A New Wicking Question: Short Wicks or Long Wicks in an RDA?
Anyone who has ever purchased an RDA knows that this style of vaping can be a bit confusing at first. Even with all of the online tutorials that are available, understanding how to properly use an RDA can seem very intimidating.
One of the most overlooked components of setting up an RDA is the wicking process. The way in which you wick your RDA is crucial when it comes to the quality of your vaping experience. As far as wicking is concerned, the length of your cotton can determine everything from the frequency of dry hits that you experience to the size of your clouds.
Vaping with Your RDA: Are Short Wicks or Long Wicks Better?
The wicking process involves inserting a piece of cotton into your coil. This cotton absorbs the vape juice and allows the atomizer to provide flavorful, satisfying hits without producing a burnt taste.
If you're new to the world of rebuildable atomizers, you might be tempted to stuff a very long piece of cotton into your coil. In fact, some believe that more cotton means more vapor per puff.
However, most experienced vapers find that a short wick is best. Many agree that the cotton should be just long enough to reach the deck of the atomizer. Otherwise, the coil can become flooded and produce poor-tasting hits and weak vapor production. That's because too much cotton can absorb an overabundance of juice that interferes with the airflow of the coil.
Other Tips
Regardless of length, these are also important factors to keep in mind.
Use High-Quality Cotton
While the length of your wick can greatly impact your vaping experience, the quality of the cotton that you're using is important as well. Typically, organic Japanese cotton is best. This type of cotton absorbs e-liquid perfectly, resulting in consistently satisfying hits that produce a clean flavor and massive clouds.
Today it's easy to find high-quality cotton for your wicking needs. Many vape shops sell cotton that's specially designed for this purpose.
Don't Over-Stuff Your Coil
Another common mistake that first-time RDA users make is filling their coil with too much cotton. The thickness of your wick is just as important as its length. Many beginners mistakenly think that a thicker wick means better vape juice absorption that will produce huge clouds.
The reality is that a wick that's too thick can prevent vape juice from flowing properly. In other words, too much cotton acts as a plug, stopping vape juice from getting in. However, a wick that's too thin can struggle to pick up any liquid at all.
If you're new to the RDA world, you're going to find that experimentation is key. Play around with different wicking styles until you find a method that works best for you.
Find a Wick Length that Works for You
Generally speaking, a short wick is widely considered the way to go. However, it's important to remember that DIY vaping is all about experimentation. While a short wick is preferred by many, there's no reason why you can't try out different lengths for yourself.
Tags: wicks, wicking, length, short and long, RDA, cotton, coil, e-liquid, e-juice, vape juice, vape, vapers, vaping, tips