Vape Tank or Vape Atomizer
The vape atomizer in a vaporizer is what's responsible for transforming your favorite e-juice into a very tasty vapor. As you might find with almost every other product in the vaping market, there's plenty of custom options for setting up your vaporizer just the way you might want it. There's many questions that you might face in setting up of new vape. Should you be using a basic clearomizer? Is it time for a sub-ohm vape tank? What are RTAs, RDAs and RBAs? Does it make a difference if you customize your vape? Answering some of these questions may require a bit of extra reading.
What is an atomizer?
An Atomizer is an essential piece of technology for vaping. The basic idea of these devices is they emit the perfume and vapor from e-liquids by heating it. In a way, they deliver a controlled spray of vapor from the E-liquid and then rapidly heat it.
Atomizers are basically heating coils and they sit in a position just below the vape tank. Their main responsibility is super-heating e-liquid. The location of the Atomizer depends on the mods that you've installed on your vape. Clearomizers, rebuildables and Cartomizers are also considered to be a form of Atomizer.
Atomizer really comes down as a term that has an umbrella meaning. With tanks and drippers a person may have to build up their own coils. RDAs, RTAs and RDTAs have common atomizers with the configuration of their tanks which are not rebuildable.
How do vape atomizers work?
Most modern vape atomizers are operated and built in much the same way. You will only need some very simple tools to use them. With just a premade coil and a wick, you can be ready to use the atomizer. The process of assembling a vape with an atomizer usually involves:
- Preparing your coil and securing it to the build back of your atomizer. If you have an atomizer with several coils you'll have to do this a few times.
- Check out your coil resistance using an Ohm meter or a vapor mod that has a built-in ohm meter. Make sure that you know the limits to the safety with the battery that you're using.
- Dry burn the coils to remove any hotspots along the coil surface. Make sure that it's glowing evenly before it interacts with liquid.
- Let the coil sit aside after you know that it's burning evenly. It should have the chance to cool down to room temperature.
- Prepare your wick and get ready to place it inside your coils.
- Place the tales of the wicks along the wicking channel in the coils.
- Drip some e juice along the wick to properly prime it.
- Make sure that the wick is well saturated before you turn the coil lot.
By following these directions and making sure that your atomizer specifications are followed, you can make sure that your using your vape at a desirable level. If you're using a rebuildable dripping atomizer or RDA make sure that it's going to keep dripping every time the wick starts to go dry. If you have an RTA or rebuildables Hank atomizer make sure that the tank is completely filled and that it never has the chance to empty. On a RDTA or rebuildables dripping tank atomizer you can follow both of these directions for optimal use.
The process may seem quite straightforward for configuring and atomizer but there can be different manufacturer specifications. There are some atomizers which are designed with a single coil and some that can have up to three coils at once. It's also sometimes difficult the fight with some of the decks in smaller vapes. Some decks can open quite easily however. Wicking an atomizer for the first few times can be intimidating especially if you're dealing with smaller wick channels. Make sure that your wick length is carefully measured and that you are soaking it appropriately. A general rule of thumb means going with a proven manufacturer said that you can get a wick built specifically for your vape and a tailor-made experience.
At the core of any atomizer you need to make sure they control the quality e-liquid. Getting a great flavor out of your atomizer means calibrating it correctly and installing a new coil according to manufacturer specifications. Any errors in this method can lead to problems with flavor.
What are RBAs?
RBAs are known as rebuildable atomizer's. The main difference between this type of atomizer and prebuilt coils is that you have to wrap your own coil as well as configure the wick. It's definitely a do-it-yourself replacement solution but it can often lead to far better performance and flavor. It also much less expensive to replace the coils when compared to prebuilt solutions.
What are RDAs?
RDAs will strip down some of the core elements of any atomizer to the most basic format. The liquid reservoir is done away with and the coil in the wick take center stage. The RDA is basically made out of a deck that has two posts sticking up. One has a top cap and then other has a mouthpiece for inhalation.
The pros and cons of the RDAs
Pros:
- The wire and wick system is much cheaper than any prebuilt coil
- Very affordable to purchase a kit
- Fantastic flavor and performance
- Great for vaping at a high wattage
- You can have a custom experience for your vaping as you soak the wick
- Fully adjustable airflow
- Wider compatibility through the 510 connection
- You can change flavors much more easily than with other vapes
Cons:
- Can you much more complicated than changing a prebuilt coil
- The juice can leak through the air holes
- Not easy to use with a mini vape or extremely portable vape
- You need to know your battery well
Why use the RDA?
The RDA will make it easy for you to customize and experience based off of the configuration of your dripping atomizer. You can completely customize the airflow inside your device, the type of coil you'd like to use as well as the size of the device too. It may take a bit of experimenting for you to find the right type of coil. The tank system is great for those that don't want to spend time doing some extra tinkering. Choosing a tank with the RDA is easy because there's a wide range of compatible options. You can choose a very deep tank if you don't want to regularly fill your e-juice, or you can pick plenty of smaller tanks for quick swap sampling. By choosing the right coil you can get a massive amount of airflow and get some amazing flavor out of your favorite E juices. the vape RDA can really change the way that you vape by helping you get new flavors out of your favorite juices.
What are RTAs?
Now you know the basics of the RDA you can move onto RTAs. the vape RTA is similar to the RDA vape but it's completely surrounded by a tank. In the center of the device there is a tank, then a small chamber and a smaller version of the RDA deck. You connector coils in the exact same way but there is a new type of atomizer head.
Popular devices like the Kanger subtank are compatible with prebuilt coils and for quick swapping with the RBA head. This means you could turn a RBA into the RTA with just a quick modification.
The RTA works with a small amount of protruding wick within the main tank section to the wick can constantly be replenished with new liquid. At the bottom of the chamber there's also a series of channels that are cut into the deck so that the juice can be drawn up towards the coil and the wick for optimal coverage.
The big reason to switch over to the RTA is to get the same type of performance that you would get out of a more advanced RDA but with the convenience of being able to simply use a tank system. Sub Ohm tanks to offer a slight bit of competition but it RTA can really help you conserve juice and enjoy more control over your flavors.
The Pros and cons of RTAs:
Pros:
- These devices are extremely affordable and include the wick and wire
- Offering top-quality performance for their flavor and paper quality.
- The adjustable airflow helps to customize the experience.
- Far more convenient than RDAs.
- You can customize your gaping experience to suit your needs.
- 510 connections without the hassle of setting up your coil.
Cons:
- Still not for a beginner
- Not as easy to change flavors
- Often takes modding to make them work well
- You need to know your battery to use these safely
What is the RDTA?
RDTA vapes are the RDA style vape that is mounted on top of an E juice reservoir. The wick hangs down into the tank and it soaks up liquid that eventually feeds into the coil. The style of vape here can create the ultimate crossover between a tank and a dripper.
RDTAs are best known for the manufacturer Genesis to produce this type of vape first. They are often known for the quality of their flavor.
A stainless steel mesh is commonly used for wicking with these devices but the mesh has since been replaced with an organic cotton. The technology in RDTAs isn't anything new but it can offer innovative results for your flavors.
The pros and cons of the RDTAs:
Pros:
- A performance that is similar to a dripper
- Improved capacity for liquid
- Simple to fill
- Rewickable and easy to rebuild
- Can be used just like a dripper
Cons:
- Not such a portable device
- Can require careful set up especially with wicking. More difficult to set up than RDAs
Why use the RDTA?
Vapers often heavily modify their devices in an effort to get a dripper inside a tank style of experience. There's plenty of tanks available on the market that can be used with RDTAs to produce this type of experience. The big problem is that they don't deliver the same quality of flavor that you can get from the RDA. The vapor often gets held up simply with the length of the device and this can compromise flavor quality.
The it's on top of the coils but it doesn't travel up through a chimney and this can often lead to a slightly muted taste.
If you are happy to do a bit of modification, you can add in a tank and use prebuilt coils well getting a great vape for daily use. Due to the complexities of modding RDTAs these are devices which are commonly recommended for more advanced users. It's very unlikely that as a new vape user you want to spend time tinkering with electronics just to get a great flavor out of your vape. Some VV and VW mods are a great way that you can really unleash the power of these devices. With her extra cost however these are best suited to long term vapers.
RBA vs RDA:
The RDA is like the RBA but it doesn't have a tank.
RDA vs RTA:
The RTA can only hold a few millimeters of e-juice. RDAs will hold an even smaller amount. The moisture sits in the wicks and coils rather than relying on a tank.
RDTA vs RDA:
The RDTA is very similar to the RDA but it has a tank attached. Rather than having to release the e-juice Emmanuel format the coils and wicks soak it up through the tank section. You can hold a lot of extra juice depending on the tank you get too.
RTA vs RDTA
The RDTA and RTA both have tanks that are rebuildable. RTAs have a deck that is built on the bottom of the atomizer and there's a chimney and Bell System that is used to draw the vapor upwards. RDTAs have an open deck in the tank just above where the wicks are hung.
What is a vape tank?
Tanks are a main component that can be found on many vaping devices that are responsible for holding e-juice. They serve as reservoirs and they dripped the vapor juice down into the wick and create the vapor. Coils are held inside the tank and then the wicks run along the coils. When the atomizers heat up the wicks that produces the vapor. The tanks for holding vape juice are usually constructed using stainless steel, anodized aluminum, Pyrex or glass.
Types of tanks:
There are several types of reservoirs available today. Understanding the difference between vape tanks can help you get the best customization for your vape. Choosing the right tank can lead to performance changes in your device. Checking into the difference between several tanks will help you understand the type that you may need. There are tanks in many configurations including wax atomizers RTAs, Dry Herb tanks, Sub Ohm Tanks, Mouth To lung, etc.
What is a sub ohm tank?
Sub Ohm tanks usually have the goal in mind of producing very powerful bursts of vapor. When people are chasing big clouds, sub ohm tanks often provide the best airflow. They can mimic dripping but with the ease of using a tank. This is a mod that you can use to start getting larger clouds immediately.
Sub Ohm tanks are designed for direct loud vaping. The coil heads that they come within a prebuilt format usually have 0.5 ohms or lower. They use cotton wicks traditionally but a few manufacturers are starting to experiment with triple mash, wood pulp and more. These changes in materials have led to innovations with flavor.
How does a sub ohm tank work?
Sub Ohm tanks work in a similar way to traditional vape tanks. They are configured to be more compatible with a much higher power vape setup however. They use coil heads which are replaceable and they often attack at the bottom of each tank. E-juice gets absorbed by the wick and then produces the vapor when it comes into contact with a hot coil.
As you draw from the tank with your suction, the E juice will continue to move towards the coil. There is a filling system usually configured in a top fill format. Sub ohm tanks offer some of the best wide open airflow so you can enjoy long draws without the vapor getting too hot.
What are the advantages of Sub Ohm Tanks?
- Easier to use than rebuildable tanks.
- Wide open airflow for cooler draws
- Huge clouds
- Flavor that can be intense
- Great for vaping at high watts
- Compatable with high VG e liquid.
The big advantages of these tanks is that you can produce huge clouds with convenience. Sub ohm vaping was designed to bring a nearly competitive level if vaping to the public. Rather than having to build up your own coils or heavily mod a vape, you can install a sub ohm tank and get a wide degree of compatibility with massive clouds. Their use with High-Vg juice blends leads to greater flavor and larger clouds and this isn't something that typically comes unless you had access to higher resistance coils or MTL tanks.
The flavor that you get from a sub ohm tank is also quite intense. You can often taste more of this flavor at one time because there is an increasing vapor production because the tank does not have the tight airflow you may be used to in other devices. You can experience new notes of flavor in some of your favorite juices. If you've been using an MTL at 20 watts, this configuration can help you achieve intense flavor without having to heavily mod your device.
Modern Sub Ohm tanks also make it easy for you to experiment with several different coils. There are even some coils that have extra temperature control. By combining a high performance temperature control option with a sub ohm tank, you can finally get some of the most impressive flavor out of your vape. At the end of the day, if you want massive clouds without putting in time with modding, this is a great no fuss solution.
What are the disadvantages of sub ohm tanks?
- Not a suitable solution for MTL vaping
- The battery will drain quickly
- Takes extra e-juice
- Often a large device so it isn't discreet
- The coils can be expensive
The Sub ohm disadvantages mostly lie with MTL vapers. If you're looking for a draw that is comparable to a cigarette, you won't find it here even with the airflow completely closed. These devices produce a large trail of vapor so they really aren't discreet. The big advantage of a sub ohm tank is that they can produce huge clouds without having to do much tinkering
A sub ohm tank has to drain your battery quickly in order to produce the power it takes to create those giant clouds. The extra vapor also means you'll go through E juice faster. Depending on the coil that you use, you can work at cutting down the amount of vapor that you're using. The big thing to consider with a Sub Ohm tank is the ongoing cost of coils. With the heavy power consumption here you're going to be replacing a coil at least once a week. It's easy to replace but the cost of running one of these vapes can be much more expensive especially if you enjoy a premium vape juice.
What's the best sub ohm tank for you?
There are hundreds of different sub ohm tanks on the market today. Choosing one for your needs is never easy and some of the best ones may require testing so that you can make a decision on the best tank for you. Some of the top things that you should consider when you are choosing a sub ohm tank include:
- How much e-juiceit holds: rather than having to consistently refill your tank you're going to want one that has a large capacity. If you like to regularly switch out the EE juice you might want to consider one that has a quick refilling method. Sub ohm tanks that utilize mesh wicks often deliver some of the best flavors. A newer style tank will often deliver improved flavor production but you might not get the same type of large clouds.
- MTL tanks are designed for an experience similar to smoking: These tanks are designed for nicotine E juice. You don't have to be trying to quit smoking in order to enjoy these types of vapes. The concentrated flavor with the restrictive airflow is a popular choice for many vapers.MTL tanks won't produce giant clouds and they also won't drain your battery is quickly. They use a higher ohm coil that leads to a different type of flavor.
What is the MTL tank?
Mouth to Lung tanks are also known as clearomizers these are devices that are very similar to the draw you would receive from a cigarette. Vaping using an MTL really just involves drawing vapor into the mouth and then inhaling it into your lungs. It's not too different from smoking most cigarettes.
Almost all vapes in the early days were MTL. The design has been modernized with some very powerful changes. Larger atomizer tanks and more power produced a new age of mouth to lung tanks.
These modern mouth the line tanks have features that include a tighter draw and some other new modifications:
- Narrow airflow channels to and from the coil design:
This is designed to improve the resistance during vaping. The air has to be channeled through a restricted area and then it will reach your mouth.
High resistance coils produced with a single round wire:
MTL coils were originally designed to conserve juice and to only vaporize a small amount of it. This allowed for a very low consumption of high nicotine it liquids. These atomizers often help people conserve power because they require just a small amount of electricity to run at high heat.
A reduction in Jimmy's eyes ensures that a vaper can get the maximum amount of flavor with a hit they will feel in the back of their throat.
Thin Bore trip tips in a 510 configuration:
These centers style mouthpieces will reduce overall airflow and also deliver the same feeling of smoking a cigarette.
Why use the MTL tank?
A note to lung tank is considered to be one of the best vape tanks for quitting smoking. The CE4, Aspire Nautilus and Vivi Nova are considered to be MTL tanks designed to help smokers quit. Vaping is a widely effective way to quit smoking by slowly weaning yourself off of nicotine. The flavors and the feeling you can have from vaping using an MTL is very close to a cigarette so it's a much easier way to quit.
Sub Ohm tanks have slowed and TL sales considerably but nicotine salt kits and starter kits like the JUUL model have brought them back into popularity. MTL tanks are often the goto move for people that are using pod systems as an upgrade. An MTL can be properly modded and it adds a better flavor experience.
How to use the MTL tank?
- Begin by priming your coil: Drop five drops of your favorite E liquid into the middle of the coil and screwed along the atomizer. Fill the tank to the top and let it stand as you allow the wick to get damp. Make sure the week is properly coated so you do not experience a dry hit.
- Learn more about the recommended wattage in your coil. This is often found on the packaging for your MTL tank. Begin the lowest wattage with a new coil and work your way up as you take 4-5 hits at the current level. This won't stress out the coil and it will help you to find the ideal flavor. Never exceed recommended wattage as this can lead to burning out coils fast and dry hits which can be a horrible flavor experience.
- Be careful on draws: choose to take hits slowly. Drawing too hard can often choke off the airflow leading to an overly warm hit. This can often cause throat irritation.
Advantages of MTL tanks:
MTL tanks are much more portable than a sub ohm tank. The typical diameter is around 22 mm and a sub ohm tank usually starts at 24 mm. There are several MTL tanks under 20mm for the ultimate portability.
- Low rate of E liquid consumption:
MTL tanks require only a small amount of E liquid. The parts in the tank are much smaller than tanks that have an airier format. The wick holes in the smaller coil means it takes less liquid to soak the wick and this means you can conserve your e-juice easily.
With the lower vapor production and the smaller device, you can enjoy the best in discreet they picked. You can vape in public without drawing attention to yourself. Choosing a small MTL tank is one of the best ways to get a quick hit when you need it.
- The best tank for nicotine salt:
Nicotine salt blends can be found in many starter kits and pod systems but many MTL tanks offer a far better nicotine salt experience.
The smaller airflow channels ensure that leaks can be well contained. The smaller tanks also ensure that you won't lose much E-liquid in a leak.
- Improved longevity for coils:
Because there would be less e-liquid making its way through the coils you will often be able to get increased running time out of every coil you place in the device. MTL coils often last around two weeks without having to be changed out.
Disadvantages of MTL tanks:
MTL tanks often, smaller holes for the wicks. They also use single wire coils. The coil taken these devices has come a long way but most MTL coils can't handle blends of e-juice with 70% VG and higher. Unless it says that it's specifically designed for high VG e-liquids , never use these types of E liquid in a MTL tank.
- Less compatibility for flavors:
MTL tanks are mostly designed for high nicotine blends. Many premium juices only contains 6 mg of nicotine so nicotine salts are often the best choice for getting nicotine flavored E juices with your MTL tanks.
If you want to blow the biggest clouds these atomizers are not the way to do it. These are designed for use with higher nicotine strength and only to satisfy cravings. If you want a deeper lung hit, you have to look elsewhere.
Conclusion- Choosing your atomizer:
There are a large variety of vape atomizers. The good news is that they all share the same features on the market today. Choosing a vape atomizer that will suit your needs often requires a bit of experience. It's difficult for many new vapers to not love a tank system. Tank systems are some of the easiest to use for great performance and their beginner friendly for quick changes. Sub ohm tanks are a nice upgrade if you plan on vaping over the long term and want great clouds. Rebuildables do require a bit more technical knowledge but the flavor here is some of the best in the industry.
Finally having the right vape tank for your device can make a huge difference in your vaping experience. We have everything from MTL tanks to rebuildable atomizers, dry herb and wax tanks as well as many new modern tanks that offer hybrid results. No matter what style you like the best, we can help guide you there. Mix-and-match by pairing the tank of your choice with your favorite vape mod and see what type of experience you can have with vaping!
