Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to smoking. Whether you're a seasoned vaper or just getting started, you should know that one of the most critical components of your device is the coil. Simply put, your coil is the heating element that vaporizes your e-liquid. The type of coil you use can have a significant impact on the flavor, vapor production, and overall performance of your device. In this post, we'll take a closer look at vape coils and explore the differences in how they perform.
Ohms & Resistance
Both pods and coils that come premade will always have a number associated with them, listed in ohms. Ohms are a measure of electrical resistance, and they play a crucial role in determining how that coil performs.
When you fire your vape, the battery sends an electrical current to the coil. The resistance of the coil determines how much current flows through it and how much heat it generates.
Sub Ohm Safety
Sub ohm refers to an ohm value of less than 1.0. The lower the number drops below 1.0, the less resistance it possesses. It's helpful to remember that the current and resistance have an inverse relationship. A coil with a lower resistance will allow more current to flow, resulting in more heat and thicker, denser clouds. A higher resistance coil will restrict the flow of current, producing less heat and vapor overall.
People often use the term sub ohm when talking about safe use of salt nicotine. Salt e-liquids contain a much higher concentration of nicotine and that makes them not recommended for use with most sub ohm tanks paired with box mods. The sub ohm coils produce a lot of vapor, and if that vapor has a much higher amount of nicotine, then inhaling so much of it at once can quickly become dangerous.
If you're vaping salt nicotine, then you should use a pod style designed for use with salts (see which device is right for me). Don't worry, even if the pod style device has a sub ohm coil or pod option, it's safe to use because the lower power of the battery won't allow too big of a hit. At Vaporfi Columbus, we want everyone to be safe and avoid potential nicotine poisoning; if you still have questions or concerns about sub ohm coil/pod options reach out to one of our stores today!
Wire Types
Ohms are important, but they're not the only factor to consider in how the coil operates. The types and shapes of the wiring used also have roles to play.
Mesh
A very popular type of coil employs a mesh wire. Made of a thin, flat metal sheet with tiny holes punched in it, the mesh material provides a larger surface area for the e-liquid to come into contact with, allowing for more even heat distribution and better vapor production.
Roundwire
Round wire coils consist of a single wire wrapped into a coil shape. They generally have a higher resistance and produce less vapor compared to mesh coils due to their lower surface area.
Ceramic
A third, less common material type are ceramic coils, which use a flat ceramic disc as the heating element instead of a wire. The disc provides very even heating while being durable, making them perfect for vaping more delicate molecules like CBD.
Hit Styles
Some coil manufacturers design coils with a specific type of use in mind, and will label them either Direct Lung (DL) or Mouth to Lung (MTL).
Direct Lung
Just as the name describes, direct lung coils are ideal for vapers who prefer to inhale directly into their lungs, similar to how you would inhale air. Direct lung hits are characterized by large clouds of vapor and require more airflow to be effective.
These coils typically have a sub ohm resistance and higher wattage requirements, meaning they consume more power to produce higher heat. You wouldn't want to take a hit off a DL coil into your mouth and hold it in, or else the thicker cloud of vapor could irritate the back of your throat.
Mouth to Lung
Mouth to lung coils are intended for vapers who prefer to inhale into their mouth first before inhaling into their lungs, mimicking the type of hit you would get from a traditional cigarette. Mouth to lung hits are typically smaller due to the restricted airflow.
These coils usually have a higher resistance and lower wattage requirements, which means they consume less power and produce less heat. They're common with lower-powered devices, such as pod systems.
Barrels
In the context of vape coils, "barrels" refers to the number of cylindrical holes found in the center of the coil. The number of barrels a coil has impacts vapor production, airflow, and ultimately flavor. The most common types of coils have a single barrel for the vapor to pass through. Take a look down the top of your coil, if there's one hole that you can see through, you have a single. If there's more than one, you could have a dual, triple, or even higher depending on the number of holes! Some lines of coils, like the Freemax Mesh Pro coils, have several types ranging from singles, all the way up to quintuples (5).
In general, the more barrels you have, the larger the coil's surface area, and the more restrictive the draw. The greater surface area and tighter draw work to allow more e-liquid to be vaporized and more flavor deposited onto your tongue, resulting in an intense and flavorful hit. It's a trade off though, because the more barrels you add, the chance of getting a hot spot increases, and the greater chance for your coil to burn out a bit faster than average.
Combine Your Knowledge
Each type of vape coil has its advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice will depend on your preferences, experience level, and device. By selecting the right coils for your device and preferences, you can customize your vaping experience to suit your tastes and needs. Ultimately, it's important to experiment with different types of coils to find one that works best for you.
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