Why Kanthal?

[RCP1991]

Kanthal is the wire of choice for the majority of premade coils and used in a lot of rda builds as well. Is there a reason kanthal is so popular? It would seem something like SS-316 would be more versatile since it can also be run in TC. Are there any particular benefits kanthal offers over something like SS-316?

Thanks!!

 

[WillieB69]

Stainless is becoming a lot more popular. It's relatively new to the scene. Several tanks are now coming with preinstalled stainless coils.

 

[Two_Bears]

Kanthal is the wire of choice for the majority of premade coils and used in a lot of RDA builds as well. Is there a reason kanthal is so popular? It would seem something like SS-316 would be more versatile since it can also be run in TC. Are there any particular benefits kanthal offers over something like SS-316?

Thanks!!

Stainless is better.

Can be used in TC or wattage modes.

Gives better flavor.

Put Stainless is relatively new.

 

[VHRB2014]

"Are there any particular benefits kanthal offers over something like SS-316?"

Not really, it just that for most vaper`s SS wire is relatively new. As more and more coils are made for TC and more and more people try and use TC, SS will probably/most surly takeover the market relegating K to second place. About half my heads have already been upgraded with SS and as I go along more and more are getting it as I redo them, I have`nt wound a coil with K in maybe a year? Thereabouts. I guess at some point I`ll use it for fixing fences, LOL.

 

[WillieB69]

I've got a fair amount of kanthal left.
I'm seriously considering switching to SS once it's gone.

 

[bussdriver]

To be the devil's advocate, what would be the DISadvantages of Kanthal, other than not being good for TC (in most mods). It's got more resistance than other wires, making it good for complex coil winds. It's also very stable in its resistance, not changing any significant amount as the temperature rises. Fewer problems with wire brittleness or springiness is also a plus.

 

[Eskie]

I think it's just a matter of what came to the market first and how strongly you feel pressured to change. There's nothing wrong with Kantal at all. Easy to dry burn to clean up, do the coils last a long time. The only reason to change to something like SS would be for TC. As for taste, I can't taste a difference between Kanthal and SS. I still have a few hundred feet of Kanthal stashed away. I felt I should use up my Kanthal before using my SS, but my total investment is ~$25 so not a big hit, and given how long coils last, I could be dead before I got to the SS.

 

[Asbestos4004]

I've switched to SS...mainly 24 ga. I run mechanical squonkers 95% of the time with a single coil in a Narda. SS works perfectly for me.

 

[Tonee N]

Kanthal is cheaper than 14g house wire.[emoji3]

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[thetrucker]

Kanthal is cheaper than 14g house wire.[emoji3]

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The only thing I don't like about the 14 guage house wire is the insulation tastes funny on the exhale...............but then again the people at Home Depot were very nice......

 

[Tonee N]

The only thing I don't like about the 14 guage house wire is the insulation tastes funny on the exhale...............

You have to run it in TC-Ni mode.[emoji1]

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[thetrucker]

You have to run it in TC-Ni mode.[emoji1]

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oh I see thank you very much for the tip............I learn something new every time I get on here..........

 

[Bunnykiller]

SS has a lower ohms per inch value than Kanthal... so if you want a 2.1 ohm coil, you need 16 feet of the stuff

 

[Asbestos4004]

SS has a lower ohms per inch value than Kanthal... so if you want a 2.1 ohm coil, you need 16 feet of the stuff

2.1 ohm coil....Those were the days. If I remember correctly, that was Boge's low resistance option.

 

[VHRB2014]

I can most certainly taste a difference in SS, it is brighter, tastes cleaner, it seems wetter too. But it is subjective, and may even be relative depending on how much a person smoked in the past.

My anecdotal evidence with K vs. SS is that SS does`nt slough off as much when in use, IE, the SS is cleaner burning. SS does`nt show the "pitting" to the degree K does after long term use. While this never mattered much to me for along time, after 3 years vaping I consider it a plus that SS is purported to be the cleanest burning wire available for vaping.

 

[oplholik]

I still use Kanthal, and I use 2.0Ω coils +/- a bit. About 8 wraps with K, vs 17 wraps with SS.

 

[madstabber]

I like stainless much better than Kanthal. Not because of taste though as I can't tell any difference. I just like the ability to switch back and forth between temperature control and power mode. When I want a powerful hit I go to wattage and when I want a steady long, slower pull T.C. Is just what the doctor ordered. Also I only use the uwell crown tank with .5 coils which are S.S. I don't see any down side to SS so I think in the future more companies will use it. Although I don't know if there is a price difference which would come into consideration for the coil makers.

 

[Eskie]

I don't see any down side to SS so I think in the future more companies will use it. Although I don't know if there is a price difference which would come into consideration for the coil makers.

I did a search on Temco and 1.5 lb (yes, by pound) was about half the price as 1.5 lb Kanthal. They have lots of choices and a slow website so I didn't do a precise gauge side by side comparison. Ni looked a little cheaper than Kanthal as well. As coil makers probably buy it in even larger quantities (which means a helluva lot of coils) I can't see a big financial penalty on using SS 316L in place of Kanthal. I figure the only benefit to Kanthal would be for higher ohm coils so you don't have to do 8,000 wraps in a teeny tiny coil head.

Edit: I went back and sat through the longest load for a web page I've seen since Netscape was out

 

[Chodi]

It's a personal thing. I vape low wattage (15-25w) on most of my atomizers. I typically find 1-1.4ohm as my range of choice. I have tried ss many times and don't like anything about it. I also don't care for temperature control. More trouble in setting up than it is worth for me. Kanthal serves my purpose just fine and I doubt I would ever change what works for me. I taste a big difference between Kanthal and ss and much prefer the Kanthal. Personal choice.

 

[Alien Traveler]

I stopped using TC, so I prefer kanthal (1-1.3 ohm coils, 10W)