An Introduction to Rebuildable Atomizers

A large majority of Vapers begin the vaping experience with simple cig-a-likes. That’s the kind of kit you often see at the mall; small devices that resemble a real cigarette.

However they aren’t anything special – cig-a-likes are rechargeable (though rarely last more than an hour of heavy vaping), produce a little vapour, and more often than not taste like burnt socks after a day. They are relatively cheap, but if the atomizer conks out you have to replace the whole unit.

At this point, many will go back to regular cigarettes. However, some move on and purchase better gear – the Ego-type of electronic cigarettes. They are vastly superior in terms of performance; they last longer, and produce better flavours and vapour.

There are also plenty of atomizer designs to choose from, the most popular being clearomizers and cartomizers. A great advantage of these types of atomizers is that when they reach the end of their lifespan, you can get replacement atomizers (and not the whole unit – unlike the cig-a-likes). Many vapers are content with this set-up, and with good reason. An Ego kit is economical and practical, and simply gets the job done.

However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to vaping, if you are willing to “take the plunge” into the world of advanced personal vaporizers – otherwise known as APVs.

So what are Rebuildable Atomizers?

Rebuildable atomizers are the next step in the progression of atomizers in terms of complexity. They work on the same principle as regular atomizers; there is a heating element through which the current from a battery flows, heating the wick and producing vapour. However they differ from regular atomizers because the heating element and wicking material has to be built by the user!

What are the advantages of being “rebuildable”?

A distinct advantage of rebuildable atomizers is the fact that they are not disposable by nature. You can rebuild the coil once it goes bad, and the materials to do so are dirt-cheap. Sure rebuildable atomizers can be expensive, but so are the higher-end caromizers and clearomizers. Taking into consideration that you have to replace regular atties every few weeks, rebuildable atomizers are actually cheaper in the long run.

Another advantage of rebuildable atomizers are their performance, which is limited only by the skills of the person making the coils. The beauty of this is the fact that even with a $5 atty, you can achieve a performance comparable to that of even the most expensive products as long as you know how to make a good coil (granted there are no major design defects of the atomizer itself).

Finally, a rebuildable atomizer gives you a degree of control you simply can’t achieve with regular atomizers. You can fine-tune the amount of power you put through the device, by changing the gauge of wire you use and the design of your coil.

For this reason, full mechanical mods (E-cigarettes that have no electronic components) are most commonly used with rebuildable atomizers, since they have no chips to burn out. Of course this capability to push unsafe volts through your device can be dangerous, and we will cover how to do this safely later in this article.

What are the types of Rebuildable Atomizers?

Generally speaking, Rebuildable Atomizers can be classified into Rebuildable Tank Atomizers (RTAs) and Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers (RDAs).

RDAs

RDAs are the simplest type of rebuildable atomizers, but they also produce the best vaping experience. They are composed of a base, with two (or more) posts where you can attach your coil and a top cap. That’s it. You simply drip your e-liquid onto the coil and wick, and vape.

Of course, after every few puffs you will need to drip more e-liquid, hence the name “dripper”. Many RDAs come with an adjustable airflow, which has a large impact on the quality of the vape – in addition to small topcaps (smaller topcaps give better flavour), provides unparalleled performance. Many designs even incorporate multiple poles and airholes, allowing the capability to make multiple coils. This translates into even MORE flavour and vapor!

An excellent entry-level RDA I can recommend is the IGO-L. It is an older design (one of the first-generation RDAs after the phoenix), but don’t let that discourage you! It is extremely robust and has outstanding quality. The IGO-L has a wide base so it is easy to work with and can hold a LOT of e-liquid. It performs well out of the box (though I recommend drilling out the airhole to 1.5 – 2mm) and it is very affordable. I still have a few IGO-Ls lying around; they have lasted almost four years of abuse.

RTAs

These are slightly more complex versions of RDAs, since they incorporate tanks into their designs. This means that you don’t have to constantly drip after every few puffs; you only need to refill the tank once it runs out of e-liquid! I personally like the fact that I can drive without having to stop every few minutes in order to drip.

Genesis type atomizers are probably the most recognizable types of RTAs. They are designed to use a roll of SS(stainless steel) mesh as a wick, and can deliver a clean and crisp flavour. However this type of setup is more challenging than a typical silica or cotton wick setup normally found on RDAs, but they have the advantage of lasting much longer.

Another type of RTA is the Kayfun and other similarly designed atomizers. They are designed to be rebuilt just like an RDA, and many claim that their performance is comparable to them as well.

In terms of performance, RTAs are limited by their design – though generally they are comparable in the flavour and vapor department. However, a major disadvantage of RTAs is that they can leak if not built properly. They also have a tendency to be more expensive than RDAs.

An excellent entry-level RTA I can recommend is the AGA-T2, a genesis type atomizer. The same company as the IGO-L manufactures the AGA-T2, and they are just as well made. The AGA-T2 is also more forgiving on the wallet compared to other genesis-type atomizers without compromising in quality and performance.

If you know someone who owns a Kayfun, Taifun GT or Fogger, it is worth trying out one of these types of RTAs. Many people consider them worth the money, and with good reason.

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