All the facts about E-Liquid
How Electronic Cigarettes Work
An e-cigarette is a pretty simple device. While there are a few different types of e-cigarettes, the basic workings are similar. Every e-cig has three main parts: the atomizer (sometimes contained within the cartridge or ‘cartomizer’), the cartridge and the battery. (See e-liquid terminology for more information.)
Some electronic cigarettes have an on/off switch, and some do not have a switch. It depends on the type. That’s because e-liquid doesn’t usually work well with an automatic battery. After turning the e-cigarette on, the atomizer ignites when the user puffs on the e-cig.
The atomizer consists of two parts: a wick and a filament. The metal wick touches the e-liquid inside the cartridge. That makes a small bead of nicotine solution flow down to the heating element or filament. The filament is a tightly coiled, high-resistance wire that heats instantly and vaporizes the nicotine solution on the wick. That vapor is sucked back through the electronic cigarette into the smoker’s lungs. As the e-liquid is vaporized, more nicotine solution flows down the wick to be vaporized. The process continues until the reservoir filling is dry.
Electronic cigarettes have become a popular alternative to smoking, but when considering making the switch, many people find that choosing the right type of e-cig can be difficult. There are three different types of e-cigarettes to choose from; the cartridge system, the cartomizer system and the E-liquid refill system. Familiarizing yourself with each type can help in knowing which e-cig would be best to fit your needs.
The Cartridge System
Cartridge e-cigarettes contain three pieces; a pre-filled cartridge, an atomizer and a battery. The unit is assembled by inserting the cartridge into the atomizer and screwing it onto the battery. As the battery heats up the atomizer, using a wicking action, it heats up the liquid in the cartridge, turning it into a vapor that is inhaled. Cartridge systems offer ease of use, making them convenient to use while driving or when away from home. They also do not require the need to fill cartridges, eliminating the sometimes-messy job of filling your own cartridges.
E-liquid Systems
E-liquid electronic cigarettes are similar to the cartridge system although they do not come with prefilled cartridges. Instead, their cartridges are blank and require filling. Although this does take more time than using a prefilled cartridge, filling them yourself allows the choice of a wide variety of different flavors and strengths. They are also more affordable than prefilled cartridges. Refill cartridges hold about 5 to 8 drops. Once the liquid is used in the cartridge, it will stop producing vapor. The cartridge will then need to be refilled. This does takes a little time and patience. With the use of a syringe, the cartridge can be refilled making it the least messy way to refill cartridges. Cartridges will need replacing on occasion, as they eventually wear out.
The Cartomizer System
Cartomizers contain two pieces, an atomizer and a cartridge that are combined into a single unit and attached to a battery. The cartomizer is constructed entirely different than cartridge systems. Unlike atomizers that have their heating element on the end of the atomizer and the liquid in the cartridge, a cartomizer has a heating element that goes inside the center of the cartomizer, allowing the entire center of the cartomizer to heat for providing better vaporization. They are refillable and are faster to fill than blank cartridges. Cartomizers can hold about 25 to 30 drops of e-liquid, equivalent to about a half of pack of cigarettes. They do not, however last as long as cartridges. For those who like to change flavors often, additional cartomizers will also be needed.
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