Funnel – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

A funnel in vaping is a small, cone-shaped tool—usually plastic or silicone—that channels e-liquid from a bottle into the Port“>fill port of a tank, pod, or dripper without spills. Its purpose is to make topping up quicker, cleaner, and more accurate, especially when dealing with narrow openings, thick Nicotine“>freebase nicotine liquids, or high-VG juices that cling to bottle tips.

Technical Details

Funnels work by creating a smooth, tapered pathway that reduces surface tension and directs the e-liquid downward under gravity. Most vape funnels are 15–25 mm long, with a top diameter of 8–12 mm and a bottom tip of 2–4 mm to fit standard fill ports. Variations include:

• Silicone funnels: Soft, heat-resistant, and foldable; ideal for squonk bottles and rebuildable atomisers.
• Plastic funnels: Rigid, clear, and inexpensive; often bundled with starter kits.
• Magnetic funnels: Snap onto metal bottle caps for one-handed refills.
• Integrated funnels: Built into some unicorn or chubby gorilla bottles as a flip-out spout.

Threaded adapters are also available to convert 510 drip tips into makeshift funnels for drippers using Fused Clapton coils.

Usage & Tips

• Priming: Hold the tank at a slight angle and rest the funnel tip inside the fill port to prevent flooding the coil.
• Cleaning: Rinse with warm water after every flavour change to avoid cross-contamination of flavour profiles.
• Storage: Keep a dedicated funnel for menthol or citrus juices, as these can linger in silicone.
• Safety: Ensure the funnel is food-grade and BPA-free; cheap, non-vape funnels may leach chemicals into e-liquid.

History & Context

Funnels entered the vape scene around 2015 when sub-ohm tanks adopted tiny top-fill slots. Early adopters repurposed kitchen funnels until manufacturers released purpose-built accessories. Today, they’re a staple in Australian vape shops, often given free with 60 mL bottles of freebase nicotine e-liquid.