Vape coils heat your e-liquid and turn it into vapor. The coil you choose affects flavor strength, cloud size, and how often you refill. This guide explains coil types, resistance levels, and replacement timing for vapers in Dubai.
What Are Vape Coils?
A vape coil sits inside your tank or pod. It contains a metal wire wrapped in a coil shape. Cotton or another wicking material surrounds this wire.
Here’s how it works. When you press the fire button, battery power flows through the wire. The wire heats up. This heat vaporizes the e-liquid soaked into the cotton. You then inhale the resulting vapor.
The coil is a replaceable part. After one to three weeks of use, the wire degrades and cotton burns. You then swap in a fresh coil.
Types of Vape Coils
Standard Wire Coils
Standard coils use a single wire wrapped multiple times. The wire is usually Kanthal or Nichrome.
Kanthal combines iron, chromium, and aluminum. It heats quickly and holds its shape well. Most pre-made coils use Kanthal because it’s durable and affordable.
Nichrome contains nickel and chromium. It heats faster than Kanthal and produces slightly better flavor. Some vapers prefer Nichrome for this reason.
Standard wire coils work for both beginners and experienced vapers. They’re reliable and easy to find in Dubai vape shops.
Mesh Coils
Mesh coils use a flat metal sheet instead of wrapped wire. This sheet has tiny holes throughout its surface.
The mesh design provides more surface area than traditional wire. More surface area means more even heating. This creates better flavor and smoother vapor.
Mesh coils also last longer than standard coils. The even heat distribution prevents hot spots that burn cotton quickly. Most Dubai vapers now choose mesh coils for pod systems and sub-ohm tanks.
Ceramic Coils
Ceramic coils contain a porous ceramic material instead of cotton. The ceramic absorbs e-liquid like cotton does.
Ceramic handles heat better than cotton. It doesn’t burn as easily. This gives ceramic coils a longer lifespan than cotton-wicked coils.
The flavor from ceramic coils is cleaner. There’s no cotton taste, especially when the coil is new. However, ceramic coils cost more and aren’t available for every device.
Understanding Coil Resistance
Resistance measures how much the coil opposes electrical current. We measure resistance in ohms (Ω).
Lower resistance means electricity flows more easily. The coil heats faster and hotter. Higher resistance restricts electrical flow. The coil heats slower and cooler.
High Resistance Coils (Above 1.0Ω)
High resistance coils work at lower power levels. They produce less vapor and deliver a cooler vape.
These coils suit mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping. MTL is like smoking a cigarette. You draw vapor into your mouth first, then inhale to your lungs.
High resistance coils work best with e-liquids that have 50% or more PG (propylene glycol). They pair well with nicotine salts and higher nicotine strengths.
Common resistances: 1.0Ω, 1.2Ω, 1.4Ω, 1.8Ω
Battery life: Excellent – these coils draw less power
E-liquid consumption: Low – you’ll refill less often
Medium Resistance Coils (0.6Ω to 0.9Ω)
Medium resistance coils balance vapor production and battery life. They create more vapor than high resistance coils but less than sub-ohm options.
These coils suit restricted direct lung (RDL) vaping. RDL sits between MTL and full lung hits. You get moderate clouds without excessive e-liquid consumption.
Medium resistance works with e-liquids from 50/50 to 70% VG (vegetable glycerin). Nicotine strengths between 3mg and 12mg work well.
Common resistances: 0.6Ω, 0.7Ω, 0.8Ω
Battery life: Good – moderate power draw
E-liquid consumption: Medium – balanced usage
Low Resistance Coils (Below 0.5Ω)
Low resistance coils are called sub-ohm coils. They operate at high power levels and produce large vapor clouds.
These coils suit direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping. You inhale vapor straight into your lungs like taking a deep breath. This technique creates the big clouds you see in vape shops.
Sub-ohm coils need e-liquids with 70% VG or higher. The thick consistency handles high heat without harsh throat hit. Use low nicotine strengths (3mg to 6mg) because each puff delivers more vapor.
Common resistances: 0.15Ω, 0.2Ω, 0.4Ω, 0.5Ω
Battery life: Lower – high power consumption
E-liquid consumption: High – you’ll refill frequently
Resistance and Wattage Relationship
Each coil has a recommended wattage range printed on its side. This range tells you the safe power level.
Lower resistance coils need higher wattage. A 0.2Ω coil might require 60-80 watts. Higher resistance coils need lower wattage. A 1.2Ω coil might only need 10-15 watts.
Using the wrong wattage causes problems. Too low and you get weak flavor with little vapor. Too high and you burn the coil immediately.
Always start at the lower end of the recommended range. Increase wattage gradually until you find your preferred warmth and vapor production.
Coil Compatibility
Not every coil fits every device. Manufacturers design coils for specific tanks and pods.
Check your device manual or the manufacturer’s website. Look for the coil series name. For example, VooPoo PnP coils, Vaporesso GTX coils, or GeekVape B Series coils.
In Dubai shops, ask staff which coils work with your device. Bring your device or write down the model name. This saves time and prevents buying wrong coils.
Some coil families work across multiple devices from the same brand. VooPoo PnP coils fit Drag S, Drag X, Vinci, and several other VooPoo devices. This cross-compatibility is convenient but not universal.
When to Replace Your Coil
Coils don’t last forever. Several signs indicate replacement time.
Burnt taste
This is the clearest sign. Once you taste burning, the coil is done. The cotton has charred and won’t recover.
Weak flavor
Fresh coils deliver strong, clear flavor. As coils age, flavor becomes muted. If your favorite e-liquid tastes dull, check the coil.
Reduced vapor
Old coils produce less vapor at the same wattage. If clouds suddenly shrink, the coil likely needs replacement.
Dark e-liquid color
Check the e-liquid in your tank. If it looks darker or has floating particles, the coil is breaking down.
Leaking
Worn coils can cause leaking. The damaged cotton can’t hold e-liquid properly.
Gurgling sounds
If your device makes gurgling noises, the coil might be flooded or damaged.
Coil Lifespan Factors
Most coils last one to three weeks. Several factors affect this timeline.
E-liquid type: Sweet e-liquids contain more sucralose. This sweetener caramelizes on coils and clogs them faster. Dessert and candy flavors typically reduce coil life.
Vaping frequency: Heavy users burn through coils faster. If you vape all day, expect to change coils weekly.
Wattage level: Higher wattage creates more heat stress. This degrades coils faster than lower wattage vaping.
E-liquid VG ratio: High VG e-liquids are thicker. They can clog coils more quickly than higher PG liquids.
Priming quality: Properly primed coils last longer. We’ll cover priming in the next section.
How to Replace Your Coil
Step 1: Remove the old coil
Let your device cool for a few minutes. Unscrew the tank from the battery. For pod systems, remove the pod.
Empty any remaining e-liquid from the tank. Unscrew the old coil from the base. Some coils push in and pull out instead of screwing.
Dispose of the old coil properly. Don’t try to clean and reuse it.
Step 2: Prime the new coil
Priming prevents burnt hits and extends coil life. Take your new coil and drip e-liquid directly onto the cotton visible through the coil’s side holes. Add 4-6 drops.
Also drip a few drops into the top of the coil where the cotton is exposed.
Wait 5 minutes. This lets the cotton fully saturate with e-liquid.
Step 3: Install the new coil
Screw the new coil into the tank base. Hand-tighten only. Don’t force it or use tools.
Fill your tank with e-liquid. Reassemble your device.
Step 4: Break in the coil
Start at the lowest recommended wattage for your new coil. Take 4-5 short puffs without firing. This creates suction that pulls e-liquid into the cotton.
Take your first few real puffs at low power. Gradually increase wattage over the next 10-15 puffs until you reach your preferred setting.
This break-in period prevents burning the fresh cotton.
Choosing the Right Coil for Your Style
For MTL (Mouth to Lung) Vapers
Choose coils above 1.0Ω. The 1.2Ω to 1.8Ω range works best for most people.
Use e-liquids with 50% or higher PG content. Nicotine salts or freebase nicotine from 12mg to 20mg provides good throat hit.
Set your device to 10-15 watts.
For RDL (Restricted Direct Lung) Vapers
Choose coils between 0.6Ω and 0.9Ω. The 0.6Ω and 0.8Ω options are most popular.
Use e-liquids with 50/50 to 70% VG ratio. Nicotine between 3mg and 12mg works well.
Set your device to 18-30 watts depending on the specific coil.
For DTL (Direct to Lung) Vapers
Choose sub-ohm coils below 0.5Ω. The 0.15Ω to 0.4Ω range is common.
Use e-liquids with 70% VG or higher. Stick to 3mg or 6mg nicotine maximum.
Set your device to 40-80 watts or higher based on coil specifications.
Buying Coils in Dubai
Most Dubai vape shops stock coils from major brands. Popular options include VooPoo, Vaporesso, GeekVape, SMOK, and Uwell.
Coil prices in Dubai typically range from AED 45 to AED 70 for a pack of 4-5 coils. Buying in bulk often provides discounts.
Always buy authentic coils from reputable shops. Counterfeit coils exist and can damage your device or produce unpleasant vapor.
Check the packaging for authenticity stickers or QR codes. Verify these codes on the manufacturer’s website.
Many Dubai shops offer same-day delivery. This convenience helps when you run out of coils unexpectedly.
Final Thoughts
Vape coils determine your entire vaping experience. The right coil delivers great flavor and satisfying vapor. The wrong coil causes frustration and wasted e-liquid.
Remember these key points:
- Higher resistance (above 1.0Ω) suits MTL vaping with higher nicotine
- Lower resistance (below 0.5Ω) suits DTL vaping with lower nicotine
- Mesh coils offer better flavor and longer life than standard coils
- Replace coils when you taste burning or notice weak flavor
- Always prime new coils and break them in gradually
- Match your e-liquid’s VG/PG ratio to your coil resistance
Start with the coil that came with your device. Experiment with different resistances to find your preference. Track how long each coil lasts with different e-liquids.
With experience, you’ll know exactly which coil suits your vaping style and favorite flavors.
