WHAT IS A VAPE MOD? THE KEY TO CUSTOM VAPING!

What is a Mod Vape?

A mod vape, short for "modified vape," refers to an advanced type of vaping device that allows users to customise various aspects of their vaping experience. Unlike standard E-Cigarettes and vape pens, which offer limited control, vape mods provide the ability to adjust power settings, temperature, and airflow to suit individual preferences. These devices typically feature larger batteries for extended usage, and more robust construction, and often include sophisticated chipsets for enhanced functionality and safety. Vape mods can come in various forms, such as box mods, mechanical mods, and squonk mods, each offering unique benefits and customisation options, making them a popular choice for experienced vapers seeking a more tailored and powerful vaping experience.

Vape mods are classified as an E-Cigarette so are designed as a tool to help people quit smoking. While there are other concerns around E-Cigarettes, such as waste and youth vaping, it is promising to know that Cochrane found 'high-certainty' evidence that E-Cigarettes are more effective for quitting than traditional forms of nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches and nicotine gum! (1)

What's in a Vape Mod?

A vape mod is composed of several key components that work together to deliver a customisable vaping experience. At its core, a vape mod contains a powerful battery, which can be either built-in or replaceable, providing the energy needed for extended vaping sessions. The tank or atomizer holds the e-liquid and houses the coil, which is the heating element that vaporises the liquid. The coil itself comes in various resistances and materials, allowing users to choose according to their vaping style. A chipset or circuit board is also present in most vape mods, offering features like variable wattage, temperature control, and safety protections. Additionally, vape mods often include a display screen and adjustment buttons for easy navigation of settings. Together, these components make vape mods versatile and capable of delivering a highly personalised vaping experience.

How Do Vape Mods Work?

Vape mods operate by utilising a combination of components that work together to vaporise e-liquid and deliver a customisable vaping experience. When the user activates the device, either by pressing a button or through automatic inhalation sensors, the battery sends power to the coil housed within the atomizer or tank. The coil, which is made of a resistive wire, heats up rapidly, converting the e-liquid into vapour. Most vape mods are equipped with a chipset or circuit board that allows users to adjust various settings such as wattage, voltage, and temperature, providing precise control over the vapour production and flavour intensity. This chipset also includes safety features like overheat protection, short-circuit protection, and battery monitoring to ensure safe operation. By adjusting these settings, vapers can tailor their experience to match their preferences for throat hit, flavour, and vapour cloud size.

How to Fill a Vape Mod

Filling a vape mod is a straightforward process that ensures your device is ready for use. First, remove the tank from the vape mod if it’s attached, and locate the fill port. Depending on the design, you might need to unscrew the top cap or slide it open to reveal the fill holes. Next, using a dropper or the nozzle of your e-liquid bottle, carefully fill the tank by pouring the liquid into the designated fill port, being cautious not to overfill or spill into the central airflow tube, as this can cause leaks or gurgling. Once the tank is filled, reassemble any parts you removed, ensuring everything is securely tightened. It’s essential to prime your coil by letting the filled tank sit for a few minutes before using it, allowing the e-liquid to saturate the wicking material fully. Priming helps to prevent dry hits and ensures optimal flavour and vapour production. Now, your vape mod is filled and ready to provide a satisfying vaping experience.

This is where prefilled options can be beneficial, making things easier and more streamlined as pre-filled refills contain a new coil and your e-liquid, all ready to go, just attach to a charged battery and away you go! No mess, no maintenance: just vaping!

What makes a good vape mod?

Several factors contribute to making a good vape mod, starting with build quality and durability. A sturdy construction ensures longevity and reliability, crucial for daily use. Performance is another key aspect; a good vape mod should provide consistent power output and efficient vaporisation of e-liquids, enhancing flavour and vapour production. Versatility in terms of compatibility with different tanks and coils allows for customisation according to user preferences. Ease of use is essential, with intuitive controls and clear displays making it straightforward to adjust settings and monitor vaping parameters. Safety features such as overheating protection and short-circuit prevention are vital for user confidence and device longevity. Finally, ergonomic design and comfort contribute to a pleasant vaping experience, especially for extended use. A good vape mod combines these elements to deliver a satisfying and customisable vaping experience for enthusiasts at all levels.

What Coil Should I Use with My Mod Vape?

Choosing the right coil for your mod vape is crucial to achieving the desired vaping experience. Coils come in different resistance levels, typically measured in ohms, and materials, such as kanthal, stainless steel, and nickel. For those who prefer Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping, which mimics the sensation of smoking a traditional cigarette, higher resistance coils (above 1 ohm) are ideal as they produce a tighter draw and more discreet vapour. Direct-Lung (DL) vapers, who enjoy larger clouds and a more intense flavour, should opt for lower resistance coils (below 1 ohm), often referred to as sub-ohm coils, which allow for higher wattages and increased vapour production. Additionally, some coils are designed for specific e-liquids, such as those with high VG (vegetable glycerine) content, to enhance vapour density and flavour. It’s essential to match your coil with your mod’s capabilities and your preferred vaping style to ensure optimal performance and satisfaction.

What batteries should I use with my mod vape?

Choosing the right batteries for your mod vape is crucial for safety and optimal performance. These advanced vapes need a larger battery capacity so typically use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, commonly referred to as 18650, 20700, or 21700 batteries, depending on their size and battery capacities. It's essential to select batteries from reputable brands known for their quality and reliability, as these batteries need to handle the extra power demands of your mod safely. Pay attention to the battery's amp limit (often denoted as "continuous discharge rating") to ensure it can support the wattage and resistance of your coils without overheating or failing. Always use batteries that are in good condition, without any visible damage or wear, and avoid mixing different brands or types of batteries in the same device. Proper battery safety and maintenance, such as regular charging and storage in appropriate cases, also contributes to prolonging battery life and ensuring a safe vaping experience.

What's the Difference Between MTL and DL Vaping?

The difference between Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) and Direct-Lung (DL) vaping lies in the inhalation technique and the resulting vaping experience. MTL vaping involves drawing vapour into the mouth first and then inhaling it into the lungs, similar to the way one would smoke a traditional cigarette. This method provides a tighter draw, a stronger throat hit, and is typically favoured by those looking to replicate the sensation of smoking. It is also more suitable for higher nicotine e-liquids and produces less vapour, making it discreet. In contrast, DL vaping involves inhaling the vapour directly into the lungs, similar to taking a deep breath. This method results in larger clouds of vapour and a more intense flavour experience. DL vaping usually requires lower resistance coils (sub-ohm) and higher wattage settings, and is often preferred by those seeking a robust and immersive vaping experience. The choice between MTL and DL vaping depends on individual preferences and the type of experience one desires from their vape mod.

How do I optimise my vape mod for cloud chasing?

Optimising your vape mod for cloud chasing involves a combination of hardware adjustments and e-liquid choices designed to maximise vapour production. Start by selecting a sub-ohm tank or rebuildable atomizer with a wide airflow design to allow more air to pass through, which increases vapour output. Use low-resistance coils (below 0.5 ohms) made from materials like kanthal or stainless steel, as these can handle higher wattage ranges and generate more vapour.

Adjust your mod's wattage to a higher setting, typically between 50-200 watts, depending on the coil's specifications and your device's capabilities. Choose e-liquids with a high VG (vegetable glycerine) content, as VG is thicker and produces denser clouds compared to PG (propylene glycol). Choose the nicotine for your e-liquid carefully; freebase nicotine used in vapes that create huge clouds can be harsh on the throat due to the volume of vapour produced. Nic salt e-liquids will work better for higher powered devices as they provide a smooth inhale compared with freebase nicotine, however it is notable that nic salt e-liquids typically contain 3 to 4 times the amount of flavourings compared with freebase nicotine e-liquids (2), and these flavourings are responsible for some of the volatile compounds produced. 

Additionally, keep your wicking material saturated to avoid dry hits and maintain consistent vapour production. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning your tank and coils, ensures optimal performance and prevents any build-up that could hinder vapour production.

It is important to note that while E-Cigarettes are 95% less harmful than smoking, according to Public Health England (3), there is some evidence that sub-ohm vaping produces more volatile compounds than low-powered vaping (4). This suggests that low-powered vaping could be safer than vaping with a high-powered device.

How Do You Clean a Vape Mod?

Cleaning a vape mod is essential for maintaining its performance and longevity. To clean your vape mod, start by disassembling the device, removing the tank, coil, and any detachable parts. Rinse the tank and mouthpiece with warm water to remove any e-liquid residue. For a deeper clean, soak these parts in a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap, then rinse thoroughly and let them dry completely. The coil should be replaced regularly rather than cleaned, as residue buildup can affect its performance. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the mod's exterior and the battery contacts, ensuring no e-liquid or dust is present. Avoid getting water into the mod’s internal components. Reassemble the device once all parts are dry, and ensure everything is securely tightened. Regular cleaning helps maintain the vape mod’s functionality, ensuring a better vaping experience and extending the device's life.

Best Vape Mods UK

The best vape mods available in the UK offer a combination of advanced features, robust performance, and reliable build quality. Leading the market are devices like the Smok Morph 219, known for its user-friendly touch screen and powerful output, and the Voopoo Drag 3, which is praised for its rapid firing speed and versatile use of different coils. The GeekVape Aegis Legend is another top contender, celebrated for its rugged, waterproof design and durable battery life, making it ideal for vapers on the go. For those seeking high-end performance, the Lost Vape Centaurus DNA 250C stands out with its precise temperature control and customisable settings powered by the DNA chipset. These vape kits cater to a range of vaping styles and preferences, ensuring that both beginners and seasoned vapers can find a device that suits their needs.

Are vape mods affected by the disposable vape ban UK?

The disposable vape ban in the UK primarily targets single-use E-Cigarettes and disposable vape devices, aiming to reduce environmental impact and youth vaping rates. Vape mods, on the other hand, are not typically affected by this ban as they are reusable devices designed for long-term use. These mods are built with rechargeable batteries and refillable tanks or pods, making them sustainable alternatives to disposable vapes. Vape mods remain accessible for adult vapers looking for customisable options and advanced features in their vaping experience. However, it's essential for users to stay informed about any regulatory changes and adhere to guidelines to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations regarding vaping products.

What are Vape Mods? The Key to Custom Vaping - Conclusion

As the different types of vapes has increased explosively over the past few years, there are a huge number of different styles of vape device, from the advanced vape devices mentioned in this article to other complex vapes such as mech mods, right the way through to the simple devices like the classic cigalike E-Cigarette. More advanced devices suit advanced vapers, but the drawbacks of vape mods makes them too complicated for beginner vapers to start with. The additional features can make for a great tailored vaping experience, but this customisation comes at the cost of increased user maintenance.

Cloud chasers will always want huge clouds of vapour when they vape, and advanced users may enjoy the customisation capabilities of vape mods, but getting started on your vaping journey could be easier with a prefilled option. Devices such as the SMOKO E-Cigarette and SMOKO VAPE POD provide a hassle-free experience for beginners and those vapers who value their time being spent on things other than maintaining their vape!

If you are a smoker looking to quit, or maybe you currently use disposable vapes and need an alternative due to the disposable vape ban coming into effect in 2025, then choose SMOKO! We are based in the UK and use UK-made e-liquid in our pre-filled refills, adhering to the high standards set out by the MHRA and TRPR regulations (5), and have helped thousands of smokers quit - so get started with SMOKO today!

REFERENCES

(1) Latest Cochrane Review finds high certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than traditional nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) in helping people quit smoking

(2) Comprehensive Dutch market data analysis shows that e-liquids with nicotine salts have both higher nicotine and flavour concentrations than those with free-base nicotine

(3) PHE publishes independent expert e-cigarettes evidence review

(4) Sub-ohm vaping increases the levels of carbonyls, is cytotoxic, and alters gene expression in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed at the air–liquid interface

(5) E-cigarettes: regulations for consumer products

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Written by Dan Overgage

Dan Overgage – is a former smoker of 10 years until he became a client of SMOKO E-Cigarettes.  Dan started working with SMOKO 5 years ago after successfully quitting using our e-cigarettes and works across our Customer Service and heads up our content creation and research with a strong focus on all things quitting smoking.  During his tenure with SMOKO, Dan has written countless blogs and consults with countless clients every day to help them to stay smoke free.