E-cigarette Components - Tanks Part 1
It can be complicated to understand all the parts of an e-cigarette and all its various components. We will therefore go through all the parts of an e-cigarette and explain in depth what each part is and how they work. Hopefully, you can return to these guides in the future if you have any questions. First up in the series are tanks & pods.
Let's go!
What is a tank?
A tank in the vaping world is an important component in most electronic cigarettes or vaping devices. It functions as a container for e-juice and also contains the coil that heats the e-juice to produce vapor. Tanks can vary in design, capacity, and functionality, but they all perform the same basic task.
Parts of a tank - What parts are found in a tank?
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Container: This is the transparent part of the tank where the e-juice is stored. It can be made of glass or plastic.
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Coil: Located inside the tank, it consists of a wire that is coiled, often surrounded by a wick, usually made of cotton. When the coil is heated by the battery, the absorbed e-juice in the wick is converted into vapor. Here you can choose between mesh and standard coils. We will cover this in the section about coils later in the series.
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Mouthpiece (Drip Tip): This is the part through which the user inhales the vapor. Drip tips can often be replaced to adjust the draw or simply to change the appearance of the device.
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Airflow control: Many tanks have adjustable airflow control, allowing the user to adjust the amount of air intake with each puff, which affects the amount and temperature of the vapor.
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Filling method: Some tanks are filled from the top (top-fill), while others require you to fill them from the bottom (bottom-fill). Top-fill designs have become popular due to their convenience.
Types of tanks - What types of tanks are there?
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Pods: These are the most common and are often included in starter kits. They are easy to use and rarely require any advanced knowledge.
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DTL Tanks: DTL tanks are designed to produce large clouds of vapor and intense flavors, and they are popular among experienced vapers.
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MTL tanks: MTL tanks are designed to mimic the feeling of smoking a regular cigarette, making them particularly popular among beginners and those trying to quit smoking.
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Sub-Ohm Tanks: Specially designed for sub-ohm vaping (where the coil has a resistance of less than 1 ohm). They produce larger clouds of vapor and can provide more intense flavors.
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RTA (Rebuildable Tank Atomizer): These tanks allow the user to build their own coils. RTA combines the ability to build your own coils with the convenience of an e-juice container.
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RDTA (Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomizer): A hybrid between an RDA (where you drip e-juice directly onto the coil) and an RTA. They combine the features of both for a more customizable experience.
What is an MTL tank?
MTL stands for "Mouth-to-Lung", which is an inhalation technique similar to how you draw on a traditional cigarette. MTL tanks are designed to mimic the feeling of smoking a regular cigarette, making them particularly popular among beginners and those trying to quit smoking.
How does MTL vaping work?
When using an MTL tank, you first draw the vapor into your mouth, hold it there briefly, and then inhale it into your lungs. This differs from direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping, where the vapor is inhaled directly into the lungs.
Features of MTL tanks:
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Tighter draw: MTL tanks usually have tighter airflow compared to DTL tanks. This mimics the draw of a traditional cigarette.
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Higher coil resistance: Coils designed for MTL vaping usually have a higher ohm value, typically above 1 ohm. This results in less vapor and a less intense "throat hit".
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Less vapor: Since MTL tanks have tighter airflow and coils with higher resistance, they generally produce less vapor compared to DTL tanks.
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Lower juice consumption: Due to less vapor per puff, MTL tanks tend to consume less e-juice than DTL tanks.
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Lower power: MTL tanks usually require less power from your battery, which can extend battery life between charges.
Why choose an MTL tank? MTL vaping is preferred by many because it provides a sensation very close to that of traditional cigarettes. This can be particularly appealing to beginners or those who have recently quit smoking. MTL vaping can also be more discreet because it produces less vapor, which may be desirable in certain situations.
Conclusion: MTL tanks offer a unique vaping experience that mimics the feeling of smoking a traditional cigarette. By providing a tighter draw, a pleasant "throat hit", and less vapor production, MTL tanks meet the needs of those who prefer this inhalation technique. Whether you are new to vaping or simply prefer the feel of MTL, it is important to choose the right equipment for your needs.
What is an RTA?
RTA stands for Rebuildable Tank Atomizer. Basically, it is a tank system that allows the user to build their own coils instead of relying on pre-built coils like those found in pods. What makes RTAs special is that they combine the benefits of RDAs (Rebuildable Drip Atomizers) - the ability to create your own coils - with the convenience of a tank that can store e-juice, so the user does not need to manually drip juice at regular intervals.
Structure and Features of an RTA:
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Build deck: This is where the user installs their coils. There are different build deck designs depending on the RTA model, and some are easier to build on than others. Some RTAs have room for single-coil builds, while others accommodate dual or even quadruple-coil builds.
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Liquid channels: These are the channels that carry e-juice from the tank to the wicks surrounding your coil. Proper wicking is crucial to ensure a consistent liquid supply to the coil and to avoid potential leaks or dry hits.
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Airflow: Most RTAs come with adjustable airflow. This allows the user to adjust the amount of air drawn through the device when taking a puff, affecting both flavor intensity and the amount of vapor produced.
Top- or Bottom-Filling: Many modern RTAs have a top-fill design, making it easy to refill with e-juice without having to remove the tank from your mod. Older models may, however, require bottom filling.
Features and benefits of an RTA:
Customizability: With an RTA, the user can create a personalized vaping experience by building their own coils, allowing adjustments to resistance and heating surface area.
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Economy: After the initial investment in an RTA and the necessary materials (such as wire and cotton), it can become cheaper over time compared with buying pre-made coils.
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Fresh flavor: Since the user frequently changes the cotton and cleans the coil, the flavor can be kept at its best.
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Large e-juice capacity: Like regular tank systems, RTAs have a container for e-juice, allowing the user to vape for longer without needing to refill.
Challenges with RTAs:
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Learning curve: Beginners may find it difficult to build and wick properly at first. Correct building and wicking are essential to prevent leaks and ensure optimal performance.
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Time-consuming: Building your own coils and wicking can take time, especially for those who are new to it.
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Maintenance: It requires regular cleaning and replacement of materials.
How does an RTA work? Essentially, an RTA has a build deck where the user can attach their own coils. This coil is then heated to convert e-juice into vapor. Surrounding this build deck is a tank that holds e-juice. When the coil is heated, e-juice is drawn through the cotton wick and into the coil, where it is vaporized.
Conclusion: RTAs are an excellent choice for those who want full control over their vaping experience and are willing to invest time in building and maintaining their coils. While they may not be the best choice for absolute beginners, those with some experience and an interest in diving deeper into the world of vaping can truly appreciate the customizability and quality that RTAs offer.
What is a DTL tank?
DTL stands for "Direct-to-Lung", which refers to an inhalation technique where vapor is inhaled directly into the lungs, rather than first collecting in the mouth as with MTL (Mouth-to-Lung). DTL tanks are designed to produce large clouds of vapor and intense flavors, and they are popular among experienced vapers.
How does DTL vaping work? When using a DTL tank, you draw the vapor directly into your lungs in one deep breath. This usually creates a large cloud of vapor upon exhalation.
Features of DTL tanks:
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Wider airflow: DTL tanks usually have wider airflow, allowing for greater vapor production and easier direct-to-lung inhalation.
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Lower coil resistance: Coils intended for DTL vaping usually have a lower ohm value, often below 1 ohm (commonly referred to as "sub-ohm coils"). This results in increased vapor production and a more intense flavor experience.
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Larger vapor clouds: Due to their design and lower-resistance coils, DTL tanks produce a lot of vapor.
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Higher juice consumption: With increased vapor production, DTL tanks also consume more e-juice compared to MTL tanks.
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Higher power: DTL tanks usually require higher wattage to achieve optimal performance, which means they use more power from your battery.
Why choose a DTL tank? Many choose DTL vaping because of the intense flavor experience and large vapor clouds. For those who enjoy "cloud chasing" (a term in the vaping community referring to creating large clouds of vapor), DTL tanks are the obvious choice. DTL can also provide a smoother "throat hit" compared to MTL, depending on the e-juice's nicotine strength and PG/VG ratio.
Conclusion: DTL tanks offer a powerful vaping experience, optimized for large vapor clouds and intense flavors. While they can be more demanding in terms of power and e-juice consumption, many experienced vapers choose DTL because of the unique and powerful experience they offer. If you are looking for large vapor clouds and intense flavors, a DTL tank may be the right choice for you.
Vaporesso iTank is a true classic in the DTL tank category
What is a pod?
A pod consists of a tank with a pre-installed coil inside.
A pod is therefore the tank in a pod system. Today, vaping on a pod system is by far the most common. Our starter kits are exclusively pod systems. The clever thing about pod systems is that when the tank (the pod in this case) is empty, you simply refill it with new e-liquid. However, you need to replace your pod at regular intervals, as the coil inside it wears out over time.
There are also pre-filled pods, known as prefilled pods. These are pre-filled with e-liquid and discarded after use.
What is a Prefilled Pod? A prefilled pod, or pre-filled pod, is a disposable e-cigarette unit supplied with pre-installed e-juice. It is specifically designed for a particular device and cannot be refilled once the liquid runs out. Instead, the entire pod is replaced.
Advantages of Pods (refillable pods):
- Freedom of choice: Users can refill with any e-juice they want, allowing them to experiment with different flavors and nicotine strengths.
- Cost-effectiveness: In the long run, refilling pods can be cheaper than constantly buying new prefilled pods.
- Environmental friendliness: Fewer disposable cartridges mean less waste.
- Customizability: Some pods allow users to replace the coils, giving them more control over their vaping experience.
Advantages of Prefilled Pods:
- Simplicity: No hassle with refilling e-juice. When the liquid runs out, simply replace the pod.
- No leakage: Since they are sealed, the chance of leakage is minimal.
- Consistency: Each pod delivers consistent flavor and nicotine strength because it is pre-filled by the manufacturer.
- No maintenance: Users do not need to replace coils or clean the tank.
Conclusion: The choice between prefilled pods and refillable pods often depends on the user's personal preferences. For those who value simplicity and hassle-free use, prefilled pods may be the best choice. For those who want more control over their flavors and nicotine strengths, or who are cost-conscious, refillable pods may be a better option. Regardless of the choice, both prefilled and refillable pods provide a convenient and compact vaping experience, making them popular among both beginners and experienced users.
Oxva Pods
What is a sub-ohm tank?
A sub-ohm tank is a type of atomizer for e-cigarettes designed to be used with coils that have a resistance of less than 1 ohm.
Features:
- Low resistance: Designed to work with coils with a resistance below 1 ohm.
- Higher power: Best used with mods capable of delivering higher wattage.
- Greater vapor production: Generates larger clouds of vapor compared to traditional tanks.
- Faster e-juice consumption: Consumes e-juice more quickly due to the increased vapor production.
- Adjustable airflow: Many models offer the ability to adjust the airflow to customize draw resistance.
When and why you should use a sub-ohm tank:
- Vapor production: If you want large clouds of vapor, sub-ohm tanks are the best choice.
- Flavor: For some, the increased heat production can provide a more intense flavor experience.
- Direct lung inhalation: Sub-ohm tanks are often designed for direct lung inhalation, which differs from the traditional "mouth-to-lung" technique.
- Adaptability: Many advanced users prefer sub-ohm tanks for their adaptability in terms of airflow, temperature control, and vapor production.
Conclusion: A sub-ohm tank is ideal for those seeking larger clouds of vapor, more intense flavor, or a more customized vaping experience. While they offer many benefits, it is important to handle them safely, especially considering the higher power they require.
What is an RDTA tank?
An RDTA (Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomizer) combines the features of an RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer) with those of a regular tank. In other words, it is an atomizer where the user builds their own coils and places cotton, but it also has a separate tank section for e-juice.
Features of an RDTA:
- Custom coil building: The user can build their own coils and insert their own cotton, providing full control over resistance and design.
- Tank section: Unlike a pure RDA, an RDTA has a tank that holds e-juice, reducing the need to constantly drip e-juice onto the coils/cotton.
- Customizability: The ability to adjust vapor production and flavor based on the user's preferences through different coil builds.
- Direct vapor delivery: Usually designed for direct lung inhalation.
- High airflow: Many RDTAs have large airflow holes for maximum vapor production.
When and why you should use an RDTA:
- Freedom of customization: For those who want full control over their vaping experience, from coil resistance to the type of cotton.
- Combination of RDA and Tank: When you want the convenience of a tank but also want to be able to build your own coils.
- Optimized flavor and vapor production: The ability to experiment with different coil builds and amounts of cotton to fine-tune the flavor and vapor to your preferences.
Conclusion: An RDTA provides the customizability that comes with building your own coils and placing your own cotton, while also offering the convenience of a tank. For those seeking a balance between the DIY aspects of vaping and the convenience of a traditional tank, an RDTA can be an excellent choice.
Don't miss our next section, where we will take an in-depth look at coils!
/happy vaping, your friends at cigge
