Vaping components : what's what?

Vaping components : what's what?

Though vaping devices come in all shapes and sizes, they can typically be broken down into two key components: the battery and the atomiser. Let’s start by looking at the battery portion of a typical vaping device

Whether you are new to vaping or you have been vaping for years, some of the terminology can be complicated and off-putting. Well, fear not! We are here to break down some of that complex lingo and make vaping easier for you. There are plenty of good beginner devices out there, but it’s always handy to know how things work. So, first of all you have probably the simplest part of your e-cigarette; the mouth-piece, otherwise known as the drip-tip. This is where you will take your inhalations from.

 

The battery/mod – What powers your vape!


Your device will also contain a battery. This is a rechargeable lithium battery that can heat the atomiser up quickly in seconds. You will need a charger for this.

The battery portion of a vaping device supplies power to the atomiser, which heats e-liquid and creates vapour. A typical entry-level kit uses a built-in (AKA “internal”) battery, meaning it’s a self-contained unit, which can be charged via USB-C or Micro-USB.

Most entry-level kits do not have additional functionality within the battery unit and are operated using a single button, which turns the device on/off and is held to vape. Some basic devices have no buttons at all and use a pressure activated switch to power the atomizer when you take a puff.

Advanced batteries are typically called Mods. Mods include features such as variable power, temperature control and other emerging technologies. Mods tend to be larger than basic devices, allowing for larger capacity batteries and smart chipsets.

 

The atomiser/Tank/Pod – Where the e-liquid is!


Next up we have the atomizer, clearomizer and cartomizers. These three are pretty much the same thing. An atomizer is the part of the device where the liquid is vaporised, and it will contain a coil and a wick which is usually made from cotton. A clearomizer is just an atomizer that’s clear, which is the most popular type of atomizer so you can see the e-liquid inside. A cartomizer is a device that attaches straight to the end of the battery, and most of the time they are pre-filled and replaceable.

The atomiser portion of your device turns e-liquid into vapour and holds a reserve of e-liquid, ready to be vaped. The atomiser can be broken down into two key components: the tank/pod and the coil.

The terms “tank” and “pod” simply refer to the connection design of the atomiser. Typically, a tank uses the industry standard 510 connection, meaning it can be used with any compatible 510 devices. A pod, on the other hand, uses a proprietary connection, meaning it can only be used with the device it was specifically designed for.

 

The coil – Where the magic happens!


Your coil is where the magic happens. E-liquid saturates the wicking material and is vaporised by a heating element called a coil. The wicking material is usually organic cotton and the coil is most commonly kanthal wire or mesh. Coils have a limited life span which is affected by your chosen e-liquid, power output and how frequently you vape. 

The wick is usually made from cotton, which absorbs the liquid and controls how much of it reaches the coil in one go. This ensures that there isn’t too much vapour being created and you don’t burn your device out.There are three important things to note about the design of your coil: resistance, wattage range and airflow design.

 

Airflow design: what’s your vape style?


Mouth-to-lung (MTL) coils are designed for tight airflow, low power output and higher nicotine strengths. MTL closely recreates the experience of a cigarette. If your Innokin device features variable airflow, try the tighter draw settings at first and then adjust the airflow to find your preferred draw. 

Direct-to-lung (DTL) coils are designed for open airflow, higher power and lower nicotine strengths. DTL vaping produces a large volume of vapour and intense flavour. If your Innokin device features variable airflow, try a more open draw for the best DTL experience.

 

What E-liquid to choose?


Now for the best part, the e-liquid. This is a mixture of VG, PG and flavourings. If you are unaware of what VG & PG are, have a look at our previous blog. E-liquids typically come in 50ML and 100ML shortfills which nicotine is added too. They come in an extremely large selection of flavours, so whether you’re into fruity flavours, dessert flavours or even if you love that taste of tobacco, there is sure to be something out there for you.

 

Nicotine


The first component is nicotine. Not all e-liquids contain nicotine but for most people trying to transition from smoking, this is very important. Choosing the right nicotine strength will vary from person to person, but here’s a broad guideline depending on your smoking habits.

There are two forms of nicotine commonly found in e-liquid. The first is freebase nicotine. Freebase nicotine is the standard choice in vaping, providing a slow release to the bloodstream and noticeable throat sensation in higher doses.

The second form of nicotine is nicotine salt. Nicotine salt has become more common in recent years. Compared with freebase nicotine, it releases into the bloodstream more quickly and produces a much smoother throat hit.

MTL vaping can use nicotine strengths anywhere from 3mg/ml to 50mg/ml (20mg/ml max in Europe). We recommend starting at 12mg/ml and adjusting as required.

DTL coils should use between 0-6mg/ml nicotine and should not be used with higher nicotine levels

 

PG

The next component of e-liquid is Propylene Glycol (PG). PG has a wide range of applications in food and medical products. PG has low viscosity, so it’s ideal for e-liquids designed to be used in vaping devices with small wicking ports.

VG

The third component of e-liquid is Vegetable Glycerine (VG). VG is derived from a range of vegetables and has a wide range of applications in food products. VG has a syrup-like viscosity and produces large amounts of vapour when heated. In addition to this, VG imparts almost no throat hit. E-liquid blends containing 70% or more VG are normally labelled “high VG” and should only be used in devices that have an appropriate wicking design.

Flavour

The final component of e-liquid is flavour. Some e-liquids may use a single flavouring, while others use a blend of flavours to create a unique flavour profile. All flavourings used in e-liquids are food grade and there are thousands on the market. This means there is practically an infinite number of flavour combinations possible.

Basic Device Maintenance

Treating your Innokin device with care is important in order to achieve a consistent vaping experience. Let’s start with setting up your new device for the first time.

1. Remove the device from packaging, taking note of the included user manual and safety guide.

2. Charge device fully using the supplied Innokin charging cable.

3. If your device uses replaceable coils, disassemble the atomiser and prime your coil by placing 2-3 drops of e-liquid on the wicking holes on the sides of the coil.

4. Reassemble atomiser, ensuring a good seal.

5. Fill atomiser with e-liquid and allow the coil to saturate (prime) for 10 minutes.

6. If your device features variable power, set it to the low end of the recommended range for your coil.

7. You’re now ready to vape! Gradually adjust the airflow and power settings of your device (where applicable) until you find a combination that provides a satisfying experience.


Cleaning your atomiser

It’s important to regularly clean your atomiser to ensure optimal performance. Generally, it’s best to do this when changing to a new coil, or a substantially different e-liquid to what you were previously vaping.

1. Disassemble atomiser.

2. Run all components of the atomiser (except coil) under hot water.

3. Allow to air dry.

4. If installing a new coil, prime it.

5. Re-assemble atomiser and fill with e-liquid.

6. If a new coil was installed, wait 10 minutes before vaping.

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