QUARTZ COILS VS CERAMIC COILS

When trying to decide which vaporizer is best for you, there are many factors you want to consider. One of the top contributing factors you want to remember is what type of coils the vaporizer uses. The two options currently available for cannabis vaporizers are quartz and ceramic coils. The type of coils that are best suited for you will be determined by the type of vaping experience you are looking for.

Therefore, ensuring your device has a top-notch set of coils is crucial if you want to get the most out of your concentrates or dry herb. You could have the best-tasting wax in the world, but if you’re using a vaporizer with subpar coils, that Granddaddy Purp can end up tasting more like tar or something much worse. In this article, we’ll pit quartz coils vs ceramic coils and discuss exactly what vaporizer coils are, the primary differences between the two types of coils, and the pros and cons of each. 

What Are Vaporizer Coils?

Simply put, without the vaporizer’s coils, the unit would cease to produce vapor altogether. Often referred to as the atomizer depending on which device you’re using, or who you talk to, sometimes they are one and the same. Whereas other times, the coils are a part of the atomizer. Neither is right nor wrong, just different vernacular. For our purposes, we’ll refer to the coils as being a part of the atomizer. Out of all the different pieces that make up a vaporizer, the atomizer is easily the most crucial component. All vaporizers feature one, and without it, your vaporizer would be no more than an expensive paperweight. After you have turned the device on and activated the battery (usually by the press of a button), the coils inside the atomizer heat up, which heats your material to allow for vapor production without the worry of combustion.

The strength of your vaporizer’s atomizer will be determined by what you want to get out of the device. If you’re looking for a discreet vaporizer to go out on the town with, an atomizer with a less powerful set of coils will suffice. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a vaporizer that can produce thick clouds of vapor, then a more powerful atomizer is necessary. The material they make the coils from is also a contributing factor as far as vapor production is concerned. Next, we’ll go over the two types of coils and which will suit your personal preferences best.

Quartz Vaporizer Coils

Although quartz vaporizer coils may have lost popularity in recent years, it still doesn’t mean they aren’t still a viable option when looking for a solid vaporizer. They usually fashion these types of coils with a quartz rod that’s covered with titanium. Most vaporizers that use quartz as their heat source feature two coils with some models having even more. The more quartz coils a vaporizer has, the higher temperatures the device can reach. Now we’ll go through some benefits and drawbacks of quartz coils.

Pros of Quartz Coils

There are multiple reasons why quartz coils are a fantastic option as far as vaporizers go. Let’s have a look at some of the advantages quartz coils have to offer now that you know what they are. 

Heat Up Fast

If heat-up time is your primary concern, then quartz may be the way you want to go. Quartz coils typically require little power to heat up, taking merely 5-10 seconds. Additionally, the cool-down time is minimal, reducing the chances of burning oneself. That’s what makes these types of coils perfect for vape pens and any portable vaporizer for that matter.

Massive Clouds of Vapor

Not only can quartz coils heat up fast, but they can also reach those higher temperatures that ceramic coils can’t. It’s these high temperatures that allow for intense vapor production. Not everyone wants or needs massive clouds of vapor. But for those who do, this is an ideal choice.

Medical-Grade Material

Since quartz coils are crafted from medical-grade material, you won’t have to worry about inhaling any toxic materials. With certain vaporizer models, this isn’t the case. If you decide to go with one of those models, you may be inhaling carcinogenic materials without even knowing it. With an atomizer that utilizes quartz coils, this will be a nonissue.

Cons of Quartz Coils

Now it’s time to speak about the cons of quartz coils. These may not be as much of a deciding factor for everyone, but you still should be aware, nonetheless. Because, as wonderful as quartz coils may be, they still have their share of drawbacks. 

Poor Heat Retention

Unlike ceramic coils, quartz doesn’t stay at those high temperatures for very long. Sure they hit those temperatures super-fast, unfortunately, they lose that heat almost just as quickly. For continuous vapor production, you must keep the device at a higher temperature. Which in turn uses more power, reducing the lifespan of the vaporizer’s battery. 

Harsh Vapor

The high temperatures quartz coils can reach provide a very intense flavor that most consider being on the harsher side of things. Some people love the full-flavored, harsh smoke that these coils produce. But most people say that harsh vapor isn’t ideal for those just getting their feet wet in the vaporizer game.

Fragile

Since quartz coils hit those higher temperatures to provide massive vapor clouds, there’s always a chance they could become damaged. This is also quite evident since there is little temperature control, if any at all, in most units. The constant high temperatures the coils reach can lead to them becoming cracked or broken.

Ceramic Vaporizer Coils

Ceramic coils, as the name implies, are made from ceramic materials. This ancient wonder material is very hard and boasts an extremely high resistance to melting and chemicals. That makes it the ideal material for coils since they’re consistently reaching high temperatures. And just as with quartz coils, ceramic coils have their fair share of pros and cons, depending on who you talk to. We’ll briefly touch upon the top advantages and disadvantages ceramic coils have to offer. 

Pros of Ceramic Coils

We’ll start things off with why ceramic coils are so great! There’s a variety of reasons so many people love this type of heating source for their vaporizer. Let’s discuss the top three reasons you want to take into account.

Long Lifespan

Unlike quartz, ceramic can withstand higher temperatures. Given that ceramic coils expand and shrink much less, they tend to last much longer. You shouldn’t have any worries about the coils cracking or breaking after a few months of use. The ceramic protects the coils from the high temperatures allowing for a nice long life.

Better Flavor

If the flavor is what you savor, ceramic coils in your vaporizer should be a no-brainer. A huge benefit of these coils is they don’t alter the taste of your materials at all. They provide you with the most flavorful clouds of vapor you can imagine. As a result, a large number of vaporizer enthusiasts are being drawn to units that feature these types of coils.

Great Heat Retention

Unlike quartz coils, ceramic coils boast far superior heat retention. Whereas quartz coils require you to reapply the heat to keep it from dissipating, ceramic coils, once heated to the target temperature, maintain the heat for much longer. This means you’ll have a consistent delivery of vapor with far less wear on the battery.

Cons of Ceramic Coils

We’ve still got a few more points to make regarding ceramic vaporizer coils. Since we just went over the top three advantages ceramic coils have to offer, it’s time we go over the disadvantages that also come with these types of coils.

Less Precise Temperature Control

Precise temperature control is not a strong point of ceramic coils. This may not be an issue for some, but for those looking to get the most out of their materials, dialing in the temperature is crucial. Since different terpenes and cannabinoids are activated at specific temperature ranges, without that temperature control, you may not receive the full benefits of your materials.

Slow Heat Time

When compared to quartz coils, ceramic coils heat at a much slower rate. With quartz, you don’t have to wait long at all before you’re vaping. But, with ceramic coils, it will take a bit longer to get your vape on. This also means that they will stay hot for longer, increasing your risk of burning yourself if you’re not careful.

Conclusion

With all the information we’ve gone over, you should have more than enough information to make an educated decision about the type of heating element you want in your vaporizer. It all comes down to what kind of experience you want to get out of your device. If you enjoy massive vapor clouds and don’t mind the harshness that can come along with them, quartz coils are your best bet. If you’re looking for a more consistent draw with optimal flavor, but are OK with slow heat-up times, ceramic coils will be your best bet. We can take all the guesswork out of the equation by recommending the Terp Pen XL which is a great inexpensive vaporizer that delivers flavorful vapor clouds instantly. As long as you have extensively researched a vaporizer before you make your purchase, you should be good to go.

Need Some Replacement Coils?

Got a terp pen that isn’t producing the nice, full clouds it used to? There’s a good chance that the coils are damaged or worn from constant use. You can pick up some brand-spanking-new ceramic coils for the Terp Pen or a set of quartz coils for the Terp PEN XL. Once the coils are replaced, your device should work just as when you first bought it.