Vape Tanks, Mods, Juice, Oh My! Essential Vaping Terms Explained
Posted by Courtney McElligott on Apr 24th 2019
New to vaping? The vocabulary comes at you fast, and most of it is jargon nobody bothers to define for a first-time buyer. Atomizer, clearomizer, sub-ohm, wicking. It piles up.
You do need a handle on the basics to actually use your device and shop for the right parts. So here are the terms you will run into most, in plain language, with what each one means for you at the counter and at home.
Atomizer / Tank
The atomizer is the part of your vape that houses the wick and coil and holds the liquid. People use the word loosely. Some mean the whole device, some mean just the coil head, so context matters.
There are three common styles you will see:
- Clearomizer — a clear, refillable tank, usually inexpensive and treated as semi-disposable. The simplest place for a new vaper to start.
- Tank — also refillable, but built to last with replaceable coils. Typically metal and glass rather than plastic, so it holds up to daily use.
- Dripping atomizer (RDA) — no tank at all. You drip e-liquid straight onto the coil. More hands-on, favored by experienced users who rebuild their own coils.
For most beginners the clearomizer or a coil-based tank is the easy answer. Dripping is a rabbit hole you can go down later.
Battery
The battery powers the device. Some vapes have an internal battery you charge over USB. Others take removable cells you charge in an external charger. A few handling rules are worth knowing either way.
Most use lithium-ion cells. Use the charger meant for your device, and if your mod takes removable batteries, only run cells rated for it. A cell that is too weak for the wattage you are pulling is asking for trouble. Inspect wraps for tears and replace any battery with a nicked or torn wrapper.
Flying with it? Airline rules put vape devices and spare batteries in your carry-on, never checked baggage. Pack loose cells in a case so the terminals cannot touch metal or each other.
Coil
The coil sits inside the atomizer and heats the e-liquid into vapor. It is a wear part, so you replace it on a schedule. The device tells you when: flavor goes flat and vapor thins out, and a worn coil can taste scorched.
You will see top-coil and bottom-coil designs, and both are easy to swap. For a bottom coil, unscrew the base, unscrew the old coil, and thread in the new one. For a top coil, unscrew the mouthpiece, lift out the atomizer head, and drop in the replacement.
After fitting a fresh coil, prime it. Put a few drops of juice right on the cotton, fill the tank, and let it stand upright a few minutes so the wick soaks through. Vape it dry too soon and the first hits taste burnt.
Dripping
Dripping means applying e-liquid directly onto the coil instead of feeding it from a tank. It has trade-offs.
The downside is convenience. You drip a few drops, take three or four pulls, then re-drip. If you vape often, that gets old quickly.
The upside is flavor. Many users say a fresh drip gives the cleanest, most vivid taste of any setup, which is why dedicated drippers stick with it.
E-Liquid
E-liquid (vape juice) is what gets vaporized. It comes with nicotine or nicotine-free, depending on what you choose. The juice is typically built from four parts: nicotine (or none), food-grade flavoring, propylene glycol (PG), and vegetable glycerine (VG).
A quick ingredient note, about the additives themselves and not about vapor products: PG and VG are common food and consumer-product ingredients, and the FDA classifies both as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use in food. In a juice recipe, PG carries and evenly distributes flavor, while the thicker, slightly sweet VG is what produces most of the visible vapor. The PG/VG ratio is why some juice is thin and punchy and some is thick and cloudy.
Flooding
Flooding happens when too much juice pools in the atomizer, often showing up as gurgling, spitback, or a weak draw. Several things cause it.
The usual culprit is a worn or seated-wrong coil, so swap the coil first. Other causes: wattage set too low for the coil, an overfilled tank, or pulling too hard on the inhale, which drags extra liquid in.
To clear it, take the tank off the battery, lay a paper towel over the mouthpiece, and blow gently from the base until the gurgle stops.
Heatsink
A heatsink is the set of fins that stick out around some atomizers. The fins increase surface area to shed heat faster.
That keeps the tank from running too hot during a long session. Your tank will still feel warm in the hand, and that is normal. Warm does not mean broken.
Putting the terms to work
Get these basics down and the rest of the catalog stops looking like alphabet soup. You will know what part you are buying, how it fits your device, and what to do when something acts up.
Newer still? There is plenty more worth knowing before your first fill. See things you didn't know about vaping, or browse our blog for more guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a tank and an atomizer?
The tank is the reservoir that holds your e-liquid. The atomizer is the coil-and-wick assembly that turns that liquid into vapor. They work together, but they are different parts. In casual use people say "atomizer" for several things, so it helps to ask which part someone means.
How often should I replace my vape coil?
It depends on how much you vape and the juice you run, but most users get roughly one to two weeks per coil. Replace it when the flavor drops off, vapor thins, or you notice a scorched taste. Always prime a new coil and let it soak before the first pull.
What does the PG/VG ratio mean?
It is the proportion of propylene glycol to vegetable glycerine in the juice. More PG gives a thinner liquid and sharper flavor delivery; more VG gives a thicker liquid and more visible vapor. Common blends are 50/50, 60/40, and high-VG mixes like 70/30. Match the ratio to your device and your preference.
Why does my new coil taste burnt?
Almost always because it was not primed. Put a few drops of juice directly on the wick, fill the tank, and let it sit upright a few minutes so the cotton fully saturates before you vape. Starting at very high wattage on a fresh coil can scorch it too.
Can I bring my vape and batteries on a plane?
Airline rules require vape devices and spare lithium-ion batteries to travel in your carry-on, not in checked luggage. Carry loose cells in a case so the terminals cannot short against keys or coins, and do not vape on board.
These products are intended only for adults 21+. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. This article is general product information and is not a smoking-cessation claim.