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Vaping with nicotine salts (nic salts) has become a popular choice for many vapers. However, there's a common concern: Do nic salts burn coils faster?
In this post, we’ll explore how nic salts affect coil life, why some vapers experience faster coil burnout, and what you can do to extend your coil’s lifespan.
Nicotine salts, or nic salts, are a form of nicotine found in tobacco leaves. They differ from freebase nicotine, which is the purest form of nicotine and is commonly used in many e-liquids. Nic salts are chemically altered to make them more stable and less harsh on the throat.
The main benefit of nic salts for vapers is the smoother throat hit they provide. Unlike freebase nicotine, which can feel harsher, nic salts allow for a more comfortable vaping experience, especially for those new to vaping. This smoother hit makes it easier to take larger puffs without discomfort.
Nic salts also absorb more quickly into the bloodstream, which means you get nicotine faster. This makes them ideal for users who want a quick nicotine fix without needing to vape constantly.
Nic salts significantly change how the vaping experience feels compared to freebase nicotine. With their smoother throat hit and faster nicotine absorption, nic salts are becoming the preferred choice for many vapers, especially those using low-power devices.
These salts are often used in pod systems, which are low wattage devices. The smoothness and efficiency of nic salts pair well with these devices, allowing for more enjoyable vaping at lower wattages. This is why nic salts are popular in small, compact pod systems rather than large sub-ohm tanks, which require higher wattages.
Vapers using nic salts will also notice they can vape longer without irritation, making it easier to enjoy a session without constant throat discomfort.
The composition of e-liquid plays a huge role in the life of your coils. E-liquids are made from two main ingredients: VG (vegetable glycerin) and PG (propylene glycol). VG is thicker and creates larger vapor clouds, while PG is thinner and provides a stronger throat hit. The ratio of VG to PG affects how the e-liquid is absorbed by the wick and how efficiently it vaporizes.
Higher VG liquids are thicker and can clog up coils more quickly. They can leave residue on the coil, leading to reduced wick absorption and increased coil degradation. On the other hand, higher PG e-liquids are generally easier on coils, as they absorb more easily into the wick and produce less residue.
Sweeteners and other additives in e-liquids also contribute to coil longevity. Many sweetened e-liquids, especially dessert or candy flavors, contain substances that can build up on the coil. This "gunk" can create a sticky residue that prevents the wick from absorbing e-liquid properly, leading to dry hits and faster coil burnouts.
Nic salt e-liquids often contain sweeteners to enhance the flavor. These sweeteners can caramelize on the coil when heated, causing residue buildup. This process is more common with nic salts, as they tend to be sweeter than freebase nicotine e-liquids.
When these sweeteners build up on the coil, they create a sticky substance that prevents the wick from staying properly saturated. This leads to the coil heating up faster than it should, resulting in burnt wicks and a harsh taste. Over time, this residue can cause the coil to burn out much faster.
The thick caramelized residue from sweeteners can also affect the flavor of your vape. As the residue builds up, it changes how the e-liquid tastes, often making it less enjoyable. This is why it's important to clean your coils regularly, especially when using sweeter nic salt e-liquids.
A common question among vapers is whether nic salts burn coils faster than regular e-liquids. The answer isn’t straightforward. Nic salts themselves do not directly cause coils to burn out faster, but certain factors can accelerate coil wear.
Nic salt e-liquids tend to have a higher sweetness level compared to regular freebase nicotine e-liquids. This can lead to residue buildup, or "gunk," on the coil. The sticky residue can cause the coil to degrade more quickly. Additionally, some nic salts are mixed with higher VG (vegetable glycerin), which is thicker and can also contribute to coil wear over time due to slower wicking.
When compared to freebase nicotine, nic salts are smoother, making it easier to take longer puffs. However, this can also lead to faster wear if used at higher wattages, as the coils might not have enough time to wick e-liquid efficiently.
One reason some vapers experience quicker coil burnout with nic salts is vaping at higher wattages. Nic salt e-liquids are usually best enjoyed at lower wattages to maintain the smoothness and efficiency of the vape. If you vape with a high-wattage device while using nic salts, the coil heats up too quickly, leading to dry hits and quicker burnout.
Chain vaping is another factor. Nic salts allow for smoother, longer draws, which can make it tempting to continuously vape. However, when you chain vape, the wick in the coil doesn’t have enough time to absorb new e-liquid, which can dry out and lead to burnt coils. Giving your device time to cool down between puffs is essential for extending coil life.
Priming your coil is one of the easiest and most important ways to prevent coil burnout when using nic salts. Before you start vaping, make sure to properly prime your coil by adding a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton wick. This helps the wick absorb the e-liquid and prevents it from burning when you fire up the device.
Wait for a few minutes after priming to ensure the e-liquid has fully saturated the wick. This step is crucial, as vaping on a dry coil will almost certainly lead to a burnt taste and quicker coil damage.
When vaping nic salts, it’s essential to use the correct wattage to protect your coils. Nic salt e-liquids are typically designed for low-wattage devices, as they offer a smoother throat hit at lower power. Using high wattage can overheat the coil and dry out the wick too quickly, causing it to burn faster.
To prevent this, check the recommended wattage range on your coil packaging. It’s always safer to start at the lower end and gradually increase if needed. This allows the coil to heat evenly without overwhelming the wick.
One of the easiest ways to extend coil life is to keep your tank filled with e-liquid. As the coil heats up, the wick absorbs the e-liquid, and this process needs to happen consistently. When your tank is low, the wick may not absorb enough e-liquid, leading to dry hits and the risk of burning the coil.
Make it a habit to top up your tank regularly. Even if you’re not using all the e-liquid, topping up ensures there’s enough liquid to prevent the coil from drying out.
Chain vaping—taking puff after puff without allowing time for the coil to cool down—can quickly dry out your wick. This causes the coil to burn faster and leads to a poor vaping experience. To avoid this, take breaks between puffs to give the wick time to reabsorb e-liquid.
If you notice a decrease in flavor or vapor, it’s a sign that your coil is drying out. Let your device sit for a few minutes before continuing to vape.
Nic salt e-liquids that are high in sweeteners can create “gunk” on your coil, which decreases its efficiency. To prevent this, try switching to e-liquids with less sweetener. Lighter fruit-based flavors tend to be less taxing on coils compared to dessert-style e-liquids, which often contain higher amounts of sugar.
By choosing more coil-friendly e-liquids, you can help extend the life of your coils and avoid frequent replacements.
Once a coil has been burnt from using nic salts, it’s challenging to fully revive it. However, cleaning a slightly damaged coil might extend its life for a short time. If your coil has been affected by sweeteners or other residue from nic salts, the build-up can usually be cleaned.
To clean a coil, first remove it from your device. Use warm water to rinse away any visible gunk. Some vapers also use grain alcohol for a deeper clean. After cleaning, allow the coil to dry completely for at least 24 hours before using it again. While this may improve flavor temporarily, it won't restore the coil to its original condition, and you may need to replace it soon.
There are a few telltale signs it’s time to replace your coil. The most obvious is a burnt taste, which happens when the wick is no longer absorbing e-liquid properly. If the flavor diminishes significantly or tastes harsh, that’s another indication the coil is beyond saving.
Continuing to use a burnt coil can damage your device. A burnt coil can lead to leaking or flooding, which can negatively impact the overall performance of your vape. Additionally, the unpleasant taste will make vaping unenjoyable, so replacing your coil ensures you get the best experience and maintain the health of your device.
Nic salt coils are not drastically different from regular coils, but they do require special care to ensure longevity and optimal performance. The main difference lies in the coil’s design, which is often built to handle the smoother, lower-wattage vaping style common with nic salts. Unlike standard e-liquids, which are vaped at higher wattages, nic salts are best suited for lower wattage devices, which means the coils designed for them have tighter, more efficient wicking systems.
These coils are often found in pod systems or low-wattage tanks, as they are optimized for the slower vaporization process of nic salts. This means nic salt coils may need less power to operate efficiently. Using high-wattage devices with these coils can lead to quicker coil degradation and a burnt taste due to the mismatch in power requirements.
When choosing a coil for nic salt vaping, the key factor is resistance. Lower resistance coils (sub-ohm coils) are better suited for higher wattage use and are typically used in larger tanks for standard e-liquids. However, for nic salts, a higher resistance coil works best, especially in pod systems or smaller, low-wattage devices. These coils provide a smoother vape without overwhelming the wick.
If you're looking for a longer-lasting coil experience with nic salts, opt for higher resistance coils (e.g., 1.0 ohms or more). These coils are designed for lower wattage devices and are perfect for the slower, more controlled vaporization process that nic salts require. Choosing the right coil for your device and e-liquid ensures a better, smoother vaping experience.
Nic salts aren’t inherently bad for coils, but improper usage and high wattage can shorten their lifespan. To extend coil life, prime your coil, use the right wattage, and avoid chain vaping. Keep your tank filled and switch to coil-friendly e-liquids. Experiment with different habits and e-liquids to find the optimal setup for your coils.
A: Nic salts don’t inherently burn coils faster, but high sweetener content and VG ratios can cause quicker coil degradation.
A: Prime your coils, avoid chain vaping, use lower wattages, and keep your tank topped up to ensure wick saturation.
A: Signs include a burnt taste, reduced vapor, or gunky coil appearance, indicating coil degradation.
A: Slightly burnt coils can be cleaned, but severe damage requires coil replacement for optimal performance.
A: While nic salts can use regular coils, high-resistance coils in low-wattage devices work best for smoother vaping.
