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Vape Tank Buying Guide

Welcome to the world of vape tanks! If you are new to vaping, you may be finding yourself bamboozled by the terminology and choices!

You will need to begin your vaping journey by choosing a device to vape with. Most vapers, whether experienced or just starting out, will invest in a starter kit. That is a kit that includes everything you need to start vaping. You could opt for a pod kit or a tank kit.

But it is also possible to assemble your own device by selecting a battery or mod and then choosing a compatible vape tank to pair with it.

Here’s everything you need to know about vape tanks so you can make the right decisions:

What is a vape tank?

A vape tank is an element of an e-cigarette. It features an e-liquid reservoir together with a coil that heats to vaporise the e-liquid. Tanks are usually cylindrical in shape and have glass reservoirs together with metal tops and bottoms. A tank connects to the top of a battery casing or a mod and is completed by a mouthpiece through which you inhale the vapour.

Tanks vary in their design but all function in much the same way.

What are the components of vape tanks?

Although available in a variety of shapes and sizes, most vape tanks are comprised of the same basic components:

E-Liquid reservoir – usually made from glass but sometimes from plastic, this where e-liquid is stored. UK vaping regulations stipulate that the capacity of a vape tank should be no more than 2ml.

Coil (atomiser head) – this is a metal casing that acts as a chimney and that incorporates a coil or sheet or metal that heats up when the device is fired. Coils are removeable and replaceable.

Drip tip, - the mouthpiece through which you inhale.

Bottom section - this is the section to which the coil is attached and that makes a connection with the battery. The bottom section may feature adjustable airflow.

Vape Tank Anatomy

Drip Tip
E-Liquid Reservoir
Coil
Bottom Section

What are the different types of vape tank?

Vape tanks tend to look similar regardless of their type and so it is important to read the product descriptions for the tanks you are considering. These will identify what type of tank you are looking at and which batteries or mods it could be paired with. here are your chocies:

Mouth to Lung Vape Tanks

You will see that vaping equipment is generally described as being suitable for mouth to lung (MTL) or direct to lung (DTL) vaping. DTL vaping is also known as sub ohm vaping. Mouth to lung vaping involves drawing vapour into your mouth and then into your lungs as you would when smoking a traditional cigarette. MTL vaping requires minimal vapour. It is high resistance coils that deliver this discreet vapour as their high resistance to electrical currents prevents them from heating to the higher temperatures that produce big vapour clouds.

MTL tanks are those compatible with high resistance (1.0 ohm or higher) coils. If you need to learn more about vape coils and vaping terminology, read our Ultimate Beginners Guide.

Most vapers start out using an MTL device that incorporate an MTL pod or MTL tank. The Vapekit range gives you impressive MTL tanks to choose from.

It is important to note that many MTL vape tanks are designed specifically to fit a particular device. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are incompatible with other batteries or mods. Tanks will usually have a 510 connector or an eGo connector and so could be paired with devices that have the same connection. However, if you are choosing a tank to partner with a vape pen battery, ensure that both pieces of kit boast the same diameter.

Direct to Lung Vape Tanks

Direct to Lung (DTL) tanks are those compatible with sub-ohm coils. Sub-ohm means a resistance of less than 1 ohm. Low resistance coils heat to high temperatures and require more powerful outputs to fire them than MTL coils. Sub-ohm coils deliver significant clouds (vapour) which should be inhaled directly to your lungs.

There are exciting sub-ohm tanks to explore. We are delighted to bring you the best vape tanks from Uwell, Innokin, GeekVape and more.

Direct to lung tanks are often supplied with more than one coil can may be compatible with a variety of coils. Each coil could boast a different resistance, enabling you to tailor your draws.

Always check that your device is compatible with the coils you wish to install to your tank.

Temperature Control Vape Tanks

Temperature control (TC) tanks are sub-ohm tanks for which there are compatible TC coils. Those coils are made from nickel (Ni200), titanium or stainless steel and allow your mod to limit the maximum temperature your coil reaches. A TC tank should be paired with a mod that features a TC operating mode.

Rebuildable Tanks

You will find tanks for which a rebuildable atomizer (RBA) is available. With an RBA you build your own coil rather than using a prebuilt unit. Building your own coils can save you money and enables you to have complete control over how your device performs. But it is a time-consuming practice that requires knowledge of electrical resistance.

How do you fill a vape tank?

When you unpack a new e-cigarette tank, it will already have a coil installed and so will be almost ready to use. To get started, you’ll need to fill the tank with e-liquid. Consult the instruction manual of your tank to learn whether you have a top-filling or bottom-filling model.

If you have a bottom-filling tank, you’ll unscrew the bottom metal hardware while holding the tank upside down.

If you have a top-filling tank, you’ll unscrew the top hardware or twist it along a hinge to expose the filling port.

Add e-liquid until the tank is nearly full and close the tank. If you’re using the tank for the first time or filling the tank after a coil replacement, you should wait several minutes for the atomizer coil’s cotton wick to become completely wet before using the tank. The last step, known as priming, is crucial as a dry cotton wick burns easily.

How do you use a vape tank?

After you have filled your tank and you have waited for the cotton to saturate, the tank will be ready to use. Puff on the tank’s mouthpiece while holding the activation button on your vaping device. Each puff leaves the tank’s cotton wick slightly dry, so wait several seconds after each puff before using your e-cigarette again. Don’t wait until the tank is fully empty before refilling it.

On the side of your tank’s atomizer head, you’ll see the holes that allow the e-liquid to penetrate the coil’s cotton wick. When the level of e-liquid in the tank is below those holes, it’s time to refill the tank.

How and when do you replace your coil?

In most cases the coil (atomiser head) is fitted to the bottom section of the tank.

Disconnect the tank from your device, then (in most cases) unscrew the bottom of the tank to reveal the bottom of the coil. Twist or pull the coil out then twist or push the new coil into place before replacing the bottom of the tank. Unscrew the mouthpiece and fill the tank with e-liquid to prime the coil and wait a few minutes before vaping.

After you’ve used a coil for a while, residue will begin to collect on the heating wire. Vapers call this residue coil gunk, and it tends to alter the flavour of an e-liquid in an unpleasant way. If you taste a flavour resembling burned sugar when you vape, it’s time for a new coil. Decreased vapour production is also a sign that you should replace your coil.

There are steps you can take to prolong the life of your coils. Read our coil guide to find out more.

Important Questions

Should you purchase a tank or a starter kit?

If you are new to vaping, investing in a starter kit is a great idea as the kit will give you a battery or mod together with a compatible tank or pod. You will have everything you need to vape in one package and your device will cost you less than if you were to purchase the components separately.

But if you are an experienced vaper who prefers to customise your hardware, you may favour a combination of tank and mod that isn’t available in a kit.

Are vape tanks compatible with multiple devices?

Most vape tanks will work with multiple batteries or mods. You should ensure that your tank is suitable for your device before using it. A tank must have the same threading type as your battery or mod (510 or eGo), otherwise it won't be possible to connect the two elements of your device. The resistance of the coils that fit your tank should also be compatible with your device. Every vape has a maximum current that it can safely support. You will find that the specification of your device will include the minimum coil resistance and maximum output wattage that it can support.

How do you clean your vape tank?

The best time to clean your tank is when you need to disassemble it anyway to replace the coil. After taking the tank apart, remove the old coil and set it aside or discard it. Rinse the remaining parts of the tank under water and dry them with a paper towel.

Rinsing your tank removes the lingering flavour of your previous e-liquid. It also removes any lip balm or skin fragments that may have collected on the drip tip.

Handle your e-cigarette tank carefully. Some vapers put silicone or rubber bands around their tanks to protect the glass. After you have cleaned your tank, reassemble the parts carefully to avoid crossing the threads.

What do you do if you break your tank?

It is surprisingly easy to break or crack a glass vape tank. Dropping your vape or knocking it against a hard surface will often result in damage. Replacement glass is available for some tanks and may have been included in your kit but failing that, you would need to replace your tank.

To replace your glass, remove the remaining glass fragments from your tank with a pair of tweezers and disassemble the tank. Slide the replacement glass carefully over the tank's hardware — being careful not to stretch the silicone rings in the process — and reassemble the tank.

Will a new tank transform your vaping experience?

Absolutely. It’s likely, in fact, that changing your tank will affect your vaping experience more profoundly than buying a new vaping device. Some companies optimize their tanks to produce the richest possible flavours, while others build powerful tanks for cloud chasing.

No two tanks present the flavour notes of a complex e-liquid in exactly the same way. So long as your vaping device can operate within the suggested wattage range of the tank that you want to buy, you’ll find that a new tank can make your vaping experience noticeably more enjoyable.

Can you choose your drip tip?

“Drip tip” is the term generally used for the mouthpiece of a tank or atomizer. A drip tip size is expressed as a number that indicates its width. The two most common drip tip sizes are 510 (narrow) and 810 (wide). Some tanks have graduated tops that allow them to support both sizes. If your tank doesn’t have a graduated top, you’ll need a 510-to-810 or 810-to-510 adapter to try a different type of drip tip.

An 810 drip tip helps an e-cigarette tank produce larger clouds, while a 510 drip tip restricts the airflow slightly and helps a tank produce richer flavours.

What is adjustable airflow?

Mot vape tanks feature adjustable airflow. This is a feature that enables you to tailor your draws, and is usually in the form of slots around the base of the tank. By turning the base, you can open or close the slots or holes. Closing the airflow holes results in a tight draw such as that you experience when smoking and will increase flavour intensity. Opening the holes will give you an airier, cooler draw together with enhanced vapour.

In Brief

To identify the right tank for you, take the following steps:

  1. Decide whether you wish to invest in an MTL tank or a DTL tank.
  2. Ensure that your battery or mod is suitable for the type of tank you have selected.
  3. Check out the capabilities of your mod including wattage and operating modes.
  4. Ensure that your battery or mod is compatible with the coils supplied with the tank.
  5. Check that the diameter of the tank is suitable for your battery or mod.
  6. Consider the price and look of the available options.
  7. Make your choice!

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