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A–Z Vape Terminology Guide
If you’ve ever felt lost in the world of vaping, you’re not alone. Between the technical jargon, strange abbreviations and endless device options, it can feel like learning a whole new language.
Our Vape Terminology Guide will walk you through the essentials, breaking down the most common vape terms.
A
Atomiser – The atomiser is the part of your vape that heats e-liquid and turns it into vapour. In most modern kits it’s built into a replaceable coil, so keeping it clean and changing the coil regularly helps preserve flavour and consistent performance.
Airflow – Airflow describes how much air moves through the device as you inhale. With a tighter setting you’ll get a cigarette-like draw and a stronger throat hit, while opening the airflow creates a cooler inhale and bigger clouds.
AIO (All-in-One) – An all-in-one device combines the battery and the tank or pod in one compact body. It’s designed for straightforward everyday use and minimal maintenance.
Auto-Draw – Also known as inhale activation, this feature allows the device to fire when you breathe in rather than pressing a button. You’ll find it on many beginner-friendly pod kits.
B
Battery – The battery powers your vape and may be either built in (USB rechargeable) or a removable cell. Always charge safely and handle with care.
Base Liquid (PG/VG) – E-liquid is made from propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). PG carries flavour and adds throat hit, while VG softens the inhale and increases vapour.
Box Mod – A box mod is a rectangular device with adjustable power and often extra modes. It pairs well with sub-ohm tanks when you want to fine-tune warmth, flavour, and cloud production.
C
Cartridge – A cartridge is a removable pod or small tank used in pod systems to hold e-liquid. Some are pre-filled, while others are refillable and work with replaceable coils.
Coil – The coil is the heating element that surrounds the wick and turns e-liquid into vapour. Common styles include mesh, round-wire, clapton, and fused clapton. Typical materials are Kanthal (A1) for durability, Nichrome/Ni80 for fast ramp-up, and Stainless Steel (e.g., SS316L) which can work in wattage or temperature-control modes.
Cloud Chasing – Cloud chasing is a style of vaping that aims for maximum vapour. It usually involves high-VG e-liquids, open airflow, and sub-ohm coils at higher wattages.
Cut-Off – Cut-off is a built-in safety that stops the device after a set puff length, usually around eight to ten seconds, which helps prevent overheating or accidental firing.
D
Direct-to-Lung (DTL) – DTL means inhaling vapour straight to your lungs, much like taking a deep breath. It works best with open airflow, lower-resistance coils, and high-VG shortfills.
Disposable Vape – A disposable is a single-use device with a pre-charged battery and pre-filled e-liquid. It’s convenient for short-term use, though many vapers switch to refillable pod kits to reduce waste and running costs.
Drip Tip – The drip tip is simply the mouthpiece of your tank or pod. Different shapes and materials can change how comfortable the vape feels and how each draw behaves.
Dry Hit – A dry hit happens when the coil isn’t properly saturated, which leads to a burnt or harsh puff. You can avoid this by priming new coils and keeping your tank or pod topped up.
E
E-liquid – E-liquid is the flavoured liquid that your coil vaporises. It comes in a wide range of strengths and blends, including smooth nicotine salts and larger-bottle shortfills for sub-ohm setups.
E-cigarette – “E-cigarette” is another way of saying vape device. The term covers everything from pocket-sized pod systems to advanced box mods.
ECID – An ECID is the UK notification number issued under TPD regulations, confirming a product has been submitted to the authorities before it’s sold.
F
Freebase Nicotine – Freebase is the traditional form of nicotine used in many 50/50 e-liquids. It provides a more pronounced throat hit and absorbs a little slower than salts, which can suit vapers who prefer a cigarette-like feel.
Flavour Concentrate – A flavour concentrate is a highly concentrated flavouring used for DIY mixing. It must be diluted with PG/VG, and nicotine if desired, before it’s ready to vape.
Flooding – Flooding occurs when too much e-liquid saturates the coil, leading to gurgling and weaker vapour. Clearing excess liquid, checking the coil is seated correctly, and using appropriate power and wicking usually resolves it.
Form Factor – Form factor refers to a device’s overall shape.
G
Glass Tank – The glass tank is the clear reservoir that holds e-liquid on many tanks. If it becomes cracked or chipped, replace it promptly to prevent leaks.
GTL (Restricted Direct-to-Lung) – GTL sits between MTL and DTL, using slightly open airflow and mid-range coil resistances. It offers a comfortable balance of flavour and moderate vapour.
Gurgling – Gurgling is the bubbling sound you hear when excess liquid sits in the coil or chimney. It’s often linked to flooding or over-priming.
H
Hardware – Hardware includes every physical part of your setup: the device, tank or pod, coils, and accessories.
High-VG – High-VG e-liquids contain 70% VG or more. They create dense vapour with a smooth inhale and work best with sub-ohm coils and open airflow.
Hybrid Mod – A hybrid mod is a mechanical device where the atomiser connects directly to the battery. It’s intended only for experienced users who understand Ohm’s law and battery safety.
Hot Spot – A hot spot is an area on a rebuildable coil that heats unevenly and can cause harshness. Good wicking and gentle pulsing help to even out the glow and remove hot spots.
I
Inhale Activation – Inhale activation, sometimes called auto-draw, fires the device as you breathe in. It’s a simple, familiar way to vape and is common across many Refillable Kits.
IMR / INR Batteries – IMR and INR are high-drain lithium-ion cells suitable for vaping.
Intensity – Intensity describes how strong the flavour and throat hit feel. It’s influenced by nicotine type and strength, PG/VG ratio, airflow, and the power you set on your device.
J
Juice – “Juice” is an informal term for e-liquid.
Joules – Joules are a unit of energy occasionally used in temperature control modes, though most devices display and adjust power in watts.
K
Kanthal – Kanthal is a durable heating-wire alloy found in many prebuilt and rebuildable coils.
Kits – Kits bundle a device with a compatible tank or pod.
Kick – “Kick” refers to the overall impact you feel from an e-liquid.
L
Leaking – Leaking occurs when e-liquid escapes from a tank or pod. Common causes include worn O-rings, damaged glass, thin e-liquids, or over-filling.
Long Fill – A longfill is a type of e-liquid that comes in a 60ml bottle containing a concentrated flavor (usually 20–30ml), with the rest of the bottle's volume left empty for you to add your own nicotine and/or VG/PG base. This DIY approach allows vapers to customize their liquid's nicotine strength and ratio to their exact preference.
M
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) – MTL (mouth-to-lung) is a draw where you pull vapour into your mouth first, then inhale it into your lungs. It closely replicates the feel of a cigarette, so it’s a favourite for beginners and anyone moving over from smoking.
Mesh Coil – A mesh coil uses a fine metal mesh instead of a single wire. Because it heats quickly and evenly, it delivers consistent flavour.
Mod – The mod is the power unit of your setup. It might be a simple fixed-output device, a variable-wattage box mod, or a more advanced model with temperature control.
Max VG – Max VG e-liquids use the highest practical VG content to create dense vapour. They perform best with sub-ohm tanks with generous airflow.
N
Nicotine Salt – A smoother form of nicotine that absorbs quickly and works brilliantly at low wattages. Ideal for recent switchers and compact pods.
Nic Shot – A small bottle of concentrated nicotine, designed to be added to shortfills. Find options in our nicotine shots category (freebase and salt shots available).
Nicotine Strength – The overall strenght of nicotine in your e-liquid.
O
Ohms (Ω) – A measure of coil resistance. Lower resistance generally means warmer vapour and bigger clouds at higher wattage.
Open System – A refillable setup that lets you choose your own e-liquid and coil. For a simple, flexible start, see our refillable vape kits.
P
Pod Kit – Pod kits are compact, easy-to-use devices that work with replaceable or refillable pods & are perfect for nicotine salts and effortless day-to-day vaping. The Vaporesso XROS Pro 2 is a great example, offering smooth flavour and zero mess solution.
Priming – Saturating a new coil with e-liquid before first use to avoid dry hits.
PG/VG Ratio – PG sharpens flavour and adds a firmer throat hit, while VG smooths the inhale and produces thicker, denser vapour.
Q
Quick Start – Keep it simple: fill, wait 5–10 minutes, set low wattage, then adjust. This beginner’s guide covers the basics and common pitfalls.
Quit Smoking (with Vaping) – Many switch using salts and a small pod kit. Tips and product ideas here: how to switch from disposables.
R
RDL (Restricted Direct-Lung) – A middle ground between MTL and DTL: slightly looser draw with moderate vapour. Pair mid-ohm coils (e.g., certain GTX or PnP) and moderate power.
Resistance – The coil’s ohm rating determines the best wattage and the warmth of your vape. Always check the recommended range on your coil product page (e.g., PnP coils).
S
Shortfill – Nicotine-free, larger bottles (usually 50–100ml) with room for nic shots. Browse shortfills, then add a nic shot to reach your desired strength.
Salt Nicotine – Smooth, fast-acting nicotine ideal for low-power pods and a stronger “kick” at lower wattages. Explore nic salt e-liquids.
Stealth Vaping – Tight airflow, lower wattage and higher-PG/ salts keep clouds discreet; pocketable options in pre-filled kits and refillable kits.
T
Temperature Control (TC) – A mode that limits coil temperature for consistent warmth and fewer dry hits (for compatible wire types). If unsure, stick with wattage mode and suitable coils like GTX.
Throat Hit – The “kick” you feel on inhale. Boost it with higher PG or freebase; smooth it with salts and more VG. Try different blends in our e-liquids.
TPD – UK/EU regulations that limit bottle size, tank capacity and nicotine strength for safety and compliance.
U
USB-C Charging – Newer kits charge faster and more reliably via USB-C. Always use quality cables and avoid overnight charging.
Unregulated Mod – A device without electronic protections; only for experienced users who understand Ohm’s law and battery safety.
V
VG (Vegetable Glycerine) – Adds smoothness and cloud density; common in shortfills. See high-VG shortfills.
Variable Wattage – Lets you fine-tune warmth and flavour. Start low, then increase until it tastes right (and stays within your coil’s stated range, e.g., on PnP coils).
Vape Kits – Complete device bundles to get you going fast; browse all vape kits.
W
Wattage – The power level sent to your coil. Too low = weak flavour; too high = burnt taste. Use the coil’s recommended range (see GTX / PnP pages).
Wicking – The cotton that feeds e-liquid to the coil. If it’s scorched or dark, replace the coil for fresh flavour (e.g., new GTX or PnP).
X
XROS – Vaporesso’s popular pod platform known for great flavour and simplicity. Check out the XROS Pro 2 Pod Kit.
Y
Your First Kit – Start simple with a refillable pod kit and nic salts. Browse refillable kits.
Z
Zero-Nicotine – Shortfills come nicotine-free so you can add nic shots (or keep them 0mg). Read more in this guide to nicotine-free shortfills and shop shortfill e-liquids.
