Wick – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

A wick is the absorbent core inside an atomiser that delivers e-liquid to the heating coil. Made from porous fibres such as Cotton“>organic cotton, silica, or modern synthetics, the wicking material soaks up juice from the tank and channels it to the coil. When the fire button is pressed, the coil heats up, vapourising the saturated liquid on the wick and producing the flavoured vapour you inhale. Without a properly functioning wick, the coil would glow red-hot and burn within seconds, resulting in harsh “dry hits.” In short, the wick is the bridge between your e-liquid supply and the coil, ensuring consistent, wick-powered vapour at any chosen wattage.

Technical Details

Wicks rely on capillary action: tiny pores pull liquid inward faster than the coil can vapourise it, preventing flooding yet avoiding dry-burn. Most rebuildable tanks use 3 mm-wide strips of Japanese organic cotton—favoured for neutral taste and high heat tolerance—while factory coils often employ braided silica or ceramic fibres rated up to 260 °C. Pod systems increasingly adopt “plug-and-play” cotton wick plugs, pre-cut to 6 mm lengths. Variations include:

• Cotton: Cheap, flavour-neutral, but can burn above 40 W if compressed too tightly.
• Silica: Withstands 600 °C, yet slower to saturate; common in early clearomisers.
• Mesh: Stainless-steel mesh rolls act as both wick and wrap in genesis atomisers, ideal for temperature-control lovers.

Usage & Tips

Prime a new wick by dripping juice directly onto the coil and taking five dry pulls before vaping. Fluff cotton tails to avoid choking the juice flow—over-stuffing causes the dreaded “vacuum lock.” If flavour drops, check for dark, crusted fibres; re-wick every 3–7 days with sweetened e-liquids. Never fire a cotton wick without visible saturation; dry cotton ignites at 210 °C, releasing acrolein. When building, ensure wick ends just touch the deck; too long and they’ll flood, too short and they’ll starve. Keep spare wicking material sealed to remain sterile and match coil Diameter“>inner diameter for snug, but movable, fit.

History & Context

The first 2008 cig-a-likes used fibreglass wads; vapers soon replaced them with boiled cotton for cleaner taste. Silica reigned until 2014, when Japanese organic cotton became the rebuilders’ gold standard. Today, mesh strips and ceramic composites push higher wattage stability, while manufacturers tout “medical-grade” cotton in product warranties to reassure safety-conscious Australian vapers.