By: George Kassimis

Out of all the reasons why vape coils burn out, chain vaping is probably number one. Chain vaping is when a user takes multiple draws within a small time frame (usually around 5-10 seconds between each draw), keeping the wick from soaking up enough e-juice before the next hit, causing the wick to burn. This isn’t much of a worry with rebuildable coils, since all you have to do if this happens is rewick it and you are good to go. With disposable coils, though, you are out of luck, as your coil is now permanently damaged due to the burn out. To be clear, it isn’t the frequency, but the lack of time between draws that prevents the wick from re-absorbing the juice.

 

If you are a normal user and leave time (about 20 seconds) between each draw, this shouldn’t be an issue for you.

If you find that you are constantly chain vaping, though, it’s probably best to become a little more aware of when your coil needs a break. In order to prevent any further burn-outs and extend the lifespan of your coil, your best bet is to just stop vaping for a little while. If your flavor seems faded, it may be a sign that there isn’t much liquid in your coil and you’re getting close to burning the wick. Similar to priming your coil when you first purchase it, your wick needs time to reabsorb the liquid and “re-prime” itself. In order to do this, just set your vape aside for about five to ten minutes and you should be fine.

RDTAs (Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomizers) are probably best when it comes to chain vaping. These coils are more customizable and can be tuned to fit a chain vaper. Personally, I’ve found the Griffin RTA (Rebuildable Tank Atomizer) is great, but most rebuildables should do. When building your coil for chain vaping, packing about 2mm of wicking material should be enough. It’s usually best to pack the atomizer until the material is sitting evenly on the wick hole (not too loose or tight). When choosing your wicking material, rayon is personally recommended over cotton. Rayon has a higher burn point (higher temperature tolerance before being burnt out), absorbs juice faster, is cleaner, and lasts much longer. It’s just as popular as cotton, today, and it’s cheaper. Using temperature control is recommended as well, as it keeps your coil from getting too hot. Though it may seem tricky at first, mastering the build will eventually lead to your perfect vape, and make you seem like a craft wizard.

Chain vaping and direct dripping shouldn’t be much of a problem. Unlike tanks, dripping requires you to constantly wet the wick since there isn’t a tank from which to draw juice. A few drops each time should give you about four to six hits. If you see yourself chain vaping, just make sure you keep adding more drops every four drags, just to be safe. That way, your wick will stay soaked and won’t burn out.

Although chain vaping is pretty common since most vapers are ex-smokers, it should be understood that it does decrease the lifespan of your coil. While some coils are stronger than others, it really depends on how often and how long you draw. If you find yourself chain vaping, it’s probably best to stick to RDTAs and direct dripping. This is because of the strength, as well as the direct control, these methods allow. But, if you only have a sub-ohm tank right now, try following the techniques mentioned above. They should keep your coil from burning out so quickly and prevent you from spending an unnecessary amount of money on new atomizers.