Stock Coil – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

A stock coil is a factory-made, pre-built heating element that comes ready to install in a vapetank, pod, or Kit“>Starter Kit. It contains a precisely wrapped wire (usually Kanthal, stainless steel or nickel) surrounded by cotton or other wicking material. The coil’s sole job is to heat e-liquid into vapour when electricity from the mod’s battery passes through it. Designed for convenience, stock coils remove the need for manual wire building and wicking, making them the plug-and-play option most Australian vapers start with.

Technical Details

Inside every stock coil a resistance wire forms a Sub-Ohm (below 1.0 Ω) or above-ohm spiral, depending on the intended vaping style—cloud chasing or mouth-to-lung. Typical resistances range from 0.15 Ω to 1.8 Ω, while surface area can vary from micro-coil diameters of 2 mm to mesh strips 8 mm wide. Coil housings are press-fit into stainless-steel or brass casings with silicone O-rings to prevent leaks and Short Circuit Protection contacts. Variants include vertical coils, horizontal coils, mesh coils for faster ramp-up, and Wick“>ceramic wick coils for longevity. Most are rated for 10–110 W, with recommended wattage etched on the casing or packaging.

Usage & Tips

• Priming:Drip 5–7 drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton before first use to avoid dry hits.
• Break-in: Start at the lower end of the recommended wattage for the first 20 puffs to let cotton fully saturate.
• Lifespan: Replace every 5–20 mL of e-liquid, or when flavour drops or a burnt taste appears; darker juices or heavy Steeping may shorten life.
• Storage: Keep spare coils in a sealed bag away from heat and sunlight to maintain freshness.
• Compatibility: Always match coil series to your specific tank or Squonk Mod; using the wrong coil can cause leaks or poor performance.

History & Context

Stock coils emerged in the early 2010s as vaping shifted from rebuildable dripping atomisers to user-friendly tank systems. Manufacturers such as Kanger and Aspire pioneered replaceable coil heads, sparking a wave of Starter Kit popularity across Australia. Today, mesh and multi-coil designs continue to evolve, balancing cloud production, flavour clarity, and coil longevity for every level of vaper.