Every disposable vape with a mesh coil has three jobs: hold liquid, heat it evenly, and deliver it to your mouth. The three parts that matter most are the wick (saturated cotton), the coil (a fine wire mesh), and the airflow channel. The wick sits against the coil, and when the coil heats, it vaporizes the liquid from the wick. If the wick is dry, you get a scorched cotton taste—the classic burnt hit.

Many people think the coil is the first thing to fail, but it's usually the wick that dries out first. This is especially true on a commute, where you might take quick puffs at traffic lights, and the cold air thickens the e-liquid. The coil itself can last a long time if it stays wet.