What is an Atomizer?

Vaping has gained popularity due to its ease of use and offering a cigarette-like experience and has been embraced by smokers and those who want to transition from traditional smoking. Since the invention of the modern e-cigarette in the early 2000s, vaping technology has advanced rapidly and today's vape devices are sophisticated electronic devices that deliver a wide variety of vaping experiences, from disposable vapes to fully customizable sub-ohm vape devices and an array of vape juice flavours. One of the key components of all types of vapes is the atomizer.

What Is An Atomizer

An atomizer is the part of the vape device responsible for vaporizing the e-liquid, turning it into the flavourful and satisfying vapour that vapers inhale. The process involves heating a coil within the atomizer, which in turn vaporizes the e-liquid, producing a cloud of vapour that is then inhaled by the user.

How Does a Vape Atomizer Work?

In essence, a vape atomizer is a sophisticated tool that harnesses the principles of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics to create a satisfying and flavourful vapour that mirrors the experience of smoking traditional tobacco products. Here’s how it works:

E-Liquid Delivery

E-liquid, also known as vape juice, typically consists of four main ingredients: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine (optional), and flavourings. It's stored in the atomizer's reservoir, which can be a tank, a cartridge, or simply a well.

Wicking

Surrounding the heart of the atomizer, the heating coil is a wicking material. This material serves as a conduit for the e-liquid to travel from the reservoir to the coil. Commonly, an organic cotton wick is used due to its efficient absorption properties.

Heat Generation

When you activate the vaping device, the battery sends an electrical current to the heating element, often referred to as the atomizer coil, within the atomizer. The coil is typically made from resistance wire, often Kanthal or Nichrome. As electricity flows through the coil, it encounters resistance, generating heat. This heat is precisely what vaporizes the e-liquid.

Vaporization

The heat generated by the coil reaches a critical point where it causes the e-liquid-soaked wicking material to evaporate the e-liquid. This transformation from liquid to vapour is rapid and occurs at a temperature significantly lower than the boiling point of water.

Vapour Production

As the e-liquid is vaporized, it forms a cloud of vapour that rises upward. The vapour contains not only the base ingredients (PG and VG) but also the flavourings and, if chosen, nicotine. The amount of vapour produced depends on various factors, including the coil's resistance, the wattage or voltage applied, and the airflow.

Inhalation

The user inhales the vapour through the drip tip, commonly known as the mouthpiece. This is where the vapour is drawn into your mouth and lungs, delivering the desired flavour and, if applicable, nicotine.

Exhalation

After enjoying the vapour, the user exhales it, creating a visible cloud. The exhaled vapour typically disperses quickly, and what remains in the air is often composed of water vapour and trace elements from the flavourings used in the e-liquid.

What Are the Different Types of Vape Atomizers?

There are several types of atomizers, each with unique features suited to a particular vaping style.

Clearomizer

Clearomizers are a versatile and user-friendly type of vape atomizer that has become a staple for both beginners and experienced vapers. They are cherished for their simplicity, convenience, and compatibility with various vaping devices, offering a hassle-free vaping experience.

Clearomizers consist of key components that work harmoniously to deliver satisfaction, including a transparent tank for monitoring e-liquid levels, a replaceable coil head, and a drip tip for comfortable inhalation.

Their transparency, ease of use, and availability in various designs and coil options have solidified their place in the vaping world, catering to a wide range of vape preferences.

Cartomizers

Cartomizers, a blend of cartridge atomizers, offer a classic and compact vaping option that harkens back to the simplicity of traditional cigarettes. These devices seamlessly combine the e-liquid cartridge, or vape pod, with the atomizer into one integrated unit, providing users with a straightforward and convenient vaping experience.

Despite their small size, cartomizers have a distinct charm and utility, particularly in e-cigarette devices, where they are commonly found.
Cartomizers are typically disposable, and intended for single or limited use. When the e-liquid is exhausted or coil performance declines, users simply replace the cartomizer, streamlining maintenance and eliminating the need for cleaning or coil changes.

This no-fuss and compact design makes cartomizers an ideal choice for those who prefer a familiar and hassle-free vaping experience.

Genesis Atomizers

Genesis atomizers are often considered a niche choice in the vaping community and hold a distinct appeal for enthusiasts and experienced vapers who value precision engineering and customization.

What sets genesis atomizers apart is their unique design, positioning the e-liquid tank above the heating coil, delivering a distinctive vaping experience and granting users the ability to finely craft and personalize their coils and wicks to exact specifications, such as using a wire mesh wick.

What draws many vapers to Genesis atomizers is their high degree of customization, catering to advanced users eager to experiment with diverse coil builds, wicking materials, and airflow adjustments, allowing for a finely tuned vaping experience.

However, it's worth noting that the complexity and learning curve associated with Genesis atomizers may deter beginners; these atomizers are typically favoured by vapers well-versed in coil building, seeking a specialized vaping journey marked by heightened flavour and vapour production.

Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers (RDAs)

Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers, often referred to as dripping atomizers represent the pinnacle of vaping customization and flavour production, favoured by experienced vapers and enthusiasts. RDAs lack an e-liquid reservoir, requiring users to manually drip e-liquid onto the coils for precise control over their vaping experience.

The main advantage of this type of rebuildable atomizer is its unmatched customization, allowing vapers to experiment with various coil builds, wicking methods, and airflow settings to achieve exceptional flavour and vapour production.

These atomizers are best suited for experienced vapers with coil-building expertise, as they require attention to detail and safety precautions, making them the preferred choice for those seeking ultimate flavour and vapour control.
Rebuildable Tank Atomizer (RTA)

Rebuildable Tank Atomizers (RTAs) strike a harmonious balance between convenience and customization within the vaping sphere. These atomizers feature a built-in vape tank reservoir, negating the need for manual dripping while still granting users the freedom to craft and install their coils.

RTAs have gained traction among vapers aiming to reconcile the flavour and vapour excellence of rebuildable atomizers with the e-liquid capacity of traditional vape tanks.

Rebuildable tank atomizers cater to intermediate and advanced vapers, providing the best of both worlds—exceptional flavour and vapour production paired with the practicality of a larger e-liquid reservoir.

Squonk Atomizers (Bottom-feeding RDA/RTA)

Squonk Atomizers, also known as Bottom-Feeding RDAs or Bottom-Feeding RTAs, provide a harmonious solution for vapers who cherish the flavour and customization of rebuildable atomizers while desiring a more convenient e-liquid management method.

These atomizers seamlessly complement Squonk Mods, featuring either built-in or external e-liquid bottles that users can gently squeeze to direct e-liquid straight to the atomizer's deck, eradicating the need for manual dripping. This integration of Squonk Mods with Squonk Atomizers offers an incredibly convenient solution, catering to vapers who seek both flavour purity and customization while sidestepping the inconvenience of manual e-liquid application.

Disposable Atomizers

Disposable atomizers offer a hassle-free vaping experience without maintenance or coil changes. Integrated into disposable vape devices, they provide a pre-filled, self-contained solution favoured by beginners and those seeking simplicity. Ideal for transitioning from traditional smoking to vaping, they're also convenient for on-the-go use and as backup options when rechargeable devices aren't available, catering to a variety of vaping needs.

Whether you like the simplicity of disposable vape devices, the ease of use of pod systems, the elegance of vape pens, or the customization and fine-tuning of vape tanks, vape specialists like Vapours Canada offer wide selections of vape devices, e-liquids, and accessories like replacement coils for different atomizers and vapes.