Under Coil Airflow – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Under Coil Airflow is a vapetank design that channels incoming air beneath the heating coil before it reaches the mouthpiece. Instead of air entering from the side or top, precision-cut intake ports sit below the coil deck. This upward airflow path cools the coil’s base, reduces metal-to-metal heat transfer, and concentrates flavour by forcing vapour through the wick’s hottest zone. Beginners enjoy smoother draws, while advanced vapers chasing dense clouds appreciate the leak-resistant, low-noise performance that under-coil systems deliver in today’s sub-ohm and MTL devices.

Technical Details

Under Coil Airflow relies on a raised deck with hollow pillars or slotted channels machined into the tank’s base. Air is drawn through external adjustable slots—commonly 2 mm × 8 mm per port—travels 1–2 mm below the coil, then exits vertically through 1.2 mm–1.5 mm holes in the deck ceiling. Most designs position the coil 0.5 mm above the airflow path to balance restriction and cooling. Variants include single-slot MTL bores (Ø 1.0 mm) and triple-slot DL ports (up to 4 mm × 12 mm). Tanks such as the UFORCE series pair this layout with push-pull coil heads, ensuring the airflow always passes under the mesh or Clapton core, maximising surface area contact before vapour reaches the chimney.

Usage & Tips

When using an under-coil tank, prime the wick generously; the upward air path can dry cotton edges faster than side-flow designs. Start at the manufacturer’s minimum wattage and increase in 5 W steps to avoid scorched hits. If gurgling occurs, check that the coil is fully seated—tiny gaps misdirect airflow and flood the deck. Clean the base weekly to remove condensation that blocks intake slots. Because air cools the coil underside, metallic after-taste is rare, yet still allow a 2-minute rest between long chain-vapes to preserve battery and USB-C safe-charge cycles on your mod.

History & Context

Under Coil Airflow emerged around 2016 when manufacturers sought leak-proof solutions for ultra-portable kits. Early UFORCE tanks popularised the layout, proving it could rival side-airflow cloud production while meeting stricter TPD regulations. Today, the design bridges beginner MTL devices and unregulated mods, offering Aussie vapers a quiet, flavour-forward alternative in both disposable and rebuildable segments.