It goes without saying that vape devices have many different parts to them, and it can be quite overwhelming getting to know these parts – especially if you’re a beginner. This guide will help to break down one of the most important parts of a vape – the coil – including what it is, the different coil types available, and how you can maintain and get the most out of your coil.
What is a vape coil?
A vape coil is the heating element of your vape that converts the e-liquid into vapour. It’s essentially a wire that is wrapped up around the vape’s wicking material, which is soaked in e-liquid. Coils can come in different types, depending on your preferred method of vaping.
Standard coil vs sub-ohm coil
To start off, we need to understand what coil resistance means and how this can affect your vaping experience. A coil’s electrical resistance is measured with the unit Ohm (Ω) and this is typically visible on your coil’s packaging or on the coil itself. The resistance level can affect both vapour and flavour production so you can mix and match what coils you install into your device depending on your personal preferences.
Standard coil
A standard coil, also sometimes known as a plus ohm coil because it often has a resistance of above 1 ohm, has a higher resistance level. This means that it produces less vapour and results in a cooler vape. These types of coils are an ideal choice for those who are making the switch from cigarette smoking to vaping. This is because standard coils are more suited for mouth-to-lung vaping, which is where you first let the vapour sit in your mouth for a few moments before inhaling it into your lungs – similar to smoking a cigarette. Due to its likeness to smoking traditional cigarettes, vaping in this style with these types of coils is usually favoured by ex-smokers who are early on in their transition to vaping.
With a standard coil, especially as it’s suited to higher PG e-liquid and nic salts, you’ll be able to taste a stronger flavour. These coils will also produce cooler vapour and be more energy efficient as they use less power compared to sub-ohm devices. Our top selling standard coils include the Smoke Nord 1.4 ohm Ceramic Coil and SMOK RPM80 RGC 0.8 ohm Coil.
Sub-ohm coil
A sub-ohm coil has low resistance so it’s a great choice for those who enjoy direct-to-lung vaping. DTL vaping is when you bypass having the vapour in your mouth and inhale it directly into your lungs. If you’re big into cloud-chasing, low resistance coils are perfect as they’re able to generate massive clouds with no issue.
A downside of lower resistance coils is that they use up more energy than standard coils, but there are definitely some benefits that make up for this. One of them is that sub-ohm devices are usually much more customisable, with features such as adjustable airflow, wattage, and temperature. A more powerful coil also means you’ll feel a stronger nicotine hit, which is why we recommend using high VG e-liquids with lower concentrations of nicotine. Some of our most popular sub-ohm coils are the GeekVape Zeus Sub-Ohm Coils, Uwell Valyrian 2 & 3 coils, and SMOK TFV18 coils.
What are the different types of coils?
Aside from resistance levels, coils can be made of different types of metals and wicking materials. These offer different vaping experiences as they can affect both flavour and vapour production.
Ceramic coils
Ceramic coils are a great option if you want to prioritise flavour production. They’re more porous than coils made of other materials, which means the air passes through it very easily and makes for a smooth draw. They’re also able to handle higher wattage devices and last longer than other types of coils.
Stainless steel coils
Stainless steel coils are known for their durability and long life. They’re also very versatile as one of the only coil materials that supports both temperature control (TC) modes and variable wattage (VW) modes.
Titanium coils
Titanium coils are more soft and malleable than other materials, which means that vapers building their own coils will often choose titanium as their material. They’re slightly more expensive than stainless steel coils but they also produce cleaner and crisper tasting vapour. However, you have to be a bit more careful when vaping with titanium coils as this material is also more flammable. This is why these coils are only compatible with temperature controlled vapes and you’d have to maintain and consider the temperature carefully.
Kanthal coils
Kanthal vape coils are made with a mix of iron, chromium, and aluminium which means they have a quick ramp up time and are able to produce very large amounts of vapour. We recommend only using Kanthal coils in variable wattage mode. This may seem limiting but vape coils made of this material are also malleable and easy to work with while still being sturdy. This type of coil is becoming increasingly popular amongst vapers for these reasons.
Nichrome coils
Nichrome vape coils are made of an alloy consisting of 80% chromium and 20% nickel. Vapes that use these coils are able to heat up quicker compared to Kanthal coils, which means more vapour production. This alloy will also protect the heating element from oxidation, which can affect the colour and taste of your e-liquid. Similarly to Kanthal coils, Nichrome coils can only be used in wattage mode but the quick ramp up time makes them a great choice for sub-ohm vapers looking for massive clouds.
Nickel coils
Nickel coils are another excellent choice for sub-ohm vapes as most temperature controlled kits prioritise vape coils made of nickel. This type of coil does come with a few drawbacks though, one of them being that vapers with a nickel allergy may not be able to use this. Nickel coils also can’t be dry fired for too long so you need to keep an eye on your vape’s e-liquid levels.
How long does a coil last?
The life-span of a coil is dependent on a few different factors. A brand new coil can last on average between 1-2 weeks but this may vary on how frequently you use your vape. If you’re a heavy vaper, we recommend you switch out your coil every week. This is especially important if you’re a sub-ohm vaper as high VG e-liquids tend to be gloopier and can clog up your coils quicker.
If you’re a moderate vaper you may be able to get more use out of each coil as your vape coils won’t be getting as hot as quickly compared to that of a heavy vaper. But this is also dependent on what kind of e-liquid you’re using and your vapes power settings. As a general rule, moderate vapers can get away with changing their coils every 2 weeks.
Light vapers who use their vapes infrequently can actually change their coils every 3-4 weeks as your coil isn’t being put through large amounts of heat and power. If you’re an MTL vaper using high PG e-liquids, you’ll also be extending the lifespan of your coils.
How can I make my coil last longer?
If you take care and follow some tips you can make your vape coils last longer. One of the first things you should do when you install a brand new coil is to prime it. Priming a coil just means soaking the wicking material with a few drops of e-liquid first before fitting it into your vape tank. Once installed, fill up the tank with e-liquid and let it sit for a few minutes before using it. It’s best to start off with lower wattage and power for the first few hits on a new coil to give the wicking material more time to soak up the e-liquid. After a few draws you’ll be able to gradually raise your vapes power and temperature settings.
It’s also important to use the right settings for each coil. Most coils will have an optimum range and a full wattage range on the coil itself. By sticking to this recommended range you’ll be able to get the most out of it while increasing its life span. Selecting the right type of e-liquid is also important in getting your vape coils to last longer as different coils work better with different types of liquid.
Having some breaks between hits will also help your vape coils last longer. This is especially true for sub-ohm vapes as they usually need a bit more time for the wicking material to absorb more e-liquid. Taking more breaks also means you’ll be avoiding any dry hits.
How do I clean and replace my coils?
Maintaining good levels of hygiene is essential for vaping, and keeping your coils clean and in working condition is an important part of that. To clean a coil you’ll first have to remove its wicking material. Afterwards, dry burn the coil as lightly as possible – the best way to do this is by pulsing the fire button in 2 second bursts. As you do this you’ll start seeing vapour, which is a sign of the layer of residue being burnt off the coil. Once all the residue is burnt off let your coil cool down before rewicking it. Now you’re ready to top up your vape!
It’s important to note that you won’t be able to clean your coil if you’re using a pod system that uses replaceable pods with coils that are already built-in. If you notice your coils getting dirty or not working as well, you’ll need to buy a replacement.
There are a few signs to look out for to see when you need to change your coil. A couple of the most obvious signs are when you see less vapour being produced and you start getting a burnt taste as you vape. But again, this is all dependent on how you use your vape.
Conclusion
Getting into vaping can be pretty daunting, especially once you look into its more technical part. But once you understand the basics to each component, you’ll gain the confidence to customise your vape to suit your own vaping style. After a while you might even try your hand at building your own coils. With all the mods and options out there, the world truly is your oyster!
Ready to learn more about the exciting world of vape hardware? Check out our guide to choosing your first vape kit or browse our selection of vape kits today.
