Vaping Glossary

Vape Glossary: Vaping Terms Explained

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced vaper, it’s no secret that the world of vaping is full of technical, and often confusing, language. But fear not, as this handy A-Z vaping glossary is here to help you make sense of it all.

So, whether you're figuring out your first mod or just curious about the latest vaping trends, you'll find clear explanations of vaping terms right here. Dive in, and let's make vaping a little less complicated.

Vaping Vocabulary Demystified: Your Go-To Glossary Explained

Adjustable Airflow:

A feature in many vaping devices that allows users to control the amount of air flowing through the device, which can affect vapour production.

All Day Vape:

A vape juice flavour that is enjoyable enough to be used consistently throughout the day without becoming overwhelming.

Amperage/Amps:

This measures the flow of electrical current in your vape device. Understanding amps is important for battery safety and making sure your device runs smoothly.

Atomiser:

The part of your vape that heats up the e-liquid and turns it into vapour. It usually includes the coil and wick.

Automatic Shutoff:

A safety feature in vape devices that turns the device off after a certain period of inactivity or if the fire button is held down too long. This helps prevent overheating.

Base E-Liquid:

The primary components of e-liquid, usually a mix of Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). This base is combined with flavours and nicotine to create the final vape juice.

Battery:

The power source of your vape device. Batteries can be built-in or replaceable, and they supply the energy needed to heat the coil and produce vapour.

Box Mod:

A vape kit that’s typically box-shaped, powerful and features advanced settings such as variable wattage and temperature control.

Burnt Hit:

An unpleasant taste you get when your coil is dry or burnt out. This happens when there isn't enough e-liquid to vapourise, leading to a harsh, burnt flavour.

Button-Activated:

A vape kit that requires you to press a button to produce vapour. This is different from draw-activated devices, which activate when you inhale.

Cartridge:

A small, replaceable container that holds e-liquid and houses the coil in some vaping kits. Also known as a pod, it can be pre-filled or refillable.

Charger:

This is what recharges your vape battery. Chargers can vary in type, such as USB chargers, wall adapters, and dedicated charging docks.

Chipset:

The electronic brain of your vape device, managing its functions and safety features. Chipsets control things like wattage, temperature, and battery efficiency.

Cig-A-Like:

A type of vape kit designed to look and feel similar to a traditional cigarette. They are usually small, lightweight, and simple to use.

Clearomiser:

A type of atomiser with a transparent tank, allowing you to see how much e-liquid is left. It combines the coil and e-liquid tank into one unit.

Cloud Chasing:

A vaping style focused on producing large, dense clouds of vapour. This often involves using high-powered devices and low-resistance coils.

Coil:

The heating element in your vape that turns e-liquid into vapour.

Custom Mod:

A vape kit that has been customised or modified to meet a user’s specific preferences. Custom mods often include enhanced features and unique designs.

Cartomiser/Carts:

A type of atomiser that combines the coil and e-liquid storage in one unit. Cartomisers are often used in older or more basic vape devices.

Direct To Lung (DTL):

A vaping style where you inhale vapor directly into your lungs. This method produces larger clouds and is suitable for more advanced users.

Disposable Vape:

A single-use vape device that comes pre-filled with e-liquid and is ready to use right out of the box. It must be disposed of once empty.

Draw:

The act of inhaling vapour from your vape device. The draw can be tight or loose, depending on your device's airflow settings and design.

Draw Activated:

A feature where the device automatically activates and produces vapour when you inhale, without the need for pressing any buttons.

Drip Tip:

Another term for the mouthpiece of a vape device.

Dual Activation:

A vape kit that supports both draw activation and button activation.

E-Cigarette/E-Cig:

Another word for vape device, a battery-powered device that heats up e-liquid to produce vapour.

E-Liquid:

The liquid used in e-cigarettes to create vapour. It typically contains propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and nicotine.

Flavour Concentrates:

Highly concentrated flavourings used to mix or enhance e-liquids. They allow vapers to create custom flavours.

Flavours:

The various blends and profiles available in an e-liquid format.

Flooding:

This occurs when too much e-liquid saturates the coil, leading to gurgling sounds and leaks.

Freebase Nicotine:

A popular form of nicotine used in e-liquids. It provides a stronger throat hit compared to nicotine salts and is absorbed more slowly by the body.

Gurgling:

A sound or sensation experienced when excess e-liquid floods the coil, causing a disruption in the airflow and sometimes leading to leaks.

High Resistance:

This refers to coils with a higher resistance, typically above 1.0 ohms. These coils are commonly used in mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices.

Hit:

The sensation felt at the back of the throat when inhaling vapour.

High VG:

E-liquids with a high concentration of Vegetable Glycerin (VG), usually 70% VG or higher. These are thicker and are popular amog sub-ohm vapers.

Inahle:

The act of drawing vapour into the mouth or lungs from a vape device.

Inhale Activation:

Refers to devices that activate automatically when the user inhales. These devices do not require buttons.

Joules:

A unit of energy measurement, sometimes used in advanced vaping devices with temperature control.

Juice:

Another word for e-liquid.

Kanthal:

A type of wire commonly used in vape coils that’s durable and able to withstand high temperatures.

LED:

The type of light found on some vape kits used to indicate battery life, charging status and activation.

Lithium Ion Batteries:

Rechargeable batteries with a long lifespan often used in vape mods and devices.

Liquid:

Another term for e-liquid or vape juice.

Low Resistance:

Refers to coils with a lower electrical resistance, which allows for higher power output and increased vapour production.

mAh:

Stands for milliampere-hour, a unit used to measure the capacity of a battery to store energy. The larger the mAh, the longer the battery can last.

Mechanical Mod:

A vape device that lacks electronic regulation and relies on a mechanical switch to complete the circuit between the battery and atomiser.

Mesh Coil:

A type of vape coil that uses a mesh-like material instead of traditional wound wire. Mesh coils offer faster heating and larger heating surface area.

Milligram (mg) Strength:

Refers to the concentration of nicotine in e-liquid, measured in milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml).

Millilitre (ml):

A unit of measurement for volume, often used to quantify the capacity of e-liquid tanks or bottles.

Mod:

Short for modification, typically refers to a vape device that has been modified from its original design for customisation or enhanced performance.

Mouth To Lung (MTL):

A vaping style where vapour is first drawn into the mouth and then inhaled into the lungs, similar to how one would smoke a traditional cigarette.

Mouthpiece:

The part of a vape device that is placed in the mouth to inhale vapour.

Nicotine:

A chemical found in tobacco plants and commonly used in e-liquids to satisfy nicotine cravings without the harmful effects of smoking.

Nic Salts/Nicotine Salt:

A form of nicotine that is chemically altered for a smoother, faster-acting experience when vaped at higher concentrations.

Nic Shot/Nicotine Shot:

A concentrated nicotine solution added to nicotine-free e-liquids to increase their nicotine content.

Nicotine-Free:

E-liquids and devices that do not contain any nicotine.

Nicotine Strength:

Indicates the concentration of nicotine in e-liquid, typically measured in milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml).

NRT:

Stands for nicotine replacement therapy which refers to products designed to help smokers quit by providing nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke.

Ohms/Ω:

A unit of electrical resistance which indicates how much resistance a coil provides to the flow of electricity in a vape device. Coils with higher ohm ratings produce less vapour and a tighter draw, making them ideal for mouth to lung vaping. Lower ohm coilsproduct more vapour and are designed for sub-ohm vaping.

OLED:

Stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode, a type of screen used in some vape devices to display information such as battery life, wattage, and coil resistance.

O-Ring:

A small rubber ring used in vape devices to create seals between different components and prevent leaks.

Passthrough:

A feature that allows you to vape while your device is charging. This means you can continue using your vape even when it's plugged in.

Pen-Style:

A slim, cylindrical vape device resembling a pen. Pen-style vapes are popular for their portability and ease of use.

Pod:

A small, refillable or pre-filled cartridge used in pod systems. Pods contain the e-liquid and coil, making them easy to replace and maintain.

Pod Kit:

A type of vaping device that uses pods instead of traditional tanks. Pod kits are user-friendly and often designed for nicotine salt e-liquids.

Priming:

The process of soaking a new coil with e-liquid before using it to prevent dry hits and ensure the coil is properly saturated.

Propylene Glycol (PG):

A common base ingredient in e-liquids. PG provides a stronger throat hit and carries flavor well but produces less vapor compared to vegetable glycerin (VG).

Puff:

A single inhalation or draw from a vape device. Puffs are often used to measure e-liquid consumption and battery life.

Puff Count:

The total number of puffs a device can deliver before needing a refill or recharge. It's a good indicator of the device's capacity and lifespan.

Pulse Mode:

A feature in some advanced vape devices that delivers power to the coil in pulses rather than a continuous stream, often enhancing flavour and extending coil life.

PG/VG:

The ratio of propylene glycol (PG) to vegetable glycerin (VG) in an e-liquid. Different ratios affect the throat hit, flavour intensity, and vapour production. For example, a 50/50 PG/VG blend offers a balance of throat hit and vapour, while a 70/30 VG/PG blend produces more vapour with a smoother hit.

RBA:

Rebuildable Atomizer. A type of atomiser that allows users to build and install their own coils, providing a customisable experience.

RDA:

Rebuildable Dripping Atomiser. A type of RBA where the e-liquid is dripped directly onto the coils and wick, offering enhanced flavour and vapour production.

RDTL (Restricted Direct To Lung):

A vaping style that provides a tighter draw than traditional direct-to-lung (DTL) but is more open than mouth-to-lung (MTL), striking a balance between the two.

Refillable Pod Kit:

A type of pod system that allows users to refill the pods with their preferred e-liquids, offering more flexibility.

Resistance:

The measure of how much the coil resists the electrical current from the battery, affecting the heat and vapour production. Measured in ohms (Ω).

RTA:

Rebuildable Tank Atomizer. A type of RBA with a tank to hold e-liquid, combining the customisation of rebuildable coils with the convenience of a tank system.

Shortfill:

A larger bottle of e-liquid that is partially filled, leaving space to add a nicotine shot. These are most popular among sub-ohm vapers who prefer high VG e-liquid.

Stacking:

The practice of using multiple batteries in a vape device to increase power and battery life. It is important to follow safety guidelines when stacking batteries.

Starter Kit:

A beginner-friendly vape device that comes with all the essentials needed to begin vaping.

Stealth Vaping:

A discreet method of vaping that produces minimal vapour, making it less noticeable in public places.

Steeping:

The process of allowing e-liquid to rest so that the flavours can develop and blend over time, often improving the taste.

Sub-Ohm:

Vaping with coils that have a resistance of less than one ohm. Sub-ohm vaping typically produces larger vapour clouds and more intense flavour, making it suitable for advanced users.

Tank:

The part of a vape device that holds e-liquid and houses the coil.

Temperature Control (TC):

A feature in some vape devices that allows users to set a specific temperature for the coil. This helps prevent dry hits and burnt coils by maintaining a consistent temperature.

Throat Hit:

The sensation felt at the back of the throat when inhaling vapor. The intensity of the throat hit can be influenced by the type of e-liquid, its nicotine strength, and the device settings.

Top-Fill:

A design feature in tanks and pods that allows users to fill e-liquid from the top of the device, making refilling easier and less messy.

TPD/Tobacco Products Directive:

A set of regulations from the European Union that governs the sale and marketing of tobacco and related products, including e-cigarettes and e-liquids. TPD compliance ensures safety and quality standards.

Type-C:

A modern USB charging port used in many vape devices for faster and more efficient charging.

Unregulated:

Refers to a type of vape mod that does not have internal circuitry to regulate power. These devices deliver power directly from the battery to the coil, which means the power output decreases as the battery depletes.

USB Charger:

A device used to recharge vape batteries via a USB connection.

Vaper’s Tongue:

When you lose the ability to taste your e-liquid. This can happen if you use the same flavour too long or if you’re dehydrated.

Vapour Production:

The amount of vapour your vape makes when you use it. Some people like making big, thick clouds of vapour, which is called cloud chasing.

Variable Wattage:

A feature in some vapes that lets you change the power level. Adjusting the wattage affects the strength of the flavour and the amount of vapour you get.

Vegetable Glycerin (VG):

A thick, sweet liquid used in e-liquids. It creates more vapour and gives a smoother throat hit. E-liquids with more VG are popular for making big clouds.

Voltage:

A measure of electrical power. Some vapes let you change the voltage to control how much power goes to the coil, which can change how much vapour you get and how it tastes.

Wattage:

The measure of electrical power in your vape.

Wick:

The material inside the coil that soaks up the e-liquid.

Vaping at myCigara

Here at myCigara, we exist to help make the UK smoke-free. By providing helpful guides such as a vape glossary, we hope to educate and empower vapers on their journey to a smoke-free lifestyle.

Learning to vape is pretty straightforward once you get into it, but we know that newcomers might find it overwhelming at first. That's why we offer a range of blogs, guides, and expert tips to help you understand vaping inside out and enjoy the best possible experience every time.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and contact us or visit your nearest myCigara store. Our friendly staff are always on hand to help.

Jemma Wolfe

Lead Content Writer @myCigara

I'm Jemma, a writer and ex-smoker with a passion for vaping. Since ditching the cigs over a year ago, I've used a whole host of vaping products to help me stay smoke-free and live a healthier lifestyle.

Now, my goal is to help others along their quit smoking journey by writing expert reviews and providing vaping guidance. When I’m not writing, you can find me curled up with a good book, hanging out with my cats or watching live music.

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