Geekvape Zeus Clearomisers: tips, tricks, and user guide

How do you prevent leaking, e-liquid spitback, and burnt tastes on Geekvape's Zeus Z Series clearomisers?

If you have recently opted for a Geekvape Z(eus) Sub-Ohm Tank clearomiser to go with your e-cigarette, there are a few tips, tricks, and user guidelines you should know. First of all, it is worth noting that the Zeus clearomiser is what is known as a sub-ohm clearomiser, dedicated strictly to heavy vapour production. 

Zeus Clearomiser: a sub-ohm tank setup

For those who are new to vaping, the jargon isn't always easy to get your head around. Taking the Zeus sub-ohm tank clearomiser as an example, what does "sub-ohm" actually mean?

The term sub-ohm characterises the use of a coil with a resistance value below 1.0 ohm, and frequently even below 0.5 ohms. This style of sub-ohm clearomiser is also typically distinguished by a tank featuring a fairly large e-liquid capacity. 

Sub-ohm clearomisers are renowned for their massive vapour production as well as their intense flavour delivery. However, sub-ohm setups are also very thirsty, meaning they consume a lot of e-liquid. This is down to the fact that with a low-ohm coil, you vape at a much higher wattage.

Why change the coil on your Zeus clearomiser?

As with any e-cigarette running an atomiser setup, you will need to replace your coil on a regular basis. Why is that? A coil is a consumable element of your e-cigarette, meaning it has a limited lifespan. With sub-ohm atomiser coils, this lifespan can be even shorter than that of a "standard" coil. This is a direct consequence of the low-ohm value, which requires a much higher wattage operating range. You will need to use a box mod capable of high wattage outputs. High power means the coil gets much hotter, leading to faster wear and tear. For this style of coil, Geekvape offers matching mod ranges, such as the Aegis family, featuring the Aegis Legend or the Aegis Solo, for example. 

Failing to change your coil results in distorted flavours—they will taste muted—and if you keep vaping on it, it will eventually cause a burnt taste, which is highly unpleasant for any vaper. 

When should you change your Zeus coil?

As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to change your coil roughly every 3 weeks. However, as mentioned earlier, Zeus coils from Geekvape are sub-ohm and can degrade faster than this timeframe. Furthermore, the ingredients of your e-liquid also heavily impact the life of your Geekvape Zeus coil. Vaping very sweet e-liquids will accelerate gunk buildup on your coils, reducing their lifespan. To know when it's time for a change, let your palate guide you. If you notice a drop in flavour intensity, it's probably time to switch to a fresh one!

Tips to prolong your e-cigarette coil's lifespan

Preventing burnt tastes with the Zeus:

When installing a brand-new coil, it is vital to thoroughly prime the wicking material. Zeus coils contain a large amount of cotton fibre, so you should wait about ten minutes after filling the tank before vaping. You can also manually drop a few splashes of e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton windows before putting the coil into the tank.

The potential causes of a burnt taste are straightforward:

• There is not enough e-liquid left in the tank. The time between each puff is too short, not giving the cotton enough time to re-saturate (chain vaping).
• Running excessively high wattages accelerates coil degradation, as does using e-liquids with a very high vegetable glycerin (VG) ratio.
• Similarly, e-liquids containing a high concentration of sweetening additives will shorten coil life.

Preventing e-liquid leaks with the Zeus:

• Check that the clearomiser (and the coil) has all its O-rings in place and that they are in good condition.
• Ensure the coil is securely and correctly seated in the deck.
• When refilling, always leave a small pocket of air inside the tank.
• If you aren't planning to use the clearomiser for an extended period, leave the tank almost empty. This prevents any risk of flooding or liquid seeping out.

Preventing liquid spitback and "gurgling" with the Zeus:

• Use e-liquids suited to Z Series coils, featuring a low PG ratio. For instance, with the Z XM 0.4 Ω coil, use a VG ratio of ≥ 60%; with the Z XM 0.15 Ω coil, use a VG ratio of ≥ 70%.
• Select an appropriate wattage range; firing at a wattage that is too low for a high-VG liquid reduces the heating efficiency of the coil.
• An e-liquid with a high PG ratio encourages flooding; "gurgling" noises are caused by liquid oversaturating the coil.
• Turn the clearomiser upside down to clear out any excess liquid. Regularly wipe away condensation droplets inside the chimney and the drip-tip using a piece of kitchen roll or a cotton bud.

Bonus:
How to properly replace the O-rings on a Zeus clearomiser:

Pascal