What is a Vape Pod?

A vape pod is a compact, replaceable cartridge that attaches to a pod-system device. It contains an e-liquid reservoir and a heating coil (atomizer). Pods come in two forms: closed-system (pre-filled, factory-sealed, disposed of when empty) and open-system (refillable with bottled e-liquid and with a replaceable coil). The pod connects to the device battery via magnetic or press-fit contacts.

A vape pod is a self-contained unit with the following components:
 

• Component: e-liquid reservoir
  • Function: stores the e-liquid (vaping liquid). Capacity is typically 1.5–5 mL.
• Component: coil/atomizer
  • Function: the heating element. Resistance ranges from 0.6–1.5 ohm in most pod coils. Vaporizes e-liquid when current is applied.
• Component: wick (cotton)
  • Function: draws e-liquid from the reservoir to the coil by capillary action. Organic cotton is standard.
• Component: airflow inlet
  • Function: allows ambient air into the pod during a draw, mixing with vapour before reaching the mouthpiece.
• Component: mouthpiece
  • Function: integrated at the top of the pod. The adult nicotine consumer draws directly from the mouthpiece.
• Component: connection contacts
  • Function: metal pins or magnetic contacts at the base that connect the pod to the device battery.

Closed-system pods (pre-filled)
 

Closed-system pods are factory-sealed with a set quantity of e-liquid at a specific nicotine concentration and flavour. They cannot be refilled.
 

• Sold as a consumable: purchase a pack, use each pod until depleted, then dispose of and replace.
• No maintenance required — no filling, no coil replacement.
• Proprietary fit: closed-system pods are specific to a device brand and model; they do not work across brands.
• Common capacity: 1.5–2 mL per pod.
• Typical nicotine options: 0 mg/mL, 12 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL (subject to TVPA limits, brand availability, and provincial restrictions — for example, British Columbia does not permit the sale of 0 mg/mL products).
   

Vuse Pods and Vuse Ultra Pods are both examples of closed-system pods available in Canada.
 

Open-system pods (refillable)
 

Open-system pods have a fill port, typically a silicone-sealed hole, through which the adult nicotine consumer adds bottled e-liquid of their choice. The coil inside may be integrated (replaced with the pod) or replaceable independently (coil head screws or press-fits in from the bottom).
 

• Greater flexibility: compatible with any e-liquid at the appropriate PG/VG viscosity.
• Lower cost: per-mL e-liquid costs less than pre-filled pods.
• Requires maintenance: refilling, monitoring e-liquid level, coil replacement
• Pod hardware is reused until the coil or pod body degrades.
   

How a vape pod works
 

When an adult nicotine consumer draws through the mouthpiece (or presses a fire button on button-activated devices):
 

1. Airflow is detected by a sensor (draw-activated) or a button press triggers the circuit.
2. Current from the battery passes through the connection contacts into the coil inside the pod.
3. The coil heats to its operating temperature (typically 180–250°C).
4. E-liquid in the saturated cotton wick is vaporized by the heated coil.
5. Vapour mixes with incoming air through the airflow inlet and travels to the mouthpiece.