Lava Coil – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

A Lava Coil is a specialty rebuildable heating element made from braided or twisted multi-strand wire that resembles molten lava when glowing. Designed for sub-ohm and Mod“>mechanical mod users, its main purpose is to maximise surface area for rapid e-liquid vaporisation, producing dense flavour and huge Hit“>lung hit clouds. Despite the dramatic appearance, the term is unofficial—vapers coined it after noticing the red-hot coil’s lava-like flow pattern during high-wattage vaping.

Technical Details

Construction & Materials

  • Wire Types: Typically built from Resistance“>low resistance Nichrome 80 or SS316L, occasionally mixed with Kanthal cores for stability.
  • Strand Count: 3–8 strands twisted or braided; outer wrap often uses 36–40 gauge for quick ramp-up.
  • Target Resistance: 0.08–0.18 Ω dual-coil configurations, ideal for 80–150 W regulated mods or high-drain Battery“>lithium battery mechs.
  • Diameter“>Inner Diameter: 2.5–4.0 mm to balance wicking speed and chamber fit.

Variations

“Alien Lava” adds an outer alien wrap for extra surface area; “Framed Staple Lava” sandwiches ribbon wire between cores for cooler-running performance.

Usage & Tips

Set-Up & Maintenance

  • Install coils with ceramic tweezers, gently pulsing at 20 W to eliminate hot spots before final wicking.
  • Use thick, high-VG juice to prevent leaking; Scottish-roll wicking helps avoid dry hits at Wattage“>high wattage.
  • Check your mod’s LED indicator for low battery warnings—low resistance builds can sag voltage quickly.

Safety Considerations

Always verify resistance on an Ohm Reader”>ohm reader before firing; never exceed continuous discharge rating of your lithium battery. If the coil glows unevenly or tastes metallic, re-align and re-wick immediately.

History & Context

The Lava Coil trend emerged in 2016 on Australian Facebook vape groups, popularised by cloud-chasing reviewers showcasing slow-motion shots of glowing coils. While never patented, the style influenced mainstream manufacturers to release pre-made “lava-style” spools and coil heads, cementing its place in advanced vaping culture.

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