Glossary of 50+ Vape Terms Every New Vaper Should Know
|
Time to read 5 min
TL;DR
If you’ve ever stared at vape instructions and thought they were written in another language, you’re not alone. This glossary explains 50+ of the most common vaping terms in plain English. No gatekeeping, no tech talk, just what each word means and why it matters. Bookmark it, this one’s worth keeping handy.
A
AIO (All-In-One): A compact vape that combines battery, tank, and coil into one sealed device, easy to use, minimal setup.
Airflow: The amount of air drawn through the device while inhaling. More airflow = cooler vapour and smoother draw; less airflow = warmer vapour and stronger throat hit. Learn more in Airflow Science in Vapes.
Atomiser: The component that turns e-liquid into vapour, usually includes the coil and wick inside the tank or pod.
B
Battery (Mod): The power source of your vape. Mods can be built-in (charge via USB) or removable (use 18650/21700 cells).
Box Mod: A larger, box-shaped vape with adjustable settings and higher power output, often used for sub-ohm vaping.
Burnt Hit: That harsh, acrid taste when the wick burns due to dry cotton or excessive wattage.
C
Cartridge: A small, pre-filled e-liquid container used in closed pod systems, disposable after use.
CBD Vape: A device or liquid containing cannabidiol (CBD), used for non-nicotine vaping.
Chain Vaping: Taking repeated puffs without allowing the coil to re-saturate, often leading to dry or burnt hits.
Coil: A wire or mesh heating element wrapped with cotton, it heats up and vapourises the e-liquid.
Coil Resistance (Ohms, Ω): Measures how easily electricity flows through the coil. Lower resistance (sub-ohm) = more vapour; higher resistance = tighter draw and more nicotine efficiency.
Cotton/Wick: Absorbent material that holds e-liquid and feeds it to the coil for vapourisation.
D
Direct-to-Lung (DTL): Inhaling vapour directly into the lungs (like breathing deeply), produces bigger clouds and smoother hits.
Disposable Vape: A pre-filled, single-use device that requires no charging or refilling, popular for convenience but less sustainable.
Dry Hit: A burnt taste caused by firing the coil when it’s dry or under-saturated.
Drip Tip: The mouthpiece of a vape, available in various sizes (510 or 810). Narrower tips = tighter draw, wider = airy draw.
E
E-Liquid (Vape Juice): The liquid vapourised inside the device, made of VG, PG, flavourings, and nicotine (optional).
E-Liquid Strength: The amount of nicotine in the liquid, measured in mg/ml (e.g. 3 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg).
E-Liquid Ratio (VG/PG): The balance between Vegetable Glycerine (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG). High VG = smoother, more vapour. High PG = stronger hit and sharper flavour.
F
Flavour Chase: The practice of optimising settings to bring out maximum flavour rather than cloud size.
Flooding: When too much e-liquid saturates the coil, causing gurgling, spitting, or leaking.
Freebase Nicotine: The traditional nicotine form found in standard e-liquids, slower absorption but stronger throat hit than nicotine salts.
G
Glass Tank: The transparent chamber that holds e-liquid, typically made from Pyrex or quartz glass.
Gurgling: The bubbling sound when excess e-liquid floods the coil or airflow chamber.
H
Hybrid Mod: Combines features of mechanical and regulated mods, requires expertise due to safety risks.
Hot Spot: An unevenly heated section of the coil that causes harsh vapour or metallic taste.
I
Inhale Style: Refers to how vapour is drawn, MTL (mouth-to-lung) or DTL (direct-to-lung).
Internal Battery: A built-in power source charged via USB-C or micro-USB, common in pod systems and starter kits.
J
Juice: Slang for e-liquid.
K
Kanthal: A durable alloy (iron, chromium, aluminium) commonly used in standard wattage coils.
Kick: The throat sensation produced by nicotine, stronger with higher PG or wattage.
L
Leaking: When e-liquid escapes through airflow holes or coil seals. Often caused by pressure changes or thin liquids, see Why Your Vape Leaks: Physics, Pressure Changes, and Fixes That Actually Work.
Liquid Capacity: The volume of e-liquid a tank or pod can hold, measured in millilitres (ml).
M
Mesh Coil: A flat sheet of metal with a mesh pattern, offering faster heating and better flavour than traditional wire coils.
MTL (Mouth-to-Lung): Inhaling vapour into the mouth first, then lungs, mimics cigarette draw, ideal for nicotine salts.
Mod: Short for “modification”; the main body of a vape device housing the battery and chipset.
N
Nic Salt (Nicotine Salt): A smoother, faster-absorbing form of nicotine found in many pod e-liquids, ideal for higher strengths (10–20 mg). See Differences Between Salt Nic and Regular E-Liquids.
Nickel (Ni200): A metal used in temperature control coils due to its stable resistance change with heat.
O
Ohm (Ω): Unit of electrical resistance. “Sub-ohm” refers to coils under 1.0 Ω, designed for high vapour production.
O-Ring: Small rubber seals preventing leaks in tanks and pods.
Overtightening: Turning parts too hard when assembling; can crush seals and cause leaks.
P
Pod: A small refillable or pre-filled cartridge that clips into compact devices, convenient, discreet, and easy to maintain.
Priming: Saturating a new coil’s cotton with e-liquid before use to prevent burning.
PG (Propylene Glycol): A thinner base ingredient in e-liquid that carries flavour and throat hit.
Q
Quick Charge: Fast USB-C charging available in modern pod kits and mods, often fully charging in under an hour.
R
RBA (Rebuildable Atomiser): A user-buildable coil deck for advanced users who prefer custom setups.
RDL (Restricted Direct-Lung): A hybrid inhale style between MTL and DTL, moderate airflow, balanced vapour and flavour.
Resistance: The coil’s measure of electrical restriction, determining wattage requirements and vapour production.
S
Short Fill: A nicotine-free e-liquid bottle (e.g. 50 ml in a 60 ml bottle) leaving space for a nicotine shot.
Spitback: Hot droplets of e-liquid popping through the mouthpiece, usually from flooding or low power.
Sub-Ohm: Vaping with coils below 1.0 Ω, producing larger clouds and smoother hits.
T
Tank: The part of a vape holding e-liquid and coil, connects to a mod via a 510 thread.
Temperature Control (TC): A mode that limits coil temperature, preventing dry or burnt hits. See Wattage Mode vs Temperature Control: Which Should You Use and When?.
Throat Hit: The scratchy or punchy sensation felt when inhaling vapour, influenced by nicotine, PG ratio, and power.
Top-Fill: A refill design allowing e-liquid to be poured from the top rather than removing the tank.
U
USB-C: Modern charging connection offering faster, safer charging than older micro-USB ports.
V
VG (Vegetable Glycerine): A thicker base ingredient creating dense vapour and smooth texture.
Vape Mod: A power unit controlling wattage, voltage, and sometimes temperature, pairs with tanks or pods.
Vapour Production: The volume of vapour a device generates; depends on airflow, wattage, and VG ratio.
Voltage: The electrical pressure sent from the battery to the coil; higher voltage = hotter coil, faster vapourisation.
W
Wattage: Power output of your device, measured in watts (W). Higher wattage = warmer vapour and stronger flavour, but faster coil wear.
Wick: The absorbent cotton or fibre that feeds liquid to the coil.
X
XROS (Vaporesso XROS): A popular line of pod devices known for simple operation, USB-C charging, and adjustable airflow.
Y
Yellowing: Slight discolouration of e-liquid due to exposure to light, oxygen, or heat, harmless, but may slightly change taste.
Z
Zero-Nicotine Vape: E-liquids or devices containing no nicotine, used purely for flavour or relaxation.
Zinc Alloy: A durable material used for mod casings; lightweight yet sturdy.
Final Word
Knowing vape terms doesn’t make you an expert, but it does make you confident. Understanding what “sub-ohm,” “priming,” or “VG/PG” mean helps you get better flavour, safer use, and the right kit for your habits. Keep this glossary bookmarked, you’ll use it more than you think.
