I still remember my first vape — a simple pod system — with no clue as to how it worked. Once I knew the functions of all the various pieces, vaping clicked. That is why I created this comprehensive guide to break your vape down into its core parts, explain how they work together to produce that great vapor, and help you understand how to fix problems and get the best results from your device. Learning about your vape, will improve your vaping experience and will make you a smarter consumer.
The Core Components: More Than Just a Battery and Juice
Every vape device, whether it is a simple disposable or a sophisticated mod, is based on three main parts: the battery, the component that vaporizes the liquid, and the e-liquid.
The Power Source: Your Vape's Engine
Your battery is the motor that powers your entire set-up. The battery provides the electrical energy required to heat the coil. When I started vaping, I did not pay much attention to what type of battery I had. For the most part, people who start vaping buy devices that have integrated batteries, meaning the battery is incorporated into the unit, and is charged using a USB connection. These are easy to use and very safe for someone just starting out.
Experienced vapers, however, tend to like devices that have external, rechargeable batteries, because they allow them to carry extra batteries and save money in the long run. I have come to realize that a quality battery from a reputable manufacturer is something that is indispensable for both safety and optimal performance. A weak or bad battery may result in poor vapor production and, at worst, it can create a safety hazard.
Where the Vapor Production Takes Place: The Atomizer and Coil
This is the actual working area of your vape. The atomizer is the entire assembly that contains the heating component, and the coil is the specific area of the atomizer that actually gets hot. Think of the atomizer as the kitchen, and the coil as the stove. The coil is a small, wire element (the coil is usually coiled around a wicking material, such as cotton), that draws e-liquid into it. As soon as you press the fire button, electrical energy flows through the coil, causing it to heat up extremely quickly.
At that point, the e-liquid that has saturated the wick immediately vaporizes upon contact with the hot coil. The coil is the single most important consumable part of your vape. The quality and condition of the coil determines the amount of flavor and vapor produced from your device. When a coil burns out, the taste of the vapor will be greatly diminished, and will taste of ash. This is a common problem for many new vapers, with a relatively simple solution: replace the coil.
The Tank or Pod: The Reservoir for E-Liquid
The tank (with larger devices) or pod (with smaller, pod-style devices) is the container that holds the e-liquid. It connects to the battery section of the device, and feeds the e-liquid to the coil assembly. Pods are typically simple, plastic containers that are either refillable or pre-filled with e-liquid and are disposable. Tanks, on the other hand, are usually constructed from glass and metal, and have a more complex mechanism that regulates the flow of e-liquid to the coil, thereby eliminating the possibility of dry hits and leaks. The decision of whether to choose a pod or a tank is one of the first major decisions you will need to make as a new vaper. Pods offer unparalleled simplicity and portability, while tanks generally offer better flavor and vapor, providing a far more enjoyable experience.
The E-Liquid or Vape Juice
E-Liquid is the substance that is converted into vapor. E-Liquid is comprised of four basic elements: Vegetable Glycerin (VG), which is used to produce thick vapor clouds; Propylene Glycol (PG), which carries the flavor of the e-liquid and produces a "throat hit" when vaped; flavorings; and, optional, nicotine. The ratio of VG to PG is an important piece of objective information that will affect your vape. A high-VG liquid (i.e., a 70/30 VG/PG ratio), produces a smoother draw and thicker vapor clouds, and is ideal for low-wattage devices. A high-PG liquid produces a greater sensation than a high-VG liquid, producing a sensation that is closer to the sensation of smoking a cigarette. During my personal journey with vaping, I began with a 50/50 VG/PG ratio to achieve a familiar "throat hit", and gradually moved to higher VG blends as my preference changed from a desire for a strong "throat hit" to a desire for flavor and vapor production.
How It All Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step explanation of the sequence of events that occurs when you decide to take a puff:
Step 1: Activation
When you decide to vape, you activate the device either by pressing a button or by simply pulling on the mouthpiece (known as "draw activation"), completing the electrical circuit from the battery.
Step 2: Power Delivery
The battery sends a controlled electric current through the device's electrical circuitry to the coil inside the atomizer. On more advanced devices, you can adjust this power delivery (wattage) to precisely control the temperature and intensity of the heat applied to the coil.
Step 3: Vaporization
The metal coil rapidly heats up due to electrical resistance. Upon being heated, the e-liquid that has been absorbed into the coil's wick (via capillary action), instantly vaporizes when it comes into contact with the hot coil. This is a highly precise chemical reaction; if there is insufficient power applied, the e-liquid will not fully vaporize; if there is too much power applied, the wick may burn.
Step 4: Inhalation
As you inhale the resulting vapor — a fine aerosol — through the mouthpiece, you are experiencing a smooth, flavorful experience that delivers nicotine (when present), without the smoke, tar and combustion associated with traditional tobacco products. Since my first successful pull of vapor from a well-configured device, I have been amazed by the smooth, clean flavor of vaping, as opposed to the ashy taste of smoking.
Common Issues and Easy Fixes
Although having a good understanding of your vape helps resolve many problems, some issues still occur. Here are two common issues I experienced and how I resolved them.
Issue #1: A Burnt or Diminished Flavor
The vast majority of time, this is related to the coil. Either the wick inside the coil has burned out due to age, or it is not absorbing the e-liquid quickly enough. In this case, you will need to replace the coil. Sometimes, a weakened or decreased flavor is merely a temporary "vaper's tongue", a temporary olfactory fatigue, and you will be able to alleviate it by changing flavors or drinking plenty of water. To prevent burning your coil after replacing it, ensure you properly "prime" the new coil by allowing it to soak in the e-liquid for several minutes before you begin vaping.
Issue #2: Leaking E-Liquid
Leaking is probably the most frustrating issue that a vaper can experience, and it is usually caused by a loss of vacuum seal within the tank or pod. This can occur when you have filled the tank too full, when you have improperly tightened the coil onto the base of the tank, or when the O-ring (a small rubber gasket) has become damaged. My troubleshooting list is short and sweet: disassemble the device, verify that all the parts are securely tightened, inspect the seals for damage, remove any excess liquid, and reassemble the device. Additionally, do not leave your vape exposed to extreme temperatures (which will thin the e-liquid and potentially cause the tank or pod to leak).
Once you understand how your vape works, you will transform it from a mysterious gadget to a simple, manageable device. With knowledge of the individual functions of the individual parts, you will be able to diagnose problems, select equipment wisely, and enjoy a significantly more reliable and enjoyable vaping experience.