iKrusher Vape 101: Vape vs Smoke

Welcome to our latest iKrusher Vape 101 blog. In this series of blogs, we explore some of the many fascinating aspects of vape technology and culture. Our goal is to help inform and educate our readers so that they can make better informed choices for themselves and their customers.

Today, we're looking at the difference between vapor and smoke. When you take a hit from your favorite vape, after you savor the flavor, you let out that satisfying puff of smoke. But what is it? Some people call it vape smoke, others call it cloud. But scientifically speaking, vapor and smoke are worlds apart.

When you inhale, the experience of smoke and vapor is distinctly different. It's not just the taste but also the way they feel in your mouth and lungs. But why is that? Aren't they essentially the same thing? In this blog, we will break down the differences between what we typically call vapor and smoke. Let's take a look at why…

What is Smoke?

Smoke is produced when a substance combusts. Not strictly a gas, smoke is a combination of gases, solids, and liquids mixed together that usually occurs when organic matter such as wood, charcoal, or tobacco is burned. Smoke is thick and heavy, can be noxious, make you cough, and get in your eyes. The smell can get in your clothes and linger for days.

What is Vapor?

Vapor is simply the gaseous state of a substance that's ordinarily a solid or liquid. When a substance goes through vaporization through either evaporation (a liquid to a gas) or sublimation (a solid to a gas.), it transitions into its gaseous vapor phase. Think of when water turns into steam; when it cools, it turns back into water. Steam is water vapor. One of the most common forms of vapor is water vapor. With the right conditions, water vapor in the air can become fog, rain, snow, dew, etc. Oxygen vapor in the air is vital as it facilitates combustion, causes metals to rust, and we all need it to breathe. 

What is Vapor From a Vape?

Scientifically speaking, the vapor from a vape is not technically a vapor but an aerosol. An aerosol is a suspension of tiny liquid and solid particles in a gas. As we said, a vapor is a substance in the vapor stage that will return to its former state given the right circumstances. An aerosol, on the other hand, won't return to its original form. However, vapor (or aerosol) from vaping is produced when a liquid solution in an electronic device is heated to the point where the liquid vaporizes. The vapor produced is composed of minute droplets of the liquid suspended in a gas, usually air. Although scientifically, this gas is called an aerosol, we all call it a vape cloud, a puff, or just vapor.

How a Vape Produces Vapor

A vape is composed of several key components: a heating coil, an oil reserve, an activator, and a mouthpiece. It works by activating the heating coil and heating the oil. When the oil reaches the perfect temperature, it's vaporized and turned to vapor (aerosol), ready to be inhaled by the user. 

The Smell

Another major difference between vapor and smoke is the smell they leave. When a fire is started in a fireplace or in a firepit, a lot of smoke is produced. The thick gray or black smoke that billows up the chimney or from the campfire has a distinctive smoky smell.

On the other hand, the smell of vapor is short-lived and not as long-lasting as the odor of smoke. For example, boiled water vaporizes into steam, but after the heat's turned off, there's little to no smell left over. You can boil water in your home every day and never leave a discernable smell. But light a fire, and you'd have that distinct smell for days.

In Closing

This concludes our latest iKrusher Vape 101 blog. Today, we learned that smoke and vapor are very different. We learned that the vapor from a vape is, in fact, an aerosol and not an actual vapor at all. Because with vaping, there is no combustion or burning, and that's why vape vapor and smoke feel and taste so differently. Next time you take a hit from your favorite vape you'll know more about what is in that cloud. Now that you know some of the significant differences between vapor and smoke, you're more informed about the consistency of that sweet cloud coming from your vape.  And now you know.

Class dismissed!