Despite the conceptual design being created in the 1920s, vaporizers weren’t actually built until the early 2000s due to federal regulations. In 20 years, the vaping industry has made significant improvements to product designs. Originally starting as smoke-less nicotine delivery devices, vaping has evolved from a method to quit smoking to a way to medicate using medical marijuana and medical marijuana distillates. 

In 20 years, the core design and function of the product has remained relatively the same. Some wholesalers have begun to revolutionize vape technology, such as DC Alchemy’s CCELL products. So how do vaporizers work?

Let’s break it down into the main parts used in all vape products. The components are:

• Tank
• Battery
• Sensor
• Atomizer
• Mouthpiece

The Vaporizer Tank

The tank, which is also known as the oven or cartridge, is where whatever is being vaped (loose leaf, distillates, dabs, shatters, or wax) is stored in. What you put in your tank depends on your vaporizer. It is uncommon to find a vaporizer that is compatible with tanks that hold loose leaf and concentrates. 

Furthermore, some tank models are designed to be refilled (users provide their own concentrates when they run out), while others are pre-filled and disposable. Again, the type you need depends on the kind of vape you’re using.

The Battery

Handheld vaporizers are typically powered by lithium ion batteries. Lithium ion batteries allow temperatures in the handheld to reach anywhere between 200 and 400 degrees. 

Not all batteries are rechargeable: vape pens are traditionally disposed of after their cartridges run out, while a majority of vape mods can be recharged. 

The Vaporizer’s Sensor

Every handheld vaporizer has different software in them, but all units have some sort of sensor that communicates with the atomizer. How complex the sensor is determines what function it is capable of. For instance, some offer temperature variability or Bluetooth compatibility.   

The Atomizer

An atomizer is what heats up your vape. It is what pulls power from the battery, based on what the sensor allows, and uses it to create heat. 

Not all atomizers create heat the same way. They can have conductive or convective heating: conductive heats through direct contact, while convective uses heats up the air and passes it through a controlled chamber to indirectly warm the vaped substance. 

The Vape’s Mouthpiece

The mouthpiece is where you intake the vaped substance. You simply put your mouth on the component and breathe in slowly and deeply. Depending on the vaporizer, a button may need to be activated to allow airflow to go through the tank and out the mouthpiece. 

Mouthpieces are detachable from the unit to allow for easy cleaning. They are made of different materials: wood, ceramic, or glass being the most popular. 

Wicks versus Wickless Vape Designs

Vaporizers can use a wick or be wickless. 

A wick is the absorbent material that carries whatever the user is vaping to the healing coil. Wicks are made from a variety of materials, but the most popular are silica, ekowool, cotton, and stainless steel mesh. 

No matter the type of wick, they all can get worn down and burnt, thus impacting the vaping experience and add a burned flavor to whatever you’re vaping

Silica Wicks 

Silica wicks were extremely common when vaping first became popular as they are resistant to heat, which helps moves what the user is vaping quickly into the wick. They are easy to install and do not add any bad flavors to the vaped substance. 

They are also versatile, long lasting (they can last up to a month)  and can be burned to remove any buildup of gunk. 

Ekowool Wicks

These are also silica wicks, but they are made differently. Ekowools are braided and have a hollow center that improves upon the traditional silica wick design. 

Organic Cotton Wicks

Cotton wicks provide the best flavor, but they do not last long and are not the easiest to use as they are prone to hotspots. Using too much cotton also reduces the flow of whatever substance you’re vaping. 

Stainless Steel Mesh Wicks

Stainless Steel Mesh Wicks last a long time if they are oxidized properly, which is one of their biggest draws. However, proper oxidation is a time-consuming process that involves introducing the mesh to extreme heat and then cooling it quickly numerous times. It is not easy to coil and will need to be adjusted after installed. 

However, if installed and oxidized correctly, this wick will provide you with a pure taste and an enjoyable and long-lasting experience. 

Wickless Vaporizers and CCELL Technology

Wicks were more commonly used in the past but as technology in the industry begins to evolve, wickless designs are beginning to gain popularity. Wickless technology is generally made of quartz or ceramic. 

Quartz offers the fastest heat-up time: they take only five seconds on average to reach the proper temperature. A quartz coil also requires low energy input and delivers a pure vapor flavor. While they do offer a better experience than most wicks, they do not have high heat retention abilities. 

Quartz coils are also prone to cracking. 

Ceramic Heating Coils

Ceramic coils are becoming an industry standard in vaping technology. They take more time to heat up than quartz coils, but they are more durable and provide better heat retention. This means they will deliver more consistent results while being easier on your battery. 

In terms of wickless designs, ceramic coils offer the purest flavor. Traditional ceramic coils are ideal for low temperatures, thus excelling in low viscosity liquid. 

CCELL Technology

CCELLs  are wickless vaporizers that take ceramic coil technology to a new level: they are specifically designed for high viscosity vaping substances that require higher temperatures to turn to vapor. 

You’ll never have to worry about trying to get your cartridge going – CCELLs create a seamless start with a purity that extends to the very last draw. When using a CCELL cartridge, consumers are able to experience a smooth draw that brings out the flavor with no harsh feeling or taste afterward.

One CCELL wholesaler has gone above and beyond with their design, testing, and performance of their products. DC Alchemy’s CCELL products prevent the burning of oil and allows for an enhanced experience with fewer leaks.

All Vaporizers Are Not Equal

Not all vaporizers achieve the same thing in the same way. Some are designed for leafy products, while others are made for distillate; some vaporizers use wicks and others have a wickless design; and how next-generation technology known as CCELL products improved on ceramic wickless designs. 

Now that you know how vaporizers work, you can find the vaporizer that fits your lifestyle and make your next purchase with confidence. If you’re interested in a premium CCELL experience, check out DC Alchemy today. 

There is a lot of talk about whether or not vaping is as dangerous as smoking is. We at DC Alchemy aren’t going to debate whether it is or not; instead, we’re just going to outline the difference between vaping and smoking, as the two trends are vastly different, despite both being centered about inhaling substances.