Top Airflow – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Top Airflow is a tank design where the air intake holes sit above the e-liquid chamber, usually around the top fill cap or drip-tip base. Instead of air entering from the bottom, it travels down through dedicated channels to reach the coil. The purpose is simple: prevent leaks, improve wicking, and give users finer control over Resistance“>draw resistance. For Australian vapers—whether you chase big clouds or a tight Hit“>throat hit—this layout keeps condensation and stray juice away from the battery while still delivering flavourful vapour.

Technical Details

Inside a top-airflow atomiser, air travels through 1-2 mm intake slots, down vertical or spiral channels, and finally enters the coil chamber via side or angled ports. Most designs offer two to four adjustable holes ranging from 1 mm (MTL) to 8 mm (DL) diameter. Variations include:

• Top-side airflow: air hits the coil’s upper edge for cooler vapour.
• Top-to-bottom airflow: air descends and wraps under the coil, boosting flavour without flooding.
• Honeycomb discs: multiple tiny holes smooth turbulence and reduce noise.

Manufacturers often pair top airflow with Temperature Control (TC)-ready decks, enabling use of Wire“>Titanium Wire or stainless steel coils without risking bottom-seal failure due to heat expansion.

Usage & Tips

• Priming: After filling a top-airflow tank, take five dry pulls (no power) to saturate cotton; top-fed wicks are slower to absorb juice.
• Condensation: Wipe under the cap daily; top airflow traps vapour that can leak if over-filled.
• Airflow tuning: Start wide open, then close 25 % increments until you hit your preferred throat hit or vapour warmth.
• Safety: Never block all intake holes when firing—vacuum lock can starve the coil and burn cotton.

History & Context

Top airflow emerged around 2016 when vapers demanded leak-proof travel tanks. Early models sacrificed flavour, but improved channel geometry and mesh coils have since made them favourites among Australian sub-ohm users and flavour chasers alike.