Note : This glossary provides neutral information for adult users. The sale and distribution of nicotine-containing products to minors is prohibited in Switzerland. Vape products are not risk-free and are not suitable for non-smokers, pregnant women, or people with heart or lung conditions.
A
AFC (Airflow Control)
Adjustment ring or slider with which you regulate the airflow (tighter/looser).
Battery
Rechargeable battery (e.g., 18650, 20700, 21700) for mods/battery carriers. Use only suitable high-current batteries.
Battery carrier (mod)
Device that provides battery(ies) and electronics for power/voltage/TC; atomizer is screwed on.
All-Day Liquid
A taste suitable for daily, extended use.
AIO (All-in-One)
Compact unit with permanently integrated tank/pod.
Atomizer (vaporizer)
General term for all types of vaporizers (tank, RDA, RTA, RDTA).
aroma
Highly concentrated flavor carrier, mixed into base (DIY). Do not vape undiluted.
B
Base (PG/VG/Nicotine)
Base liquid for e-liquids; mixing ratios e.g. 50/50, 70/30.
BDC/BVC Coil
Bottom Dual/Vertical Coil; design of pre-assembled heads with two or vertically arranged heating wires.
Bottom Airflow
Airflow reaches the coil from below (more intense flavor, potentially higher risk of leakage).
Bottom Feeder (Squonk)
Mod with a soft squonk bottle; liquid is pumped into the RDA from below.
Bubble glass
Used glass tank with increased filling volume.
C
Cartridge (Pod)
Disposable or refillable insert with coil and liquid chamber.
Clapton wire
Wrapped heating wire (e.g. Kanthal around Kanthal) for a larger surface area and more flavor.
CRC closure
Child-resistant cap on bottles.
Coil
Heating coil/heating unit that vaporizes liquid (pre-made coil or self-wound).
D
Vaping
Inhaling nebulized liquid (aerosol) via e-cigarette/vape.
Direct Lung (DL)
Inhalation: Airy inhalation directly into the lungs (more steam, often higher power).
DIY (Do it Yourself)
Mixing your own e-liquids (flavoring + base + possibly nicotine shots).
Dry Burn
Burning out self-winding coils without cotton for cleaning (careful, do not overheat).
Dry Hit
Burnt e-liquid without enough liquid on the cotton (scratchy, unpleasant).
E
E-Liquid / Liquid
A mixture of PG/VG, flavorings and optional nicotine; it is vaporized.
E-shisha
Colloquial term for e-cigarettes with shisha-like flavors.
Entry-level device
Simple pod systems/AIOs with low power and few settings.
E-cigarette (vape)
Electronic inhalation device for liquids.
F
Fire button
Button that heats the coil; not needed with automatic draw.
Flash (Throat Hit)
A tingling sensation in the throat, influenced by nicotine, PG content, and power output.
Freebase nicotine
Classic nicotine form in mg/ml; stronger throat hit than nicotine salt.
G
Glycerin (VG)
Vegetable glycerin; produces dense vapor, is viscous (highly viscous).
Grade Control (TC)
Temperature control to avoid dry hits and maintain constant heat.
H
High-VG
Liquid with a high VG content (e.g. 70/30); lots of vapor, less harshness.
High-current battery
Battery with high continuous load capacity (A-rating). Observe safety instructions.
Hybrid mod
Mechanical mod with direct contact to the positive terminal; for experienced users only.
I
Impedance/Resistance (Ω)
Electrical resistance of the coil; determines power/heat behavior.
insulator
Non-conductive component in the evaporator/510 pin for short-circuit protection.
J
Joule
Energy unit; sometimes used as a control variable in TC systems (less frequently).
K
Kanthal
Commonly used heating wire (FeCrAl) for wattage mode.
ceramic coil
Coil with ceramic structure for even heat distribution and durability.
Short circuit
Faulty contact with very low resistance; protection circuit stops.
smoldering
Colloquial for a burnt taste when there is too little liquid/too much power.
L
Power (watts)
Energy output; affects vapor volume and flavor.
Leak
Liquid leakage; often caused by pressure, faulty seals, or liquid that is too thin.
Liquid Control (JFC)
Mechanism for opening/closing the liquid supply in the tank.
Lung breath (DL)
Direct Lung: Airy draw directly into the lungs (more vapor, often higher power).
M
Mechanical Mod
Unregulated battery carrier without protection circuits; for professionals only.
Mesh coil
Mesh structure instead of wire; large surface area, rapid evaporation.
mg/ml
Nicotine strength (e.g. 3, 6, 12 mg/ml).
Microcoil
Small, tightly wound coil with a small inner diameter.
MTL (Mouth to Lung)
Mouth-to-lung vaping: Draw into the mouth and then into the lungs (tight draw, less vapor).
N
Nicotine salt
Nicotine bound with organic acid; softer on the throat, allows for higher mg/ml in pods.
Nicotine shot
Small bottle of concentrated nicotine for mixing in shortfills.
nicotine
Alkaloid with addictive potential; use responsibly.
O
O-ring
Rubber/silicone seal in the tank/drip tip.
Ohm (Ω)
Unit for resistance; Sub-Ohm < 1.0 Ω.
Ohm's Law
Relationship between voltage, current, and resistance (U=R×I); relevant for winder operators.
P
PG (propylene glycol)
Carrier substance for flavors; more intense taste/flash, thinner than VG.
Pod
Small insert for pod systems (with/without replaceable coil).
Pod Mod
A hybrid between a pod and a mod: compact, but more powerful and often with settings.
Prebuilt coils
Pre-made coils for RBA/RTA/RDA.
Priming
Moisten the new coil/cotton with liquid and let it soak in briefly to avoid dry hits.
PWM
Pulse width modulation for power control (on some devices).
Q
Quick Charge
Fast charging (e.g., USB-C, check compatible specifications).
R
RBA (Rebuildable Base)
DIY coil insert for pod/tank instead of a pre-made coil.
RDA (Dripper)
Vaporizer without a tank; liquid is dripped directly onto the cotton.
RTA (Tank Rebuildable Atomizer)
Atomizer with tank and build deck under the bell.
RDTA
A hybrid of RDA and tank (deck on top, tank on the bottom, cotton connecting).
Regulation (VW/ VV/ TC)
Operating modes: Variable wattage/voltage/temperature control.
Restrictive train
Narrower airflow, popular for MTL/flavor chasing.
Resin
Resin material for drip tips/appearance.
S
Safety (Battery safety)
Undamaged wraps, suitable chargers, transport in protective cases, no short circuits.
Shake & Vape
Pre-filled shortfill bottle with no/low nicotine; is filled with shots.
Shortfill
Underfilled liquid (0 mg) with space for nicotine shots; shake well after mixing.
Side Airflow
Air reaches the coil from the side (balanced, often less leakage).
Squonker
See Bottom Feeder.
Stealth Vaping
Discreet vaping with low vapor (consideration, observing regulations).
Sub-Ohm
Vaping with resistances below 1.0 Ω; usually more power/vapor.
T
tank
Container for liquid in the atomizer (glass/PC).
TC (Temperature Control)
Mode with temperature limiting (suitable wires: Ni, Ti, SS).
Top Airflow
Airflow from above; very leak-proof.
Throat Hit
See Flash.
Dripping
Liquid applied directly to cotton (RDA); more intense flavor, more frequent refills.
Tube Mod
Cylindrical mod, regulated or mechanical.
U
USB-C
Modern charging port for many devices (if provided by the manufacturer).
Unregulated
Mod without electronics/protection; for experienced users only.
V
VG (Vegetable Glycerin)
See glycerin; dense vapor, sluggish flow.
Vape Tongue
Temporary taste fatigue; changing the type of food, drinking water helps.
Variable Voltage (VV)
Voltage regulation.
Variable Wattage (VW)
Control via power (most common mode).
Evaporator
General term for RDA/RTA/RDTA/Tank.
W
watt
Power unit; affects heat, steam volume, and aroma.
Cotton wool
Cotton or special wadding as a liquid carrier for the coil.
Wrap
Making/installing coils yourself requires basic knowledge and care.
resistance value
The coil's resistance (Ohm value) determines the suitable power range.
Wrap
Protective film around batteries; replace damaged wraps immediately.
Z
Automatic train control
The device fires automatically when suction is applied (no button needed).
Traction technology
Type of draw (MTL/DL); affects flavor, vapor, and nicotine strength.
Tensile resistance
How tight/loose the draw is; controllable via airflow and drip tip.
Miscellaneous
Diacetyl-free
Liquids should be free of diacetyl/acetylpropionyl/acetoin; check manufacturer's instructions.
Youth protection CH
The sale of nicotine-containing products to minors is prohibited; observe cantonal regulations.
Disposal
Recycle empty bottles; dispose of batteries properly at collection points.
Tips for beginners:
Lower nicotine strengths are common for DL, higher ones for MTL; always start with low wattage and increase.
