April 30, 2019
Coil Care: 5 Tips for Making Your Vape Coils Last
Every nook and cranny of your vape has a purpose. In the case of the coils, that purpose is to facilitate the heating of the wicking material, effectively turning the liquid into vapor that you can then inhale. In order to keep your vape operating at its best, you will occasionally have to clean, replace or fix up certain parts. Additionally, a little bit of maintenance can go a long way when it comes to ensuring that your device vapes to its best ability. One of the parts that may need a bit of attention are vape coils. What are vape coils, exactly? Very simply put, these are coiled strands of thin wire and wicking material that connect to a base, which then connects to the battery. The battery powers the device, heating up the coils and the wicking material (usually cotton), which in turn heats up the e-liquid and turns it into vapor. Clearly, without coils, there’d be no vapor! Thus, it’s not a bad idea to give your coils some periodic love.
How to Make Your Coils Last
- Start with the Right Coils–It sounds obvious, but don’t cheap out on vape coils—the lower the quality, the shorter the lifespan. Purchase quality coils made by the top vape manufacturers (such as Uwell, SMOK and Smoking Vapor) and, if possible, opt for ones that are made for your specific vape. As tempting as it is, avoid the urge to cheap out on your coils. Look for coils made with Kanthal or Nichrome, as these are commonly used in high-temp applications.
- Clean Them Periodically–Like anything else, regular use will put your coils to the test, leaving behind lots of e-juice residue and grime. But, contrary to popular belief, just because your coils are dirty doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pitch them and start anew. Depending on their condition, they may have a bit of life left in them after they’re cleaned. Learn how to clean and reuse your coil heads occasionally. If you notice that the coil looks brown or grimy, it’s time for a deep clean. If cleaning doesn’t solve the problem, go for the replacement.
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Avoid Overheating–A good chunk of vape coil maintenance comes down to how you vape. When you overheat your vape, the coils take a big hit, so to speak. Make sure you’re giving your device enough time to cool down, especially after big drags, and make sure you’re using the proper battery. Also try to avoid over-pressing, as this can cause dry hits, which will tax the coils and cause them to deteriorate faster.
- Use the Right Wicking Material–These days, wicking material comes in tons of different options, from classic cotton wicks to those made of wool, stainless steel mesh and even ceramic. It’s best not to complicate things when it comes to wicking. To prevent dry, uneven hits to protect your coils—and to get the best possible vaping experience—we recommend using premium cotton wicking material in your vape.
- Use the Right E-Juice–Last but not least, be aware that certain juices can and will damage your coils, so choose your e-liquid flavors wisely. In truth, it’s not really about flavors, but more about what’s in the juice—usually either propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG). As a general rule, VG is denser and stickier, which means it will leave behind more gunk and residue on your coils. The thicker VG liquid makes it better for puffing big, impressive clouds, but it will require a bit more vape maintenance than PG.
