One type of high-wattage vaping, often referred to as sub-ohm or direct-to-lung (DTL) style of vaping, is a common category of electronic cigarette technology. And that is more popular among seasoned users who prefer to blow large vapor clouds and get intense flavor taste. The experience really depends on the hardware, namely, a beast of a mod and a great tank. At the heart of this entire operation sits a small, unassuming character: The Replacement Coil. If you're running your device at 80W, more, 100W to above, the right coil is more than a preference--at this wattage range, it's essential for performance, safety, and overall vaping enjoyment.
The heart and soul of any vape device is the atomizer head, or coil. This module is where the heating coil and wick are located. The user then activates the device, and a battery delivers power to a heating element, which vaporizes an e-liquid soaked in the wick. On high-power setups, this happens much faster and at much higher temps. As a result, coils worked under these conditions had to be made of materials and with structural properties that allow them to withstand such large thermal stress in order to make the required production. Using the wrong coil results in bad consequences, ranging from burnt edges or a nasty vape flavor to wearing out your coils too early−worse still, it could cause damage to your device!
In order to understand why select coils are critical for high-power applications, it's essential that one look at the construction of a coil. Coils designed for medium wattage, MTL devices are completely different than high wattage coils. The first is their very low electrical resistance, often less than 1.0 ohm – below the so-called “sub-ohm” threshold. As per Ohm's law (V = IR): a lower resistance (R), means more current can flow at a given voltage (V), i.e, more power(P = VI) is dissipated as heat. It's this basic fact that explains how sub-ohm coils can get hot enough to produce those giant clouds.
The heating element has changed, too. The earliest high-performance coils used thick, round wire; everything was kept simple. But mesh styles are now more prevalent in today's generation. A mesh coil is a thin, perforated sheet of metal – traditionally Kanthal (FeCrAl) or stainless steel, and it has considerably more surface area than the same size section of traditional wire coil. This larger area of contact has the benefit of being heated more uniformly and quickly by the e-liquid. The result is a significant improvement in both flavor fidelity and vapor volume. Many advanced coils, such as the uwell valyrian 2 coils, utilize intricate mesh patterns, including single, dual, and triple mesh, to further refine the vaping experience by manipulating the heating dynamics and airflow.
Wicking material is another critical factor. It’s the wick that pulls e-liquid from the tank and keeps it against a heating element. In a high-wattage environment, the rate of vaporization is so rapid that you need a wicking material keeping up with it. If the wicking material is inadequate, you'll get a dry hit and end of cooking the wick instead of the e-liquid.. resulting in a terrible taste and possible nasty subproducts. As with most blossoms, good-quality organic cotton is the norm and highly regarded for its lack of flavor and absorbency level. And the density, positioned with such precision that the cotton will be able to re-juice in between each puff when running at optimal wattages over 100W.
The variability of high-power rating coils is not random; rather, each design is optimized for a specific operating envelope. Recommended wattage ranges are typically printed directly onto the coil casing or packaging by manufacturers. Following these guidelines is crucial for optimal performance and lifespan. Running a coil too far below its rating may result in poor vaporization, spit back, and gurgle. On the other hand, too high wattage will be greater than the wicking ability, burning the wick directly and significantly decreasing the life span of the coil.
Choosing different coils for a tank is left as an option, more of a preference on the flavor-vapor balance. So which of our choices makes that super popular, strong-performing tank?
So really, it's subjective - what would be the perfect coil? There’s a single and dual mesh for the flavor chaser, while those of you who love chucking clouds will prefer the triple or quad mesh. There is no hard and fast guide to wattage; the best way to find your perfect watts is for experimentation within those suggested ranges with your e-liquid, as well as personal taste. The complex design of items such as the Uwell Valyrian 2 coils is an excellent example of how alternate internal configurations cater to this diversity in user preference within a single platform.
For high-wattage vapers, a widely shared concern is the longevity of coil life. Because of the harsh environment, these coils are consumables that have a life expectancy. There are many other things that can affect how long a coil will last, and what users can do about it. The first contributor is the e-liquid you use. High-sugar juices are the notorious "coil killers". The sucralose (and other sweeteners) do not fully vaporize and instead caramelize on the heating element – forming a burnt crust that coats with gunk, insulating the coil and degrading flavor while lessening vapor production. Vape juices containing fewer sweeteners mean coil gunk is less likely to build up on your vape coils.
The VG/PG of the juice is also important. High-wattage vaping is mainly associated with high-VG (vegetable glycerin) liquids, usually 70 percent VG or above. VG is thicker than PG (propylene glycol) and produces more vapor. But it is the high viscosity that allows the oil to be absorbed more slowly by a wick. Chain vaping, taking puffs one after another, using high wattage, could exceed the wick’s capability to re-saturate and lead to dry hits that scorch the cotton. Giving a couple of seconds between draws allows the coil to rebound.
It is also important that the pipes be properly primed. Make sure to prime your new coil prior to using it. This is simply dripping juice directly on the open side, cotton wicks around the outer circumference of the coil, and in through the middle. After the installation of the tank, it should be filled and left to sit for a minimum of 10-15 minutes to allow the wick to become completely soaked. It's a good idea to err on the side of caution and perhaps start at a wattage lower than the recommendation when trying it out for the first time, taking several short pulls before ramping up to your desired level. This "burn-in" procedure is necessary to make sure the heat and liquid are correctly distributed so that immediate"catastrophic" burnout will not occur. You will want to be sure of good, genuine coils from reputable manufacturers as cheap or counterfeit coils can degrade fast and produce lackluster results. And that is why seasoned vapers prefer to stick with the tried and tested names, such as Uwell Valyrian 2 coils for their high-wattage setups.
High-wattage vaping is a world of power and performance, and customization. When you think about vaping, your mind probably flashes to mods and tanks, but the oft-overlooked replacement coil is what actually makes the whole experience possible. These features — arguing from the material and style of the heating element to the purity and nature of the wicking material employed — are a testament to the engineering that has gone into safe, effective operation at high levels.
Knowing the nuances between coil options, whether they be quadruple wire or differing mesh setups, gives customers a level of customization for their vape that’s intuitive and convenient. By sticking to the advised wattages, priming new coils really well, and considering the choice of e-liquid, vapers can get the best out of both their hardware and their beloved juice sources. With the development of coils such as those found in more advanced systems like the uwell valyrian 2 coils it seems that this will continue to be pushed further and further, giving vapers a better and better experience every time. In the end, the educated use of coils and how to maintain them is your ticket to getting what you want out of a high-wattage device.