The atomiser. It's a fundamental part of your vaping equipment, and without it you couldn't heat up the e-liquid, meaning you couldn't vape at all! It goes without saying, then (though I'll say it anyway) that knowing when to replace your atomiser is an important part of the vaping experience. The good news is that you'll usually be able to tell, as long as you know the signs to look out for. When you know, you know, if you know what I mean?
What's in an Atomiser?
An atomiser is made up of three parts; the casing, the wire (coil) and the wicking material. The wire wraps around the wicking material in the shape of a coil and the ends of the wire connect to the casing where it makes contact with the battery. When you put e-liquid into the tank, the wicking material absorbs it and will become saturated. When you then activate the battery, the coil heats up and the absorbed e-liquid in the wicking material is vaporised.
How Do You Know When to Replace It?
Atomisers often die a slow, drawn-out death, which would be terrible if they could feel anything. Luckily, they're not alive (at least we don't think they are...) so this isn't such a tragedy, it just means that it's easier to tell when your atomiser needs replacing. Here are some of the tell-tale signs it's on its last legs:
Reduced vapour production - when you first start using a new atomiser, you'll notice the large, thick clouds it produces. Unfortunately nothing in this life lasts, so this won't go on for long. Over time your e-cig will gradually produce less and less vapour, though you may not notice immediately as it's happening slowly. Other signs are more obvious though.
Leaking of e-liquid - accidents happen, and there could be other causes for this, but if your vaporiser is persistently leaking then it's most likely one thing that's to blame (hint: your atomiser). If your atomiser isn't working properly it won't heat up the liquid to the adequate temperature to turn it into vapour, so you'll take some of it into your mouth.
Gurgling noises - A leaking device is often accompanied by various gurgling sounds, as a result of the coil not heating the liquid sufficiently. This means that taking a drag will cause the atomiser to flood, causing the noises.
Burnt taste - this is a clear sign that your atomiser is on its last legs. The material no longer absorbs the liquid properly, causing unpleasant dry hits.
No vapour at all - the final sign that you should change your atomiser. If you haven't replaced your atomiser yet, now it's definitely time!
How Often Should I Change It?
Well, this is simply down to how long it lasts before showing any of the symptoms above. This can vary based on how often you vape, but an atomiser can generally last from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. Keep an eye on these signs to see when yours needs replacing.