WHAT IS A VAPE MOD? EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MODS

Table of Contents

• WHAT IS A VAPE MOD?
• INTRODUCTION
• WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF A VAPE?
• WHAT IS A VAPE MOD?
• WHAT DOES A VAPE MOD DO?
• WHO ARE VAPE MODS SUITABLE FOR?
• WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF VAPE MODS AND BOX MODS?
• VAPE MODS VS POD KITS: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
• VAPE MOD BATTERIES AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL
• TYPE OF E-LIQUID USED
• WHAT ARE THE CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PURCHASING A VAPE MOD FOR DIFFERENT VAPING STYLES?
• VAPE MOD SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE
• Safety Tips for Using Vape Mods
• Routine Maintenance Practices
• ADVANCED VAPE MOD FEATURES
• Customisable Settings and Options
• WHAT IS A VAPE MOD? EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MODS - CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES

Vape kits are all classified as ‘electronic cigarettes’ and all work on the same fundamental principle. A liquid mixture, often containing nicotine, is held by wicking material and heated by a coil that is powered by a battery. This is the atomiser.

The liquid, called ‘e-liquid’ or ‘vape juice’ or ‘e-juice’, heats up and is aerosolized - this is when the particles are suspended in air or gas. This aerosol is inhaled by the user, where nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the lungs. (1)

The variations in vape devices occur in the batteries, the housings, the nature of the vape tanks, and the coils. Battery mods are a type of vape mod that allow users to select powerful batteries, such as dual 18650s, which can affect vaping performance and battery life. It is important to ensure that all components, including tanks and coils, are compatible with your chosen mod for optimal performance and a seamless vaping experience. All of these contribute to the overall experience in some fashion.

Identifying the best vape mod comes down to the complexity, and how far towards ultimate customisation the device leans. Unregulated mods are another type of vape mod that offers raw power and simplicity but requires a strong understanding of battery safety.

A vape mod which uses a single battery mod and bypass mode allows for customisation in terms of the liquid tank, the coil, and the brand of battery, if it uses what some people would call ‘external batteries’, which really means removable batteries. To my knowledge, no vape devices use external batteries, but plenty of vape mods use removable batteries, and built in batteries, too! Many users opt for a mod kit, which includes the device, tank, and coils, providing a comprehensive vaping solution that suits different vaping styles and preferences.

These advanced vapes feature microchips that allow variable wattage for temperature control over the coil and vape mods reading. Many vape mods now come with customisable modes and advanced features, such as safety protections and multiple vaping options, catering to experienced vapers seeking enhanced control and performance. Many vape pens do offer a variable wattage and wattage mode, but the degree of control is limited to ‘low-mid-high’ settings, compared with the precision temperature setting offered by a vape mod.

Vapers that prefer a smooth inhale are likely to lean towards vape juices with higher levels of vegetable glycerine (VG) - anything from a 50/50 VG to PG - that’s propylene glycol - balance, all the way up to 100% VG!

VG thickens the e-liquid mixture, so a higher temperature is required to turn the liquid into an aerosol. If your device is struggling to vaporise a 50/50 VG to PG liquid, then you will have no end of trouble vaping a liquid that favours VG.

Vape mods achieve higher temperatures because of the increased power supplied by the batteries, and offer temperature control displays. Higher power output not only increases vapor production but also enhances flavour production, especially when using larger coils designed for sub-ohm vaping. Variations in vape coils add another layer of complexity - another reason why best box mod starter kits are suitable for the more experienced vapers!

The SMOKO E-cigarette uses liquids with a higher PG content, and can use higher nicotine levels as a combination of the low power and PG reduces the amount of vapour produced, allowing for more nicotine in a single inhale. This is where the smoking sensation comes from as these factors provide the ‘throat hit’ that many smokers seek when switching to vaping.

Vape mods are meant to be used by the more advanced vapers - those who understand the composition of e-liquid and how this impacts the requirements for a vape device.

Things like the coil will have an effect on this too, so understanding the coil resistance is more required learning for these devices to make sure you don’t burn through coils or e-liquid at breakneck speed! Advanced users often apply Ohm's law to optimise their setups for both performance and safety. Cloud chasers and sub ohm vapers specifically look for vape mods that support large vapour production, high wattage, and customisation options to suit their direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping style.

Finding the best built in battery vape mods can be a mind field of choices. Box mods are units that are box shaped - funnily enough - and the ‘mod’ part of the name is short for ‘modification,’ indicating that some parts are changeable. The connection at the top is where you attach the vape tank, and you can use your choice of coil - but remember: the coil resistance will impact the vape experience. Many vapers choose to upgrade their devices or components to enhance performance and durability, allowing for a more personalised vaping setup.

Box mods allow the user to control wattage and voltage to tailor the vape experience. Increasing the wattage increases the coil temperature, which will result in more vapour produced. For some vapers, producing huge clouds is part of the experience with the best built-in battery vapes, and devices that use sub-ohm tanks and coils produce more vapour because of the low resistance - less than 1 ohm - meaning the wattage will increase and battery life will reduce. This is why some vape mods are called ‘sub-ohm’ kits. Top brands like Geek Vape offer models such as the Aegis Legend, which is known for its advanced features, robust build, and comfortable grip, making it a popular choice among experienced vapers seeking durability and versatility.

The other popular style of box mod are the unregulated ones - these don’t contain a microchip and so do not offer any display or wattage control - so named ‘mechanical mods’. As there are no displays, the batteries in these units are only supplying power to the atomiser, which could mean a longer battery life compared to the regulated box mods.

Remember that no chip also means no safety features, so you had better make sure you know what you are doing - rare as they are, there have been instances of mechanical mods exploding while in use so novice vapers should stay well away! (2)

Comparatively, the SMOKO E-cigarette has a chip and is low powered, making it ideal for beginners, and experienced vapers that desire that smoking sensation.

Pod kits are compact, portable vaping devices that come with either pre-filled or refillable pods, making them convenient to carry. These have a built-in tank, so you can’t swap it out like you can on a box mod. Pod kits do still offer control over the wattage, many offering a display so you can see your settings.

The top of the pod kit is the ‘pod’ part - this is removable and is where the coil and wicking material are housed, as well as where the e-liquid is filled. This is what makes pod kits ‘open systems’, unlike the SMOKO VAPE POD which is a pre-filled, closed system.

Pod kits can be tailored to either inhale techniques - ‘mouth-to-lung’, ‘direct-to-lung’ (DTL vaping), or ‘restrictive direct-to-lung’ (RDTL vaping) - by choosing an appropriate coil and airflow setting. This versatility allows users to select their preferred vaping style. This decision will likely dictate the nicotine strength of the e-liquid you vape, as higher nicotine levels in a ‘direct to lung’ device can lead to an unbearable throat hit!

Additionally, pod kits often offer a wide variety of flavours, allowing users to further customise their vaping experience with different e-liquid options.

Thing is, if convenience is a priority for you, and you prefer the mouth to lung inhale technique and a hit on the throat, then a cigalike device or vape pod system will deliver this experience and save you a lot of hassle and time in the long run!

Some pod mods have built in batteries so need to be charged with a USB cable provided by the manufacturer, some have replaceable batteries that need to be charged outside of the device - that makes a battery charging station another hidden cost for these devices… Many modern devices now feature USB-C charging, offering faster and more convenient power-ups compared to older charging methods.

How long your battery will last on a single charge is impacted by the power delivered to the coil, how hard the e-liquid is to vaporise, and the venting on the unit.

• If you are vaping a high VG liquid, you will be sending more power to the coil to heat up the e-liquid and so will drain the battery faster.

• Open vents allow for good airflow which can help reduce the temperature required to vaporise the e-liquid. Vaping with closed vents will therefore use more power.

• Using a coil with higher resistance results in less vapour production because less e-liquid is vaporised (3). This will naturally draw less power from the battery, giving it a longer life on a single charge.

This is where you will need to tailor your pod mod to the liquid you want to use. With the wrong setup, the pod mod will either not be able to vaporise the e-liquid, or deliver a throat hit that is way too strong.

Therefore, you need to get the appropriate e-liquid for your pod mod setup:

• If you like a smooth, ‘direct to lung’ inhale and want big clouds, then a low resistance coil will go well with a low nicotine e-liquid that is made up of 50% or more VG.

• If you want a throat hit, then using a higher resistance coil with liquids containing more PG will be suited to a ‘mouth to lung’ inhale.

Using the right ohm tank is also essential, especially in sub-ohm setups, as it ensures optimal flavour production and cloud generation. An appropriate ohm tank will be compatible with various coils and is important for high-VG and direct lung (DL) vaping styles.

At SMOKO, our low power devices use UK made e-liquid in an 80/20 PG to VG balance to consistently deliver the throat hit and flavour that our customers enjoy.

*2024 Update - Now you can enjoy the SMOKO VAPE POD in a 50/50 PG to VG ratio in our new SMOOTH VAPE POD refill range!

Safety features are important on these vape mods - there have been instances of vape mods short circuiting and exploding in people’s pockets, which is a scary thought. The key here is to make sure you don’t carry any metal objects in your pockets when your vape is in there, as these can cause a short circuit.

The inhale activated devices, in my opinion, are safer than devices with a ‘fire’ button. They are also more efficient, too. They are activated when air flows past the sensor, so the chances of them activating in your pocket are slim to none, and if you manage to do so, it won’t activate for long.

Compare this to a button operated vape mod. The circuitry provides a degree of protection to prevent overheating, and to cut power if there is a problem with the atomiser or battery. These safety features are in place to protect the consumer, but with button operated devices there is always a chance you will manage to activate it in your pocket - this is known as auto firing. (4)

If you are just making the switch from smoking, then starting off with a vape mod is very much ‘jumping in at the deep end.’ It’s an expensive way to start, requires more time investment, and may well be more harmful than low powered devices like the cigalike or closed pod systems. (5)

For experienced vapers who want greater control, customisation, and power, advanced kits are the perfect option. These specialized vaping devices offer customisable modes, enhanced safety functions, and are ideal for sub-ohm vaping, making them a premium choice for seasoned users.

If your goal is to give up smoking in a way that causes the least stress, then vape mods are not the answer for you. It’s easy to get things wrong, like using too high nicotine liquid in a powerful device, which can lead to throat irritation and coughing