Vaping Glossary

18650 - The battery cell most commonly used in vapourisers. We recommend only using batteries reviewed by BatteryMooch. ‘18650’ refers to the size of the cell.

20700 - A battery cell becoming more commonly used in vapes, slightly larger than 18650s. We recommend only using batteries reviewed by BatteryMooch. ‘20700’ refers to the size of the cell

21700 - A type of battery still being adopted for use in vapes, slightly larger than 20700s. We recommend only using batteries reviewed by BatteryMooch. ‘21700’ refers to the size of the cell

26650 - A type of battery cell occasionally used in vapes, a very large cell. We recommend only using batteries reviewed by BatteryMooch. ‘26650’ refers to the size of the cell.

510 Connection – A type of thread used to connect an atomiser (a tank or RDA to a Mod.) It is the most common connection found on atomisers and mods. It is also a standard size metric for a ‘Drip Tip’.

Ego Connection – A smaller sized connection than a 510 connection. Commonly found on pen style mods or older devices.

Air Flow Control –  Also referred to as AFC or adjustable airflow. An adjustable opening on an atomizer that controls the flow of air. More air makes the vapour cooler, and more voluminous. Less air makes the vapour hotter and denser.

All Day Vape – An e-liquid flavour that someone enjoys so much that they can vape it all day.

Atomizer – Also referred to as an “atty”. A catch all term for the unit which “vapourises” your e-Liquid into vapour. It holds the eliquid, heats it up and turns it into vapour. There are different types of atomisers: Tanks, RTAs, RDAs and RDTAs.

Automatic Shutoff – A safety feature found in most regulated Mods, this prevents overheating of the battery. If the Mod detects overheating, the unit will shut off automatically.

Battery (cell)– Provides the power to the heating coil for the vapourisation process. Most devices use 18650 Li-ion batteries. Some newer mods use LiPo batteries.

Cotton – Cotton is used in most atomizers to “wick” the e-Liquid onto the coils.

Clouds – Another term for the vapour produced. i.e., “Wow, that setup chucks out some massive clouds.”

 Coil – The part of the vapouriser that heats up the e-Liquid to produce vapour. A coil can either be a disposable “coil head” used in a “tank” or a rebuildable coil. The coil can be made from kanthal, nichrome, nickel, titanium or stainless steel.

 DNA chip– A chip used in some high-end regulated mods. The DNA chips are a chipset made by Evolv. It allows an extremely high degree of customisation.

Direct-to-lung - A method of drawing in vapour deep in to the lungs. The way a cloud chaser inhales to maximise the vape density.

Drip Tip – A detachable mouth piece for a vapouriser. The standard size drip tip is a 510 drip tip.

E-Cigarette – Also referred to as an e-cig. An e-cigarette is a vapouriser that generally produces less vapour than other larger devices but is very small in size.

E-Liquid – also referred to as e-juice, or juice. E-liquid consists of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, flavour concentrates and may have nicotine in it.

Kanthal – the most common alloy for coils to be made of. It is made of iron, chromium and aluminium. It is appropriate to use in “power mode” or with mechanical mods. (Commonly abbreviated to Ka, K1 or KA1)

Mechanical mod – Also referred to as a “mech mod”. A mechanical mod  has no inbuilt circuitry, but rather a direct circuit to the Atomiser. They are not recommended for beginner vapers (please see our mechanical Mod safety guide).

Mod – A mod supplies the required power to your atomizer. Mods come in a large variety of different shapes, sizes and functions. A mod is either regulated, mechanical or semi-mechanical.

Mg – Milligrams of Nicotine in an e-liquid product.  Expressed as Mg/ml, or milligrams per milliliter. Usually found in the range of 0mg-18mg.

Nickel – Also referred to as Ni200 or Ni. Ni200 wire is pure nickel. It is only appropriate for use in devices which have a temperature control mode for nickel. If it used in the inappropriate mode it can melt.

Nichrome – Also referred to as Ni80. Nichrome is an alloy made from nickel, chromium and iron. It is appropriate to use in power mode on regulated devices and on mechanical mods.

Ohm - The unit for the measurement of electrical resistance. Generally lower resistance coils heat faster and create more vapour, but require more power to do so.

Ohm’s Law – A physics law stating that electrical current is proportional to voltage and resistance. People using mechanical mods must understand ohm’s law so they can ensure the coils they are using are safe.

PG – Propylene Glycol, an ingredient in e-liquid. Propylene glycol is quite watery.

Pod - Refers to the type of system that uses them, and to their replacement ‘pods’. Pods are a small coil and wick, housed in a small disposable eliquid tank. Pod systems are the devices which use these disposable pods, and are generally very small, and not very powerful.

Power mode – Also referred to as “Wattage” mode. Power mode is a mode on regulated mods which allows you to vary the amount of watts being sent to the coils. The higher the wattage the more vapour your device will produce and the warmer the vape will be. 

Regulated Mod – A regulated mod has inbuilt circuitry for battery protection and generally allows for adjustment of voltage/wattage. It may feature a screen to display information. It may also feature different “modes”, e.g. temperature control mode or power mode.

RBA – Short for “Re-buildable Atomiser”. An older term which isn’t used much anymore to describe and atomizer which requires the user to build their own coils. Today, it usually refers to a coil build deck that can be used in a tank in place of a pre-built coil head.

RDA – Short for “Re-buildable Dripping Atomizer”. Unlike a “tank” a RDA doesn’t have a reservoir of e-Liquid. The user “drips” e-Liquid onto the wick/cotton. This generally produces thicker more flavourful vapour than tanks. Users make and install the coils themselves.

RDTA – Short for “Re-Buildable Dripping Tank Atomizer”. An RDTA is very similar in design to a RDTA however it features a reservoir underneath the deck which means the user doesn’t have to “drip” e-liquid onto the cotton, though the user can still do so.

RTA – Short for “Re-buildable tank Atomiser”. Very similar in design to a tank however instead of using disposable “coil heads” the users makes their own coils. Distinct from RDTAs in that the coils are not exposed, and the user cannot drip onto the coils.

Tank – A tank is a type of atomiser which features disposables “coil heads” and a reservoir of e-Liquid. It is the most common type of atomiser.

Titanium – Also referred to as Ti. Titanium wire is only appropriate for use in devices which have a temperature control mode for Titanium. If it used in the inappropriate mode it can melt, and release dangerous chemicals.

Temperature Control – Temperature control is a feature found on newer regulated mods. Instead of setting the power level the user selects the desired temperature. The device then produces vapour to that temperature. It does this by detecting the changes of resistance in the coil that occur when the wire heats.

VG – Vegetable Glycerine, the main ingredient in e-Liquid. Vegetable glycerine is quite viscous.

Vapouriser – A device consisting of a Mod, atomiser, coil and battery that produces vapour from e-liquid.