Vape Coils Explained: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

The vaping world can sometimes be perplexing. There are numerous specialized terms, thousands of devices available, and a variety of vaping styles.

In this article, we will examine coils, which are one of the simplest yet most crucial aspects of any vaping device!

 

How do vape coils function?

Coils, often called atomisers, are the parts of your vaping device responsible for producing vapor.

The three main components of a coil are the heating element, the wicking material, and the casing. The casing serves to hold everything together, allowing for easy installation in your tank or pod.

Typically made from organic cotton, wicking material absorbs e-liquid and feeds it to the heating element.

The heating element, known as the coil, consists of resistance wire that may be wound into a traditional coil form or constructed from strips of resistance mesh, which is referred to as a mesh coil.

When you activate your vape and inhale, the coil warms up, vaporizing the e-liquid and mixing it with air to create vapor. The heat draws more e-liquid into the coil from the wicking material, which in turn absorbs additional e-liquid from your tank or pod.

This process depends on a delicate balance of heat and wicking efficiency, which is why we invest significant time refining and adjusting it.

our coil designs!

 

What types of coils exist?

MTL/”mouth-to-lung” coil

Coils known as MTL or “mouth-to-lung” are crafted to mimic the sensation of smoking a conventional cigarette. This involves a tight draw and lower power output. Typically, MTL coils are meant for use with e-liquids that have higher nicotine strengths, which enhances the “throat hit” experience similar to that of a cigarette.

You can recognize a coil head that is designed for MTL vaping by examining its internal diameter. An MTL coil features a narrow bore that accommodates very tight airflow while maximizing flavor output, even when utilized at lower wattages.

Standard round wire is the material commonly used to make MTL coils, as this construction style performs well with low power output. It’s crucial to stay within the recommended wattage range, as MTL coils are designed for lower power. Always check that Innokin coils have their appropriate wattage range clearly marked before increasing the power!

The Prism series coils serve as an example of MTL coils and are compatible with the Innokin Endura T22 Pro.

 

DL/”direct-to-lung” coil

Coils referred to as DL or “direct-to-lung” are engineered for high power, ample airflow, and significant vapor production. Nowadays, the majority of DL coils utilize mesh strips rather than traditional round wire.

A coil head intended for DL vaping can be identified by inspecting the internal diameter. The broad bore of a DL coil promotes maximum airflow, maximizes vapor production and enhances heat dissipation. Generally, the recommended power output of DL coils begins at 40W and increases from there.

Examples of DL coils include the Z-force coils, which are compatible with the Innokin Kroma 217 kit.

 

RDL/”restricted-direct-to-lung” coil

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RDL coils fit in the space between MTL and DL coils. They are ideal for vapers seeking intense flavours and enhanced vapour production, while also aiming to save battery life and reduce e-liquid usage.

RDL coils typically operate within a mid-range power requirement, utilizing either traditional round wire or mesh strips based on their specific design. In general, these coils recommend a power output ranging from 20 to 40W.

One example of an RDL coil is the 0.3Ohm Z-coil, which is designed to be compatible with the Innokin Coolfire Z80 kit.

 

Round wire vs mesh – what’s the difference?

Both traditional round wire coils and those constructed from mesh strips are quite prevalent, but how do they differ, and which is suited for you?

Generally, round wire is preferred for lower-wattage coil heads. This preference arises from their effective performance at reduced temperatures, along with the manufacturer’s ability to easily adjust performance through modifications in wire thickness or the number of wraps.

On the other hand, mesh strips are typically utilized for medium and high-wattage coil heads, owing to their rapid heating capability and larger surface area, which is beneficial for e-liquid absorption at elevated temperatures. Moreover, mesh coils usually feature a lower overall resistance relative to their size, which could strain smaller batteries intended for lower power outputs.

 

DuoPrime – a new era for coil design

At Innokin, enhancing the vaping experience is our constant pursuit. As mentioned earlier, mesh coils are particularly effective in boosting e-liquid absorption.

Imagine a method to further enhance wicking efficiency utilizing mesh strips.

With that concept in mind, our engineers developed the DuoPrime technology. This technology incorporates an outer mesh layer between the wicking material and the inner coil.

This outer mesh layer heats gradually, which is sufficient to rapidly draw e-liquid into the coil. This innovation transforms coil design fundamentally, significantly enhancing coil longevity, saturation, and flavour output.

You can explore this revolutionary coil design for yourself with the inaugural DuoPrime coils, now available in the Z-force Tank, part of the Kroma 217 kit.