What is Temperature Control Vaping?
Temperature control is an innovative feature that has become commonplace in the vast majority of modern vape mods. At its core, temperature control is a technological solution to combat dry and burnt hits. This mode of operation also allows vapers to take longer drags because the temperature of the vapor remains at a constant rate, as does the coil — instead of getting hotter.
In essence, when a user utilizes temperature control, they are selecting a specific temperature setting from the range of 300°F to 600°F (100°C to 315°C). This power is then sent directly to the coil, which automatically adjusts to keep the coil and vapor at the chosen temperature. To take advantage of temperature control, you will need to use a coil designated for temperature control, and is made from SS316, nickel, and titanium.
The History of Temperature Control
While the technology isn’t exactly new to vaping, it is still quite impressive and showcases unique innovations in the vaping industry. Beginning in 2014, temperature control began when a company called Evolv released their incredible DNA chipset. This line of chips were the first to introduce temperature control and are still recognized as some of the best temperature control chips on the market.
Prior to temperature control, vapers could only adjust wattage, another innovation Evolv had instituted a few years prior. Soon after the success of the DNA chipset and DNA mods, temperature control would quickly become commonplace in the vaping industry, and is now a must have for all modern vape mods.
How Does Temperature Control Work?
To put it as simply as possible, temperature control works because the specific metal used in certain coils predictably lose resistance as they heat up. This loss in resistance is monitored by the chipset which converts the resistance change to a temperature change, which then changes the power to maintain a specific temperature.
That is perhaps the most apt description of temperature control, but there is obviously so much more that goes on internally. As we’ve mentioned before, temperature control will only work with specific materials, as Kanthal has a resistance that doesn’t change regardless of its temperature. This is why Kanthal does not work in temperature control and will only function in standard wattage mode.
If you require any further clarification, think of temperature control as a car travelling under cruise control. To maintain a set speed, an internal operating system will have to adjust the power that is needed to go up a hill and down a hill. This system will help ensure the speed is maintained in both situations, much like the chipset in temperature control vaping.
What do you Need to Vape in Temperature Control?
First and foremost, you’ll need a vape mod that supports temperature control. Most modern variable wattage mods will come with temperature control features, but be sure to check before you make any purchases. When looking for a mod, you’ll also need to consider whether you want extra features, including temperature control, and specific temperature control controls for certain materials.
Speaking of material, to use any temperature control features you will need to either use specific pre-made coils, or titanium, nickel, or SS316 wire for rebuilding. Regular kanthal coils simply won’t work for temperature control, as the resistance does not fluctuate enough for a chipset to reliably adjust the power settings.
For those wanting to build their own coils, the best wires include;
- Nickel 200(Ni200): This was the first type of wire used for temperature control coils but is less common now due to some vapers sensitivity to nickel.
- Titanium Grade 1 (Ti): This material works quite well for temperature control but users have to make sure it does not get overheated.
- Stainless Steel (304, 316, 316L, 317, 430): This is perhaps the most popular material for temperature control and comes in various grades that can all be used for vaping. Stainless steel can be used in either wattage or temperature control mode.
- Nickel Ferrous (NiFe): This material also comes in various grades (48, 30, 52, 72) and can be used in wattage or temperature control mode. That being said, NiFe is rarely used and is not available widely.
How to Vape in Temperature Control
Start by placing your mod into temperature control mode and select the corresponding wire type for the coils you have. Once you’ve done this, lever your mod and tank till they reach room temperatures, so the readings will be more accurate. To achieve this, you should only have to leave your mod unused for 15 minutes before starting.
Instal the coil as normal, but take extra care to ensure the coil is screwed down tightly, as you need the best connection possible to provide the best readings to the chipset. Once the coil has been installed, screw the tank or RBA onto the mod, again making sure everything is tightened down as far as possible. Finally, check the resistance is reading accurately and lock the resistance (typically by pressing the +/- buttons).
From then on, simply set the temperature to whatever you think is best for you. In some cases, certain mods will also allow you to adjust the wattages, while some will automatically set your watt. If you can adjust the wattage, just set it to the lowest recommended setting printed on the coil head. You can change this later to suit your own needs and preferences.
What Temperature Should I Vape At?
Generally speaking, common vaping temperatures range in the 392°F to 480°F (200°C to 250°C), with changes being adjusted in increments of 10°F (5°C).
Once you’ve set your target temperature, you should be all set for a good vape with long inhales. Thankfully, temperature control allows users to take longer draws without the fear of overheating the coil and drying out the wick. temperature control should allow for a consistent level of vapor, except when the coil begins to run out of juice, which will result in the vapor dropping off significantly.
Unfortunately, there is no universal temperature that is perfect for all users using temperature control settings. Instead, simply experiment in the temperature range to find what is appropriate to you. If your mod does allow for wattage control, adjust that too, but remember that temperature control coils often have a lower resistance and require more power to heat them effectively.
The Pros of Temperature Control
Helps avoid dry/burnt hits: temperature control is arguably one of the best ways to avoid dry and burnt hits, simply because of temperature control’s ability to hold a specific temperature set by the user. If the wick begins to run dry the temperature will start to rise , and therefore temperature control protection will immediately cut power to compensate for the rise in temperature.
Extend coil and wick life: Avoiding dry hit and overheating coils will not only help save the taste buds of a user, but will also help preserve the overall life of a coil. These features allow temperature control coils to last longer than normal power-mode coils, as well as wick because it does not exceed the designated temperature necessary for a good vape.
Battery life: When a device is using temperature control mode, it will generally only use the power needed to keep a coil at the right temperature. It has been estimated that a temperature control vape uses 1.5 times less power than the equivalent variable wattage output.
Vape consistency: By having full control and accurate feedback, vapers can ensure their device gives them consistent vapor production from puff to puff. This is generally difficult to do in regular wattage mode, as hits are inconsistent because of the heat the coil changes based on all hits.
The Cons of Temperature Control
Can be somewhat complicated: Generally speaking, standard wattage mode will be more straightforward and intuitive, whereas temperature control will require some trial and error before you figure out your perfect settings.
Mod limitations: While most modern vape mods come packed with temperature control settings, you are still somewhat limited to what devices you can own. Mods with temperature control are generally larger, and may not be as portable as pod-systems, which generally do not have temperature control controls.
Conclusions
Temperature control can be an incredibly valuable tool in a vapers arsenal that can really help elevate your vaping experience. That being said, you will have to take some considerations before you can use temperature control and the security and consistency it provides. While temperature control has become fairly common on modern vape mods, many users still prefer wattage mode, due to its user-friendly nature and overall ease of use. If you are a new vaper, it’s probably best to stay away from temperature control, until you’ve had more time to better understand how your e-cigarette works.
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