Temperature control vaping explained: how your mod caps the heat

Certain metals change resistance in a predictable way as they heat up. Your mod measures the coil resistance cold, then keeps measuring it many times a second while you fire. From the rise in resistance it works out the coil temperature.

When the coil reaches the temperature you set, the mod reduces power to hold it there. If the wick dries out, the coil temperature would normally spike, which is what causes a dry hit. In TC, the mod spots the spike and cuts back.

That is the main appeal: a more consistent vape and some protection against scorched cotton, as long as the coil wire is TC compatible.

Only wires with a strong, predictable change in resistance with temperature can be used. This property is called the temperature coefficient of resistance, or TCR. Nickel has the highest, titanium is in the middle and stainless steel is lower but still usable.

Kanthal and nichrome have a TCR close to zero, so the mod cannot read their temperature. Most pre-made mesh coils use those alloys, so check the pack before switching modes.

Many TC mods have presets labelled Ni, Ti and SS, plus a TCR mode where you can enter a custom value for other wires.

Most TC mods let you set a temperature between about 100 and 315 degrees C (200 to 600 degrees F). In practice, most vapers settle somewhere around 200 to 230 degrees C.

Lower temperatures give cooler, gentler vapour. Higher ones give warmer, denser vapour until the cotton starts to suffer. Start low, around 200 degrees C, and raise it in 5 to 10 degree steps until you find the point you like.

In TC you also set a wattage, which controls how quickly the coil reaches temperature. Too little and it feels sluggish; too much and it can overshoot slightly before the mod catches it.

Several mods we stock include temperature control. The Voopoo Drag 5, Drag 6 and Vinci Spark220 list TC alongside wattage mode, as do the Aspire Zelos M80 and Zelos 3. Check the mod's manual for the exact presets.

You can browse all of them in our mods section. Pair a TC mod with a stainless steel coil or a rebuild using TC wire, and you can switch between modes as you like.

If you mainly use pre-made mesh coils, you may never need TC. Wattage mode works perfectly well, and our guide to what wattage to vape at covers it.

Getting TC right is mostly about getting the cold resistance reading right. Always fit the coil while it is at room temperature, then lock the resistance on the mod if it offers the option.

If you fit a coil straight after vaping, while it is warm, the mod reads a higher resistance and thinks it is cold. Your temperature limit then sits higher than intended.

Go through this list when you set up TC for the first time. And never use TC presets with a Kanthal or nichrome coil: the readings will be meaningless and the protection will not work.

Temperature control is a useful tool rather than something every vaper needs. It shines for rebuilders who want consistency, and for anyone who wants extra protection against dry hits with compatible coils.

The key thing to remember is that TC depends on the coil wire. Get that right, and the rest is fine-tuning. Our guide to Kanthal, nichrome and stainless steel covers wire choice in detail.

If your mod shows a temperature reading that jumps around wildly, refit the coil cold and lock the resistance again. Most odd TC behaviour traces back to a bad cold reading. One question to check the essentials before you start experimenting.