Vaping Glossary A-Z: Master the Language of E-Cigarettes

The world of vaping has exploded in popularity over the past decade. What started as a niche alternative to smoking has grown into a global phenomenon with millions of enthusiasts. As the vaping community has expanded, so too has its unique vocabulary. Whether you’re new to vaping or consider yourself an experienced cloud chaser, navigating the terminology can feel like learning a new language.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the A to Z of vaping lingo, demystifying the jargon and helping you sound like a pro. We’ll cover everything from basic hardware components to advanced vaping techniques, giving you a solid foundation in vaper-speak. So let’s dive in and explore the colorful lexicon of the vaping world!

A

ADV (All Day Vape): An e-liquid that vapers can enjoy throughout the day without getting tired of the flavor.
Amps: Short for amperage, a measure of electrical current used to quantify the capacity of e-cigarette batteries.
Analog Cigarette: A traditional tobacco cigarette, as opposed to an electronic cigarette.
APV (Advanced Personal Vaporizer): A more sophisticated vaping device compared to basic e-cigarettes, offering advanced features and customization options.
Atomizer: The electronic component inside the e-cigarette that converts e-liquid into vapor. Also known as a coil.

B

BCC (Bottom Coil Clearomizer): A model with the coil sitting vertically over the airflow, reducing resistance and enhancing vapor production.
BDC (Bottom Dual Coil Clearomizer): A model featuring a dual coil atomizer, which further increases vapor production and lowers resistance.
Blanks: Cartridges with dry filler material, ready to be filled with e-liquid.
Box Mods: Vaporizers that come in a box shape, providing more battery capacity and temperature control compared to cylindrical tube designs.
Bridge: The covering inside the atomizer that absorbs e-liquid and wicks it towards the heating element.
BVC (Bottom Vertical Coil Clearomizer): A model with the coil positioned at the bottom of the tank, allowing for faster and more even e-liquid saturation.

C

Cartomizer: A tank designed to hold e-liquid using fillers or Poly-fil, a cotton-like fiber.
Cartridge: A plastic or metal mouthpiece with absorbent filler material to hold e-liquid.
Clearomizer: A combination of a cartridge and atomizer in a clear material, allowing vapers to see the remaining e-liquid level.
Cloud Chasing: The art of producing large, dense clouds of vapor, often considered a competitive “vaping sport.”
Coil: A wire within the e-cigarette that heats the e-liquid to create vapor. Coils can be made of various materials, such as nickel, kanthal, or titanium.
Custom Mod: A unique, user-customized vaping device that differs from standard off-the-shelf mods.
Cut-off: A safety feature that automatically shuts off the vaping device after a pre-set time to prevent atomizer overheating, typically set at 10 seconds.

D

Diacetyl: A potentially harmful compound found in some e-liquids, linked to “popcorn lung” when used in large doses, prompting many suppliers to discontinue its use.
Dipping: The act of dipping an atomizer in e-liquid before vaping.
DIY E-Liquid: Homemade e-liquid mixed by the vaper, allowing for personalized flavors and nicotine strengths.
Drip Tip: The mouthpiece on the tank from which the vaper inhales the vapor.
Dripping: The act of dripping e-liquid directly onto the coil for a more intense flavor and vapor production.
Dry Burn: Heating a coil without sufficient e-liquid, which can be a fire hazard and should be done with caution.
Dry Hit: An unpleasant experience that occurs when the coil is not sufficiently saturated with e-liquid, resulting in a burnt taste.
Dry Smoking: A situation that arises when the atomizer is flooded with e-liquid, requiring the replacement of the mouthpiece to resolve the issue.

E

E-Smoking: The act of using an e-cigarette to inhale vapor.
E-Liquid: The liquid solution used in e-cigarettes, typically containing propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and optionally, nicotine.
ECITA: The Electronic Cigarette Industry Trade Association, representing the UK e-cigarette industry and advocating for fair regulations on behalf of its members.
E-Cigarette: A device that vaporizes e-liquid, allowing users to inhale the resulting vapor. Also known as an electronic cigarette or personal vaporizer.
END: Electronic Nicotine Device, a scientific term for an e-cigarette.

F

Filler: The absorbent material inside a cartomizer that holds and supplies e-liquid to the coil.
Fins: Metal ridges on the drip tip of a tank that help dissipate heat.
Flavor Chaser: A vaper who prioritizes flavor over vapor production, often experimenting with different e-liquid combinations.
Flooding: When excess e-liquid floods the atomizer, causing gurgling sounds and reduced vapor production.

G

Genesis Atomizer: An RBA (Rebuildable Atomizer) model where the tank sits below the coil deck.
Goose Neck: An extended, flexible drip tip available in various colors, shapes, and sizes.
Grub Screw: A type of screw used on RBAs and RDAs (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers) to secure the coil in place.

H

Han Li (or Hon Lik): The inventor of the modern e-cigarette.
High Resistance (HR): An atomizer or cartomizer that allows for the application of higher voltage to the coil, as opposed to standard equipment.
Hit: The act of inhaling vapor from a vaporizer.
Hot Spot: A localized area on a coil that burns hotter than the rest, often causing a burnt taste and indicating an improperly wrapped coil.
Hybrid: A mechanical mod without a standard threaded 510-connection, where the atomizer is directly connected to the battery.

I

IBVTA: The Independent British Vaping Trade Association, supporting the independent vaping industry.
ICR: A type of lithium-ion cobalt rechargeable battery.
IMR: A type of lithium-ion manganese rechargeable battery.
Inhaling: The process of drawing vapor from the vaporizer into the lungs.

J

Joules: A unit of measurement for power used in temperature control mods. Higher joule settings result in higher heat output.
Juice: Another term for e-liquid or e-juice.

K

Kanthal Wire: A trademarked type of wire commonly used to build coils, available in various resistances.
Kick: A device placed between the battery and the spring of a mechanical mod, allowing the conversion of the mod into a variable wattage device.
Knuckle Head: An adjustable drip tip that can be positioned at any angle for user comfort.

L

Leaking: A common issue where e-liquid leaks from the bottom of the tank, often caused by improper filling or a damaged O-ring.
Li-Ion: A type of lithium-ion rechargeable battery.
Li-Po: A type of lithium-polymer rechargeable battery.
Low Resistance (LR): Refers to the low ohm rating of an atomizer, typically resulting in higher vapor production and heat output.
Lung Hit: The act of inhaling vapor directly into the lungs, as opposed to first holding it in the mouth.

M

mAh (Milliamp Hours): A measure of a battery’s energy storage capacity. Higher mAh ratings indicate longer battery life between charges.
Mechanical Mod: A vaping device that lacks electronic safety features and delivers power directly from the battery to the atomizer without circuitry.
Mod: A customizable vaping device that allows users to modify various settings, such as wattage, voltage, and temperature control.
Mouth to Lung (MTL): A vaping technique where the vapor is first drawn into the mouth before being inhaled into the lungs, similar to smoking a traditional cigarette.
Mouthpiece: The part of the atomizer or cartomizer that is inserted into the mouth for inhaling vapor, also known as a drip tip or cartridge.

N

Nicotine: An optional addictive substance found in some e-liquids, available in various strengths measured in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) or as a percentage.
Nicotine Level: The concentration of nicotine in an e-liquid, typically expressed in mg/mL or as a percentage, such as 5mg/mL or 0.5% nicotine.
Nicotine Shot: A 10mL bottle of flavorless nicotine that can be added to an e-liquid to increase its nicotine content.
Nickel Coil: A type of coil made from nickel wire, often used in temperature control devices due to its high resistance.

O

O-Ring: A vaping trick that involves blowing a large, donut-shaped vapor ring.
Ohm: A unit of electrical resistance. Lower ohm ratings result in faster coil heating and higher vapor production.
Organic Cotton: A popular wicking material used in e-cigarette coils, known for its ease of use and clean flavor production.

P

Passthrough: A device that can be plugged into a computer or USB charger to provide constant power to an e-cigarette while in use.
Pen-Style: An e-cigarette design that resembles a traditional pen or pencil.
Personal Charging Case (PCC): A portable case that keeps an e-cigarette battery charged when away from a power outlet.
Personal Vaporizer (PV): Another term for an electronic cigarette or vaping device.
Priming: The process of saturating a new coil with e-liquid before use to prevent dry hits and extend coil life.
Propylene Glycol (PG): A colorless, odorless liquid used in e-liquid production to enhance flavor carrying capacity and provide a stronger throat hit.

Q

Quartz: While not as common in e-cigarettes, quartz is sometimes used in vaporizers designed for concentrates or dry herbs.
Quad Coils: Quad coils represent the pinnacle of multi-coil setups in vaping. These atomizers feature four separate coils, often arranged in parallel to reduce overall resistance while increasing surface area.

R

RBA (Rebuildable Atomizer): A cost-effective and customizable atomizer that allows users to build and wick their own coils.
RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer): A type of atomizer designed for dripping, known for producing intense flavor and large vapor clouds.
Regulated Mod: A vaping device with a built-in circuit board that regulates the power output and offers various safety features.
Resistance: The measure of a coil’s opposition to electrical current flow, expressed in ohms. Resistance plays a crucial role in determining vapor production and flavor intensity.
RTA (Rebuildable Tank Atomizer): A tank system that allows users to build their own coils while still utilizing a convenient tank for e-liquid storage.
Ruyan Cigarette: The first modern e-cigarette, invented by Hon Lik.

S

Shortfill: A large bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid with extra space for the addition of a nicotine shot.
Smokeless Cigarette: Another term for an electronic cigarette or vaping device.
Stainless Steel Mesh: A wicking material used in some atomizers, known for producing excellent flavor.
Starter Kit: A bundled set designed for new vapers, typically including a vaping device, an atomizer, and a charging cable or battery.
Stealth Vaping: The practice of vaping discreetly to minimize visible vapor production, often using smaller devices and specific inhalation techniques.
Steeping: The process of allowing e-liquids to age and mature, often by storing them in a dark, cool place for several days or weeks to enhance flavor.
Sub-Ohm Vaping: The practice of using coils with a resistance below 1 ohm to produce larger vapor clouds and more intense flavor.

T

Tank: A type of clearomizer with a larger e-liquid capacity, housing the heating element, wick, and chimney.
Temperature Control (TC): A feature in some vaping devices that allows users to set a specific temperature for the atomizer, rather than controlling wattage or voltage.
Throat Hit: The sensation felt at the back of the throat when inhaling vapor, often described as a satisfying “kick” similar to smoking a traditional cigarette.
Titanium Coil: A type of coil made from titanium wire, known for its durability and high resistance, making it an alternative to nickel coils.
Topping: The act of refilling a cartridge with e-liquid.
Tube Mod: A cylindrical vaping device, often resembling a traditional tube-style mechanical mod.

U

Unprotected Battery: A battery that lacks built-in circuitry to prevent overheating, short-circuiting, and overcharging, requiring extra caution during use.
USB Charging: The ability to charge a vaping device using a USB cable connected to a computer or wall adapter.

V

Vape: The act of using an e-cigarette to inhale vapor produced by heating e-liquid.
Vaper: A person who uses e-cigarettes or vaping devices.
Vaper’s Tongue: A temporary condition where a vaper experiences a diminished ability to taste e-liquid flavors, often caused by overuse of a single flavor.
Vaping: The act of using an e-cigarette or personal vaporizer to inhale vapor.
Vaporizer: Another term for an electronic cigarette or vaping device.
Vapor: The visible mist or cloud produced when e-liquid is heated and atomized by the coil.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG): A thick, sweet liquid used in e-liquid production to create dense vapor clouds and a smooth vaping experience.
Vent Holes: Small openings in the battery compartment of a vaping device that allow gases to escape in the event of a battery malfunction or overheating.
Venting: The release of gases through the vent holes of a vaping device’s battery compartment, typically indicating a battery issue or malfunction.

W

Wattage: A measure of power output in vaping devices, often adjustable to suit personal preferences for vapor production and flavor intensity.
Wick: The absorbent material, such as cotton or silica, used to deliver e-liquid to the coil for vaporization.
Wire: The conductive material, such as Kanthal or nickel, used to create the heating coil in an atomizer.
Wrap: The number of times a wire is wound around a wick or building tool to create a coil, with higher wrap counts resulting in higher resistance.

X

While “X” terms are rare in vaping, we can mention a creative coil build:

X-Mas Tree Coils: X-Mas Tree coils are a type of exotic coil build resembling a Christmas tree shape. These intricate coils are more for show than practical use, demonstrating the creativity of coil builders. While they may produce impressive vapor, X-Mas Tree coils are typically too complex and power-hungry for everyday vaping.

Y

Yield: In DIY e-liquid mixing, yield refers to the total amount of e-liquid produced from a recipe. Calculating yield is important for consistent flavor production and cost estimation.
Yihi Chipsets: Yihi is a well-known manufacturer of advanced chipsets used in high-end vaping devices. Yihi chips are renowned for their accuracy, especially in temperature control mode.

Z

Zero Nic: E-liquids or cartridges that contain no nicotine, allowing vapers to enjoy the flavor and sensation of vaping without the addictive substance.

As the vaping community continues to grow and evolve, staying informed about the latest terminology is essential for vapers of all experience levels. By mastering the language of e-cigarettes, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the vast array of products, engage with fellow vapers, and make informed decisions about your vaping journey

Conclusion

Navigating the world of vaping glossary can be daunting, but understanding these terms is key to getting the most out of your vaping experience. From basic concepts like e-liquid composition to advanced topics like temperature control and rebuildable atomizers, this guide has covered the essential vocabulary every vaper should know.

Remember, vaping technology and culture continue to evolve rapidly. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t hesitate to ask questions in vape shops or online communities. Whether you’re a casual vaper or a dedicated cloud chaser, understanding the language of vaping will enhance your enjoyment and help you make informed decisions about your vaping journey.
Happy vaping, and may your clouds be ever fluffy and flavorful!

Author
Recent Posts

Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.

Vaping Glossary A-Z: Master the Language of E-Cigarettes

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