Advanced Vaping Mods , Vapers , Vaping Tips
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# The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Sub-Ohm VapingSub-ohm vaping (where the coil is below 1 ohm), or sub-ohming for short, is definitely the preferred choice for vapers. However, due to insufficient information, there are still several misconceptions about it. Many new, and even intermediate, e-cigarette users don't quite know what sub-ohm vaping is or how it works. So, here's a comprehensive guide to help answer any questions you might have.
Before we delve into what sub-ohm vaping is, let's try to understand why you might want to try sub-ohm vaping in the first place. The answer is quite simple: **better flavor** and **bigger clouds**.
Sub-ohm vape mods produce larger and thicker clouds compared to regular mods. Since there's much more vapor, the vape liquid used for sub-ohm atomizers tends to contain less nicotine than that used in generally employed electronic cigarette models. For example, sub-ohm e-liquid is usually **3mg** and has a higher concentration of vegetable glycerin (VG) (**70%+**). More on this later. To delve deeper, let's learn about Ohm's Law.
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## Understanding Ohm's LawEven if you're not a science or physics enthusiast, and even if you're not patient and eager to learn, anyone can understand the basics of Ohm's Law. So, please bear with us as we briefly explain Ohm's Law.
Ohm's Law, in the simplest possible terms, is what sub-ohm vaping is based upon. Furthermore, the mathematical equation of the modern, more simplified Ohm's Law is:
Named after the German physicist Georg Ohm, the law states that the current passing from one point to another through a conductor is directly proportional to the supplied voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance of the conductor.
Simply put, the higher the voltage and the lower the resistance, the more current will pass, and vice versa.
Think of it this way: the less resistance there is to something, the easier it is to overcome. In the case of sub-ohm vaping, a lower resistance atomizer allows more current to pass through it. The increased current causes a metal element to heat up faster. As a result, more e-liquid vaporizes more quickly.
Initially, people tried to use more powerful vape batteries to achieve higher voltage, but there are limitations to how far you can push the amperage. Thus, the focus shifted to reducing resistance to get more current. Low resistance resulted in thicker vapor – this leads us to sub-ohm vaping.
The resistance of a coil used in atomizers is measured in ohms, which loosely defines the amount of current it will allow to pass through. If you keep the voltage constant and lower the coil's resistance, the current passing through the coil will increase.
This makes it hotter and produces more vapor. Generally speaking, thicker wires offer lower resistance because they have more surface area, allowing more current to flow.
Sub-ohm vaping is also referred to as **DL vaping**. DL is short for **Direct Lung Vaping**, meaning the vapor is drawn directly into the lungs.
Standard vaping with coils above 1.0 ohm is also called **MTL vaping**. MTL vaping stands for **Mouth-to-Lung**. This means the vapor is drawn into the mouth and then inhaled, just like smoking a cigarette. The coil value doesn't necessarily have to be above 1 ohm; this is entirely up to the electronic cigarette user. For instance, with a thin 28ga e-cigarette wire, you can achieve a 0.6 ohm resistance and fire it at 15W, producing similar vapor to a 26ga 1 ohm wire with a different coil build, though a flavor difference is normal.
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## Is Sub-Ohm Vaping Safe?The brutally honest answer to whether sub-ohm vaping is safe is yes and probably no. Depending on the type of vape tank and mod you choose, there can be some risks, but sub-ohm vaping is not categorically dangerous.
Since there is a wide variety of coils, heating temperatures, coil materials, and e-liquid fluids, only high-quality products made by skilled and experienced vendors can enhance safety conditions. In other words, the safest way is to use a **regulated box mod** instead of a mechanical mod. However, if you want to try sub-ohm vaping with a mechanical mod, check the temperature of the batteries periodically and ensure they have good airflow.
➢ **NOTE:** Trelektroniksiga does not recommend the use of mechanical mods for new e-cigarette users. A mechanical mod draws current directly from a battery with no regulation or safety features. It's very easy to make a mistake, fry a coil, or even experience a battery thermal runaway, which is extremely dangerous. Today's regulated mods can fully provide optimal vapor production. Mechanical mods are used very rarely and do not contain information such as wattage settings or ohm values. New generation electronic cigarette models are designed with correct, reliable current regulation for power outputs; they have names like **box mod** and **TC mod**. These electronic cigarette models generally have screens; screenless models contain electronic circuits and have many protection circuits. Generally, protection statuses include: **low current protection, low resistance protection, high resistance protection, short circuit protection, and 8-12 second firing cut-off protection**. These protection circuits are generally not present in mechanical mods. For example, regarding short-circuit protection, if you attach a wire with 0.001ohm resistance to a mechanical mod, pressing the fire button will cause it to fire. Since the ohm is very low, the wire will instantly overheat and can burn the cotton to flames. However, when you attach the same wire to a safety-protected mod, the device will detect the low ohm value and will not fire. Generally, the allowed operating value is **0.1ohm**.
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## Battery ConsiderationsThe most crucial components in sub-ohm vaping, upon which the reliability and robustness of the entire unit depend, are the **vape batteries**. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand the capabilities and limitations of the batteries you are using, especially their discharge rates. Some batteries have safe discharge rates under seven amps, while others are safe at 20 amps and even higher values. There are also 7-amp flashlight batteries that resemble e-cigarette batteries; these are cheap batteries but do not support high wattages due to their low current values. Above 10W, the device may give a battery warning, and they will heat up excessively at higher values.
When you decrease the resistance of the coil, the required discharge rate for the battery increases. To be on the safe side, the basic rule is to use batteries with the highest discharge rate with high-resistance coils. However, this can cost you in terms of vapor volume and flavor. You must find common ground or a so-called sweet spot – this is where experience and knowledge truly matter.
The most common sub-ohm box mod vape batteries are **18650s**. There are also 20700s and 21700s, but 18650s are the most commonly used. It is always recommended to use an external battery charger for 18650, 20700, and 21700 batteries.
Box mod electronic cigarette kits or pen-style e-cigarette models also come with built-in batteries, also known as internal batteries. Using built-in, internal batteries offers several advantages. Firstly, avoiding the cost of having to purchase vape batteries separately. Additionally, removable batteries are more prone to damage – in which case, it's wise to remember that a damaged battery is a dangerous battery. The disadvantage of electronic cigarette models with built-in batteries is that they run out of charge quickly due to low battery capacity; the average lifespan of a battery is 1.5 years, and replacing internal batteries can cost as much as the device itself.
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## Advantages of Sub-Ohm VapingWhen it comes to identifying the advantages of sub-ohm vaping, there are 3 main benefits:
1) **More Vapor**
2) **Better Flavor**
3) **Warmer Vapor**
You'll be blowing the biggest clouds among your friends! But it's probably not the best thing to do in the office or in the car. The flavor is intense yet very smooth – after trying sub-ohm vaping, it's almost impossible to go back to any other type of vaping.
Most experienced e-cigarette users love a warmer vape, and that's what sub-ohm vaping guarantees. Don't worry, the temperature won't burn your lips thanks to the wide airflow in the sub-ohm tank, which brings the vape to a comfortable warmth.
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## Approaches to Sub-Ohm VapingDepending on the type of atomizer you use, there are 3 different options for sub-ohming.
### 1) Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers (RDAs)
Also known as drippers, RDAs are where it all began. Early e-cigarette users used devices that could be attached to a mod, slightly smaller than a tank. These devices are equipped with coils and a cotton wick. The user had to drip e-liquid onto the cotton every few puffs. As of 2019, RDAs are almost exclusively used by the most dedicated vaping enthusiasts. The GeekVape Peerless RDA is a quite popular atomizer.
The advantages of RDA atomizers are large vapor production, easy setup, and excellent flavor, while their disadvantages include the need for constant refilling as they don't have a liquid tank.
### 2) Rebuildable Tank Atomizers (RTAs)
A Rebuildable Tank Atomizer, or **RTA** for short, is an advanced form of RDA that doesn't require constant dripping. These are essentially RDA-based atomizers with a built-in rebuildable atomizer deck. RTAs offer the highest volume of vapor as well as very good flavor. Like RDAs, not many e-cigarette users use RTAs anymore. The art of building your own coils is great, but most people just want vapor! Pre-built coils can deliver just as much flavor, if not more, than RDAs and RTAs. The difference between an RTA and an RDA is the glass liquid reservoir; generally, a glass chamber protects the liquid located on the outer part of what is called the combustion chamber.
### 3) Sub-Ohm Tanks
Until recently, sub-ohm vaping was nothing short of a hassle. You had to buy a mod (mechanical or box mod), rechargeable batteries, Kanthal or Nichrome wire, organic cotton, and other things. Sub-ohm tanks have truly made life easier because you can fire them on almost any mod capable of operating at 30 watts or higher and start blowing massive clouds. They are quite similar to RTAs, but they bring convenience to a whole new level. Sub-ohm tanks have internal atomizer structures referred to as pre-built coils. While in RTA or RDA atomizers, the e-cigarette user has to prepare the wire and cotton, in a sub-ohm tank, this comes as a ready-made system that can be easily removed and replaced.
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## Other Sub-Ohm Vaping Styles### 1) Temperature Control Vaping (TC)
Temperature control vaping uses sub-ohm or MTL atomizer coils. However, instead of adjusting the wattage, the user chooses a vaping temperature instead. Most modern sub-ohm vape mods come with a temperature control option. This is usually indicated as a **TC mode**. Generally, e-cigarette users prefer wattage mode over TC mode, which might be due to habit or ease of use.
For example, the **Vaporesso Luxe S Mod set kit** is capable of temperature control vaping. TC vaping temperature settings are typically between 200F and 600F. Now, you'll never truly use 600F; 400F is more than enough for most. However, the idea is that the mod provides enough power for the coil to reach the desired temperature.
You cannot use standard Kanthal vape coils for TC vaping. Instead, temperature control requires one of the following coil materials:
* **Nickel**
* **Stainless steel**
* **Titanium**
The TC mode will prompt the user to input the type of coil material being used. As a quick note, stainless steel coils can be used in both temperature control mode and power mode, or variable wattage.
### 2) Squonking
What is squonking? That's a funny word! But squonking refers to vaping with a **squonk mod**. A squonk mod pairs with an RDA or RTA that has a hollow 510 center pin. The pin is hollow because a squonker device includes a built-in vape liquid bottle. The user squeezes the bottle to fill the atomizer base with e-liquid. Squonking is another sub-ohm vaping style where the user builds their own coils. As a result, it is generally limited to more dedicated enthusiasts.
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## E-liquid for Sub-Ohm VapingE-liquid for sub-ohm vaping should have at least **70% VG content**. 50/50 or PG-heavy e-liquid will not be suitable for sub-ohm vaping. VG liquid is thicker and is made for low-resistance vape coils. Additionally, VG creates a large amount of vapor. There is always at least some PG in a VG vape juice to carry the flavor. You see, VG creates big clouds but doesn't carry flavor as well as PG. In sub-ohm atomizers, the liquid feeding channels are quite wide in both rebuildable RTA atomizers and sub-ohm atomizers using pre-built coils. For this reason, using e-liquids with high PG content can lead to liquid leakage. Therefore, we at Trelektroniksigara recommend using low-nicotine and high-VG e-liquids in high-vapor devices or atomizers.
Here's another very important note. Since there will be much more vapor production, a sub-ohm vape doesn't need as much nicotine as standard mod or e-cig uses. The highest nicotine content recommended for sub-ohming is **6mg**. Most e-cigarette users use **3mg**.
