Advanced Vaping 101: A Guide To Vape Customisation
Have you already mastered the basics of vaping and feel ready to take your experience to the next level? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
This guide is designed specifically for experienced vapers who want to dive deeper into the world of advanced vaping. Whether you're curious about the latest mods, interested in building your own coils, or eager to mix your own eliquids, we've got you covered.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide the lowdown on all things advanced vaping, exploring hardware, vaping techniques, coil building and DIY mixing to help you create your own customised vape experience. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to elevate your vaping game. Let's dive in!
What Is Advanced Vaping?
In a nutshell, advanced vaping goes beyond the basics of using a simple vape pen or pod kit. It's about customising your vaping experience to suit your preferences, exploring new techniques, and making the most out of your vape gear.
If you’re a vape user who loves tinkering with your device, experimenting with e-liquid mixing or chasing clouds, then you’re already dabbling in advanced vaping. It’s all about pushing the boundaries and experimenting with different aspects of vaping to find what works best for you.
Advanced vaping can include, but is not limited to:
● Exploring Different Vaping Styles: While many beginners start with mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping, advanced vapers might explore direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping or even restricted direct-to-lung (RDTL) vaping for different sensations and experiences.
● Using Advanced Mods: Mods offer more power and customisation options than basic vape devices. They let you adjust settings like wattage, temperature, and voltage to fine-tune your vaping experience.
● DIY E-Liquid Mixing: Mixing your own e-liquids gives you the freedom to create unique flavours and control the nicotine content. It's a fun and creative way to make your vaping experience truly your own.
● Building Your Own Coils: Instead of buying pre-made coils, many advanced vapers prefer to build their own. This allows for more control over the resistance and performance of the coils, leading to a more personalised vape.
Advanced Vaping Devices
Advanced vape devices are often called sub-ohm vapes, meaning they use coils with a resistance below one ohm. Sub-ohm vapes allow for more vapour production, intense flavour and the ability to fine-tune your experience with an array of settings.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of advanced vape kits:
1. Box Mods
Box mods are the cornerstone of advanced vaping. They offer a wide range of features and benefits that make them a fan favourite among experienced vapers.
Box mods typically come with larger batteries, providing longer usage times which makes them perfect for users in need of extended vaping sessions. Their sturdy build and ergonomic design make them comfortable to use but also incredibly durable.
Most high-quality box mods include customisation features such as variable wattage and temperature control.
2. Mechanical Mods
For those looking for simplicity and a more hands-on experience, mechanical mods are the way to go.
Mechanical mods are basic vape devices without electronic components. They consist of a battery housing, a switch, and a connection to the atomiser. When you press the switch, it completes the circuit, delivering battery power to the coil.
While mechanical mods can provide a powerful vaping experience, they require a good understanding of battery safety and Ohm's law. To find out more, head over to our in-depth Ohm’s Law Vaping Guide.
3. Pod Mods
Pod mods bridge the gap between traditional pod systems and advanced mods, offering the best of both worlds.
Unlike standard pod kits, pod mods boast adjustable settings like wattage and sometimes even temperature control. They offer more power and are compatible with sub-ohm coils, allowing for greater vapour production and better flavour.
Pod mods are perfect for vapers who want more control and power but still appreciate the convenience and portability of a pod system.
Rebuildable Atomisers
Now that we’ve covered common advanced vaping devices, it’s time to explore rebuildable atomisers (RBAs). While these aren’t essential for advanced vaping, they’re a favourite among the most experienced vape fans who want ultimate freedom and customisation.
RBAs often look like a traditional tank and can be added onto the mods we discussed earlier, such as box mods, mechanical mods, and pod mods.
What Are Rebuildable Atomisers?
Rebuildable Atomisers (RBAs) are a type of vaping device that allows users to build and customise their own coils and wicking. They look and feel like a vape tank, but unlike standard pre-built coil tanks, RBAs offer advanced vapers the opportunity to tailor their vaping experience to their exact preferences.
If you don’t have any experience with rebuildables, some of the technical terms can seem confusing at first glance. Be sure to head over to our handy Vape Glossary to decipher any terms you’re unsure about.
Types of Rebuildable Atomisers
There are several types of RBAs, each with its own unique features and advantages:
Rebuildable Dripping Atomisers (RDAs):
● Design: RDAs do not have a tank to hold e-liquid. Instead, users drip e-liquid directly onto the exposed coils and wicks.
● Pros: RDAs are known for producing intense flavour and large vapour clouds due to their direct juice-to-coil design.
● Cons: They require frequent dripping, which can be inconvenient for some users.
Rebuildable Tank Atomisers (RTAs):
● Design: RTAs combine the rebuildable coil deck of an RDA with a tank to hold e-liquid, offering the convenience of a tank with the customisation of a rebuildable deck.
● Pros: They provide a consistent supply of e-liquid to the coils without the need for constant dripping.
● Cons: They can be more complex to build and wick properly to avoid leaking or dry hits.
Rebuildable
Dripping Tank Atomisers (RDTAs):
● Design: RDTAs merge the features of RDAs and RTAs, with a build deck positioned above a tank. E-liquid wicks up to the coils through gravity.
● Pros: They offer the flavour and vapour production of an RDA with the convenience of a tank.
● Cons: They can be tricky to build and wick correctly.
The coil is one of the most important parts of an experienced vaper’s toolkit, as it has the power to truly make or break your experience.
Advanced vape coils are typically sub-ohm coils, which means they have a resistance of less than 1 ohm. This lower resistance allows for higher power levels and greater vapour production, making them a favourite among cloud chasers and flavour enthusiasts.
You can find pre-made advanced coils from many popular brands, including Voopoo and Smok, which offer convenience and consistent quality. However, if you're up for a challenge and want the full DIY experience, building your own coils allows for ultimate customisation.
For more information about coils in general, head over to our in-depth Coil Guide.
Types of Advanced Vape Coils
If you’re installing pre-made coils, you don’t need to worry too much about the type of coil you’re using besides its resistance and material. But, if you’re into rebuildable atomisers (RBAs), understanding the different coil types is crucial.
Coil types vary based on the number of wires used, and how they're twisted, wrapped, and spaced. Here’s a rundown of the most popular advanced vape coils:
● Clapton Coils
Clapton coils feature a thin wire wrapped tightly around a thicker core wire, resembling guitar strings. The intricate design allows for more e-liquid to be absorbed, resulting in richer flavours.
● Alien Coils
Alien coils are a type of Clapton coil with a unique, wavy outer wire. Their complex build provides even heating.
● Fused Clapton Coils
These are made by wrapping thin wire around two or more parallel core wires. They offer more surface area compared to regular Clapton coils to improve wicking, flavour and vapour production.
● Staggered Fused Clapton Coils
These include two Clapton coils fused together with spaced wraps, creating a staggered appearance. This improves eliquid absorption.
● Staple Coils
These coils are made by stacking thin flat wires together and then wrapping them with a thinner wire for increased surface area and flavour.
● Tiger Coils
These are composed of a flat wire twisted with a round wire, creating a tiger stripe pattern.
● Mesh Coils
Mesh coils are made from a strip of mesh rather than a traditional wire and allow for quick and even heating.
How To Build Your Own Vape Coil
Building your own vape coil can seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of practice and patience, it can become a rewarding experience for some vapers. Creating custom coils allows you to fine-tune your vaping experience, providing better flavour and vapour production tailored to your preferences.
Whether you're using a rebuildable atomiser (RBA), rebuildable dripping atomiser (RDA), or a rebuildable tank atomiser (RTA), the principles of coil building remain largely the same. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.
What You’ll Need:
● Wire: Common types include Kanthal, Nichrome, and Stainless Steel.
● Coil Jig or Rod: For wrapping the wire into coils.
● Wire Cutters: To trim the wire to the desired length.
● Ceramic Tweezers: For adjusting the coil.
● Ohm Meter: To check the coil's resistance.
● Cotton: For wicking the coil.
● Scissors: For trimming the cotton.
1. Choose Your Wire,
Decide on the type and gauge of wire you want to use. Kanthal is a popular choice for beginners as it’s very durable. Select the gauge based on your desired resistance; thinner wires (higher gauge) provide higher resistance, while thicker wires (lower gauge) offer lower resistance.
2. Cut The Wire, Measure and cut a piece of wire, usually around 6-8 inches long. This length gives you enough wire to create your coil and make further adjustments if needed.
3. Wrap The Coil,
Using a coil jig or rod, start wrapping the wire around the tool. Aim for 6-8 wraps for a standard coil. Keep the wraps close together and even. The number of wraps and the diameter of the rod will determine the coil's resistance.
4. Install The Coil, Insert the coil into the posts of your RBA, RDA, or RTA. Tighten the screws to secure the coil in place. Make sure the coil is centred and positioned directly over the airflow holes.
5. Check The Resistance,
Use your ohm metre to check the resistance of your coil and make sure it falls within the safe range for your device and battery.
6. Adjust The Coil, Gently pulse the coil on a low wattage setting to remove any hot spots. Use your tweezers to adjust the coil until it heats evenly from the centre outwards. Avoid squeezing the coil too tightly to maintain its shape and spacing.
7. Wick The Coil, Cut a strip of cotton and roll one end to fit through the coil. Pull the cotton through the coil, ensuring it is snug but not too tight. Trim the ends of the cotton so they fit neatly into the wicking channels.
8. Prime The Coil, Saturate the cotton with e-liquid to prepare it for vaping. Make sure the cotton is fully soaked to avoid dry hits.
9. Assemble The Atomiser, Carefully reassemble your atomiser, ensuring all parts are secure. Check for any leaks or loose connections.
10. Test It Out,
Start vaping at a low wattage and gradually increase it to find your preferred setting. Monitor the coil for any issues and make adjustments as needed.
Advanced Vaping E-Liquid
When it comes to advanced vaping, the e-liquid you choose plays a crucial role in shaping your overall experience.
Advanced vapers often look for specific qualities in their e-liquids to achieve optimal performance and satisfaction. This includes higher VG (Vegetable Glycerin) ratios for vapour production, complex flavour profiles, and custom nicotine strengths.
Whether you're buying pre-made e-liquids or mixing your own, understanding the intricacies of advanced e-liquids can elevate your vaping journey. Here are some things to consider when picking out the right advanced e-liquid for you:
High VG Eliquid
For advanced vapers, especially those using sub-ohm devices, high VG e-liquids are a popular choice. VG is thicker than PG (Propylene Glycol) and is known for producing dense, voluminous clouds.
High VG e-liquids generally have a smoother throat hit, making them ideal for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping. However, they might not be suitable for all devices, so be sure to check your device is compatible before trying it out.
Shortfills & Nicotine Shots
Shortfills are a favourite among advanced vapers due to their flexibility. These are larger bottles of e-liquid that leave room for the addition of nicotine shots. For example, a 50ml shortfill bottle will typically have 10ml of space for a nicotine shot. This allows you to customise your nicotine strength without sacrificing flavour or cloud production.
If you plan on using short fills and nic shots, be sure to check out our handy Nic Shot Calculator to work out the exact amount needed for your desired nicotine strength.
To mix a shortfill:
1. Add Nicotine Shot: Remove the cap of your shortfill bottle and pour in the nicotine shot.
2. Shake Well: Secure the cap and shake the bottle vigorously to ensure the nicotine is evenly distributed.
3. Steep If Necessary: Some flavours benefit from a short steeping period to blend properly. Leave the bottle in a cool, dark place for a few days if needed.
What You’ll Need:
● PG and VG base liquids
● Nicotine solution
● Flavour concentrates
● Empty bottles for mixing
● Syringes and measuring tools
● Gloves
Method:
1. Calculate Your Recipe: Work out the correct proportions of each ingredient. If you don’t know how to do this, there are plenty of handy online calculators to help you.
2. Measure Ingredients: Using a syringe or pipette, measure out your base liquids, nicotine, and flavour concentrates.
3. Combine and Mix: Pour all ingredients into a mixing bottle and shake well.
4. Steep Your E-Liquid: Allow your mix to steep, shaking it occasionally to help blend the flavours.
Mixing E Liquid Tips
While DIY E-liquid mixing can be a fun and rewarding experience, it can feel like a daunting task for those who have never tried it before. Now that we’ve covered the basic instructions, here are some helpful tips to help you create your perfect blend:
Measure Accurately
When mixing your own e-liquid, accurately measuring your ingredients is crucial. Using syringes or pipettes with marked measurements can make this process much easier. This is especially important for nicotine, as small variations can significantly affect the strength of your final product.
Keep Records
If you’ve mixed an e-liquid that you really enjoy, be sure to write down your recipe! This should include the exact amount of each ingredient, the date you mixed it and how long you steeped the blend for. This will make it easier to replicate your favourite blends in future.
Test Small Batches
When trying new flavour combinations, mix small test batches first. This lets you fine-tune your recipes without wasting ingredients. Once you're happy with a test batch, you can scale up to produce larger quantities.
Advanced Vaping Techniques
Sub Ohm Vaping
Sub-ohm vaping is the most popular vaping style among advanced users, and as we touched upon earlier, it involves using a coil with a resistance less than one ohm. This technique allows more power from the battery to heat the coil, producing larger vapour clouds and more intense flavours.
Pros & Cons Of Sub Ohm Vaping
Pros:
● Bigger Clouds: Sub-ohm setups produce large vapour clouds, making them great for cloud chasers.
● Enhanced Flavour: The increased vapour production can enhance the flavour profile of your e-liquids.
● Warmer Vape: Many users enjoy the warmer vapour that sub-ohm coils produce.
Cons:
● Increased E-Liquid Consumption: More vapour means more e-liquid usage, which can be costly.
● Battery Drain: Sub-ohm vaping uses more battery power, so you'll need to charge your device more often.
● Not for Everyone: The intense experience can be overwhelming for beginners or those who prefer a milder vape.
Temperature Control Vaping
Temperature control (TC) vaping allows you to set a specific temperature for your coil. The device then adjusts the power to maintain that temperature, providing a consistent vape. This method prevents dry hits and extends the life of your coils.
How To Set Up Temperature Control
1. Choose the Right Coil: Make sure your coil is made from a TC-compatible material (nickel, titanium, or stainless steel).
2. Install the Coil: Place the coil in your atomiser and ensure it is properly secured.
3. Set the Temperature: Turn on your device, switch to TC mode, and select your desired temperature.
Cloud Chasing
Cloud chasing is all about creating the biggest, densest vapour clouds possible. It's a hobby for many vaping enthusiasts and even a competitive sport for some. Cloud chasers use high-powered devices and specialised coils to maximise vapour production, often prioritising huge clouds over flavour and battery life.
Best Setups for Cloud Chasing:
High-Wattage Devices: Use mods that can handle high wattages and low-resistance builds. These devices deliver the power needed for big clouds.
Low-Resistance Coils: Opt for coils with very low resistance (below 0.5 ohms). These have a larger surface area, boosting vapour production.
Sub-Ohm Tanks and RDAs: Sub-ohm tanks and rebuildable dripping atomizers (RDAs) with wide airflow slots are perfect for cloud chasing. RDAs offer more customisation for coil builds and airflow.
High-VG E-Liquids: Use e-liquids with high vegetable glycerin (VG) content (70% or more). VG is thicker than propylene glycol (PG) and produces denser vapour clouds.
Adequate Airflow: Make sure your device has adjustable airflow to allow for maximum air intake. More airflow helps cool the coil, letting you vape at higher wattages without overheating.
Advanced Vaping: Maintenance & Safety
If you’ve splashed out on expensive vape equipment or spent valuable time building your own parts, it’s all the more crucial to keep on top of maintenance and care. Here’s some guidance on how to keep your gear in tip-top shape and ensure a safe vape experience:
Clean Your Kit Regularly
Keeping your device clean is essential for optimal performance. Residue build-up can affect the flavour and vapour production.
● Tanks and Atomisers: Disassemble your tank and wash all parts with warm water. Use a small brush to clean hard-to-reach areas. Let everything dry completely before reassembling.
● Coils: If you’re using rebuildable coils, clean them by rinsing with water and let them dry. Replace pre-made coils regularly as they wear out over time.
Be Mindful Of Battery Safety
Advanced vaping often involves high wattage, which puts a significant load on your batteries.
Use the Right Batteries: Only use high-quality batteries from reputable brands. Check the amp rating to ensure they can handle the power your device requires.
Battery Condition: Regularly inspect your batteries for any signs of damage, such as tears in the wrap or dents. Replace damaged batteries immediately.
Battery Storage: Store batteries in a case to prevent them from coming into contact with metal objects that could cause a short circuit.
Take Care When Coil Building
Although building your own coils can be rewarding and cost-effective, it requires precision and care.
● Check for Shorts: Before firing a new coil, always check for shorts with an ohm reader or your mod’s built-in resistance checker.
● Secure Connections: Ensure your coils are tightly secured to the posts. Loose connections can cause hot spots, leading to uneven heating and potential shorts.
● Wick Properly: Use the right amount of wick – too much or too little can cause dry hits or flooding. The wick should be snug but not too tight within the coil.
Practise Safe Temperature Control
Advanced devices often come with a whole host of great features to enhance your vaping experience, but using these incorrectly could cause issues.
Know Your Device: Familiarise yourself with your device’s features and functions. Read the manual and understand how to adjust settings like wattage and temperature.
Monitor Temperature: When using temperature control, set a safe maximum temperature to avoid overheating your coils and wick.
Adjust Wattage Gradually: Increase wattage gradually to find the sweet spot for your coils and e-liquid. Starting too high can burn your wick and ruin the coil.
Is Advanced Vaping Right For Me?
Advanced vaping allows you to personalise every aspect of your experience, from devices and coils to e-liquids. If you enjoy tinkering and tailoring your setup, it could be a great fit for you. However, be prepared to invest time in learning about Ohm’s Law, battery safety, and device functions. For those who like diving into technical details, this can be an engaging and rewarding process.
If you’re seeking a more intense and satisfying vape, advanced vaping offers a whole host of great features. Keep in mind, though, that with more customisation comes the need for regular maintenance. Cleaning, careful coil building, and battery care are essential to keeping your gear in top shape. If you don’t mind dealing with a bit of upkeep, you’ll find advanced vaping a breeze.
In short, if you’re up for a challenge and enjoy pushing your boundaries, advanced vaping could be the perfect next step for you. It combines technical learning with creative experimentation, offering a fun experience for dedicated and experienced vape fans.
Advanced Vaping at myCigara
At myCigara, our mission is to make the UK smoke-free. We believe vaping is one of the best options for those looking to quit smoking, which is why we provide a whole host of great user guides that give readers the information they need to decide if vaping is right for them.
If you're new to vaping and stumbled upon this page, we have plenty of simpler tips and guides available to help you get started. You can also visit your nearest myCigara vape shop to chat with our expert staff or
Jemma Wolfe
Lead Content Writer @myCigara
I'm Jemma, a writer and ex-smoker with a passion for vaping. Since ditching the cigs over a year ago, I've used a whole host of vaping products to help me stay smoke-free and live a healthier lifestyle.
Now, my goal is to help others along their quit smoking journey by writing expert reviews and providing vaping guidance. When I’m not writing, you can find me curled up with a good book, hanging out with my cats or watching live music.
