Congratulations, you have finally decided to quit smoking and start e-cigarettes. No more wet coughs in the morning, the smell of cold tobacco and yellow teeth!
But before becoming an expert vaper, do you know how an electronic cigarette works?
Look no further, we tell you everything about how an e-cigarette works, to get you started vaping .
Electronic cigarette: how does it work?
The operation of an electronic cigarette is simple and remains the same for almost all e-cig models, whatever the brand: Eleaf, Joyetech, Aspire, GeekVape or JustFog.
An electronic cigarette is made up of 4 elements, each of which has a very specific role:
1. A clearomizer
- Made up of a tip called a “ drip tip ” which allows you to suck up the vapour.
- Also includes a tank and resistor.
- Has a thread that allows you to screw the clearomiser on the battery.
- Depending on the model, the clearomizer has an air flow adjustment ring called “air flow”.
Its role is essential in the production of vapour and the proper functioning of the e-cigarette. Several clearomizer models are depending on your vaping profile and the amount of vapour you want to obtain (choice of resistance).
2. A rechargeable battery or “box”
- Provides the electricity, expressed in volts, necessary to heat the resistance and evaporate the e-liquid. It is the source of electrical energy for your e-cigarette.
- Equipped with a switch, called “switch”, which allows the resistance to be supplied with electricity when pressed.
- Its capacity is expressed in mAh (milliamperes per hour). The greater the capacity of the battery, the greater the autonomy of the electronic cigarette. It is therefore important to know your tobacco consumption well before choosing an e-cigarette battery. For example, if you smoke 1 pack a day, a 650 mAh battery will not be enough to vape all day.
There are various models of batteries. The majority are rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries. Available in many sizes and shapes, the most popular batteries are Boxes. Rectangular in shape, they offer great autonomy and guarantee a good comfort of vaping.
You will be able to discover on our online store different models of batteries depending on the clearomizer you use.
3. A resistor or “coil”
- Composed of a resistive wire, generally in Kanthal. Once the battery is turned on, electricity passes through the resistive wire and causes it to heat up.
- With a silica fiber or organic cotton wick, in direct contact with the resistive wire. Soaked in e-liquid, the wick promotes the evaporation of the liquid when the resistive wire heats up.
Thanks to the current delivered by the battery, the resistance will therefore heat the e-liquid and ensure vaporization. This vaporization, mixed with the air sucked in, will create steam and cause the sensation of smoking when inhaled.
Depending on the model of the clearomiser, the resistance can be placed at the top or the bottom of the tank :
- Resistance at the bottom bathes in the e-liquid. The fact that it is soaked avoids the taste of burnt “dry hit”.
- Resistance at the top produces a hotter vapour and favours the hit.
The resistance is a consumable element that must be changed regularly. The easiest way to know when to change your resistance is to pay attention to the feeling in the mouth.
Discover our advice article on resistance maintenance.
4. A reservoir or “tank”
- Also called a cartridge, it contains the flavoured e-liquid.
- Generally, the tank is transparent to have constant visibility on the level of e-liquid.
- It can be plastic (PET) or glass (pyrex).