Subscribe to our mailing list for 10% off your first order

Your cart

Your cart is empty

Image showing beginners guide to vape coils

Beginners Guide to Vape Coils

What are Vape Coils?

A vape coil or atomiser head is one of the most integral parts of your e-cigarette kit. Its function is to heat the e-liquid in your tank from the power of your vape kit battery. The heating of vape juice turns e-liquid into an aerosol or vapour that can be inhaled to deliver nicotine.

How Do Vape Coils Work?

Vape coils are made up from 3 main parts. Each part plays an important role in creating vapour.

Heating Element

The heating element is made from resistance wire which either wire wrapped in a spiral shape, or is a meshed strip of metal with holes punched through called a mesh coil. When you press the fire button (or inhale-to-vape) on your vape kit, this sends power to heat the coil which heats the e-liquid causing it to vaporise.

The resistance, material and design of the atomiser coil can affect the flavour, vapour and temperature.

Wicking Material

Vape coils feature wicking material made from organic cotton which absorbs the e-liquid in your tank. The saturated cotton feeds e-liquid to the coil to be heated.

Outer Casing

The outer casing of the coil holds all the parts together. The base of the coil features a connection that firmly connects the coil to your tank or vape pod.

What is Coil Resistance?

The resistance of an atomiser coil is a measure of force that counteracts the flow of current in an electrical circuit. It refers to a measure of how easily electricity can flow through a material.

Resistance of a coil is the amount of power required to heat a vape coil up to reach your desired temperature, and how quickly it will heat up. Coils with a lower resistance will need a higher power output from your device, and coils with a higher resistance rating will require a lower power output.

When purchasing a pack of coils you will notice a number followed by ‘Ω’. This number is a measure of electrical resistance of the wire being used in that coil. More wraps of the coil increase resistance and less wraps reduce the resistance. The gauge or thickness of the wire and wire material used can also affect the resistance.

Ohms named after the German physicist and mathematician Georg Simon Ohm who through experimentation discovered a relationship between voltage, current and electrical resistance what is now known as Ohm’s Law. Resistance values are measured in ohms simbolised by the Greek letter Omega ‘Ω’.

High Resistance Coils

Vape coils with a resistance of 1.0ohm or higher are classed as high resistance coils. These coils allow for less electricity to flow through them, resulting in cooler temperatures.

High ohm coils are an ideal choice for beginner vapers looking to replicate a smoking sensation from their vape with a cooler and less harsh sensation on the throat. These coils consume less e-liquid, require less battery power and produce a moderate amount of vapour.

High resistance atomiser coils are designed to be used with regular vape kits and MTL e-liquids.

Examples of High Ohm Coils

  • 1Ω, 1.2Ω, 1.8Ω

Advantages of High Ohm Coils

  • Cooler vapour
  • Feels like smoking
  • More flavour
  • More discreet (smaller clouds)
  • Uses less e-liquid
  • Coils last longer
  • Compatible with entry-level devices

Low Resistance Coils

Vape coils with a resistance below 1.0 ohm are classed as low resistance or ‘sub-ohm’ vape coils.

These coils allow for more electricity to pass through them, resulting in warmer temperatures.

Low ohm coils are intended for more experienced vapers looking to produce more vapour with a DTL (Direct to Lung) inhale which feels different to regular cigarette smoking. These coils consume more e-liquid, require more battery power and produce larger clouds of vapour.

Examples of Low Ohm Coils

  • 0.3 Ω, 0.4 Ω, 0.6 Ω, 0.8 Ω

Advantages of Low Ohm Coils

  • Warmer vapour
  • Larger cloud production
  • Compatible with high-powered sub ohm devices
  • Compatible with shortfill e-liquids which work out cheaper
  • Lower nicotine concentration e-liquids

Do I Need to Replace Vape Coils?

Vape coils are a disposable consumer product which need replacing regularly to provide the best vaping experience. Coils don’t last forever and over time your coils will deteriorate affecting flavour and vapour production.

What is the Lifespan of a Vape Coil?

The lifespan of a vape coil is determined by the frequency in which you vape, the device you use and the e-liquid you vape.

  • If you are a heavy vaper, you may need to change your coil every few days to one week.
  • If you are a regular vaper, you may need to change your coil every one to two weeks.
  • If you are a light vaper, you may need to change your coil once every two to four weeks.

Please note that the above information is an estimate and may differ between vapers.

How Do I Know If My Vape Coil Is Burnt?

E-Liquid Tastes Burnt When Vaping

If you experience an unpleasant burnt taste when vaping, this is a clear indicator that your vape coil needs replacing.

If you are using a new coil and you experience a burnt taste after your first puff, you may not have given enough time for the e-liquid to fully saturate the cotton wicking material within the coil before vaping. Allowing enough time for the coil to soak up enough e-liquid is essential for proper wicking, this may take between 5-10 minutes.

Alternatively, you may have let your e-liquid levels run low when vaping. Powering the coil without sufficient e-liquid has caused the cotton to burn.

Once your coil starts to taste burnt there is very little you can do and the coils can’t be salvaged.

E-Liquid Has Turned Dark in Colour

E-liquids that contain sugars and sweeteners can cause a residue to build up on the coil which caramelises over time causing the e-liquid to turn brown.

This could also be an indication that the e-liquid has started to oxidise. The ingredients in e-liquid; PG, VG, Nicotine and Flavourings may have started to interact with the oxygen in the air causing the juice to deteriorate.

Always use your e-liquids before the use by date, store them in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.

E-Liquid has Tuned Thick and Gloopy

The heating of vape liquid can cause it to thicken over time, making it hard for the wicking channels to properly draw e-liquid to the heating element within the coil.

High VG content e-liquids are more prone to turning darker over time. This can be helped by regularly cleaning your vape tank or pod before replacing your coils.

Vape is Gurgling, Spitting and Bubbling

If you notice that your vape is gurgling, spitting or bubbling when you take a draw on the mouthpiece. This could be a sign that your power setting is too low and the e-liquid isn’t being vaporised quickly enough causing your pod or tank to flood.

Incorrect or over filling of a pod or vape tank can cause gurgling issues. Excess e-liquid down the central airflow tube or chimney could cause a blockage in the air path which results as the tank acting like a straw pulling air though the liquid causing it to gurgle.

Fill your tank up to the max fill line and try to avoid overfilling.

E-Liquid Flavour Tastes Weak

If you have notice your e-liquids are providing a weak flavour when being vaped, this is a sign that the coil has deteriorated, worn-out and needs replacing.

You have spent good money purchasing high-quality e-liquids, and time searching for your favourite vape flavour, so you know exactly how it should taste.

Try washing out your tank and replacing the coil, this should solve your issue.

Also worth drinking some water and keeping hydrated. ‘Vaper’s tongue’ is a condition where you may lose the ability to taste the flavour of your vape juice. If the flavour of your e-liquid is reduced, try switching to a new flavour, or use a Menthol blend to refresh the palate.

Vapour Cloud Production Is Reduced

Reduced cloud production is a visual indication that your coil may need replacing.

A blockage in your coil may be limiting the amount of e-liquid that can be wicked for vaporisation.

Also worth checking your battery levels or wattage power outputs, as this may affect vapour.

Vape Is Leaking

If your vape is leaking, this could be attributed to a range of issues including over-filling and over-inhaling. Using an improper inhaling technique can lead to your coil flooding with e-liquid.

Make sure your coils are screwed in properly, if the issue persists, try replacing your coil and see if this solves the issue.

Vape Device Is Showing Error Messages

If your device is displaying error messages, this could indicate there is an issue with the coil. Make sure the coil is properly attached ensuring a secure connection, and clean your connections from debris.

If the issues continue you may need to replace your atomiser head.

You are Experiencing Dry Hits When Vaping

Dry hits when vaping are most commonly attributed to taking a draw on a vape without priming your coil first, or the coil is used and needs replacing.

Which Vaping Coils Last The Longest? (Do mesh coils last longer?)

Mesh vape coils tend to last longer than regular cotton-wicked coils as they are more evenly heated across a wider surface area. They offer better wick-to-wire contact and even heat distribution, therefore don’t require as much power to produce the same amount of vapour. Less power is used though the coil often increasing the lifespan.

How Do I Make My Vape Coils Last Longer?

  • Always prime your new vape coils
  • Use high quality e-liquids
  • Use premium quality coils
  • Use the correct inhaling technique
  • Thoroughly clean your tank or pod before installing new coils
  • Use vape juice with a higher PG content
  • Avoid overly sweetened e-liquids
  • Take smaller puffs
  • Vape at lower wattages
  • Avoid your e-liquid levels running too low
  • Avoid overfilling your pod or tank with e-liquid

Recommended posts

Image showing how to change a vape coil in a vape pod

How To Change A Vape Coil

Regularly replacing your vape coil is essential to maintain the best flavour and vapour production from your e-cigarette. Over time, coils can accumulate debris, causing clogging and darkening of the...

Read more
Image showing how to prime a vape coil

How To Prime A Vape Coil

Priming your new vape coils (allowing time for e-liquid to fully saturate the wicking material in your coil) before use is an essential step to ensure you get the most...

Read more