In this article...
- A complete guide to understanding vape coils, from basic terms to advanced tips.
- Learn the difference between replaceable coils and fixed-coil pods to find the perfect match for your vape kit.
- Discover five essential steps to make your coils last longer, saving you money and preventing that dreaded burnt taste.
Welcome to my definitive guide to vape coils. Whether you’re a seasoned vaper tired of coils burning out too fast, or you’re new to vaping with a kit like the VLTZ Flex Pro and are confused by terms like ‘atomizers’ and ‘sub-ohm’, you’ve come to the right place.
The world of vaping is constantly changing. From traditional tanks with replaceable coils to the latest convenient fixed-coil pods used in the Lumina and Mavro kits, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’ve created this guide. I’ll not only answer the big questions – like ‘Why does my vape taste burnt?’ and ‘How do I make my coils last longer?’- but also help you navigate the differences between coil types, find the perfect match for your kit, and even highlight some of my favourite devices known for their outstanding coil performance.
Get ready to dive deep into the science, learn the pro tips, and ultimately save money and frustration on your vaping journey.
Understanding Coil Terms
The world of vaping has its own lingo. Let’s quickly explain some key terms you’ll see in this guide.
What is Wicking Material?
As mentioned above, this is the absorbent part of your atomizer head, almost always made from pure, organic cotton. It acts like a sponge, drawing e-liquid from the tank to the coil through a process called “capillary action.” A properly saturated wick is the key to great flavour and preventing burnt tastes.
What is PG & VG?
E-liquids are made from Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). PG is thinner and carries flavour more effectively, while VG is thicker and is responsible for producing dense vapour clouds. An e-liquid’s PG:VG ratio affects how it performs. A thin, high-PG liquid might burn too fast in a powerful coil, while a thick, high-VG liquid might not soak properly into a smaller coil, leading to a “dry hit.”
What is a Dry Burn or Dry Hit?
This is the bane of every vaper’s existence. A dry hit happens when you fire your device but there is not enough e-liquid in the wick. Instead of vaporizing liquid, the coil superheats and scorches the dry cotton wick, resulting in an awful, burnt taste that ruins the coil permanently.
What is an Ohm and Ohm’s Law?
The Ohm is the standard unit of electrical resistance. When you see a resistance value on your coil (e.g., 1.2ohm or 0.8ohm), it’s measuring how much the coil resists the electrical current from your battery. This is governed by Ohm’s Law, a scientific principle that describes the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. But don’t worry, you don’t need a degree in physics to vape! Modern, regulated vape kits handle all these calculations for you to deliver a safe and consistent vape every time.[1]
What is a Vape Coil?
While most people say “coil,” they are usually referring to the atomizer head, which is the replaceable unit that houses the coil. For vapers of modern pod kits like the Mavro or Lumina, the coil is built directly into the pod itself.
Housed inside your vape tank or pod, every atomizer head consists of three main parts:
The Coil: This is a small piece of wire wrapped into a spiral. When you press the fire button or simply inhale on your vape, the battery sends power to this wire, causing it to heat up instantly.
The Wicking Material: This is the absorbent material that is threaded through or wrapped around the coil wire. Its job is to soak up e-liquid from your tank and hold it against the coil.
The Main Body (Casing): This is the metal outer structure that holds the coil and wicking material together and provides the electrical connection to the battery via your tank. In a fixed-coil pod, the pod itself acts as the casing.
When you vape, the coil heats the e-liquid soaked in the wick, turning it into the vapour you inhale.
How to Find the Correct Coil for Your Vape Kit
Compatibility is crucial; you can’t use just any coil in any tank. Luckily, finding the exact atomizer head you need is simple.
There are two easy ways to find the correct coil for your specific device:
- Use the “Coil Finder” Tool: There is a dedicated page to make this process foolproof. Simply visit the Atomizer Head by Kit page, find your vape kit in the list, and you’ll be shown the exact coils that are compatible with it.
- Check Your Kit’s Product Page: Alternatively, if you navigate to the product page for your specific vape kit on the website, you will find a direct link to the correct replacement coils right there in the description.
Replaceable Coils vs. Fixed-Coil Pods
The vaping landscape is always evolving. While traditional tanks use replaceable coils, a newer trend is the rise of refillable pods with fixed coils, like those used in the VLTZ Flex Pro and Aeromax kits. In these systems, the coil is built directly into the pod. When the coil’s life is over, you don’t change the coil; you dispose of the entire pod and replace it with a new one.
Tanks with Replaceable Coils offer greater customisation and are more cost-effective. You keep your tank and just swap out the small atomizer head inside. This reduces plastic waste and often gives you a wider range of coil resistances to choose from, allowing you to tailor your vape.
Pods with Fixed Coils offer maximum convenience. There are no messy coil changes to worry about. You simply fill the pod, use it until the flavour drops off, and then replace it. This is a great, hassle-free option, particularly for new vapers, though it can be less economical and produce more waste in the long run.
Popular Vape Kits with Fixed-Coil Pods
Fixed-coil pods are the ultimate in convenience. If you’re looking for a great, hassle-free vape, here are some of the most popular kits:
VLTZ flex Pro Bar Refillable
The peak of simplicity. This lightweight, inhale-activated kit has no buttons to worry about, making it incredibly easy to use straight out of the box.
Aeromax Kit
For those who love great flavour and modern tech. The Aeromax features an innovative design for enhanced flavour, a simple top-fill system, and a crystal-clear digital screen.
Mavro Kit
A real powerhouse. The Mavro boasts a large 1600mAh battery for all-day vaping and features convenient sensor technology for a seamless experience.
Lumina Kit
Paired with its LX Pod, the Lumina is another fantastic choice for vapers who prioritise convenience and consistent performance in a sleek and stylish package.
Eleaf iVeni Lite Kit
New to Totally Wicked, the iVeni Lite provides a lightweight, simple option for all types of vapers. Smart technology auto detects the optimal ohm making this kit convenient and easy to use.
Popular Vape Kits with Replaceable Coils
For vapers who want control over their experience and prefer the sustainability of replaceable coils, here are a couple of standout kits that benefit from impactful coil design:
Tornado GTL
A versatile and vaper-friendly kit that is compatible with the popular GTL coil range. Customers consistently praise these coils for their impressive longevity, with many noting that they provide great flavour for a very long time before needing to be replaced. This makes the Tornado GTL a reliable and economical choice.
arc Impact
A fantastic addition to the legendary arc family. It uses the GZ coil range, and a feature customers love is how incredibly easy the coils are to change. Combined with its simple top-fill slider, maintenance on the arc Impact is clean and hassle-free, making it perfect for vapers who value convenience.
Why Do Coils Stop Working?
A coil’s demise is usually a slow process caused by one main culprit: carbonization. As your coil heats e-liquid to over 200°C thousands of times, tiny residues from the liquid (especially from sweeteners) get left behind. This residue effectively cooks onto the wire and the wick. Once enough has built up, the coil can no longer heat the e-liquid efficiently, leading to a noticeable loss of flavour, greatly reduced vapour production, and a persistent burnt taste.
It's also worth noting that, like old-fashioned light bulbs, coils can have slight manufacturing variations. This means that, occasionally, one coil in a pack might not last as long as the others. This is normal, but following the tips below will ensure you get the maximum life from every single one.
5 Steps to Make Your Coils Last Longer
While every coil has a finite lifespan, you can extend it dramatically. For both fixed-coil pods (like the LX Pod for the Lumina) and replaceable coils, follow this checklist to get the best performance and value from every purchase.
1 Always Prime Your Coil
This is the most important step. A new, dry coil will burn instantly. Before using a brand-new pod or installing a new coil, fill it with e-liquid and let it sit for a full 10 minutes. This allows the wick to become completely saturated. Finally, take a couple of short puffs without pressing the power button to help draw liquid into the coil.
2 Choose the Right E-liquid
Matching your liquid to your coil is vital. Low-resistance (sub-ohm) coils need thicker, high-VG liquids to prevent them from vaporising it too quickly. Conversely, high-resistance coils and most pod systems work best with thinner, 50/50 or high-PG liquids, as thicker juice can struggle to wick efficiently.
3 Use the Correct Power Settings
Every coil has a recommended wattage range printed on it or its packaging (e.g., “12-18W”). Firing above this range will burn your coil out too quickly. Always start at the low end of the recommended range and work your way up to your preferred warmth.
4 Vape Like a Vaper, Not a Smoker
Smokers take short, hard puffs. Vaping works best with the opposite technique. Take longer, slower, and smoother draws. This gives the wick time to re-saturate with liquid between puffs and prevents it from drying out. Avoid constant “chain vaping” for the same reason.
5 Keep Your Tank Full
This is the easiest tip to follow. Don’t let your tank or pod run empty! As the liquid level gets very low, the coil can struggle to soak up what's left, leading to a nasty dry burn that will ruin it instantly. Keep it topped up.
Which Coil is for Me?
This all comes down to personal preference. If you want large clouds of vapour and have a powerful kit, then a low-resistance (sub-ohm, < 1.0ohm) coil is for you. Just be prepared to use more e-liquid and charge your battery more often. If you prefer a more discreet vape, longer coil life, and better battery performance, then a high-resistance (> 1.0ohm) coil is your best bet.
The best way to find out is to experiment. If your kit is compatible with several coil resistances, try them out and see which one delivers the experience you enjoy most.
