Stainless Steel – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Stainless Steel (SS) is a corrosion-resistant metal alloy widely used in vape coils, tanks, and rebuildable atomisers. Composed mainly of iron, chromium, and nickel, it heats quickly and evenly, producing clean flavour while withstanding high temperatures. Because it is non-magnetic and food-grade, stainless steel wire is ideal for both power-mode and temperature-control vaping, making it a versatile choice for beginners buying their first Kit“>Starter Kit and advanced users building Sub-Ohm setups.

Technical Details

Popular grades among Australian vapers are SS316L, SS316, and SS304. SS316L—low-carbon “marine grade”—offers the fastest ramp-up, resists pitting from e-liquid acids, and has a stable Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR ≈ 0.00092) that most modern chips recognise for accurate temperature control. Wire diameters range from 20 AWG (0.8 mm) for massive cloud builds to 32 AWG (0.2 mm) for intricate Claptons. When dry-burned at 15–25 W for pulsed seconds, the wire forms a uniform chromium-oxide layer that prevents oxidation and “off” flavours. Resistance is roughly 0.7 Ω per foot for 26 AWG 316L, so dual-coil builds often land in the 0.1–0.3 Ω Sub-Ohmsweet spot.

Usage & Tips

  • Always check for “SS” or “316L” labelling to avoid mixing incompatible metals that could trigger a Short Circuit Protection fault.
  • Pulse coils at low wattage until they glow evenly from the centre out; pinch lightly with ceramic tweezers to eliminate hot spots.
  • After Steeping acidic fruit or menthol juices, rinse the coil under warm water and dry-burn again to extend coil life to 3–4 weeks.
  • For temperature control, lock resistance at room temperature (20 °C) and start at 200 °C, increasing in 5 °C steps until vapour is warm but cotton stays white.

History & Context

Stainless steel entered the vape scene around 2014 when temperature-control boards from Evolv and Yihi sought wires safer than nickel. Its adoption paralleled the rise of Mod“>Squonk Mod devices, where single-coil SS builds offered flavour purists efficient wicking without nickel’s metallic taste. Today, SS316L remains the default coil material in many Australian-made RTAs and mesh strips, reflecting both regulatory preference for medical-grade alloys and vaper demand for versatile, easy-to-source wire.

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