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Power, Clouds, and Longevity: An Explanation of Box-Mod Vape Kits
Finding a mod and tank that will suit your needs doesn’t have to be intimidating. Take a dive into our guide to help simplify the overwhelming choices when choosing a box-mod style vape that will suit your needs.
What is a Box Mod? - Benefits, Typical Components, and Why It's Right for You
Box-mod vapes are perfect for vapers who are looking for the most power and customization. These vapes are the classic big-rig devices you typically saw in the early days of vaping. Depending on the set-up and user-preferences, these devices can produce some of the best flavour and biggest clouds to provide a satisfyingly pleasant vape experience.
The main components that are required for these set ups include: the mod, a tank, its coils, and batteries. Because the box-mod kit involves three different parts, vapers can mix-and-match different tanks and mods to find the combination that best suits their preferences.
Compared to other vapes, box-mods typically utilize more advanced chip-sets which allow users to tailor their experience with wattage, ramp-up, and aesthetic adjustments. Playing around with the features your box-mod offers is as easy as finding the settings menu (typically a button-hold combination or three successive clicks) and testing it out!
How to Choose a Box-Mod
Different brands and models of box-mods will offer a variety of different features specific to their device. The most common features you will see among all box-mods include:
- Displayed wattage adjustment (power control to tailor vapour production and throat-hit);
- Coil resistance reader (Displays what the device is reading the coil resistance at);
- Displayed battery life;
- Puff counter (keeps track of how many times you have taken a hit of your vape);
- Adjustable Ramp up (how quickly the coil will reach the desired wattage setting). This affects how much and how quickly vapour is produced when pressing the fire button;
- Automatic Coil detection is a more advanced feature seen in newer devices that automatically sets the recommended wattage for the resistance the coil reads at;
- Button locking
One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a box-mod is what will suit your needs in terms of the number and type of batteries the vape will take. This will relate directly to the battery life, power output, and overall size of the device. Here is a breakdown of the common types of box-mods you will see on the market.
Internal Battery Mods
Aspre Zelos M80 @ Digital Imports
Box-mods with an internal battery save vapers some extra money by eliminating the additional cost of replaceable batteries. These devices are convenient to use and maintain due to the battery being built into the device itself.
Pros: No additional battery cost, no battery maintenance, smaller form-factor (typically).
Cons: Limited power, device needs replacement if battery stops working, less capacity over time.
Single Battery Mods
Geekvape Aegis Solo 3 @ Digital Imports
Single battery vape mods only require one battery to power-up. Always make sure that your battery size is compatible with your device. Explore the best batteries on the market and find the right size for your vape here.
Pros: Smaller form-factor than dual battery mods, battery is replaceable which increases life-span of the device, and can usually be safely charged through the device.
Cons: Limited power, limited battery life, potential overhang on tanks (aesthetic preference),
Dual Battery Mods
Voopoo Drag 5 @ Digital Imports
Dual battery mods use two batteries to power the vape. They will use the same batteries as single battery devices. With two batteries in use, the size of the vape will be bigger than an internal or single battery vape, however, dual battery devices can have a
Pros: Higher power output and an increased battery life for heavy use, more ramp-up customization options.
Cons: Bulkier form-factor, more battery maintenance.
Factors to Consider when Picking a Tank
The components that typically make up a tank include coils, a juice chamber, drip tip/mouthpiece, and an airflow control ring. The varying styles of each brand and model will provide users with unique vaping experiences and allow vapers to find the right tank to match their personal tastes.
1. Type of Coil
The two most common types of vape coils you will see on the market include mesh and spiral shaped coils. Spiral coils are spring shaped, while mesh coils are a sheet that covers more surface area. Preferences between these two types are entirely subjective to personal taste.
Coils also play a significant factor in the power output of your device. Most vape coils will display the recommended wattage range for that specific coil. A good rule of thumb to remember is the lower the resistance (ohms Ω), the higher the wattage. Be sure to keep in mind that setting your wattage too high can lead to the coil burning out quicker and can even break the wire, while setting the wattage below the recommended range can cause leaking issues.
2. Tank Capacity
Tank capacity is pretty self-explanatory - it determines how much e-juice a tank can hold before it needs to be refilled. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of constantly refilling your tank, consider trying a tank with a larger capacity. However, please keep note that keeping juice in your tank for extended periods of time can cause leaking through the cotton.
3. Airflow Adjustment
The airflow ring will control the draw resistance of your inhales. Having an open airflow ring gives users the least resistance and provides a DTL (direct-to-lung) smoking sensation. Having smaller, more closed airflow rings will provide a tighter draw, more similar to how a cigarette will feel. Apart from the airflow adjustment ring, the size of your mouth piece will also contribute to the draw resistance of your puffs.
Usage and Maintenance Tips
Battery Safety
Make sure you follow these must-know battery safety tips to protect yourself and others from damage and harm. Improper care and handling of these batteries can lead to venting which is a buildup of gasses due to mishandling (drops, torn battery sleeves, etc.). Make sure you follow these tips to avoid damage and injury.
- Store your device in a safe place, away from flammable materials;
- Keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating;
- Store your batteries in a designated battery case. Don’t store your batteries with other metal objects such as keys and coins to avoid accidentally creating a circuit;
- Avoid dropping your batteries or device to avoid venting;
- If charging through the device, always monitor the vape to avoid overcharging and to protect the battery.
Coil Replacement
It is important for you to replace your coils whenever they start tasting off to ensure your device performs well and provides a pleasant vaping experience. Common indicators that your coil needs to be replaced include:
- Burnt taste/discoloured juice - This can be the result of cotton being burnt or sweetener in the juice caramelizing to the coil and cotton;
- Loss of flavour/minimal vapour production - This can be a result of the coil not firing as well due to wearing or caramelized sweetener coating parts of the coil;
- Leaking/spitback - This is caused by cotton oversaturation due to the wicks being worn out;
- Error messages - Your device may give you an error message when it is unable to read the coil. This can be due to the wire being worn down or residue interference.
It is also important to “prime” your coils to avoid immediately burning the cotton wicks. This only needs to be done with a brand new coil that is about to be used. To prime the coil you can apply small amounts of juice to any exposed cotton you see, such as the intake ports and inside the main vapour chamber – be sure to start slowly as this can get a little messy.
Nic Salt vs Freebase
We highly recommend considering the type of juice you’re planning to use when deciding on which tank and coils you wish to run on your vape kit. For example, nicotine will give users a harsher throat hit at higher wattages and temperatures. This means that the high concentrations of nicotine in salt-nic juices can lead to an uncomfortable experience. Salt nicotine is also thinner and more runny than freebase nicotine, which can cause leaking issues in higher-wattage tanks. The maximum wattage we recommend for salt nicotine is 25w.
Tank Cleaning
Cleaning your tank is important for maintaining its parts and reducing the need to find replacement components. Tanks can usually be taken apart for easy cleaning. You’ll want to clean the glass juice reservoir, the top chamber, juice fill hole, and drip tip to make sure that you get rid of older juice. The bottom piece is also important to keep clean so that you can ensure that the coil contacts work properly without interference. Don’t wash coils as the water can dissolve the cotton and cause major leaking and performance issues.
Over time, the seals will wear out and accumulate sticky juice. This can lead to performance issues, coils burning quicker than usual, and potential health hazards if they are not regularly maintained.
Key Takeaways/Final Thoughts
In a hurry? Here are the key concepts we’ve discussed so you can find the right vape for you!
- Box mods are a big-rig style of e-cigarettes;
- These mods typically require batteries and a tank;
- A full box-mod kit is best for vapers who are looking for higher power outputs, longer battery life, and more customization options;
- The three main types of box mods include: Internal, single, or dual battery devices;
- Internal cell devices have the battery built into the device. These devices are great for vapers who wish to have a convenient experience. However, if there are any issues with the battery, the entire device may need to be replaced.
- Single cell battery devices are great for individuals who are looking for more power in a smaller form factor. Battery safety knowledge is recommended for using these vapes.
- Dual battery set ups provide vapers with the most power output and battery life; however, battery safety is also recommended.
- When choosing a tank, it is important to consider how different coils, tank capacities, and airflow adjustment will affect your vaping experience.
- To get the most out of your device, it is important to maintain safe battery handling practices, regularly change your coils, and clean your tank.
Are box-mods what you’re looking for? If so, feel free to take a look at the various vapes and find the best kits and box-mods for your personal taste!