Top Tips For Smooth, Flavourful and Comfortable Vaping
December 10, 2025Are 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.
DTL (Direct-to-Lung): Vapour is inhaled directly into the lungs for larger clouds of vapour.
Lightweight 30W pod kit with 2000mAh battery, 0.96” TFT screen, Super Pulse consistent output and XROS COREX 3.0 mesh pods...
£24.99
Vaporesso Vaporesso Xros Pro 2 Pod Vape Kit
FREE E-Liquid Flavour
£24.99
Heisenberg flavour Vampire Vape E-liquid High-VG
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Heisenberg 70/30 E-Liquid
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
DTL (Direct-to-Lung): Vapour is inhaled directly into the lungs for larger clouds of vapour.
Top-fill 2ml XROS replacement pods with COREX 3.0 mesh heating. Available in 0.4ohm, 0.6ohm, 0.8ohm, 1.0ohm and 1.2ohm. Compatible across...
£8.99
Vaporesso Vaporesso Xros Series Corex 3.0 Version Replacement 2ml Pods - 4 Pods
£8.99
Rechargeable Prefilled Pod Kit with 2ml Pod + 10ml refill, mesh coil technology, 3 x Boost Mode. Up to 10,000...
£9.95
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Sweet Strawberry flavour Nicotine Salt E-liquid
£2.99
Bar Series Bar Series Sweet Strawberry 10ml Nic Salt E-Liquid
£2.99
Spearmint Menthol flavour Double Drip 10K Prefilled Pod & Refill. Up to 10,000 puffs per replaceable 2ml pod with 10ml...
£5.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Blue Raspberry and Mojito blend with Ice. Nic Salt E-liquid in 5mg, 10mg & 20mg.
£3.99
Doozy Vape Co Doozy Vape Co Infinity Blue Razz Mojito Nic Salt E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
Lost Mary BM6000 Prefilled vape kit. Enjoy up to 6000 puffs with a rechargeable 1000mAh battery, replaceable 10ml e-liquid container,...
£11.95
80W pod-mod with a 1.66-inch touchscreen and tap-to-unlock control. Uses a single 18650 or 21700 battery (sold separately) and PnP...
£39.99
VooPoo VooPoo Drag X3 Pod Vape Kit
FREE E-Liquid Flavour
£39.99
Orange Mango Chill from Double Drip is a deliciously juicy, sweet and refreshing e-liquid, tailor-made for sunny days. The bright,...
£11.99
Double Drip Double Drip Orange & Mango Chill Shortfill E-Liquid 50ml
£11.99
Hayati Pro Max Prefilled Pod Kit with 2ml pod + 10ml refill system, dual mesh coil, 20mg Nic Salt, up...
£9.95
Smooth Tobacco
£3.99
Vapouriz Premium Vapouriz Premium Classic Tobacco E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
Smooth Banana flavour with a cool finish, 12ml (2ml pod + 10ml refill) prefilled pod for the Hayati Pro Max...
£6.95
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
DTL (Direct-to-Lung): Vapour is inhaled directly into the lungs for larger clouds of vapour.
Lightweight 30W pod kit with 2000mAh battery, 0.96” TFT screen, Super Pulse consistent output and XROS COREX 3.0 mesh pods...
£24.99
Vaporesso Vaporesso Xros Pro 2 Pod Vape Kit
FREE E-Liquid Flavour
£24.99
Heisenberg flavour Vampire Vape E-liquid High-VG
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Heisenberg 70/30 E-Liquid
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
DTL (Direct-to-Lung): Vapour is inhaled directly into the lungs for larger clouds of vapour.
Top-fill 2ml XROS replacement pods with COREX 3.0 mesh heating. Available in 0.4ohm, 0.6ohm, 0.8ohm, 1.0ohm and 1.2ohm. Compatible across...
£8.99
Vaporesso Vaporesso Xros Series Corex 3.0 Version Replacement 2ml Pods - 4 Pods
£8.99
Rechargeable Prefilled Pod Kit with 2ml Pod + 10ml refill, mesh coil technology, 3 x Boost Mode. Up to 10,000...
£9.95
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Sweet Strawberry flavour Nicotine Salt E-liquid
£2.99
Bar Series Bar Series Sweet Strawberry 10ml Nic Salt E-Liquid
£2.99
Spearmint Menthol flavour Double Drip 10K Prefilled Pod & Refill. Up to 10,000 puffs per replaceable 2ml pod with 10ml...
£5.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Blue Raspberry and Mojito blend with Ice. Nic Salt E-liquid in 5mg, 10mg & 20mg.
£3.99
Doozy Vape Co Doozy Vape Co Infinity Blue Razz Mojito Nic Salt E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
Lost Mary BM6000 Prefilled vape kit. Enjoy up to 6000 puffs with a rechargeable 1000mAh battery, replaceable 10ml e-liquid container,...
£11.95
80W pod-mod with a 1.66-inch touchscreen and tap-to-unlock control. Uses a single 18650 or 21700 battery (sold separately) and PnP...
£39.99
VooPoo VooPoo Drag X3 Pod Vape Kit
FREE E-Liquid Flavour
£39.99
Orange Mango Chill from Double Drip is a deliciously juicy, sweet and refreshing e-liquid, tailor-made for sunny days. The bright,...
£11.99
Double Drip Double Drip Orange & Mango Chill Shortfill E-Liquid 50ml
£11.99
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.