A Beginner’s Guide to Temperature Control Vaping

If you're a regular vaper, you have probably come across problems like burnt and dry hits. It's the ugly side of vaping that most vapers, particularly new ones, have to deal with. Dry and burnt hits are also common among vapers that take long drags. The temperature of the coil rises, delivering harsh hits.

With the ever-evolving technology in the vaping industry, there is a solution that can help to minimise the dry hits and improve your vaping experience. This solution is temperature control vaping. Basically, this technology ensures the device's temperature stays the same even when you take longer drags instead of getting hotter.

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If it’s the first time you’re hearing about temperature control vaping, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about temperature control vaping and how you can get started.

What is “Temperature Control” Vaping?

Temperature control vaping is a nifty and effective technology that creates a consistent vape when you take longer drags and prevents dry and burnt hits because the temperature of the coils stays the same instead of getting hotter as you draw.

In temperature control vaping, the user chooses the temperature limit from a range of 100 to 315⁰C, depending on the device you have. Once you select the limit, the power sent to the coils adjusts to keep the coil and your vaping sessions at your set temperature.

Temperature control was first introduced in 2014 with the creation of the DNA chip. Before the development of this chip, most top vape mods in the market could only adjust the wattage. With temperature control, vapers now have full control of their vaping experience.

Benefits of Temperature Control Vaping

There are multiple benefits associated with temperature control vaping that are contributing to its rise in popularity. These benefits include:

• No more dry hits

Dry hits occur when there's no liquid in the tank, or the wick dries up. Dry hits can also occur when the temperature of the coil increases drastically, and there's no cooling element. The vaper ends up receiving smoke instead of vapour which is very harsh on the throat.

Temperature control ensures that in the absence of juice in the tank or the wicking material, instead of the coil becoming hot, the power is cut off. Instead of getting dry hits, the vaper gets less and less vapour out of the device.  

• Increases coil life

The temperature control mode protects the coil from getting extremely hot and potentially burning out. This preserves the life and health of the coil, allowing you to get more puffs out of the coil before the coil is exhausted.  

• Battery life

TC mods only use the power they need to keep the coil at the selected temperature. On average, it is estimated that TC mods use 1.5 times less power than other variable wattage vapes. That means you get to vape longer out of the same battery capacity.  

• Vape consistency

TC vaping delivers consistent vaping sessions from puff to puff. In regular wattage mode, the hits are inconsistent because the temperature of the coil changes based on the length of the draw. If you're taking short and fast hits, the experience will be more consistent. But for longer draws, a non-TC coil will get hotter, which will completely change the flavour and the vapour produced.

How to Vape in Temperature Control Mode

Getting ready for your first vape in TC mode is relatively simple. You start by putting the mod into TC mode and selecting the corresponding wire type for the coils you have. If the mod has a TCR, you can enter the exact TCR value.

Before you start vaping, ensure the mod and the tank are at room temperature. This guarantees the temperature readings will be accurate. You can achieve this by not leaving the tank unused for about five minutes.

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Once you complete adjusting the settings, install the coil as you would on a regular device. Just ensure it is screwed down as tightly as possible. If you’re using an RBA, make sure the leads are firmly trapped.

Put the tank or the atomiser on the mod and also make sure it is tightened down as far as possible. Confirm the resistance on the device is accurate, then lock the resistance if it's possible on your device.

In some devices, you will need to adjust the wattage and the temperature. But in others, the device will automatically set your watts once you set the temperature. If you have to set the wattage, select the lowest recommendation printed on the coil head. You can later adjust accordingly depending on your preference.

You can now fill up the tank with your preferred e-juice, fire the device and take your first long draw to enjoy your first TC vaping session.

What Do You Need to Vape in Temperature Control Mode?

First, you need a vape mod with the Temperature Control (TC) feature. It’s easy to find such a mod because there are plenty of options in the market. If you’re unsure, check the specifications and features before purchasing the mod.  

Although the TC mod will get you started, for the best experience, you also need to invest in several other parts that will bring your vaping experience full circle.

Wire

You will need to invest in the right vape wire. For TC vaping, you have one of four choices depending on what works best for you:

• Stainless steel – Stainless steel is the most common wire used for TC vaping because of its durability under heat, and it is also affordable. Stainless steel wires require massive temperatures before the metal begins to oxidise. They are safer for you to inhale, and you can use them in VW and VV mode without the risk of inhaling toxic gases by accident. The Stainless steel wire also has the highest resistivity of the common TC wire types, which allows it to deliver excellent flavour without dragging the resistance too low that it overheats the device.

• Nickel – Nickel is also an excellent choice when playing around with TCM. Although the wire is among the most affordable, its primary benefit is its accuracy in TC mode. It has a higher TCR than stainless steel, making it more accurate in hitting the correct temperatures. Nickel is also perfect for building fancy flavour wires. When using Nickel, keep in mind that you can only use this wire when vaping in TC mode, and it shouldn't be used at the upper temperatures. You will also need to remember that wicking nickel is a little different. The golden rule of thumb with Nickel is, less is more.

• Titanium – Titanium (Ti) is a middle ground between stainless steel and Nickel. It has about half the TCR of Ni, but its TCR is higher than stainless steel. Ti also has a low resistivity that gives you some creative flair when building your coils, but you need to have the right tools because it's a hardwire to bend.

• Titanium is among the most expensive wires on the market but has excellent durability and shape-holding capabilities. Titanium is not as widely used in the vaping industry because it produces titanium dioxide at extreme temperatures. If you’re fixated on using titanium, only use medical grade titanium for the best results.

• Nickel ferrous – Also known as NiFe, this wire comes in various grades like 48, 30, 70 and 52. It can be used in either mode but is not widely available.

Each type of wire has its own temperature coefficient resistance (TCR). The mod needs to know the TCR of the wire to send the correct amount of power to the coil and keep it within the wire's temperature limits.

Once you have your TC compatible mod and the suitable wire, you're all set to start vaping in TC mode. If you’re not adept at making coils, you can purchase coils made from the above-mentioned materials.

Safety Precautions

You should know that Nickel and titanium coils are wrapped at very low resistance. They shouldn’t be used in a vaporiser that doesn’t have a TC vaping feature.

Also, Nickel and titanium coils should never be dry cooked for long periods. However, you can safely conduct intermittent pulsing of the coil in TC mode.

Nickel and titanium coils should never be used in a vaporiser with variable voltage or power mode. You should always ensure you use appropriate batteries if the vaporiser has removable batteries.

What Are the Recommended TC Mod Temperatures?

The temperatures of most coils are in the 100 to 350⁰C range. Temperature control is applied to regulate the temperature of the coil by making adjustments that pre-set the temperature values.

It's always recommended to start with low temperatures if you're not sure what your sweet spot is, then working your way up. It is the same approach used when it comes to wattage. You can increase the temperature in 5⁰C intervals or depending on the allowance that your device allows.

It's essential to keep in mind that e-liquids are not built equal. They have different and unique sweets spots which depend on the VG/PG blend.

In some modern TC vapes, you can choose between the joule and wattage modes giving you more control over your vaping experience.

After adjusting the settings, if you notice some dryness in the vape, you're probably running low on e-juice. You need to adjust the temperature downwards. If your device allows for wattage control, adjust it as well, preferably higher. Most temperature control coils have low resistance and require enough power to heat them.

Setting Up the Temperature Control Settings

Adjusting the temperature control settings of your mod is easier than you think. In a few simple steps, you can have your device set up and ready to vape.

If you have previously operated a temperature control battery, you’re already familiar with the temperature that you like.

For vapers that haven't operated a TC battery, you need to know the type of coil you're using in your RBA, RDA, tank or RTA.

Some TC box mods have different settings for different coil materials. Others have one temperature control mode that works with all the materials. Once you know the type of coil to use, follow these steps:

1. Attach your selected tank to the battery and lock the resistance. Most mods have locking as a standard. You can check the manual for detailed instructions on how to lock the resistance of the atomisers. In most devices, you can lock using the -/+ buttons. Locking the resistance will provide the battery with the exact resistance, the room temperature and the base temperature for the coil you’re using.
2. Go to the temperature control function on your mod. Select the specific temperature control mode for your tank depending on the material type of the coil. (Ni for Nickel, Ti for titanium and SS, for stainless steel).
3. Select your desired temperature. You will often find this information on the packaging or manual for the device. It's important to find this information before using the tank with a temperature control battery.

Picking The Right Temperature

Most TC mods come with a specific temperature range. The right temperature is a matter of personal preference. If you prefer a cooler vape, it's best to start low and keep moving up until you find your sweet spot.

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You might have to experiment with different temperatures depending on the PG/VG mixes because each has specific temperatures where they bring out the best flavours and vapour.

Final Thoughts

For many vapers, TC mode vaping is the solution to most of the challenges. When used correctly with the right wire and at the right settings, TC vaping can deliver an exceptional, customised vaping experience. However, it requires a proper understanding of each of the wires and their limits to prevent oxidising, which can produce toxic gases.