OK, so I was wondering what the differences between kanthal and nichrome were and came across this from the ukvapers forum, which was quoted from the ecf forum, so it bounces again:
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Jmc007
Posted 16 December 2011 - 07:19 PM
Isn't the Kanthal meant to be slightly cleaner tasting after the initial burn off?
*Edit. From an answer I got from Lorderos33 on ecf.
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"The resistance wire that came with the iAtty is 34ga NiChrome as far as I can tell (correct me if I am wrong).
The difference is that the 32ga has less resistance for per in so is easier/better for LR coils (at least the Kanthal A-1 I am using is). I never had a coil I wound with 32ga Kanthal A1 fail even after a 30 second dry burn torture test (4.2 volts in a 1.5 ohm coil with no wick or juice on the coil). The coil was undamaged, held its shape and vaped normally after a wick was inserted and juice re-added. While I don't think this is a good idea for anyone else to do, it does show just how durable this resistance wire is. The lower resistance to length ratio simply means that you end up with more coils on the wick which gives you more heated surface area thus more vapor (in theory, but not 100% of the time in practice) in any given atomizer.
Kanthal holds it 's shape very well and is relatively very strong even when glowing red to near white hot. It's service temp is a bit higher than nichrome which also makes it a very good choice for vaping. It develops an oxidation layer very quickly as so the "off" taste of a new coil is gone pretty quickly (usually less than 10 good drags is needed to get to the broken in clean taste). This oxidation layer seals it from attack from liquids that it is contact with so it is also a very "clean" wire. Of course, as with all things where multiple materials will work to achieve a desired effect, some will prefer nichrome to kanthal for one reason or another. The tastes are slightly different too. With kanthal, the 'off" taste is more drastic, but disappears completely but with nichrome, the "off" taste is initially less and never goes completely away. Most of us are used to this taste because it is what is in almost all, if not all, commercial atomizers so the clear taste of kanthal after it is broken in may throw off some vapers. Subtle flavors come through better on broken in kanthal and strong flavors become even stronger. In the end I think it's best to experiment with them and decide what you like better. This is very easy with rebuildable atomizers like the iAtty so why not Posted Image
The pure silver is good for those who have a sensitivity to nickel which is quite common and leaches less into the juice. It is a better conductor than nickel, but is harder to make iAtty coils with because it is so soft that it wants to wrap around the resistance wire instead of twisting together with it so there are plusses and minuses with using it. I think for most people, unless they have a nickel sensitivity, the nickel is a better coice for NR wire and it is much less expensive than fine silver.
Your experiences may be different than my own, but this is what I have noticed so far."
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Sorry if a lot of this (references, etc.) seem OT - I just think that if I'm wondering, someone else probably is, too.
I know I like the nichrome, as it's what came with the Ody, but now I'm curious. I'll have to find some of the kanthal, too.
