What Does a Vape Coil Do and When Should You Replace It?

Every vape device relies on a small but crucial component: The Coil. Understanding how coils function and recognising when they need replacing can make the difference between enjoying great flavour from your favourite vape juices and dealing with burnt, unpleasant hits and wasted e-liquid. 

If you've ever wondered how your vape device turns liquid into vapour, the answer lies in a small component called the coil. Whether you're completely new to vaping or looking to better understand your device, knowing what coils do and how to maintain them properly is essential knowledge that all vapers can benefit from.

Coils are consumable parts that wear out over time, like a lightbulb or a water filter—they need replacing regularly. Understanding their function helps you get better performance from your vape kit, and the best taste from your e-liquid, while knowing when to replace them ensures you always enjoy the best possible flavour and vapour production. 

This guide covers everything you need to know about coil function, lifespan, and replacement - perfect for anyone wanting to get the most from their vaping experience.

Key Takeaways 
Vape coils are heating elements that turn e-liquid into vapour through carefully regulated heating 
Most coils last 5-10 days with regular use, depending on e-liquid type and vaping habits 
Signs of coil wear include burnt taste, reduced vapour, gurgling, and muted flavours 
Proper priming extends coil life and prevents dry hits from the start 
Regular replacement maintains optimal flavour and prevents damage to your device

What Does a Vape Coil Actually Do? 
At its most basic level, a vape coil is a heating element - similar to the element in your kettle or toaster, but much smaller and designed specifically for vaporising e-liquid.

The Basic Process 
When you press your device's fire button or simply inhale (on auto-draw devices), electricity flows from the battery and through the coil's resistance wire. This creates heat, which warms the e-liquid that's been absorbed into the cotton wick surrounding the coil. As the e-liquid heats up, it evaporates the liquid turning it into vapour, which you then inhale.

Inside a Coil 
Most coils contain three main components: 

Resistance wire - Usually made from materials like Kanthal or stainless steel, this creates heat when electricity passes through it. 

Cotton wick - High-quality cotton that absorbs e-liquid and delivers it to the heating wire. 

Metal casing - Holds everything together and screws into your tank or pod. 

The resistance of the wire (measured in ohms) determines how much power the coil draws and how hot it gets, which affects both flavour and vapour production.

How Long Should a Coil Last? 
Most vape coils last between 5-10 days with regular use, though this can vary significantly based on several factors. Some light users might get two weeks from a coil, while heavy vapers using sweet e-liquids might need to change them every few days.

What Affects Coil Lifespan? 
E-liquid type: Sweet or heavily flavoured e-liquids tend to shorten coil life because they can caramelise on the heating element, creating buildup that affects performance. 

Vaping frequency: The more you vape, the more wear your coil experiences. Taking several puffs in quick succession—known as chain vaping—can quickly wear out your coil. 

Wattage settings: Higher wattages create more heat and stress, potentially shortening coil life if used consistently above recommended ranges. 

Priming quality: Properly primed coils last longer because the cotton starts fully saturated, preventing initial burning that can damage the wick. 

E-liquid viscosity: Thick high-VG liquids can be harder for coils to wick, potentially causing dry spots that reduce lifespan.

How Do I Know When My Coil Needs Replacing? 
Your coil will give you several clear signals when it's time for a replacement. Learning to recognise these signs helps you change coils before they completely fail.

Reduced Vapour Production: A noticeable drop in vapour output at your usual settings often indicates coil wear. The heating element may not be working efficiently, or the cotton may not be wicking properly. 

Gurgling or Leaking: When vape coils wear out, they may not vaporise e-liquid effectively, leading to flooding in your tank. This can cause gurgling sounds when you vape or e-liquid leaking from your device. 

Muted or Strange Flavours: Even without a burnt taste, worn coils often produce weaker flavours or unusual aftertastes. If your e-liquid doesn't taste as vibrant as usual, it's often time for a fresh coil. 

Visual Signs: If you can see your coil, look for dark buildup, blackened cotton, or a generally grimy appearance. These visual cues confirm what your taste buds are probably already telling you.

Burnt or Unpleasant Taste: This is usually the first and most obvious sign. If your favourite e-liquid suddenly tastes burnt, charred, or just "off," your coil has likely reached the end of its useful life. The cotton wick may have burnt or become too clogged with residue to function properly.

Note: Not all coils are the replaceable kind, the sort you can access yourself. Many are prebuilt into disposable pods of the sort you’ll find with many pod vape kits or prefilled pod kits.

How to Make Your Coils Last Longer 
While coils are consumable items, proper care can extend their lifespan and improve your overall vaping experience.

Prime Every New Coil 
Never skip priming. This crucial step saturates the cotton before first use: 
Apply e-liquid: Put 2-3 drops directly onto visible cotton wicking ports 
Fill your tank: Add your e-liquid and let the device sit for 5-10 minutes 
Start low: Begin vaping at the lower end of your coil's recommended wattage range 
Gradually increase: Work up to your preferred power level over several puffs

Avoid Chain Vaping 
Give your coil time to re-saturate between puffs, especially with thicker e-liquids. Taking a short break between draws helps prevent the cotton from drying out. 

Keep Your Tank Topped Up 
Running your tank low can expose parts of the cotton wick, leading to dry hits that can permanently damage your coil. Try to refill when you reach about 25% capacity. 

Use Appropriate Wattages 
Stay within your coil's recommended wattage range. Too low won't vaporise effectively, while too high can burn the cotton or overheat the wire. 

Choose Your E-Liquids Wisely 
While you should vape what you enjoy, be aware that very sweet or dark-coloured e-liquids tend to shorten coil life due to caramelisation and residue buildup.

What Happens If I Don't Replace Worn Coils? 
Continuing to use worn-out coils affects more than just flavour:

Poor taste experience: Burnt or muted flavours make vaping unenjoyable and waste your e-liquid investment. 

Potential device damage: Severely degraded coils can leak, potentially damaging your device's electronics or creating sticky residue that's difficult to clean. 

Health considerations: Burnt cotton and heavily degraded coils may produce unpleasant compounds that affect your vaping experience. 

Increased costs: Worn coils are inefficient, potentially using more e-liquid to produce less satisfying results.

Choosing Replacement Coils 
When it's time to replace your coil, you'll need to find the exact type designed for your device. Coils are device-specific, so a coil for one tank won't work in another.

Finding the Right Coil 
Consider resistance options: Many coil series offer different resistance levels for different vaping styles - higher resistance for MTL vaping, lower resistance for more vapour production. 

Check your current coil: The model number is usually printed on the side of the coil itself or on the packaging. 

Consult your device manual: This will list compatible coil types and their specifications. 

Use our Coil Finder: Our Coil Finder Tool can match your device to compatible options quickly.

Stock Up Sensibly 
Keep 2-3 spare coils on hand so you're never caught without a replacement. Coils don't expire quickly when stored properly, but don't buy more than a few months' supply at once.

Tips for New Vapers 
Start simple: If you're new to vaping, focus on getting comfortable with recognising when coils need changing before worrying about different resistance levels or advanced techniques. 

Don't panic about the first few puffs: New coils often need a few draws to reach optimal performance, especially if you're trying a new resistance level. 

Ask for help: If you're unsure about coil compatibility or having performance issues, don't hesitate to reach out for guidance.

Conclusion
Understanding what your vape coil does and when to replace it is fundamental to enjoying a great vaping experience. Coils transform your e-liquid into vapour through controlled heating, but they're consumable parts that need regular replacement to maintain optimal performance. 

Most coils last 5-10 days with proper care, though this varies based on your vaping habits and e-liquid choices. Learning to recognise the signs of coil wear - burnt taste, reduced vapour, gurgling, or muted flavours - helps you replace them at the right time for consistently good results.