If you're new to e-cigarettes, understanding vape tanks is key. A vape tank holds the e-liquid and delivers it to the heating element, creating the vapor you inhale. Choosing a good vape tank is important because it can significantly affect your experience, including flavor intensity and vapor production. In this guide, we'll cover the basics of vape tanks to help you find the right one for your needs and preferences.
What Are Vape Tanks?
A vape tank is an essential component of a vaping device, designed to hold e-liquid and connect to the vape mod. It consists of several key parts that work together to create vapor for inhalation.
Components of Vape Tanks
- Coil: The coil, which is the heating element within the tank, plays a crucial role in vaping. It converts the e-liquid into vapor through heat, typically using materials like Kanthal or stainless steel. The wire is wrapped around a wick, usually made of cotton, to facilitate this process.
- Wick: The wick is a material that soaks up e-liquid and feeds it to the coil. When the coil heats up, the e-liquid on the wick vaporizes, producing the vapor you inhale.
- Glass Tube: The glass tube is the transparent section of the tank that holds the e-liquid. Made from pyrex or other heat-resistant glass, it allows you to see how much e-liquid remains, ensuring you can monitor and refill as needed.
- Drip Tip: The drip tip is the mouthpiece at the top of the tank where you draw the vapor into your mouth. Drip tips come in various shapes and sizes to suit individual preferences, enhancing the comfort and experience of vaping.
How Vape Tanks Work
When connected to a vape mod (which houses the battery), pressing the fire button sends power to the coil. This heats the coil, causing the e-liquid absorbed by the wick to vaporize. You then inhale this vapor through the drip tip. As you continue to vape, the wick consistently absorbs more e-liquid from the tank, ensuring a continuous supply of vapor until the e-liquid needs refilling.
What Are Different Types of Vape Tanks?
1. Clearomizers
What They Are: Clearomizers are straightforward tanks designed for ease of use and simplicity. They feature a clear or semi-transparent body, allowing vapers to easily monitor e-liquid levels. These tanks typically utilize replaceable coil heads and have a user-friendly design, making them ideal for beginners.
Pros:
- Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for those new to vaping due to their simple setup.
- Low Maintenance: Easy to refill and only need occasional coil changes.
- Visibility: The clear body allows easy monitoring of e-liquid levels.
Cons:
- Moderate Performance: Produces adequate but not exceptional vapor and flavor.
- Limited Customization: Fewer options for adjusting airflow or wattage compared to more advanced tanks.
2. Sub-ohm Tanks
What They Are: Sub-ohm tanks are designed for vapers looking to produce large clouds of vapor and enjoy intense flavors. These tanks use coils with a resistance of less than 1 ohm, allowing for higher power outputs and greater vapor production. They often feature adjustable airflow systems and wide-bore drip tips.
Pros:
- Cloud Production: Excellent for generating large, dense vapor clouds.
- Enhanced Flavor: Offers richer taste profiles due to higher wattage capabilities.
- Direct Lung Hits: Designed for direct lung inhalation, providing a deeper, more satisfying draw.
Cons:
- High Power Requirement: Demands powerful batteries and mods to operate effectively.
- E-Liquid Consumption: Uses more e-liquid than higher-resistance setups.
3. Rebuildable Tank Atomizers (RTAs)
What They Are: RTAs combine the convenience of a tank with the customization of rebuildable atomizers. Users can build and install their own coils on a deck located inside the tank, which is then enclosed with a chimney and a tank section for holding e-liquid. RTAs offer the advantage of tailored vaping experiences and improved flavor production.
Pros:
- Customization: Allows vapers to build their own coils for a personalized experience.
- Superior Performance: Often delivers better flavor and vapor compared to pre-built coils.
- Cost-Effective: Building your own coils can be cheaper in the long run.
Cons:
- Maintenance: More time-consuming to set up and maintain compared to pre-built coil tanks.
- Skill Requirement: Requires knowledge of coil building and proper wicking techniques.
4. Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomizers (RDTAs)
What They Are: RDTAs are hybrid devices that combine elements of rebuildable dripping atomizers (RDAs) and traditional tanks. They allow users to drip e-liquid directly onto the coils while also having a reservoir beneath the build deck to store additional e-liquid.
Pros:
- Flavor Intensity: Delivers the rich flavor of dripping without frequent re-dripping.
- Reservoir Capacity: Includes a small tank to hold extra e-liquid, reducing refill frequency.
- DIY Friendly: Ideal for experienced vapers who enjoy customizing their setups.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: Requires a good understanding of coil building and maintenance.
- Complexity: More complex to build and wick properly compared to standard tanks.
5. Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Tanks
What They Are: MTL tanks are designed to simulate the draw of a traditional cigarette, providing a tighter airflow and a more restricted hit. They typically use higher resistance coils and are optimized for nicotine salts or high-nicotine e-liquids, making them suitable for former smokers.
Pros:
- Cigarette-Like Draw: Mimics the sensation of smoking a cigarette, suitable for transitioning smokers.
- Efficient Nicotine Delivery: Works well with high-nicotine e-liquids, including nicotine salts.
- Flavor Focused: Produces less vapor but enhances throat hit and flavor delivery.
Cons:
- Restricted Airflow: Limited airflow may not suit all vapers' preferences.
- Less Vapor Production: Not ideal for those who prefer large clouds of vapor.
6. Disposable Tanks
What They Are: Disposable tanks come pre-filled with e-liquid and have non-replaceable coils. Designed for convenience, these tanks are meant to be used until the e-liquid runs out or the coil burns out, after which they are disposed of entirely.
Pros:
- Convenience: No refilling or coil changing required; simply dispose of the tank when done.
- Ease of Use: Perfect for those seeking a hassle-free vaping experience.
- Portable: Great for travel or as a backup device.
Cons:
- Single Use: Less environmentally friendly due to being discarded after one use.
- Limited E-liquid Choices: Restrained by the pre-filled flavors and nicotine levels available.
7. Squonk Tanks
What They Are: Squonk tanks, also known as bottom-feeding tanks, are used in conjunction with squonk mods. These tanks allow e-liquid to be fed from a squeezable bottle housed inside the mod through a tube to the coil, minimizing the need for frequent refills.
Pros:
- Reduced Refills: Internal feeding system means fewer refills and continuous vaping.
- Rich Flavor: Combines the flavor intensity of dripping with the larger capacity of a tank.
- Convenience: Squonking allows for on-the-go dripping without carrying extra bottles.
Cons:
- Specialized Equipment: Requires a compatible squonk mod to function properly.
- Complex Setup: Can be more complicated to set up and maintain.
8. Pod Tanks
What They Are: Pod tanks are a hybrid between pod systems and traditional tanks. They are compact, easy to use, and often employ magnetic or plug-and-play connections. Pod tanks offer the portability and simplicity of pod systems with the versatility of being refillable.
Pros:
- Compact Design: Small and portable, easy to carry anywhere.
- User-Friendly: Simple setup and operation, ideal for those who prefer straightforward devices.
- Versatile Use: Compatible with various pod mods, offering flexibility in vaping styles.
Cons:
- Limited Capacity: Smaller e-liquid capacity means more frequent refills.
- Less Powerful: Typically offers less vapor production compared to larger tanks.
How to Choose the Right Vape Tank
Will it Work with Your Mod?
First and foremost, ensure that the vape tank you're eyeing is compatible with your mod. Mods come in various power ranges, and not all tanks work well with every mod. Check the recommended wattage range for the tank and match it with your mod's capabilities. Also, consider the connection type-most tanks use a 510 thread, but it's always good to double-check. Compatibility ensures safe and optimal performance.
What's Your Vaping Style?
Your vaping style plays a significant role in choosing the right tank. If you prefer a draw similar to smoking a cigarette, a Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) tank is what you need. These tanks offer tighter airflow and a more restricted hit, which is perfect for higher nicotine e-liquids and salt nic. On the other hand, if you enjoy taking deep inhales and blowing out large clouds, a Direct Lung (DL) tank or sub-ohm tank is your best bet. These tanks have looser airflow and are designed for lower nicotine levels and high VG e-liquids, providing a richer flavor and bigger vapor production.
How Much E-Liquid Do You Use?
Consider how much e-liquid you go through daily. If you're a frequent vaper who enjoys long sessions, opt for a tank with a larger capacity, like 4ml or more, to reduce the frequency of refills. For guidance on choosing the right nicotine strength and e-liquid composition based on your vaping habits, refer to the comprehensive article.For those who vape less frequently or prefer a more compact setup, a smaller tank might suffice. Also, keep in mind that sub-ohm tanks tend to consume more e-liquid due to their higher wattage and larger vapor production, so factor this into your decision as well.
Tank Capacity
The tank capacity is another important consideration. Larger tanks typically hold more e-liquid, meaning fewer refills throughout the day. This is particularly beneficial for heavy vapers who don't want to carry around extra bottles of e-liquid. Conversely, smaller tanks are more compact and portable, making them ideal for on-the-go use. Think about your lifestyle and how often you're able and willing to refill your tank when making your choice.
Coil Resistance
Coil resistance affects both the flavor and vapor production of your vape. High-resistance coils (above 1 ohm) are generally used in MTL tanks and deliver a tighter draw, better suited for higher nicotine levels and a stronger throat hit. Low-resistance coils (below 1 ohm), commonly found in sub-ohm tanks, produce larger vapor clouds and are best used with lower nicotine e-liquids. Deciding on the desired resistance will help narrow down your tank options and ensure you get the most satisfying vape.
What's Your Budget?
Vape tanks come in a wide price range, from budget-friendly options to high-end models. Clearomizers and pod systems are generally more affordable and great for beginners. However, if you're looking for advanced features, better customization, and superior build quality, investing in a high-end RTA, RDTA, or sub-ohm tank might be worthwhile.
The Bottom Line
No matter if you're just starting out or have been vaping for a while, there's a perfect tank waiting for you. Think about the way you like to vape, how much e-liquid you use, what you can afford, and whether the tank will work well with your mod. These things will help you choose the tank that's just right for you. Don't forget to keep an eye on your coil and replace it when it's time. It's okay to try out different kinds of tanks until you find the one that really clicks. Once you have the right tank, you'll be ready to enjoy vaping to the fullest.
