A new coil has dry wicking cotton inside it. Fire it before that cotton is soaked and you scorch it instantly. That is the acrid, burnt taste that ruins a fresh coil in one puff. Priming simply means wetting the cotton first. Here is how.
Why priming matters
Inside every coil is wicking material that draws e-liquid onto the heating element. When the coil is new, that material is dry. Applying power to dry cotton burns it, and a burnt wick cannot be undone: the coil is spoiled. Priming saturates the cotton before its first use, so the first puff vaporises liquid rather than scorching cotton. Done properly, it is the difference between a coil lasting a fortnight and lasting an afternoon.
How to prime a coil, step by step
- Wet the ports. Drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton visible in the holes around the side of the coil, until they look saturated.
- Fit and fill. Insert the coil into the tank or pod, then fill with e-liquid.
- Let it soak. Wait at least 5 to 10 minutes so the wick absorbs the liquid fully. This is the step people skip, don't.
- Start low, ramp up. Begin at a low wattage and take a few gentle "priming puffs" without firing hard, then raise the power gradually to your usual level.
New coil, new pod, refilled after running dry, any time the wick might be dry, wait five to ten minutes before vaping. It is the cheapest habit in vaping.
How long should a coil last?
A well-primed coil typically lasts one to two weeks, depending on how much you vape, the e-liquid you use (dark, sweet flavours gunk coils faster), your power settings and the coil's quality. Time to change it when you notice:
- A burnt or scorched taste that a refill doesn't fix
- Muted or "off" flavour
- Gurgling, spitting or leaking
- Noticeably less vapour than usual
Keeping spare coils in means you can swap the moment flavour drops off. Browse pods & coils.
Battery safety: the official guidance
Modern vapes are legally required to be rechargeable, which means a lithium battery. The UK's Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and fire services publish clear guidance. Follow it:
- Use only the charger supplied with the device, or a genuine, manufacturer-recommended one.
- Never charge overnight or unattended. Unplug once fully charged.
- Charge on a hard, flat, non-flammable surface away from anything that can catch fire.
- Use only genuine, recommended batteries. Store loose batteries in a case so they can't touch keys or coins.
- Inspect regularly. Replace any battery that is damaged, leaking or not working properly.
- Keep devices away from extreme heat or cold: not on a sunny windowsill or in a freezing car.
Do not try to tackle it yourself. Leave the area, get away from the device, and call 999. Fire services report that most vape fire risk relates to lithium batteries, particularly counterfeit, damaged or faulty ones, which is one more reason to buy genuine stock.
Disposing of coils, pods and devices
Vapes, coils, pods and batteries are electrical waste and must never go in your household bin. As a vape retailer we are required to, and do, offer a take-back service. Bring your used items in, or add them to your next order, and we will recycle them under WEEE rules. Recycling centres also take small electricals.
Sources & notes
- GOV.UK / OPSS, "Take charge of battery safety when using e-cigarettes" (charger, overnight charging, genuine batteries, storage, inspection): gov.uk
- London Fire Brigade, "Vaping and e-cigarettes" (battery risk; if a device catches fire, leave and call 999): london-fire.gov.uk
- Priming steps, soak time and coil-life figures reflect established manufacturer and industry guidance; always follow the instructions supplied with your specific coil.
This guide gives factual information about using and caring for the products we sell. It is not medical or stop-smoking advice. If you have questions about your health or about quitting smoking, the NHS Better Health service is the right place to start.