Vaping has become somewhat of a phenomenon in the last few years. It has quickly gone from being that strange thing that those weird kids would go and do in the park to something that seemingly everyone and their dog is doing. If you haven’t noticed just how popular vaping has become, then you will now. Trust me, you will soon notice that people vaping will pop up around every corner, outside shops, outside pubs and restaurants. Even on long countryside walks you are bound to see at least one person clutching their own personal vape device.
And there’s a good reason for it! Vaping has helped many people overcome their addiction to smoking by offering an affordable, simple and, most importantly, enjoyable alternative that is much less harmful to you and those around you. Simply put, vaping is helping people and is doing so in style. Vaping offers an almost limitless amount of options when it comes to e-liquid flavours, vaping devices, and customisable vaping set-ups. There has never been a better time to start vaping than right now.
So, if you’re thinking about getting your first vape pen then you might want to know exactly how that device actually works. This brief post will help inform you on exactly how a vaporiser works and will cover all of the varying types of atomisers and vaporiser components available on the market.
How Vaping Works
The process inside of a vape device really isn’t as complicated as it may initially seem. An e-cigarette (also known as a vape pen or vape device) is essentially a handheld vaporiser that uses a power source of some variety, usually lithium ion batteries, to heat an e-liquid to the point of evaporation, thus producing a vapour that can be inhaled by the user. An e-cigarette replicates the smoking experience by providing a hand-to-mouth action and by providing the user with an inhalation of a smoke-like substance. However, instead of tobacco-filled smoke, the user inhales a vapour, hence why vaping is viewed as much less harmful than smoking regular cigarettes.
All vape devices function in essentially the same way and contain basically the same components. When the activation button is pressed by the user, the power source of the device begins to activate. This power source, once it has hit the designated temperature or power level, then in turn initiates the atomiser. Within this atomiser is a coil. This coil, that is usually made of metal due to its inherent insulation properties, then transfers its heat to the device’s wick. This wick contains a saturated amount of e-liquid that, when heated fully, vaporises. This e-liquid vapour then travels upwards through the e-cigarette until it reaches the mouthpiece. Once at the mouthpiece, the vaporised e-liquid can then be inhaled by the user.
There are several key things that can alter this relatively simple process. One such element is that of the power source. The power source within the vape device often dictates the speed at which the vapour is produced from the device. Power sources can range heavily in size and forms. The type and size of the power source also dictates what category the vape device falls into. There are three primary categories of vape device: low power level, medium power and high. These power levels correspond to the type of e-liquids that can be used with the device, what components can be found within and their various functions.
Another element that can alter the vaporising process is that of the coil. The coil within the device can often be customised by the individual. Materials that can be used when manufacturing coils vary from metals to synthetic plastics and ceramics. These different materials alter the speed at which the coils can heat up, subsequently altering the speed at which vapour is available from the mouthpiece.
Types of Vape Atomisers and Vaporiser Components
When it comes to vape atomisers, there are three main categories to look at. The first category is that of disposable atomisers. Disposable atomisers are usually those found inside the vast majority of starter vape kits and beginner vape pens. These disposable atomisers can commonly be found for relatively little money as they are easy to mass produce and distribute. An easy way to tell if your disposable atomiser is reaching the end of its lifecycle is to listen out for a low gurgling noise. Additionally, taking a drag will become more difficult if the disposable atomiser is reaching its end. Once this occurs, simply throw the atomiser in the bin and get a new one.
The second category of vape atomisers is that of replaceable coil atomisers. These are by far the most common atomisers in use by the vaping community. Whilst these atomisers may cost more initially than disposable atomisers you will have to replace these much less frequently. Instead of replacing the entire atomiser all you need to do is simply unscrew the spent coils and replace them with brand new ones. These atomisers also tend to include additional features such as airflow control valves and Pyrex glass tubing which both lead to more effective vapour production.
The last category of vape atomisers to look at is that of the rebuildable atomisers. These atomisers are primarily used by experienced vape users, particularly those who wish to customise every aspect of their vaping experience. As is the case with replaceable coil atomisers, these rebuildable atomisers are usually much more expensive than disposable ones, however the customisation available with these atomisers is unparalleled. On the other hand, making your own coils and building your own atomiser can take a lot of time, a lot of patience and quite a high level of skill. That being said, if you are willing to take the time and learn some new techniques, rebuildable atomisers are definitely the way to go for those who want a truly personal vaping experience.
As well as the three primary types of atomiser there are also many different variations of vaporiser components as previously discussed above. There are many different types of coils as well as wicks and there are many different variations of power sources. Each component that goes in to making an e-cigarette work has many different variations, each with their own pros and cons that must be researched thoroughly before purchasing for use with your own vape device.
