An atomizer is a crucial part of an e-cigarette. It’s what heats your e-liquid into that delicious vapour you love so much.
Atomizers come in all shapes and sizes, but they’re always the heart of your vaping experience. If you’ve been using the same atomizer for longer than a few weeks, it might be time to replace it with a new one.
We’ll go over some signs indicating when to say goodbye to your old friend and welcome a new one!
How Do You Know When To Replace Your Atomizer?
There is no one answer to this question. Many factors come into play when replacing an atomizer, including frequency of use and quality of material being vaped.
But a good rule of thumb is if you are vaping on an atomizer that needs to be replaced, it will begin producing a burnt taste. This is especially true for users who vape regularly throughout the day.
If you’re uncertain when to replace your atomizer, it’s important to consider the following factors:
Frequency of Use:
The more frequently an atomizer is used, the sooner it will need to be replaced. As time goes on and your atomizer experiences repeated use, its performance slowly begins to diminish.
With regular daily use, atomizers typically must be replaced every week or two. If you are an avid e-cigarette user who vapes regularly throughout the day, it’s best to replace your atomizer weekly to prevent any diminishing returns.
Damage:
If your atomizer is damaged in any way, it will need to be replaced. This includes if the metal coil is exposed or if there are visible cracks in the tank.
Reduced Vapour:
If you notice that your vapour production has decreased over the past couple of days, then it might be time to change out your atomizer coil. This could mean that your coil is just dirty or clogged up with dried out e-liquid. You’ll want to clean your atomizer coil by using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Then, rinse it off thoroughly before reusing it.
A Burning Taste:
A burning taste in your mouth is another sign that it’s time to change your atomizer coil. This could mean you’ve used the same coil for too long, or you’ve been using the wrong liquid. A burning taste is caused by overheating of your atomizer coil. Try switching to a new coil and see if that improves your experience.
Leaking Vapour:
Leaking vapour is another indicator that it’s time to get a new coil. This could be caused by a clog or a broken connection between the coil and the battery.
Leaking:
Leakage is another sign that your atomizer coil is damaged. If you notice liquid coming from your tank, you should look for ways to repair it.
Dry Out:
Dry out is when the coil gets so dry that it no longer produces enough vapour. This usually occurs after a few weeks of use. It’s important to note that drying out isn’t necessarily bad. It’s pretty normal. However, if you’re noticing that your coils are drying out more often than usual, then it might be worth looking at what you’re using.
Poor Flavour:
Poor flavour means that your coil is producing less vapour than expected. This could indicate that something is blocking the airflow path. The easiest way to fix this problem is to wipe down your atomizer.
Clogging:
Clogging is when the wicks become blocked. This can happen due to the build-up of residue on the wicks. You can prevent this issue by cleaning your atomizer regularly.
Wicking Issues:
Wicking issues include leaking wicks, burnt wicks, and kinks. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should replace your wicks.
Dirty Atomizer Coils:
Dirty atomizer coils can lead to poor performance. If you notice that the colour of your coil is fading or discoloured, then you should consider changing it out.
Improper Coil Installation:
Improper installation can cause many problems. For instance, if you install the coil upside down, it will not produce the right amount of vapour.
Overheating:
Overheating is when your coil gets too hot. If you notice that you’re experiencing this symptom, you should switch out your coil.
Cracked Atomizers:
Cracks in your atomizer can also lead to other issues. For example, if cracks appear near the battery compartment, you should contact your manufacturer about it.
Broken Connections:
Broken connections can lead to leakage. If you notice that one side of your atomizer is disconnected from the battery, you should check for damage.
Additional Signs to Look Out For
By no means is the above a comprehensive list, but the gist is there.
How to Improve an atomizers lifespan?
There are many things you can do to improve the longevity of your atomizer. The first step is to make sure that you always keep your atomizer clean. This means cleaning off any residue left by previous sessions.
This helps prevent any build-up of residue which can lead to clogs and burnt taste. Cleaning your atomizer with cotton swabs soaked in rubbing alcohol will help remove any unwanted deposits.
It also helps to ensure that you don’t leave your atomizer exposed to direct sunlight. Exposure to heat can shorten the life of your atomizer.
Another thing you should avoid doing is storing your atomizer upside down. This can cause condensation to form inside your tank. When this happens, it can drip onto the wicks causing them to burn out. To avoid this, store your atomizer upright.
You should also try not to overfill your tank. Overfilling can cause leaks and dripping. It can also result in the wick being pulled too far into the coil, which can cause it to burn out.
You should also be careful about using different types of e-liquids. While some liquids won’t harm your atomizer, others can damage it.
Can I Just Repair The Atomizer?
Once the performance has dipped and the materials have degraded, it’s time for a replacement. Repairs can be made, of course, but you have to weigh the costs. If the cost of repairs is close (more or less) to the price of a new one, you’re better off replacing your old atomizer.
Once performance has dipped, and the materials have degraded, it’s time for a replacement
While repairing an old atomizer can be worth it at times, especially if it holds a certain amount of sentimental value, it’s best to replace it most of the time.
Why? Because atomizer technology improves at a fast rate where a top-of-the-line tech from last year is obsolete today.
Is the Atomizer Dead or Just the Coil?
Before you chuck your atomizer in the bin, make sure first if it’s because of an unfixable failure or did the coil give out?
This is important because while internal failures may be difficult, sometimes impossible to repair, busted coils are easily replaceable. And cheap!
If you can see to get a visual on the coil, you can check for yourself whether it’s still intact or if it broke. However, not all coil heads allow you to see the coil, in which case, it’s best to try a new coil head first to see if it works.
Be aware, though, that sometimes replaceable coil heads arrive DOA, so if a new one doesn’t work, it may just be defective. Try several coil heads first before deciding whether your atomizer is worth saving or not.
Atomizer : Repair or Replace?
Suppose a new coil doesn’t work. It’s time to assess the damage to your atomizer.
Check to see if there are loose screws in the atomizer and try to tighten them first. If you see some misalignment on the posts and screws, see if you can put them back in place.
Once you’ve done all these, test the atomizer again and see if it works. If it still doesn’t, you can no decide whether to have it repaired or replace it altogether.
Bring it to your nearest vape shop and ask to have the atomizer checked. They will most likely know what’s wrong and help you decide what to do. It will cost money to have your old atomizer repaired, so it’s up to you whether it’s worth it or you add a little more to get a new one.
So What Now?
In the end, it all boils down to whether you are satisfied or not. If your atomizer still performs like a champ, there’s no need to replace it all. However, if performance has suffered, it’s time to replace it.
Atomizers are built to last, but as mentioned earlier, vaping technology improves significantly every year.
Today atomizers are easier to build on, have more efficient juice wells and juice control, have a better airflow, and have an overall better performance rating.
You can keep your old atomizer, take care of it judiciously and enjoy life with a trusted vaping buddy that’s been there for you all this time. But sometimes, retirement is necessary.
Besides, who doesn’t love shiny new things to tinker with?
