How to Avoid Common Vaping Mistakes: A Beginner's Guide

Mistake #1: Forgetting to Prime Your Coil 

The Problem: You take your first puff on a brand new coil or pod, and instead of delicious flavour, you get a harsh, acrid, burnt taste. This happens because the cotton wick inside the coil wasn't given time to fully saturate with e-liquid before you heated it. Firing a dry wick instantly scorches the cotton, ruining the coil permanently.

The Solution: This is the most crucial step to learn: Always prime your new coils or pods. As detailed in our Tips For Smooth, Flavourful and Comfortable Vaping guide, the method differs slightly:

For replaceable coils: Drip e-liquid onto the exposed cotton, install, fill the tank, and wait 5-10 minutes.

For integrated (fixed) coil pods: Fill the pod and let it stand upright for at least 10 minutes before use. This simple pause allows the wick to soak thoroughly, guaranteeing great flavour and preventing that dreaded burnt hit. 

Mistake #2: Using the Wrong E-Liquid (PG/VG Ratio) 

The Problem: Your vape is leaking, spitting, tasting burnt even after priming, or producing barely any vapour. This often happens when the e-liquid's thickness (viscosity), determined by its Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) ratio, isn't compatible with your coil. Thick, High-VG liquid struggles to wick in small MTL coils, causing dry hits. Thin, High-PG liquid can flood larger sub-ohm coils, leading to leaks and gurgling.

The Solution: Match your e-liquid to your coil type. As explained in our E-Liquid Explained guide, the general rules are:

MTL Kits (higher resistance coils, >1.0ohm): Use High-PG or 50/50 e-liquids.

DTL/Sub-Ohm Kits (low resistance coils, <1.0ohm): Use High-VG e-liquids (usually 70% VG+).

RDL Kits (mid-resistance coils, ~0.6-0.8ohm): 50/50 e-liquids often work best, offering a good balance. Checking your coil's specifications and choosing the appropriate e-liquid type prevents a multitude of performance issues. 

Mistake #3: Choosing the Wrong Nicotine Strength 

The Problem: You find vaping uncomfortable – perhaps your throat feels scratchy and irritated, or you feel slightly lightheaded. Alternatively, you might be vaping constantly but still feel unsatisfied, making you tempted to reach for a cigarette. These are classic signs of having chosen the wrong nicotine strength.

The Solution: Base your initial choice on your previous smoking habits, as outlined in our Finding Your Ideal Nicotine Strength guide. Remember that Nicotine Salts feel much smoother than Freebase nicotine at equivalent high strengths. Crucially, don't be afraid to adjust. If it feels too strong, step down (e.g., from 20mg to 10mg). If it feels too weak, step up. Finding the right level is key to satisfaction. 

Mistake #4: Incorrect Inhaling Technique 

The Problem: You find yourself coughing frequently when you vape, or the draw just feels awkward and unsatisfying. This often occurs when your inhalation method doesn't match the style your device is designed for (MTL vs DTL). Trying to take a long, deep DTL breath on a tight MTL kit, for example, will likely cause coughing.

The Solution: Understand and use the correct technique for your vaping style, detailed in our What’s Your Vaping Style? guide.

MTL (Mouth-to-Lung): Take a slow, steady draw into your mouth first (like sipping), then inhale.

DTL (Direct-to-Lung): Take a smooth, deep breath directly into your lungs (like using a snorkel).

Matching your inhale to your kit's intended style makes for a much more comfortable experience. 

Mistake #5: Chain Vaping (Especially on New Coils) 

The Problem: You're taking lots of puffs in quick succession, and suddenly your vape starts tasting slightly burnt, even though the coil isn't old. This is known as chain vaping, and it can overwhelm your coil's wick, especially if you're using thicker High-VG e-liquid. The wick simply doesn't have enough time between puffs to re-saturate fully, leading to momentary dry hits that degrade the flavour and shorten coil life.

The Solution: Simply slow down your pace. Leave a pause of at least 10-15 seconds between puffs, particularly if you're using a new coil or a high-VG e-liquid. This gives the wick sufficient time to draw up more liquid, ensuring consistent saturation and preventing those flavour-killing dry hits. 

Mistake #6: Not Replacing Coils/Pods Regularly 

The Problem: Your vape's flavour has become dull and muted, vapour production has dropped significantly, or you're experiencing gurgling sounds or leaks. These are all signs that your coil or integrated-coil pod has reached the end of its natural lifespan. Coils are not designed to last forever.

The Solution: Recognise that coils and pods are consumable items that need regular replacement for optimal performance, as mentioned in our Vaping Tips guide. Most last between 1-2 weeks but pay attention to the signs: a persistent burnt or off-taste, poor vapour, or leaking. Replace the coil or the entire pod as soon as performance noticeably degrades. Don't try to push a dead coil – a fresh one makes all the difference. 

Mistake #7: Letting Your Tank/Pod Run Empty 

The Problem: Similar to forgetting to prime, vaping when your tank or pod is completely empty (or very close to it) will cause the wick to dry out and burn. Even if there's a tiny bit of liquid left, the wick might struggle to draw it up effectively, leading to harsh, burnt hits.

The Solution: Keep an eye on your e-liquid level. Most modern pods and tanks have clear windows specifically for this purpose. Make it a habit to refill well before the liquid drops below the coil's wicking ports. Keeping your coil saturated is the easiest way to ensure its longevity and maintain good flavour.