Steel Mesh – What is it in Vaping?
Definition
Steel mesh is a thin, perforated sheet of stainless steel used as a heating element or wicking medium in rebuildable atomisers and some Sub-Ohm tanks. Its lattice of tiny holes allows e-liquid to travel by capillary action while the metal itself becomes a coil when electric current passes through it. The result is even heating, rapid ramp-up, and clean flavour that many Australian vapers prefer over traditional wire-and-cotton builds. Because stainless steel is temperature-control friendly and resists corrosion, steel mesh works equally well in power and TC modes, making it a versatile choice for both Starter Kit upgraders and advanced hobbyists.
Technical Details
Mesh strips are usually 304 or 316L grade stainless steel, 0.1–0.2 mm thick, with honeycomb or woven perforations ranging from 50 to 200 µm. Resistance depends on strip dimensions: a 16 mm × 6 mm sheet typically measures 0.15–0.18 Ω, ideal for Sub-Ohmvaping between 50–80 W. Mesh’s large surface area relative to mass delivers fast heat saturation, minimising ramp-up time and hot spots. Variants include roll-your-own sheets (sold by the 100 mm strip), pre-cut “nexMESH” ribbons with crimped edges, and clamp-style mesh decks found on atomisers such as the Profile or Digiflavor Mesh Pro. Some squonk-compatible RDA decks combine mesh with a spring-loaded ceramic pad to maintain constant cotton contact, eliminating dry hits when Squonk Mod bottles are squeezed.
Usage & Tips
Trim mesh 2 mm wider than the deck’s clamp width to ensure firm anchoring without overhang. Glow at 15 W until evenly orange, then pinch-strum with ceramic tweezers to remove micro hot spots. Use moderate cotton—Scottish roll is too thick—so the fibres slide through with slight resistance; excess packing chokes wicking and causes Steeping-like muted flavour. Prime generously, start at 40 W and increase in 5 W increments to avoid singeing. If you notice metallic taste, check for Short Circuit Protection errors: a tiny tear in the mesh can short against the deck, so replace the strip immediately. Always lock resistance when using TC to keep the steel within 180–220 °C for optimum coil life and Battery Safety”>battery safety.
History & Context
Mesh originally entered vaping circa 2013 as a genesis-style auto-drip wick before nickel and kanthal wires dominated. The “mesh revolution” reignited in 2018 when Wotofo and OFRF released dedicated mesh RDAs, proving the format could outperform Claptons on both flavour and simplicity. Today, steel mesh remains a niche favourite among Australian builders who value its low maintenance and crisp, tea-like notes in fruit-forward e-liquids.