EDGE's Vaping Glossary - The Complete A-To-Z
When it comes to vaping, the jargon and lingo associated with it appears to be somewhat endless and if you're a new vaper, this can be quite confusing to fully understand when first starting out on your vaping journey.
Which is why we've written this hand glossary guide to explain the most common vaping terms you'll encounter along your way as we aim to cover the complete A-to-Z of vaping!
Vaping Terms: A-E
ADV (All Day Vape) - Whilst not an official vaping term, this is a term that's been coined by vapers in reference to a specific e-liquid flavour. It's reference to an e-liquid that vapers can enjoy all day without changing flavours. This does all come down to personal preference though!
Adjustable Airflow - Whilst not featured on every vape kit, some vape kits will have adjustable airflow which is enables you to either have the airflow open or restricted slightly for a different vape experience. This will either be a ring that surrounds the airflow or a slider adjustment.
Airflow - This is included on every vape device and it's where the air comes through when you inhale on your vape. The air helps in creating the clouds of vapour which is produced when you exhale.
Amps - A unit of electrical current. Important for understanding battery safety and the power output of your vape device.
Atomiser - This is the heating element part of an e-cigarette which heats up your e-liquid and turns it to vapour. Commonly referred to as a coil.
Battery - The main part of any vape device which provides power to heat the coil up which in turn heats up your e-liquid to turn to vapour. Commonly a lithium-ion battery that will either be internally fitted into the device or a removable 18650/21700 battery,
Box Mod - A name given to the bigger vape devices most associated with sub ohm vaping. The vape mod itself will be box shape and normally require external batteries to operate and the vape tank screws into the mod and sits atop it.
Burnt Coil - The two words which strike fear into any vaper and that's a burnt coil! Burnt relates to the condition of the cotton which is used as the wick as it will be burnt and not be pleasant tasting!
Cartomiser - This is where vaping all began! Cartomisers are small screw on tips which go on to a 280mah battery and come prefilled with e-liquid, and once the e-liquid runs out, it's then disposed of.
Clearomizer: A type of tank that is see through and allows the user to see the e-liquid level. It typically uses replaceable coils but some are disposable once the wick has burnt out.
Cloud - A term given to the vapour which is exhaled from using an e-cigarette.
Coil - This is the wire which sits inside an atomiser. It's specifically wrapped a number of times to create an overall ohms reading. It's what is heated up from the battery to then heat up the e-liquid.
Cotton - This is the wick that's threaded through a coil. This is the part where your vape juice soaks into and once it's burnt out, you'll need to replace it with a new coil.
Diacetyl – TPD regulations ban its use in the UK within e-liquids. A harmful ingredient which needs to be avoided
Direct To Lung (DTL) - A style of vaping more commonly associated with sub ohm vape devices. This is where you inhale the vapour directly down to your lung and then exhale it. Can be done using High VG e-liquids that do not provide any throat hit.
Drip Tip - This is the mouthpiece part of your vape tank. Some will be removable and interchangeable for customisation but most are fixed to the tank.
E-Cigarette - One name given to the device which is used to be able to vape. Short for electronic cigarette.
E-Liquid - The thing we all know and love and one of the essential parts to making vaping possible! Called many other different names which we cover in this glossary but this is what you put into your vape tank or vape pod to be heated up and turned into vapour.
Vaping Terms: F-J
Flooding - A vapers worst nightmare! Flooding is where your coil becomes flooded with e-liquid and isn't able to properly heat it up. Your cotton will become over saturated and you'll like experience your coil to spit the e-liquid back when the fire button is pressed.
Fire Button - This is the button on the device which can be pressed to then activate the coil. Although some devices are buttonless and work as inhale activated.
Freebase Nicotine - This is the type of nicotine which is commonly used in 50/50 e-liquids and High VG e-liquids. This form of nicotine has a commonly higher pH level and is available in strengths from 3mg-18mg.
Glycerin (VG - Vegetable Glycerin): A thick, sweet, vegetable-based liquid used as one of the base ingredients in e-liquid, responsible for vapor production and a smoother throat hit.
High VG: E-liquids with a higher percentage of vegetable glycerine, typically producing more vapour and a smoother inhale. Commonly mixed at a 80% to 20% ratio.
Vaping Terms: K-O
mAh (milliampere-hour) - A unit of electrical charge used to measure the capacity of a battery. A higher mAh rating generally means the battery capacity is bigger to provide a longer charge life.
Mechanical Mod - This is a type of vape device which is only recommended to be used with extremely experienced vapers that have a good understanding and knowledge of ohms law and battery safety. These devices do not have any power boards included and instead the power is pulled from the battery to the coil housed in the tank.
Mesh Coil - This is the design of the coil where it's made from a perforated sheet of mesh metal rather than a wire coil. And this can enhance the flavour of your vape juice as well as increasing your coil life longevity.
Micro-USB Charging - This is a type of charging port on older vape devices where it is charged via Micro Usb cable.
mg/mL (milligrams per milliliter): A unit of measurement for nicotine concentration in e-liquid.
Mod - A name given to a vape device.
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) - A vaping style where vapor is first drawn into the mouth and then inhaled into the lungs, similar to smoking a cigarette. Typically uses lower wattage and higher nicotine levels.
Mouthpiece – The part of the e-cigarette that goes between the lips.
Nicotine - A type of tank that is see through and allows the user to see the e-liquid level. It typically uses replaceable coils but some are disposable once the wick has burnt out.
Nicotine Salt - A type of nicotine which is made by adding a weakened acid to freebase nicotine to neutralise the pH levels allowing for it to be smoother on the throat.
Ohms - The unit of electrical resistance. The resistance of the atomizer coil affects the power output and vapour production
Overheating - This is the term that relates to your vape device battery becoming too hot. Be wary of this happening as it could lead to a combustion risk.
Vaping Terms: P-T
Pass-Through - A feature that allows a vape device to be used while it is being charged.
Pen Vape - A type of vape device with a slim, cylindrical shape resembling a pen.
PG (Propylene Glycol) - A thin, colourless, and odourless liquid used as one of the base ingredients in e-liquid. It carries flavour well and provides a throat hit.
Pod Vape - A type of vape device that uses replaceable or refillable pods instead of a traditional tank. Often compact and user-friendly and paired with nicotine salts.
Priming - The process of saturating a new coil's wicking material with e-liquid before first use to prevent a dry hit.
RBA (Rebuildable Atomizer) - A general term for atomizers where the user builds and installs their own coils and wicking material. Includes RDAs, RTAs, and RDTAs.
Resistance - Measured in ohms, it's the opposition to the flow of electrical current in a coil. Lower resistance generally leads to higher power output and more vapor.
Regulated Mod - A vape mod that contains electronic circuitry to control power output, temperature, and provide safety features.
Steeping: The process of allowing freshly made e-liquid to sit for a period of time to allow the flavours to fully blend and mature.
Sub-Ohm Vaping - Vaping with a coil that has a resistance of less than one ohm, typically producing more vapor and a warmer vape. Requires higher power output and careful attention to battery safety.
Tank - A reservoir that holds e-liquid and feeds it to the atomizer.
TC (Temperature Control) - A vaping mode that allows the user to set a specific temperature for the coil, preventing dry hits and providing a more consistent vape experience. Requires coils made of specific materials like stainless steel, titanium, or nickel.
Throat Hit - The sensation in the back of the throat experienced during vaping where the nicotine and PG in your e-liquid hits the back of your throat. This is less intense with a low nicotine strength or High VG vape juice that uses less PG.
Top Fill - A type of tank or clearomizer that is filled with e-liquid from the top, usually more convenient than bottom filling.
Vaping Terms: U-Z
Unregulated Mod - This is another term for mechanical mods, where it's not regulated by a smart board and instead the volts and ohms output is pulled direct from the battery. Not to be used by new vapers!
USB Charging - Most vape kits will charge via USB cable, with most newer devices utilising USB-C but some still use Micro-USB.
Vaper - The term given to someone who vapes/uses an e-cigarette.
Vapour - Another name given to the clouds produced from an e-cigarette that is inhaled and exhaled.
Variable Wattage (VW) - A mode on many vape devices that allows the user to adjust the power output (wattage) to control vapor production and flavour intensity.
Vegetable Glycerine (VG) - One of the two main ingredients alongside Propylene glycol which make up the base mixture for any e-liquid before the flavourings and nicotine are added.
Watt - A unit of electrical power. In vaping, wattage determines the heat output of the coil.
Wicking - The material (usually cotton) inside the atomizer that soaks up e-liquid and feeds it to the coil.
Wire - The resistance wire used to build coils, available in various materials (kanthal, nichrome, stainless steel) and gauges (thickness).
Zero Nicotine - This is a name for vape juice that does not contain nicotine. Often seen as 0mg.
