Here’s what the heart of the electronic cigarette works: the vaporizer.
How an atomizer is made
The heart of the electronic cigarette is the atomizer: without this element you could not vape.
The types and models of atomizers that you can find on the market are the most diverse: the characteristics of each model vary according to the type, technology and operation.
Each vaporizer must choose the type of atom that best meets their needs: there are those who prefer a warmer smoke, those who want it very hot, those looking for a rather dense and full-bodied smoke, those who love a lighter smoke.
The atomizer itself has the ability to generate all these (and other) types of steam: the e-liquid in contact with the atom turns into steam that enters the mouth of the vaper (vape) and gives it the sense of satisfaction .
The atomizer is equipped with a metal coating that makes it very resistant. In this way it is able to cushion any impacts without suffering damage. However, to avoid damaging the metal parts with annoying unsightly scratches, among the numerous accessories for electronic cigarettes, there are rubber rings that help preserve the integrity of the atomizer.
In the atom there is a head coil that is interchangeable and that, periodically, must be replaced.
How an atomizer works
The resistance present in the head coil is the part that actually has the task of transforming the liquid into vapor.
By operating the electronic cigarette, the atomizer asks the battery for the energy needed to warm up; therefore, the resistance becomes incandescent and, when it meets the liquid, it vaporizes it.
The smoker, with the aspiration, draws the vapor into the mouth, just like you do when you smoke a classic cigarette.
The technological evolution of the electronic cigarette has made it possible to take a step forward with the method of activating the device.
Most electronic cigarettes require a button that activates the battery and generate the vapor.
New types of e-cig allow you to smoke with only suction through the mouthpiece which is a significant step forward to allow the device to look even more like the traditional cigarette.
Maintenance of the atomizer
Being the component of the electronic cigarette most at risk of wear, it is important to know some information on the maintenance of the atomizer.
How and when to clean it?
The most important thing to do is definitely to wash it at least once a week to eliminate residues of elements that have not been vaporized.
Two methods are the most used for cleaning the atomizer:
- Water: simply rinse the atomizer under running water or, for an even more thorough cleaning, you can mix hot water and bicarbonate or water and lemon. In this way all the residual aromas and odors will be neutralized.
- The ultrasonic washing machine: for vape lovers, and for those who prefer to have all the specific products necessary to take care of their electronic cigarette, there are special ultrasonic washers on the market that can thoroughly clean the atomizer.
The liquids in the atomizer
The liquids produced for electronic cigarettes also have different characteristics depending on the type of atomizer used.
The main ingredients of e-liquid are propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. Together they create the neutral base: the drippers need a high level of smoke, so the base liquid will be mainly composed of glycerin; Lung atomizers use a propylene glycol and glycerol concentration of 50% or with a few more points of glycerin, while cheek atomizers prefer a more fluid liquid that also contains water.
The aromas are added to the neutral base and the solution, once matured, must be injected into a cartridge or tank. Liquids may or may not contain nicotine. The aromas are diluted in propylene glycol and a few drops are able to modify the overall flavor of the liquid contained in a bottle.
This information is essential to vape in the best way with the devices used and to ensure a longer life and less maintenance of your kits.
The other components
It is also important to know how the e-cig is composed and which materials are best suited for the atomizer heads.
The battery of the electronic cigarette is rechargeable and, for your safety, we advise you to always check that it has adequate power for the atomizer you are using. Depending on the power, you can adjust the amount of air and find the best setting for your tastes.
The liquid is injected into the tank directly from the bottle with a slight pressure on it to refill: it is important to respect the maximum liquid limit in order not to drown the resistance.
This is then brought to the resistance through a conveyor placed inside the atomizer which is identified in a thread, called wick, or a sponge made of perlon wool, or cotton. The type of material inside the atomizer depends on the type of atom: clearomizer, cartomizer or dripper (which instead has no tank).
The materials, which have the task of bringing the liquid to the atomizer for vaporization, reach the resistances from the tank by wrapping them. Putting the liquid in the tank, the conveyor soaks up with e-liquid and takes it to the resistances which heat up reaching a temperature between 160 and 170 °. As soon as the liquid touches the resistances, thanks to the influx of air, it instantly transforms into vapor.
The last type of liquid conveyor is called mesh: it acts both as a filter and as a liquid absorption system, and it is a thin and very dense stainless steel mesh, which ensures a production of very dense and full-bodied vapor , the vape is very tasty and the hit in the throat is excellent.
As we have said, atomizers may or may not have a tank, a tank whose presence allows greater autonomy than devices that do not. The atoms equipped with tanks are divided into two categories that differ in their shape: conical or cylindrical. The shape determines the capacity of the tank.
Resistance in atomizers
Resistance in atomizers plays a fundamental role.
When you are in the presence of a resistance with variable voltage, you have the ability to adjust the index used in the vape.
If the voltage is set to a higher value, the smoke is very thick and there is a rather strong blow in the throat. The aroma of the vape is much more fragrant and the taste in the mouth much deeper.
A lower voltage, on the other hand, is more delicate and tenuous, suitable for those who prefer a less dense and warm smoke.
Each atomizer can mount one or more resistors to vaporize the liquid. This feature allows you to make a distinction between the types of atom:
- If they have only one resistance they are called single coils
- If they mount two resistors they are part of the dual coil category
- If they have three resistors we are faced with a triple coil.
By increasing the number of resistances, the characteristics of the steam consequently increase: the temperature rises, the aroma becomes much more intense and you persist, the sensation of the blow in the throat is greater. But it is not just the number of coils that makes steam more or less hot.
When we are in the presence of a variable voltage, the problem of temperature control does not arise too much. Just turn up the voltage to enjoy a very hot vapor. But if our device does not allow this adjustment, one aspect of the atomizer that makes the difference is the position of the coils.
A top coil atomizer has the resistances placed at the top, near the drip tip, so the vapor that has just been transformed takes very little time to reach the mouth. Precisely because as soon as it is produced it feels very hot and the vape is full and very satisfying.
If, on the other hand, we find ourselves vaping with an atom bottom coil, the resistances are placed in the lower part of the atomizer, so after the vapor has been generated, it must travel through a tube before reaching the mouth. In the time between generation and its arrival in the oral cavity, the steam has already cooled down a little, which is why it feels very light and warm.
The use of a battery that pushes more or less strongly in this case could make the difference.
The production of energy for a top coil may not be very strong, the steam immediately passes into the mouth, so it is still perceived nice and warm; a bottom coil, on the other hand, prefers batteries that push enough, in order to heat the smoke much more at the time of vaporization.
