Encapsulated Coil – What It Means in Vaping Technology

Definition

An encapsulated coil is a type of heating element inside an E-Cigarette or E-Shisha device where the resistancewire is fully sealed within a protective housing—usually stainless-steel or ceramic—rather than exposed wicking material. This design keeps the E-Liquid or E-Juice in constant contact with the coil while preventing dry hits, leaks, and spit-back. In short, it’s a “closed-system” coil that vapes more consistently and cleanly than traditional open coils.

Technical Details

Encapsulated coils work by enclosing the resistance wire (typically Kanthal, Ni80, or SS316L) inside a porous ceramic or metallic shell that acts as both wick and chimney. E-Liquid is drawn through microscopic channels to the coil, vaporised, and then channelled upward to the drip-tip. Common resistances range from 0.4 Ω to 1.2 Ω, with wattage sweet spots between 12 W and 35 W depending on the device. Variations include mesh encapsulated coils for faster ramp-up and ceramic encapsulated coils for pure flavour. Pod eGo Style systems and modern E-Shisha pens often use press-fit encapsulated cartridges rated at 2 mL capacity and 3.7 V nominal output.

Usage & Tips

• Priming:Drip 3–4 drops of E-Juice into the coil before first use; let it soak for 5 minutes to avoid burnt hits.
• Power Range: Stay within the wattage printed on the coil; exceeding it will carbonise the encapsulation and mute flavour.
• Leak Fix: If condensation forms under the pod, wipe the contact pins and ensure the coil is seated firmly—encapsulated designs resist leaks but don’t eliminate them.
• Safety: Never dry-burn an encapsulated coil; the shell can crack and release ceramic dust. Replace when flavour drops or after 15–20 mL of E-Liquid.

History & Context

Encapsulated coils emerged around 2016 as pod systems gained popularity in Australia. Early open-coil E-Cigarette clearomisers struggled with leaking and wicking issues; sealing the coil solved both. Today, every major manufacturer—from Vaporesso to SMOK—offers an encapsulated option, making them the default for beginner and intermediate vapers nationwide.