MTL or sub-ohm? Pick your style first
Nearly every tank is built for one of two draws, and getting this right matters more than the brand on the box.
| MTL tank | Sub-ohm (DTL) tank | |
|---|---|---|
| The draw | Tight, like pulling on a cigarette | Airy, straight to the lungs |
| Coil | Higher resistance, above 1.0ohm | Low resistance, under 1.0ohm |
| E-liquid | Nic salt or 50/50 freebase, 10ml | High-VG shortfill, usually 0mg or low |
| Vapour | Modest and discreet | Big clouds |
| Best for | Ex-smokers and beginners | Experienced vapers and cloud chasers |
If you're coming off cigarettes or disposables, start with an MTL tank and nic salt, it's the closest match to smoking and the easiest to live with. If you've been vaping a while and want more vapour and warmth, a sub-ohm tank on a powerful mod is the upgrade. Some tanks with adjustable airflow do both, so you can tighten the draw right down or open it up as your taste changes.
Are vape tanks universal?
Mostly, yes, and it's down to one thing: the 510 connector, the standard threaded fitting that joins a tank to a mod. Because most tanks and most mods use 510, you can usually mix and match, a Vaporesso tank on an Innokin mod, and so on. The thing to check isn't really the thread, it's the power: a sub-ohm tank needs a mod that can push enough watts, while an MTL tank is happy on almost anything. Pod kits are the exception, since they take pods rather than a 510 tank. If your device has a screw thread on top, a 510 tank will fit.
The tanks we stock
We keep a focused range from two brands that do tanks properly, Vaporesso for sub-ohm flavour and Innokin for no-fuss MTL.
| Tank | Style | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Vaporesso iTank T | Sub-ohm, dual mesh | Rich flavour and big clouds on a mod |
| Vaporesso XTank T | Sub-ohm | A flavour-focused DTL setup |
| Innokin Go S | MTL replacement tank | Swapping in a fresh tank for a Go S kit |
| Innokin T20 S | MTL | Simple, reliable mouth-to-lung vaping |
Vaporesso's iTank T runs dual mesh coils, which is what gives it that full, even flavour on a direct-to-lung draw. The Innokin tanks are the opposite end, small, tight and simple, made for nic salt and the kind of vaper who just wants it to work.
Living with your tank: filling, cleaning and coils
This is the part most pages skip, and it's what actually keeps a tank tasting good.
How to fill a vape tank
Most modern tanks are top-fill, so you unscrew or slide off the top cap, tip your e-liquid down the side channel rather than into the central chimney, replace the cap, and let it stand for a minute so the coil soaks through. Filling the centre tube by mistake is the usual cause of a gurgle or a mouthful of liquid, so aim for the outer wall.
When to change the coil
A coil is a wear part, not forever. You'll know it's going when the flavour turns muted or slightly burnt, the vapour drops off, or you get a harsh catch on the inhale. For most people that's every one to two weeks. Always prime a fresh coil, drip a little liquid onto the exposed cotton and let a filled tank sit for a few minutes, or the first pulls will scorch it. Sweet, dark liquids gunk a coil faster than light ones.
How to clean a vape tank
Every coil change is a good moment to clean the tank. Empty it, take it apart, and rinse the glass and metal parts under warm water, no washing-up liquid, it clings and taints the flavour. Dry everything fully, ideally leave it on a bit of kitchen roll for a while, then reassemble with a fresh coil. A clean tank tastes noticeably sharper than one you've run for a month straight.
Stopping leaks
Leaks almost always come from one of three things: an overfilled or wrongly filled tank, a coil that isn't screwed in fully, or worn seals. Fill correctly, seat the coil properly, and replace the tank if the O-rings perish, and most leaks disappear. Storing the device upright helps too.
Shop vape tanks at e-liquids.com
- Free UK delivery on all orders over £20
- Same-day dispatch on weekday orders placed before 6:30pm
- Sub-ohm and MTL tanks from Vaporesso and Innokin, plus replacement coils
- TPD-compliant 2ml tanks with a standard 510 fit
- Not sure what suits your mod? Give us a ring on 0121 272 2900
Vape tank FAQs
How does a vape tank work?
The tank holds your e-liquid and houses a coil. When you fire the mod or draw on the tank, the coil heats the liquid soaked into its cotton and turns it into vapour. You inhale that, and the tank keeps feeding liquid to the coil until it runs low.
Are vape tanks universal?
Mostly. Most tanks and mods share a 510 connector, so they interchange, for example a Vaporesso tank on an Innokin mod. Check the mod has enough power for a sub-ohm tank. Pod kits are the exception, as they use pods rather than a 510 tank.
How much e-liquid does a vape tank hold?
Tanks sold in the UK hold up to 2ml, which is the TPD limit. Some come with a larger "bubble" glass for other markets, but the ones we sell are 2ml so you refill little and often.
How often should I clean my vape tank?
A rinse every coil change, so every week or two, keeps the flavour clean. Empty it, rinse the parts under warm water with no detergent, dry them fully, then reassemble with a fresh coil.
When should I replace the coil?
When the flavour goes muted or burnt, the vapour thins, or you get a harsh catch on the inhale. That's usually every one to two weeks. Prime each new coil and let a filled tank sit a few minutes before vaping so you don't scorch it.
Can I use any e-liquid in my tank?
Match the liquid to the tank. An MTL tank wants nic salt or 50/50 freebase in 10ml bottles. A sub-ohm tank wants thicker high-VG shortfill, usually 0mg or low nicotine, because you inhale far more vapour.
Which vape tank is best for beginners?
An MTL tank like the Innokin Go S or T20 S, paired with 20mg nic salt. The tight draw feels like a cigarette, the coils are simple to swap, and it's cheaper to run than a big sub-ohm setup while you find your feet.
Tanks, coils and kits
- Vaporesso tanks, coils and kits
- Vape coils to keep your tank running
- All vape kits if you need a mod to pair a tank with