Tanks - Pods - Coils

Tanks, pods and coils – what is the difference?

When starting with e-cigarettes and vaping, you quickly encounter terms like tanks, pods and coils. For many new vapers, it can seem a bit overwhelming at first because the different parts have a significant impact on both flavour, vapour production and the overall experience with an e-cigarette.

Although modern e-cigarettes come in many different shapes and sizes, most systems still operate on the same basic principles. The e-liquid is stored either in a tank or a pod, while the coil heats the liquid and converts it into vapour.

Once you understand how the different parts work together, it becomes much easier to choose the right e-cigarette and find the solution that best suits your needs.

What is a tank?

A tank is the container that holds the e-liquid in an e-cigarette. The tank is typically mounted on top of the battery or mod and functions both as a liquid reservoir and as the housing where the coil sits.

Tanks are particularly used on larger and more powerful e-cigarettes where more vapour production, greater flexibility and the ability to adjust the experience are desired. Many tanks have adjustable airflow, larger liquid capacity and the option for easy top filling, so you can quickly add liquid without dismantling the entire unit.

Some tanks are designed for MTL vaping, which resembles the way you smoke a traditional cigarette, while others are developed for sub-ohm vaping with large vapour clouds and a lot of airflow.

What is a pod?

Pods function in many ways as a simpler and more compact version of a traditional tank. A pod system typically consists of a small battery and a pod that clicks directly into the device via magnets or a click system.

In some pods, the coil is built directly into the pod itself, while other systems allow for the coil to be replaced separately. Pod systems have become extremely popular because they are easy to use and require very little maintenance.

Many former smokers choose pods because they often provide a more cigarette-like experience with a tighter draw and less vapour production. They also work really well with nicotine salt liquids, which are often used in higher nicotine strengths.

What is a coil?

The coil is one of the most important parts of any e-cigarette. It is the coil that heats the e-liquid and converts it into vapour.

A coil typically consists of a metal wire surrounded by cotton or other absorbent material. The cotton absorbs the e-liquid, and when the e-cigarette is activated, the metal wire heats up so the liquid evaporates.

Different coils provide different experiences. Some coils are developed for maximum flavour, while others focus on large vapour clouds or longer lifespan. Therefore, the coil greatly influences how an e-liquid is experienced.

How long does a coil last?

A coil is a wear part and therefore needs to be replaced regularly. How long it lasts varies greatly from person to person and depends, among other things, on how much you vape, what liquid you use and what wattage level you apply.

Sweet e-liquids often wear out coils faster because the sweeteners can stick to the heating surface and create deposits over time.

For many vapers, a coil typically lasts between a few days and a couple of weeks before the flavour starts to change.

How do you know when the coil needs to be changed?

When a coil is wearing out, you can usually notice it quite clearly. The flavour often becomes worse, the vapour less full, and in some cases, you might experience a burnt taste.

A burnt coil should normally be replaced immediately, as the experience otherwise quickly becomes unpleasant. Some also experience gurgling, leakage, or darker liquid in the tank when the coil is nearing the end.

The difference between MTL and sub-ohm coils

There are many different types of coils, but most fall into two main categories: MTL and sub-ohm.

MTL stands for 'mouth to lung' and is most similar to the way you smoke a regular cigarette. These coils are typically used at lower wattages and provide a tighter inhale with less vapour production. Therefore, they often work best with higher nicotine strengths and nicotine salts.

Sub-ohm coils, on the other hand, have low resistance and are designed for greater vapour production and more airflow. They are often used at higher wattages and with lower nicotine strengths like 3 mg or 6 mg, because you inhale much more vapour per puff.

What are mesh coils?

Mesh coils have become very popular in modern vaping. Instead of a traditional spiral, mesh coils use a fine metal mesh as the heating element.

This provides a larger surface area that heats the liquid more evenly and efficiently. Many vapers therefore experience better flavour, faster heating, and more stable vapour production with mesh coils compared to traditional coils.

Today, mesh technology is used in both pod systems and larger sub-ohm tanks.

How do tank and coil affect the flavour?

The flavour from an e-liquid depends not only on the liquid itself. The tank's design, airflow, and type of coil also play a significant role in how the flavour is experienced.

Some tanks are specifically developed with a focus on maximum flavour reproduction, while others prioritise large clouds or a very airy inhale. Therefore, the same e-liquid can taste different depending on which tank or coil you use.

Many vapers therefore experiment with different setups to find the combination that best suits their personal preferences.

What should you choose?

The choice between tanks, pods, and different coils largely depends on the experience you want from your e-cigarette.

Some prefer simple pod systems that require minimal maintenance and are easy to take on the go. Others want larger tanks with more setting options, higher vapour production, and the ability to fine-tune the experience.

There is no one solution that suits everyone. The best experience often arises when you find the right combination of e-cigarette, coil, e-liquid, and nicotine strength.