Vaping is an interesting journey where you learn about the components of your device, such as the mouthpiece, tank, and, most especially, the coil. From how coils work to the type of coils purchased, vape coils affect your vaping experience.
More importantly, the coil’s resistance determines how the vaping device operates and the quality of vapour it produces. Whether you are an experienced or newbie vaper, understanding the different types of coil resistance is a must.
What Is A Vape Coil?
Vape coils are one of the components of vaping devices. They are designed to heat the e-liquid in the e-cigarette and convert it into vapour. In other words, the coil in vape is used for vapour production.
A vape coil is also referred to as an atomiser. It comprises three fundamental parts: the wicking material (or vaping wick), heating element, and casing.
The material is usually made from organic cotton, and it is used to draw in e-juice and pass it to the heating element. The casing of the coil holds all the parts together and makes it easy for the coil to be installed in the tank or pod.
The coil is also known as the heating element. It is made from strips of resistance mesh. The heating element is a spiral-shaped, thin wire placed around the vaping material of the device. The vape coil is held in position by an atomizer head, which connects the positive part of the battery to the negative part.
Vape coils are manufactured from wires that mix conductive and heat-resistant materials. The most common one is stainless steel.
How Vape Coils Work
When the vape device is used, the vaping material becomes saturated with the e-juice, and the battery is engaged, heating the coil. The coil vaporises the e-juice into vapour. Then, the produced vapour travels through the clearomiser or tank chimney and is inhaled.
How Long Does A Vape Coil Last?
Vape coils are not meant to be used forever. They have a short life span. After using a coil for a while, it becomes old and should be removed from the device to be replaced with a new one.
But exactly how long do vape coils last? Typically, vape coils can last from one to three weeks. However, the exact duration is determined by the consumer’s vaping habits and how they take care of the vaping device.
The maintenance culture of a vaper affects the longevity of their device. Vapers who clean their device often enjoy a smooth-tasting experience for up to 21 days before they need to replace the vape coil. However, vapers who use the device once in a while don’t need to change the vape coil as often as other consumers.
Refusing to change the vape coil regularly when the need arises can affect the device’s functionality. It is only a matter of time before the vaping device becomes damaged.
When To Change A Vape Coil?
Knowing when or how often to change vape coil is not rocket science. It is a decision taken based on visible signals. Some key signs indicate when the vape device needs replacement coils. These signs always show up while using the device.
Below are four indicators that it is time to change the vape coil:
1.) Vape Gives A Burnt Taste When Used
This is often the most noticeable sign that the vape coil has to be changed. While using the device, you will experience a burnt, irritating taste in your mouth and at the back of your throat. When this occurs, it is your cue to remove the coil and replace it with a new one.
When you notice a change in the flavour of the e-juice, that is a sign that the wick material of the coil is burnt. It doesn’t even matter if you use high-quality e-juices. You will get an unpleasant experience once the wick is burnt.
2.) Vape Makes A Gurgling Sound When Used
When using the vape and you notice a cracking or spitting sound, it could mean the device suffers from vape tank flooding or improper fitting of the coil. However, if the gurgling sound continues after you have readjusted the coil, it means the coil is no longer functioning well and is due for a replacement.
3.) Vape Begins To Leak
When the vape coil stops working as it should, it could cause the device to start leaking, spilling out the e-juice. However, a burnt coil is not always the problem. So it’s best to disassemble the device and check for possible faults. If the leaking continues, then it is time to change the coil.
4.) Vape Produces Poor Vapour
A burnt vape coil will produce poor and inconsistent clouds when the vape is being used. Once you notice that the vape no longer produces big clouds like before, this is a sign that you should get a new coil.
What Are Coil Resistance And Ohms?
Coil resistance is the regulation of power – wattage or voltage from the vape battery – to the coil. The resistance is measured in ohms, usually between 0.15 and 2.1. The device used to measure the coil’s resistance is called an Ohmmeter.
When a coil or an atomiser has a high resistance, it indicates that it is designed to have less voltage pass. On the other hand, a coil with a low resistance means that it can allow more voltage to flow.
Most coils share information about their resistance and the wattage to be used, which is printed on the coil or the box. The information is usually in the form of a wattage range such as 1.5 ohms: 10W-20W.
Depending on the coil manufacturer, the wattage range for a specific resistance varies due to factors such as the material and type of wire used in the coil. Thus, two different coils from different manufacturers can have the same resistance, but they might not be able to handle the same wattage. So it is advisable to first check the recommended wattage for the coil.
What Are The Different Types Of Vape Coils?
The two types of vape coils in use are high resistance coil and low resistance coil.
High Resistance Coils
High Resistance Coils are also known as Plus-ohm Coils. They have a resistance that is above 1 ohm.
Features of high resistance coils include:
- a smoother throat hit when vaping
- uses up less e-juice
- less heat
- less vapour
- the device uses up less battery life
Low Resistance Coils
Low-resistance coils are called Sub ohm or mouth to lung coils. They have a resistance that is below 1 ohm. The coils are often used by experienced vapers and are found in more advanced vape kits.
The wick surrounding the coil in vape has larger holes, and this leads to the production of more vapour. The vapour produced by this coil resistance is warm and is similar to smoking a cigarette.
Key features of low resistance coils are:
- it has a stronger throat hit
- it uses more e-juice
- it produces more heat
- it produces more vapour
- it uses up more battery life
When you vape with coils with a resistance below 1 ohm, it is called sub ohm or mouth-to-lung vaping (MTL vaping). It is done using a device with a sub-ohm tank. It is reserved for experienced vapers, producing pleasant flavours from vape and large vapour clouds. It is also referred to as direct to lung vaping (DTL vaping).
High Or Low Resistance Coil – Which One Should I Choose?
The resistance level of coils affects vaping. If you are new to vaping, you should use a high-resistance coil to give you a smooth introduction; you should also try out exciting new flavours.
But if you are an experienced vaper and enjoy chasing clouds, sub-ohm vaping will work for you. So, it would be best if you used low-resistance coils associated with it.
How Do I Know Which Coil Is The Right One For My Vape Tank Or Vape Kit?
The choice of the most suitable coil to use depends on the resistance of the vape coil. Vape coils with a resistance exceeding 1 ohm are meant for vape liquids with a 50/50 PG/VG balance or with a higher concentration of PG (such as 70/30).
Vape liquids with more VG than this are only suitable for sub ohm coils because they are thicker and cannot be absorbed by standard >1-ohm coils (found in most tanks).