Graded Airflow – What is it in Vaping?
Graded Airflow
Definition
Graded Airflow is a precision-engineered airflow control system found in modern vape tanks and rebuildable atomisers that gradually increases or decreases the amount of air entering the coil chamber. Instead of offering only wide-open or fully-closed settings, graded airflow uses a stepped or stepless adjustment ring with clearly defined increments, allowing vapers to fine-tune Resistance“>draw resistance from a tight mouth-to-lung (MTL) pull to an airy direct-lung (DL) cloud chase. The purpose is to match the airflow precisely to coil resistance, e-liquid viscosity, and personal preference, maximising flavour density, vapour temperature, and Hit“>throat hit without causing gurgling or flooding.
Technical Details
Internally, graded airflow is created by a rotating collar or top-cap that slides over a series of graduated air holes or a continuous kidney-shaped slot. Each increment uncovers a larger cross-sectional area, measured in square millimetres (mm²). Entry-level tanks may offer 3–5 discrete holes (0.8 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm), while high-end devices use stepless spiral slots that move from 1 mm² to 12 mm². Some atomisers pair the external airflow with interchangeable internal pins—gold-plated for conductivity—or honeycomb discs to smooth turbulence. Variations include bottom, side, top, or dual-graded airflow, each affecting coil cooling and glass tankcondensation differently.
Usage & Tips
Start at the smallest graded setting and open one step at a time until you reach your preferred flavour–vapour balance. If you notice whistling or spitting, back off one increment; if vapour feels too warm, open further. Clean the airflow ring weekly to prevent e-liquid gunk from locking the threads. When rebuilding on a Genesis atomizer, align the graded slot with the coil legs to avoid hot-spots. Always close the airflow fully before filling top-airflow tanks to reduce vacuum loss and leaking.
History & Context
Graded airflow evolved from early 2013 RDA hex screws to the smooth knurled rings popularised by sub-ohm tanks like the Aspire Atlantis. As Aussie vapers embraced nicotine-salt MTL devices, manufacturers responded with ultra-fine grading—sometimes 0.1 mm steps—giving ex-smokers the tight draw they craved without sacrificing cloud potential.