Vape Mod Parts: Names & Functions?

Here’s everything about the parts of a vape mod including their names and functions:

Unlike e-cigarettes that you use until they run out, vape mods are made up of parts that you can replace over time.

Vape mods have 10 parts which include the drip tip, top lid, glass tube/tank, atomizer/coil, atomizer, housing, bottom base, display screens, power button, function keys, and micro USB port.

So if you want to learn all about the parts of a vape mod, their names, and their functions, then you’re in the right place.

Keep reading!

Vape Mod Parts: Names & Functions? (& Graphic)

What Are the Parts of a Vape Mod? (10 Parts)

Parts of a vape mod.
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#1 Drip Tip

Different types of vaping drip tips

Drip tip is the colloquial term for the mouthpiece of the vape mod.

This is where the magic begins. 

A drip tip is the opening through which you draw in the vapor.

On many devices, the drip tip is removable and can be changed easily. 

The size of the drip tip can vastly change the experience of the user.

Like any good thing in life, there are two schools of thought on the matter. 

You have people on one side who say size matters and people on the other who think size doesn’t matter.

Two types of drip tips are popular with Vape Mods.

These are the 510 and the 810.

The 810 drip tip measures about 12.5 mm, while the 510 drip is about 8.5 mm in size. 

But the drip tip is an important factor to consider if you like to create a lot of smoke. 

An 810 drip tip is much better for that purpose than a smaller drip because the 810 has a larger diameter, allowing a larger volume of vapor to go through during each inhalation. 

#2 Top Lid

Vape top caps in various materials and finish

The top lid, sometimes known as the top cap, goes on top of the glass tube. 

Its main purpose is to allow control over how much vapor can go through during each inhalation. 

The top lid is a metal piece with a sliding ring on the outside.

By sliding the ring, you can cover or expose more airflow holes. 

This allows you to have control over how much vapor is drawn through each time you inhale.

The top lid is removable; this allows for easy refilling.  

#3 Glass Tube/Tank  

White electronic cigarette on a dark table, next to a scattered berries.

The glass tube, or the tank, is your storage area for the liquid. 

Depending upon what kind of vape mod you get, these tanks can vary in shape and size. 

Some tanks are made of glass, while others are made of a material called Pyrex. 

Typically, they are made with clear materials, so you are able to keep an eye on the liquid level inside the vape. 

It is always advisable to regularly clean and look after your tank. 

Because this is, after all, the final resting place of your vape juice before you start inhaling it. 

An ill-maintained tank can really ruin the vaping experience. 

Depending on what kind of experience you are looking for, vape mods come in two types of tanks. 

One is called the rebuildable tank atomizer or RTA. 

This is ideal for users who like to switch flavors regularly. 

But for the purists among you who just want a strong flavor, and dripping is your thing, there is another type called rebuildable dripping atomizer or RDA. 

This type allows you to drip directly onto the coil to get maximum flavor. 

Material of the Tank

In terms of material for the tank, the two most common are Pyrex and Glass. 

Pyrex is basically a type of tempered glass with specific properties that make it 4x to 6x harder and more resilient than glass. 

The result is that Pyrex can withstand higher temperatures. 

Pyrex is better able to absorb the shock caused by the heating process of the vaping liquid. 

But it is important to note that both Pyrex and glass can break upon heating or being dropped. 

The advantage of using Pyrex tanks is that when Pyrex does shatter, it produces cubical pieces of glass rather than the glass’s sharp shards. 

The cubical pieces are less likely to harm the smoker.

#4 Isolation Component 

Vape tanks and e liquid for electronic cigarettes.

As the name suggests, the isolation component is a piece in the vape mod that keeps the liquid isolated from the vapor. 

This makes for a more consistent and enjoyable vaping experience. 

#5 Atomizer/Coil

Vape atomizer coil.
master installs cotton wool to refuel an electronic cigarette. Vape. vaping device

The atomizer is like the engine of the vape mod. 

This is where the magic happens. 

This part of the vape mod is responsible for the actual vapor. 

The coil itself can be broken down into a few parts.

Atomizer 

The atomizer consists of a positive and negative pole. 

When you press the button on your vape, electricity is sent through it. 

This generates heat due to a process called Joule heating or resistive heating. This heat converts the e-liquid into vapor. 

Vape mod manufacturers label the vape with their ohm rating based on how much heat the atomizer can produce inside the coil. 

Ohm is the unit of electrical resistance. 

Basically, the more the resistance, the hotter the coil gets. 

These days, the most popular atomizers are sub-ohm tanks with a coil rated below .5 ohms. 

Coil

The coil itself is the wire that is wound inside the atomizer through which the electricity travels. 

An electrical current passing through it generates heat, which turns the liquid into vapor. 

This works very similarly to the way the old resistive heaters worked. 

Wicking

Wicking is a material such as cotton that is put in place to draw the liquid from the tank towards the coil, where it will be heated into vapor. 

The wick absorbs the vape juice from the tank, and this liquid is then heated on the other end by the coils to make vapor.

Many different types of material can be used for wicking. 

Cotton is most commonly used, but other materials include Silica Cord, ceramic, stainless steel mesh, and Rayon.

Housing

The housing of the atomizer, simply put, houses the entire atomizer. 

This casing protects and holds all the components in their rightful places in the world. 

#6 Bottom Base

Vape and cigarette on the palm of someone's hand.

The bottom base of the vape mod is where the electrical systems and the battery are housed. 

Vape mods can have both removable and non-removable batteries and can vary in other ways, such as capacity, amps, and discharge rate. 

This all depends on what kind of vape you have. 

As with any consumer electronic device, lithium-Ion batteries are the preferred choice. 

The bottom case houses all the other electronics that convert the battery power into electrical power used by the coil and other electronic control systems. 

This all depends on how complicated your vape mod is. Some common parts you might see on your Vape mod are:

#7 Display Screens

Electronic cigarette or vape device with screen on.

Display Screens are common on Vape mods that have adjustable controls. 

These allow you to change settings such as wattage, voltage, current, and sometimes even track your puff count. 

Some vape mods also have an ohm meter to show the current reading of the coil.

Some Vape mods nowadays also come with touchscreen displays. 

These are usually more on the expensive side, but they offer a buttonless experience.

#8 Power Button

The power button turns the Vape mod ON and OFF. 

#9 Function Keys

young woman smoking vape

The function keys allow you to change different settings on the Vape Mod, such as wattage and voltage settings. 

The function keys allow the user to navigate the menu on more expensive Vape mods that come with more bells and whistles. 

#10 Micro USB Port

Vape mod on dna chip and tank with vaping liquid.

The Micro USB port is where you plug in the charger for your Vape mod. 

You can use the same cable that you use to charge your smartphone to easily charge your Vape Mod.

What Are the Parts of a JUUL?

Colored vapes

Here are the parts of a JUUL:

  • Mouthpiece
  • Absorbent pad
  • Air path
  • Wick housing
  • Metal contacts
  • Wick and coil assembly
  • Tank/JUUL pod
  • Battery
  • Pressure sensor
  • Cap (bottom)

Learn all about the parts of a JUUL here.

Author

  • Theresa McDonough

    Tech entrepreneur and founder of Tech Medic, who has become a prominent advocate for the Right to Repair movement. She has testified before the US Federal Trade Commission and been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, helping influence change within the tech industry.