry burning the cotton.

Always make sure you stick within the wattage range of the coil you are using. Running coils above their rated maximum wattage will degrade the coil much faster and can lead to dry hits. Also, take breaks from vaping to allow your coil to re-saturate with e-liquid.

Try to keep all of your spare or unused coils in their original packaging and store them in a cool, dry place, preferably in an airtight container. Avoid storing coils under extreme temperatures and humid conditions to avoid degrading the wicking material in your coils. Always store your vaping equipment and accessories away from children and animals.

You will find a wide array of replacement coils and pods on offer over at the Ecigone website, ranging from high resistance MTL coils all the way to sub-ohm coils for a wide range of pods, kits and tanks.