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Top Tips For Smooth, Flavourful and Comfortable Vaping

December 10, 2025

Are you finding your vape a little harsh, or the flavour less intense than you expected? Don't worry, these are common beginner issues with simple solutions. We've compiled some top practical tips to help you achieve a perfectly smooth, flavourful, and enjoyable vape every time. 

Getting started with vaping is straightforward but transforming a good vape into a great one often comes down to mastering a few simple techniques and maintenance habits. Achieving that perfect balance of rich flavour, a smooth inhale, and consistent comfort isn't about having the most expensive kit; it's about understanding how the different elements work together and how to optimise them. 

Whether you're struggling with a burnt taste, finding your vape too harsh, or simply feeling like you're missing out on the full flavour potential of your e-liquid, this guide is for you. Drawing on our years of expertise, and advice from our customers and the vaping community, we've gathered essential tips to help you troubleshoot common problems and elevate your everyday vaping experience. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Proper coil priming is essential to prevent burnt tastes and ensure optimal flavour. 
  • Matching your e-liquid's PG/VG ratio to your coil and device prevents wicking issues. 
  • Adjusting airflow and wattage allows you to fine-tune warmth, vapour density, and throat hit. 
  • Regular cleaning and maintenance keep your device performing consistently. 
  • Choosing the right nicotine strength and type is key to a comfortable experience. 

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Achieving the Perfect Flavour: Tips for Taste 

Is your favourite e-liquid tasting a bit muted, or worse, burnt? Flavour issues are common, but often easily fixed.


Tip 1: Prime Your Coils Properly 

This is the golden rule of vaping, regardless of your device type. A new coil always has a dry cotton wick inside. Firing the device before that cotton is fully saturated with e-liquid will burn it instantly, creating an unpleasant taste that ruins the coil (and often the pod too, if it's integrated). Always prime new coils:


For replaceable coils (in tanks or some pods):
 Before installing, drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton wick through the openings on the coil's side. Then install the coil, fill your tank/pod, and wait 5-10 minutes.


For integrated coils (fixed within a pod):
 Simply fill the pod with your chosen e-liquid and then let it sit upright for at least 10 minutes before vaping. This allows the liquid time to fully soak into the hidden wick. This crucial waiting period ensures pure flavour from the first puff and significantly extends the life of your coil or pod.


Tip 2: Choose the Right E-Liquid Ratio (PG/VG) 

As we explored in our What are High-PG, High-VG, 50/50 and Nic Salt E-liquids? guide, the ratio of Propylene Glycol (PG) to Vegetable Glycerin (VG) dramatically affects flavour and performance. High-PG liquids carry flavour more intensely, perfect for MTL kits. Thick, high-VG liquids are smoother but can mute flavour slightly and require sub-ohm coils with larger wicking channels to saturate properly. Using the wrong ratio for your coil can lead to poor flavour or burnt hits.


Tip 3: Keep Your Tank/Pod Clean 

Over time, residue from old e-liquid can build up in your tank or pod, creating a "flavour ghosting" effect that taints the taste of your fresh juice. Get into the habit of rinsing your tank or pod with warm water whenever you change coils or switch to a significantly different flavour profile. Let it air dry completely before refilling.


Tip 4: Store E-Liquids Correctly 

E-liquid flavour can degrade if exposed to heat, sunlight, or air. Store your bottles in a cool, dark place (like a cupboard) with the caps tightly sealed. This preserves the integrity of the flavourings and nicotine, ensuring your e-liquid tastes fresh for longer. 

Ensuring a Smooth and Comfortable Inhale 

Is your vape feeling harsh, making you cough, or just not hitting right? Fine-tuning your setup and technique can make all the difference.

 

Tip 5: Select the Right Nicotine Strength 

The most common cause of a harsh vape, especially for beginners, is using a nicotine strength that's too high. If your throat feels scratchy or irritated, or you feel slightly dizzy after vaping, try stepping down to a lower strength. Our Finding your ideal nicotine strength guide can help you find the right level based on your previous smoking habits.

 

Tip 6: Consider Nicotine Salts vs. Freebase 

If you need a higher nicotine strength but dislike the throat hit, Nicotine Salts are the answer. They are specifically formulated to provide a smoother inhale, even at 20mg, compared to traditional freebase nicotine e-liquids.


Tip 7: Adjust Your Airflow 

Most modern vape kits feature adjustable airflow. This small control ring or slider has a big impact on the draw. Closing the airflow down creates a tighter, warmer, more flavourful draw (ideal for MTL). Opening it up allows more air, resulting in a cooler, looser draw with more vapour (better for RDL/DTL). Experiment to find the setting that feels most comfortable for your style.


Tip 8: Check Your Wattage 

Vaping at too high a wattage (power level) for your coil can cause the e-liquid to vaporise too quickly, leading to harshness and potentially burning the coil. Always check the recommended wattage range, usually printed on the side of the coil itself, and start at the lower end, gradually increasing until you find a satisfying warmth and intensity.


Tip 9: Inhale Correctly for Your Style 

Are you coughing when you vape? You might be inhaling incorrectly for your setup. Remember the difference between vaping styles (covered in our What’s Your Vaping Style? guide): MTL is a two-step "sip," while DTL is a direct, deep breath. Trying to take a DTL inhale on an MTL device, or vice-versa, will often feel uncomfortable. 

General Maintenance for a Consistently Great Vape 

Keeping your device in good working order prevents many common issues and ensures you get the best performance day after day. 

Tip 10: Replace Your Coils Regularly 

Coils and pods are consumable parts with a limited lifespan. Over time, the cotton wicking material degrades, and residue can build up on the heating wire, inevitably leading to poor flavour, reduced vapour production, and potential leaking or unpleasant gurgling sounds. Most coils and integrated-coil pods last between 1 to 2 weeks, though this varies greatly depending on your vaping frequency, the type of e-liquid used (sweeter liquids can shorten lifespan), and your wattage settings. 

Don't wait until your vape tastes noticeably burnt or unpleasant. Key signs that it's time for a change include a persistent burnt taste, significantly muted flavour, or a noticeable drop in vapour production. Changing your coil or pod proactively ensures you always get the best possible experience. Remember to dispose of used coils and pods responsibly. 

Read More: Match the ideal coil for your vape with our handy Coil Finder 

Tip 11: Keep Your Device Charged 

While vaping with a low battery won't usually cause harshness, it can lead to weak, unsatisfying vapour production as the device struggles to reach its target power output. Keeping your battery adequately charged ensures consistent performance. 

Tip 12: Clean Connection Points 

The metal contact points where your pod or tank connects to the battery can sometimes accumulate e-liquid residue or pocket lint. This can interfere with the electrical connection, leading to intermittent power or the device not firing. Regularly wipe these contacts clean with a dry cloth or cotton swab. 

Related products

Kit + 3 x E-Liquids

Vaporesso Xros Pro 2 Pod Vape Kit
Vaporesso Xros Pro 2 Pod Vape Kit

2 for £15 - Ends 1st Feb

Double Drip 10k Prefilled Pod Vape Kit
Double Drip 10k Prefilled Pod Vape Kit

Kit + 2 x E-Liquids

VooPoo Drag X3 Pod Vape Kit
VooPoo Drag X3 Pod Vape Kit

Conclusion

Achieving a consistently smooth, flavourful, and comfortable vape isn't about luck; it's about understanding the fundamentals and applying a few simple best practices. By priming your coils correctly, matching your e-liquid to your device, fine-tuning your settings, and keeping up with basic maintenance, you can easily troubleshoot common issues and unlock the full potential of your vape kit. Remember, small adjustments often make the biggest difference. 

If you're still experiencing issues or need personalised advice on optimising your setup, our expert and friendly Customer Services Team is always here to help. 

Why does my vape taste burnt?

A burnt taste is almost always caused by the cotton wick inside your coil not being fully saturated with e-liquid before firing (dry burn). Always prime new coils and wait 5-10 minutes after filling before vaping. It can also happen if your e-liquid is too thick for your coil or your wattage is set too high.

How often should I change my vape coil?

Most vape coils last between one and two weeks, but this varies depending on how often you vape, the type of e-liquid you use (sweeter liquids can reduce coil life), and your wattage settings. Key signs that a coil needs changing are a persistent burnt taste, significantly reduced flavour, or poor vapour production.

How can I stop my vape from being harsh?

Harshness is usually caused by the nicotine strength being too high for your preference or device. Try a lower strength or switch to Nicotine Salts, which are smoother. Vaping at too high a wattage or having the airflow closed off too tightly can also contribute to a harsh feeling. Adjusting these settings can often help.

What wattage should I vape at?

Always vape within the recommended wattage range printed on your coil or included in your kit's manual. Start at the lower end of the range and gradually increase it until you find a warmth and vapour production that feels comfortable and tastes good. Exceeding the recommendation risks burning the coil.

Does airflow affect flavour?

Yes, airflow significantly affects flavour intensity. Tighter airflow (less air) tends to concentrate the vapour, resulting in a warmer, richer, and more intense flavour experience, typical of MTL vaping. Wider airflow (more air) cools the vapour and can make flavours feel slightly less concentrated but smoother, common in DTL vaping.

How do I stop my vape from making me cough?

Coughing when vaping is common for beginners and often happens when inhaling incorrectly. Ensure you're using the right technique for your vaping style (MTL or DTL). It can also be caused by nicotine strength being too high, the PG level being too high (try a higher VG liquid), or vaping at too high a wattage.