How Do Vape Pens Work?

Recap: Vape pens feature a battery, an atomiser, and a mouthpiece. Signals send power through the internal mechanisms and force the e-liquid to vaporise.

Despite being one of the more minimalist vape offerings, vape pens have maintained a strong fan base throughout the years. Popular brands like Smok, Aspire, and Innokin create high-quality vape pens that cater to every kind of customer.

These short, slim devices can be deceiving. Behind the unassuming exteriors, there is a lot of modern, intricate tech that is designed to improve your vape experience. In this article, our experts unpack a typical vape pen and answer the common question, how do vape pens work?

What Is a Vape Pen?

Vape pens are also known as e-cigs, e-cigarettes, and vaporisers. In the ever-evolving vape industry, vape pens remain a firm favourite. Beginner and experienced vapers alike choose popular pens for their daily nicotine hit.

With vape manufacturers constantly creating new and improved devices, it is difficult to pin down exact definitions. E-cig is an umbrella term for devices that share a few common characteristics.

Most vape pens are so slim and short that they can fit into your pocket. They resemble cigarettes but they are chunkier. Vapers can expect simple, minimalist exteriors and lone buttons that have a few different functions. Some pens are draw-activated, which means that there is no need for buttons at all. Unlike pod devices, vape pens contain in-built tanks that vapers can refill with their own e-liquid mixtures.

Read through our Best Vape Pens: UK 2022 Guide for expert recommendations.

Essential Components of Vape Pens

Like all vape devices, vape pens have a few essential components. These electronic devices contain a battery, heating element, wick, and an e-liquid. On the exterior, you will see a mouthpiece, a button, and LED lights. LED lights usually reflect the remaining battery life.

Some devices are so minimalist that they do not even have buttons or LED lights! In this case, vapers have to draw on the mouthpiece to activate the device.

None of the separate elements would work without each other. To answer the question ‘how do vape pens work,’ we must first explore the function of all the individual elements.

Vape Pen Battery Explained

Draw-activated vape pens contain automatic batteries. When you take a drag on automatic vape pens, a sensor detects air and makes the battery spring to life. Manual vape pens feature external buttons. To activate the battery in this kind of device, you simply have to press the button.

Most vape pens have an internal battery of around 1500mAh. Vape mods have much larger batteries that last for longer.

Vape Pen Atomiser Explained

Batteries are connected to atomisers via 510 pins. The 510 pin also acts as a base for the atomiser.

The atomiser is comprised of five components: the drip tip, the top cap, the glass casing, the coil, and the base. Some components are simply there for protection: the glass casing stops the e-liquid from spilling everywhere and adds an interesting aesthetic slant.

Vape Pen Wick & Coil Explained

The coil sits inside the atomiser.

Coils contain a wick, which is intertwined with and sat within the coil. Wicks usually consist of cotton. The sole purpose of the wick is to absorb the e-liquid and keep a concentrated amount of e-liquid next to the coil. This ensures that the coil does not activate while it is surrounded by air, which could cause it to burn.

Two of the most common types of coils are wire and mesh. Wire coils are also referred to as regular coils because they are the most commonly used type.

Mesh coils do not look like typical coils. They come in strips which are designed to maximise the surface area and therefore press against more of the wicking material. They are more common in sub-ohm devices, whereas regular coils are more common in MTL devices.

Vape Pen E-Liquid Explained

Unlike pod systems, vape pens have an in-built tank that can be refilled when necessary. Vape pen enthusiasts can choose whichever e-liquid they want. E-liquid options are as wide and as varied as devices, but there are a few common characteristics that you need to know about.

• Starter e-liquid Starter liquid (or standard e-liquid) is comprised of VG (vegetable glycerin) and PG (propylene glycol). Almost all vape juices contain a combination of these two liquids. Manufacturers use a ratio of these liquids to create a base for flavours and nicotine. Common ratios include 50:50 and 80:20.
• Nic salt - Nicotine salts (most commonly known as nic salts) promise a smooth nicotine hit. This type of e-liquid is perfect for people who want little to no throat hit and, even better, they are incredibly fast acting!
• Nic shot Nicotine shots contain pure nicotine. This kind of e-liquid comes in a 10ml bottle and pairs with short-fill e-liquid.
• Short-fill e-liquid - Short-fill bottles do not contain nicotine. This kind of e-liquid is commonly sold in big bottles and pairs with nicotine shots.

What Happens When You Activate a Vape Pen?

When you draw on your device or press the activation button, a signal runs to the battery. The battery activates and a current travels through the 510 pin to the coil inside the atomiser. The coil heats the e-liquid in the wick, and the e-liquid turns into vapour. Once the vapour has travelled through the device to the mouthpiece, you can enjoy your vape hit.

Discover Minimalist Vont Vapes Today

Vont pod systems, To-Go disposables, and nicotine pouches are designed with the minimalist vaper in mind. If you appreciate the stylish simplicity of vape pens, you will love the sleek, understated appearance of our pod system and disposables.

We have created the Model One pod device for people who want a streamlined, hassle-free alternative to cigarettes. This small device will fit in the palm of your hand. It is the ultimate unobtrusive option for vapers who want to avoid the mess that comes with regular cigarettes and refillable tanks.

Order your Model One device today to enjoy hassle-free nicotine hits.