Vape Coils Explained: What They Are, Why They Burn Out, & When to Replace Them

Vape coils are important, but they’re not complicated. Essentially, they’re little lengths of wire wrapped in spirals around the wicking material (usually cotton) in a given device. The ends of the wires are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the device’s battery. When the device is activated, the battery heats up the coil, which in turn heats up the e-liquid in the wicking material until it turns into vapour. Then you inhale it—easy, right?

Different Kinds of Vape Coils

Okay, but then why are there so many different types of coils—and what’s the difference between them? Not to worry; we’ve got answers to those questions as well.

Look at practically any product description for a vape device, and you’ll probably see something like this in the list of specs and features:

• Coils
• 1 x 0.4 Ω
• 1 x 0.8 Ω

Nope, that’s not Greek—well, technically it is, since that symbol at the end is borrowed from the Greek letter omega. But in this context, it actually stands for ohms, and denotes the amount of resistance a given vape coil provides.

Why does that matter? Easy: the less resistance a coil offers, the more electricity passes through it. As a result, coils with less resistance can be useful for the following:

• Greater cloud production
• Handling thicker e-liquids
• Producing stronger flavour

On the other hand, coils with more resistance can be used to produce milder, less-concentrated vapours and are well-suited to less concentrated e-liquids. Different vape devices are made to be compatible with different coil sizes, depending on their power output, available e-liquids, and other such factors.

Like all good things in life, vape coils just don’t last forever. As they heat up and cool down repeatedly over time, they gradually lose their ability to conduct current. That’s how coils burn out.

Signs of a Burnt-Out Vape Coil

If you’ve ever burnt out a vape coil in your device before, you probably know. Here are some of the telltale signs that you’ve burnt out your vape coil:

• Your vape tastes burnt: a burning taste can occur when the coil in your device wears out and begins to deteriorate. When this happens, you might find yourself inhaling trace amounts of heavy metals—so don’t keep vaping with the dead coil! Replace it as soon as possible instead.
• Your vape is gurgling: Worn out coils may not cause the e-liquid in your device’s wick to vapourize effectively. As a result, the excess liquid can end up in parts of the device where it’s not supposed to be, causing a “gurgling” noise. If you hear gurgling when using your vape device, changing out the coil is one of the first things you should try.
• Your flavour is weak or “wrong” somehow: Before a coil dies completely, you’ll probably notice that the flavour of your e-liquid is off to some degree. Pay attention to subtle flavour changes; they’re often a sign that the coil in your vape device is nearing the end of its lifespan.
• You’re getting less vapour than expected: As coils deteriorate, less current can travel through them—which means it’s harder for them to vapourize the e-liquid in your device’s wick. As a result, you may experience decreasing cloud production. If you notice that your device is producing less vapour than usual, the culprit could be a dying coil. Change it out and see if the problem stops.

The frequency with which you need to replace your vape coils will depend on how you use your device, and how often. Coils that undergo heavy use must often be replaced on a weekly basis, whereas coils that are used more gently can sometimes last for up to a month. It is unlikely that a vape coil will last longer than that, unless it is being kept in mint condition or barely being used.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Vape Coils

Here are a few things you can do to help your coils last longer:

• Prime each new coil by manually soaking the wick before you install it. Then take your first few hits on low wattage and increase gradually.
• Avoid extra-sweet e-liquids. The high concentrations of sweeteners in these e-liquids can cause damage to your coils and cause them to burn out faster than usual.
• Whenever possible, use clear e-liquids. These will be less likely to produce significant amounts of coil gunk—residue that is prone to forming when using thick or sweet e-liquids.
• Keep your device filled with e-liquid to avoid letting your coil vaporise air. This is called a dry hit, and it can contribute to premature coil burnout.

Have questions about switching or maintaining the coils in your vape device? No problem; just contact us and let one of our friendly team members answer your questions. We’re always happy to offer advice, troubleshooting, and product recommendations