HOW TO MAKE VAPE COILS LAST LONGER

Introduction

As a vaper, you know that the longevity of your coils can greatly impact your vaping experience. That’s why we’re here to provide you with practical tips and tricks to help make your vape coils last longer. By following these guidelines, you’ll not only save money in the long run but also enjoy consistent flavour and vapour production. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Vape Coils

The Role of Vape Coils

Vape coils play a vital role in the vaping process by heating the e-liquid and transforming it into vapour. The coil, typically made of metal wire, acts as a heating element. When the vaper activates the device, current passes through the coil, generating heat.

As the coil heats up, it meets the e-liquid-soaked wick, which absorbs the liquid. The heat from the coil causes the e-liquid to reach its boiling point, turning it into vapour. This vapour is then inhaled by the user, delivering the desired flavour and nicotine (if present in the e-liquid).

The design and resistance of the coil, along with the wattage or temperature settings on the device, determine the intensity and quality of the vapour produced. By properly maintaining and extending the lifespan of vape coils, vapers can ensure optimal flavour, vapour production, and overall vaping experience.

Factors Affecting Coil Longevity

The typical lifespan of vape coils can vary depending on several factors. On average, vape coils can last anywhere from one to four weeks. However, this timeframe is not set in stone and can be influenced by different factors. Here are some of the key factors that can affect the longevity of vape coils:

1. Frequency of Use: The more frequently you vape, the quicker your vape coils will wear out. Continuous usage puts more strain on the coils and can lead to a shorter lifespan. If you’re a heavy vaper, you may need to replace your coils more often.
2. Wattage/Power Settings: Running your device at high wattages or power settings can cause coils to burn out faster. Higher wattages generate more heat, which can lead to faster degradation of the coil material. Maintaining appropriate wattage levels based on the coil’s recommendation can help extend its lifespan.
3. E-liquid Characteristics: The composition of your e-liquid can impact the lifespan of your coils. E-liquids with higher amounts of sweeteners, such as those with dessert or candy flavours, can leave residue on the coil, leading to gunk build-up and reduced coil lifespan. Clear e-liquids or those with less sweetener content may help prolong coil life.
4. Vaping Technique: How you vape can also affect coil longevity. Taking longer drags or chain vaping (vaping continuously without giving the coil time to cool down) can lead to excessive heat build-up, potentially damaging the coil faster.
5. Maintenance and Care: Proper maintenance and care can significantly extend the lifespan of your coils. Regularly cleaning the tank, ensuring proper coil priming, and replacing the wick (if applicable) can help maintain optimal coil performance and longevity.
6. Quality of Coils: The quality of the coils you purchase can also impact their lifespan. Investing in high-quality coils from reputable manufacturers can lead to longer-lasting performance and a better overall vaping experience.

Remember, these factors can vary from person to person, and not all coils will have the same lifespan. Monitoring the taste, vapour production, and overall performance of your coil is essential to determine when it’s time for a replacement.

By understanding these factors and adopting good vaping practices, you can maximise the lifespan of your vape coils, saving you both time and money in the long run.

Tips for Extending Vape Coil Lifespan

Properly Priming Your Coils

Properly priming new coils is crucial to prevent premature burning and ensure optimal performance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prime your new coils effectively:

1. Gather your Supplies: You’ll need your new coil, your vaping device, your e-liquid of choice, and a clean paper towel or cloth.
2. Drip E-liquid onto the Coil: Take your new coil and locate the exposed cotton wick openings. These are the areas where the e-liquid is absorbed. Start by dripping a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton wick, making sure to saturate it thoroughly but not to oversaturate.
3. Fill the Tank: If your coil is designed to be used with a tank, fill the tank with e-liquid. Be careful not to overfill, as it can lead to leakage. If your coil is a disposable one, it may not require a tank.
4. Assemble and Prime: If your coil is separate from the tank, carefully screw it into the tank according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If it’s an all-in-one unit, you won’t need to assemble anything. Now, before using your device, it’s time to prime the coil. To do this, take a few quick draws (without pressing the fire button) to draw the e-liquid into the coil and ensure it is fully saturated.
5. Adjust Settings: If your device allows you to adjust wattage or power settings, start at the lower end of the recommended range for your coil. This helps to further prevent burning the coil at higher wattages. You can increase the wattage gradually once you’ve confirmed that the coil is primed correctly.
6. Wait for Proper Saturation: After priming, let the tank sit for a few minutes to allow the e-liquid ample time to saturate the coil fully. This step is crucial, as it allows the wick to absorb the e-liquid effectively and prevents dry hits or burning.
7. Test and Start Vaping: Finally, take a few gentle puffs to test if the coil is adequately primed. Slowly increase the wattage or power settings until you find your desired vaping experience, ensuring you stay within the recommended range for your coil.

By following these steps, you’ll properly prime your new coil, preventing premature burning and allowing for a smooth and flavourful vape. Remember, proper coil priming is essential each time you install a new coil, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

Using Quality E-Liquids

Using high-quality e-liquids without excessive sweeteners or additives is important for several reasons:

7. Coil Longevity: E-liquids with excessive sweeteners or additives can have a negative impact on the lifespan of your coils. These sweeteners can caramelise and leave residue on the coil, leading to gunk build up. Over time, this can reduce the coil’s performance and lifespan, resulting in a burnt or diminished flavour.
8. Flavour Accuracy: High-quality e-liquids are often crafted with precision and care, using quality ingredients. They are formulated to deliver accurate and well-balanced flavours. E-liquids with excessive sweeteners can overpower the intended flavour profile, masking the subtleties and nuances that make vaping enjoyable. By choosing e-liquids without excessive sweeteners, you can experience a purer and more authentic flavour experience.
9. Vapour Production: Sweeteners and additives in e-liquids can contribute to thicker and denser vapour production. While some vapers may prefer this, excessive sweeteners can also lead to intensified throat hits or a cloying sensation. Using e-liquids with fewer additives can result in a more balanced vapour production that suits your personal preference.
10. Health and Safety: High-quality e-liquids often undergo rigorous testing and adhere to strict manufacturing standards. The absence of excessive additives and sweeteners can contribute to a cleaner and safer vaping experience. By choosing e-liquids made with quality ingredients, you can reduce the likelihood of potential health risks associated with unknown or low-quality additives.
11. Coil and Tank Maintenance: E-liquids with excessive sweeteners or additives can contribute to more frequent coil and tank maintenance. Cleaning and replacing coils and tanks can be time-consuming and costly. By using e-liquids without excessive sweeteners, you can help reduce the build-up of gunk and residue, prolonging the lifespan of your coils and minimising the need for frequent maintenance.

In summary, using high-quality e-liquids that are free from excessive sweeteners or additives is essential for coil longevity, flavour accuracy, vapour production, health and safety, and reduced maintenance. It ensures a more enjoyable and satisfying vaping experience while also helping you maintain the longevity and performance of your vaping equipment.

Avoiding Chain Vaping

Chain vaping refers to the act of taking consecutive puffs without giving the coil sufficient time to cool down between each drag. This continuous vaping can have a significant impact on the lifespan of your vape coil.

When you chain vape, the coil remains continuously heated without a chance to cool down. This prolonged exposure to heat can result in the coil becoming excessively hot, which can lead to several negative consequences:

1. Increased Heat Stress: Continuous heat exposure can cause the coil to overheat, leading to accelerated wear and tear. High temperatures can cause the coil material to degrade faster and reduce its overall lifespan.
2. Dry Hits and Burning: Chain vaping without pause can lead to insufficient time for the wick to fully saturate with e-liquid. As a result, the coil may not receive enough e-liquid to vaporise, leading to dry hits and potential burning of the wick. This can result in an unpleasant taste, decreased vapour production, and potentially damage your coil.
3. Gunk Build-up: Chain vaping can also contribute to the accumulation of gunk on the coil. Continuous vaping without breaks allows e-liquid residue to build up faster on the coil, resulting in reduced coil performance and lifespan.

To mitigate the negative effects of chain vaping and promote a longer coil lifespan, it is advisable to take breaks between puffs, allowing the coil time to cool down. By taking short intervals between drags, you give the coil a chance to dissipate excess heat and maintain a more reasonable operating temperature.

When taking breaks between puffs, the coil has an opportunity to re-saturate with e-liquid, reducing the likelihood of dry hits and burning. It also helps prevent excessive gunk buildup, as the coil has time to cool and the e-liquid can adequately lubricate the coil material.

Remember, moderation and pacing your vaping sessions can help prolong the lifespan of your coils. Take occasional breaks, enjoy your vaping experience in a more relaxed manner, and allow your coil to cool down between puffs. This practice can lead to improved coil performance, better flavour, and extended coil longevity.

Optimising Wattage and Temperature

To ensure the longevity of your coil and a satisfying vaping experience, it’s important to follow the recommended wattage and temperature ranges specified by the manufacturer. Stick to these guidelines to prevent coil deterioration, maintain optimal performance, and reduce the need for frequent coil replacements.

If you’re unsure about the recommended ranges, consult the coil’s documentation or reach out to the manufacturer for clarification. It’s always better to be on the side of caution and operate within the prescribed limits to preserve both the performance and lifespan of your coil.

Proper Airflow Settings

Airflow plays a crucial role in cooling the coil and preventing overheating during vaping. It helps dissipate the heat generated by the coil, keeping it at a suitable operating temperature and avoiding excessive stress on the coil material.

Here’s why airflow is important in cooling the coil:

1. Heat Dissipation: During vaping, the coil heats up due to the electrical current passing through it. As the coil gets hotter, airflow helps carry away the heat generated. This constant flow of air around the coil helps cool it down and prevent it from reaching temperatures that could lead to coil deterioration or burnt hits.
2. Airflow Adjustability: Most vape devices allow users to adjust the airflow according to personal preference and coil requirements. By controlling the amount of airflow, vapers can find the right balance between restricted and wide-open airflow. This balance is crucial in achieving the desired heat dissipation and preventing the coil from overheating or excessive cooling.

Finding the right balance between restricted and wide-open airflow is based on personal preference and coil requirements. Here are a few considerations when adjusting airflow:

1. Flavour and Vapour Production: Adjusting the airflow can affect the flavour and vapour production of your vaping experience. A more restricted airflow tends to concentrate the vapour and enhance flavour, while a wide-open airflow can increase vapour production but may reduce the intensity of the flavour. Experimenting with different airflow settings can help you find the sweet spot that suits your taste preferences.
2. Coil Requirements: Different coils have different airflow requirements. Some coils are designed for more restricted airflow, while others perform better with wider airflow. Refer to the coil’s specifications or consult the manufacturer’s recommendations to determine the optimal airflow range for your specific coil. Adhering to these recommendations can help maintain a balanced vaping experience and prolong the coil’s lifespan.
3. Heat Regulation: Airflow can also help regulate the temperature of your vape device. Adjusting the airflow can either increase or reduce the cooling effect on the coil. If you notice your device getting too hot or the coil struggling to cool down, adjusting the airflow to a wider setting can facilitate better heat dissipation and prevent overheating.

Airflow plays a crucial role in cooling the coil and preventing overheating during vaping. Adjusting the airflow to find the right balance between restricted and wide-open airflow based on personal preference and coil requirements is essential. It impacts flavour, vapour production, and the overall longevity of the coil. Experiment and find the airflow setting that satisfies your vaping desires while maintaining a safe and comfortable vape experience.

Regularly Cleaning Your Vape Tank

Cleaning your vape tank is an essential maintenance task that should be carried out regularly to ensure optimal performance, flavour, and hygiene. Over time, e-liquid residue, dirt, and other gunk build-ups can accumulate in your vape tank, causing issues such as reduced flavour, diminished vapour production, and even damage to your coil. Check out our blog on how to clean your vape tank for more in-depth information.

It’s crucial to note that how often a vape tank should be cleaned may vary based on usage frequency, type of e-liquid, and general upkeep. Regular cleaning and maintenance ensure that gunk build-up does not adversely affect your vaping experience and that the coil’s performance is not hampered by residue build-up. 

Cleaning your vape tank is a simple task that can significantly affect your vaping experience’s quality and longevity. Taking care of your vape device will help extend its lifespan, and retain flavour and vapour production while promoting hygienic use. 

Timely Coil Replacement 

Recognising when a coil needs to be replaced is crucial for maintaining a satisfying vaping experience and preventing potential issues. By recognising the signs of wear and tear in your coil and promptly replacing it when necessary, you can avoid further damage to your vaping device, maintain optimal flavour and vapour production, and reduce the risk of safety hazards. It’s recommended to have spare coils on hand to ensure you can replace them as soon as needed and continue enjoying a high-quality vaping experience. 

Conclusion 

I encourage all vapers to follow the tips and techniques provided to maximise the lifespan of their vape coils. By incorporating these tips into your vaping routine, you can ensure that your coils last longer, leading to cost savings and a more enjoyable vaping experience. Remember, proper maintenance and care are essential for getting the most out of your vape coils. Happy vaping!