The vapor source

Vapor is made in what’s called a vape atomizer, sometimes called a vape tank. It’s a self-contained chamber electrically connected to the vape mod. It houses a resistance heating element – a metal coil – and an absorbent wick saturated with e-juice (containing similar base ingredients to theatre “smoke”). When the user takes a hit, the coil heats the liquid from the wick, instantly making smoke-looking vapor.

All atomizers hold e-juice (mL), though some hold more than others. Many are designed for simplicity, and others are far more complex and suited for hobbyists. In order of ease of use, the four main categories are:

1. Prefilled: single-use; non-replaceable coils; disposable
   • Pods, cartridges, cartomizers
2. Refillable: multi-use; non-replaceable coils; disposable
   • Pods, cartridges, cartomizers
3. Refillable with replaceable coils: indefinitely reusable
   • Sub ohm tanks, clearomizers
4. Rebuildable: user-installed wicks and coils; indefinitely reusable
   • Any atomizer written as an acronym beginning with “R”, like RDA, RTA, RDTA, etc.

Just like with vape mods, there’s a lot of variation to atomizers. The key thing to remember that they need to be compatible with the vape mod. Not all will physically fit on all vape mods, and some aren’t appropriate due to their coil resistance and the power they may require to function properly.

The coils in atomizers come in various resistance ranges (ohms/Ω). Some coils make voluminous clouds (low resistance; less than 1 ohm) and others make more discreet vapor (high resistance; near or above 1 ohm). Regardless of the resistance, or type of atomizer, all coils are discarded after time. They don’t die like the filament in a light bulb, but flavor and vapor will decline after prolonged usage. This can range from a couple days to a week or longer.