It would be difficult to overstate the impact vaping technology has had on smokers since the first devices came to market. Millions of smokers have been able to quit the habit courtesy of vaping.
No other smoking cessation products have proved to be as effective as electronic cigarettes.
If vaping has helped you to quit smoking or you think that it could, you might be interested to know how the various devices work.
Here's a short guide to vaping tech that should enlighten you.
In the years since the first e cig became available, vaping tech has moved forward considerably. It is now possible to choose from a huge array of devices that offer diverse functionality. But all vapes work in much the same way. Each boasts a battery, a heating coil and a reservoir of e liquid. The battery provides power to heat the coil which then vaporises e liquid. You can inhale the vapour to enjoy both the flavour and the nicotine hit.
Vapes are powered by one or more lithium-ion batteries. These may be built-in or replaceable and are extremely powerful for their size. In addition, devices feature management circuitry that is responsible for charging the cells and ensuring that their voltage remains within safe limits.
The capacity of a battery is measured in mAh (milliampere-hours). The higher the mAh value, the longer a battery can last depending on the resistance of the coil and the output wattage used.
Our guide to batteries and chargers will give you a better understanding of battery technology and safety.
All vaping devices have integrated circuits and firmware controlling their operation. Effectively, that means a vaping device is like a small computer that prevents the battery from overheating or operating in any unsafe manner. The firmware and integrated circuitry combine to control what happens when you fire your device. Power regulation circuitry either increases or reduces the voltage to ensure the device produces the correct output wattage.
Additional safety features include short circuit protection, low voltage protection, and overcharge protection. This means that devices will automatically shut down if they detect any safety issues.
Batteries and devices that are handled correctly are safe to use. Incidents of batteries exploding or catching fire are extremely rare thanks to the technology that they contain.
Every vape incorporates an e liquid reservoir. This could be in the form of a vape tank or a vape pod. Tanks are refillable as are most pods. However, some pods are prefilled and are closed, meaning that once the e liquid is exhausted, you replace the entire pod. Tanks and pods connect to the batteries of devices, and each incorporates a vape coil.
An atomiser head or vape coil features a casing that contains a heating element. This could be in the form of a coiled wire, or a sheet of perforated metal known as mesh. Vape coils also boast wicking material that soaks up e liquid. The wire or mesh heats up when you fire your device and vaporises the e liquid that has been absorbed by the wicking. The wicking then soaks up more e liquid to enable you to take another puff. Read our handy guide to learn more about vape coils.
Every vaping device has a mouthpiece through which you to inhale vapour. Vape tanks and refillable pods generally boast removeable and replaceable mouthpieces, but the mouthpieces of prefilled pods are built in.
The diameters of mouthpieces vary according to the type of draw that they are designed to deliver. Mouthpieces for mouth to lung (MTL) vaping are smaller than those for direct lung draws as the latter involve a greater volume of vapour.
For further information regarding MTL and DTL vaping, please read our guide.
All e liquids feature the same ingredients - vegetable glycerine (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavourings and nicotine. The ratio of VG to PG varies and so it is important to select vape juice that is suitable for your device. Sub ohm devices require e liquids that are high in VG whereas low wattage e cigs work best with e liquids that are high in PG.
All vapes work in much the same way. However, the devices do differ in the vaping experience they deliver. Some are simple, user-friendly options with fixed outputs while others offer a variety of outputs and operating modes to explore. It is best to begin your vaping journey with a straightforward vape suitable for beginners and then move on to something more complex if and when you feel the need.
The best vape for you is one that you can understand and one that delivers the type of draw that you are looking for. Take the time to read about each of your options and you will soon identify the best vape brand and most suitable vape for your needs.
