BVC (Bottom Vertical Coil) – What It Is & How It Works in Vape Tanks
Definition
BVC (Bottom Coil“>Vertical Coil) is a type of atomiser coil where the heating wire is mounted vertically at the base of the tank or pod, allowing e-liquid to feed upward through wicking channels. Positioned below the tank’s reservoir, the coil is saturated from underneath, delivering consistent flavour and vapour while reducing dry hits. Because the coil sits low and close to the airflow inlet, BVC designs cool quickly, extend wick life, and suit both mouth-to-lung and restricted direct-lung vaping styles. Beginners appreciate BVC tanks for fuss-free, plug-and-play replacement coils, while seasoned vapers value their leak-resistant layout and compatibility with high-PG or nicotine-salt e-liquids.
Technical Details
Inside a BVC coil, a Kanthal, stainless-steel or mesh ribbon is wrapped around a vertical axis and encased in a cylindrical housing. E-liquid travels up through two to four 1.2–1.8 mm wicking slots into organic-cotton or ceramic wicks that hug the wire. Resistance ranges from 0.3 Ω (sub-ohm DL) to 1.8 Ω (MTL), with most Australian devices using 0.6–1.2 Ω for 10–25 W output. The vertical orientation shortens the vapour path, condensing flavour molecules before they reach the DripTip“>drip tip. Common variations include single, dual, triple and mesh vertical cores, plus hybrid BVC coils that integrate wood-pulp or flax fibres for higher temperature tolerance. Threading is universally 510-compatible, and coil housings are press-fit or screw-in, making them interchangeable across many starter kits, box mods and pen-style batteries.
Usage & Tips
- Prime new coils: drip 3–4 drops of e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton, then fill the tank and wait 5 minutes to avoid burnt hits.
- Start low: begin at the minimum wattage printed on the coil, gradually increase until flavour peaks; exceeding the upper limit collapses wicks.
- Keep half-full: maintain e-liquid above the wicking ports to prevent air locks—especially important in hot Australian climates that thin VapeJuice“>vape juice.
- Clear floods: if gurgling occurs, invert the tank and flick downward, or blow gently through the mouthpiece while firing at low wattage.
- Dispose responsibly: BVC coils contain metal and cotton—wrap in paper towel, seal in a bag, and place in general waste; do not litter.
History & Context
Aspire introduced the first mass-market BVC clearomiser in 2013, replacing earlier side-coil designs notorious for muted flavour and leaks. The vertical layout quickly became the blueprint for modern bottom-coil tanks, influencing everything from nano pods to rebuildable build decks. As regulators tightened nicotine import rules in Australia, BVC coils remained popular due to their reliability with pharmacy-sourced nicotine salts and ease of use for smokers transitioning away from cigarettes.