How to prime a vape coil?

Most vape coils last between 5-10 days with regular use, though this varies based on your e-liquid type, vaping frequency, and wattage settings. Sweet or heavily flavoured e-liquids tend to shorten coil life, while proper priming and staying within recommended wattage ranges can help extend it.

How to clean vape coil?

Most vape coils cannot be effectively cleaned and are designed as disposable components. While you can rinse some coils with warm water and let them dry completely, this rarely restores full performance and may damage the cotton. It's more cost-effective and safer to replace worn coils with fresh ones for optimal flavour and performance.

How long do vape coils last?

Vape coils typically last 5-10 days depending on usage patterns and maintenance. Heavy vapers or those using sweet e-liquids might need to change coils every 3-5 days, while light users with proper care can sometimes extend this to two weeks. Replace when you notice burnt taste, reduced vapour, or muted flavours.

what's the difference between 0.6 and 0.8 coil?

The difference between 0.6ohm and 0.8ohm coils is the electrical resistance and vaping style they're designed for. A 0.6ohm coil has lower resistance, typically producing slightly more vapour and working well for restricted direct-lung vaping. A 0.8ohm coil has higher resistance, ideal for mouth-to-lung vaping with tighter draw and less vapour production.

50/50 E-Liquid

Coils

High VG

Nic Salts

Vape Coil

Which Vape Coils Work Best with High VG, 50/50 and Nic Salt e-liquids?

August 29, 2025

Your e-liquid and vape coil need to work as a team. High-VG liquids demand different vape coil specifications than nicotine salts, and using the wrong combination leads to poor wicking, muted flavours, or harsh hits that nobody wants to experience.

One of the most common mistakes vapers make is choosing coils without considering their e-liquid type. Yet the relationship between e-liquid composition and coil design is fundamental to getting great performance from your setup.

Different e-liquid types have vastly different viscosities, heating requirements, and optimal power ranges. What works perfectly with a thick high-VG liquid will likely perform poorly with nicotine salts, and vice versa. Understanding these relationships helps you avoid frustrating experiences like dry hits, leaking, or flavours that never quite taste right.

Whether you're using high-VG liquids for cloud production, 50/50 blends for versatility, or nicotine salts for satisfaction, the right coil choice makes all the difference.

Key Takeaways

High-VG e-liquids (70VG/30PG+) require low-resistance coils with large wicking ports and higher wattages
50/50 e-liquids offer the most coil compatibility, working well with MTL, RDL, and some DTL setups
Nicotine salt e-liquids perform best with higher-resistance MTL coils at lower wattages
Coil wicking capacity must match e-liquid thickness to prevent dry hits or flooding
Wrong e-liquid/coil combinations lead to poor flavour, reduced coil life, and device issues
Knowing your e-liquid's VG/PG ratio helps you choose the right coil for optimal flavour and performance

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3 x Pods Per Pack

Lost Vape UB Max Replacement Coils

DTL

Lost Vape UB Max Replacement Coils

Premium replacement mesh coils for the Lost Vape Centaurus Sub-Ohm Tank, available in 0.15ohm, 0.2ohm, and 0.3ohm DTL resistances.

£6.49

3 x Coils Per Pack

Innokin PZP Max Replacement Coils

DTL/RDL

Innokin PZP Max Replacement Coils

Mesh coils for PZPulse Pods in 0.2ohm, 0.4ohm, and 0.6ohm for MTL, RDL, and DTL vaping.

£4.49

5 x Coils Per Pack

SMOK D-Coils - 5 Coils

DTL

SMOK D-Coils - 5 Coils

Smok D-Coil Meshed Replacement Coils – Available in 0.15ohm, 0.23ohm, and 0.4ohm, designed for DTL and RDL vaping styles with...

£8.99

5 x Coils Per Pack

Innokin Endura Prism T18/T22 Coils

Innokin Endura Prism T18/T22 Coils, 5-pack of replacement MTL coils, compatible with the Innokin Endura Kit and T18 & T22...

£4.99

5 x Coils Per Pack

SMOK RPM 3 Coils - Pack x 5

DTL

SMOK RPM 3 Coils - Pack x 5

Replacement Coils for the SMOK RPM 5 Pod Kit x 5

£9.99

5 x Coils Per Pack

Innokin Endura T18E Coils

MTL

Innokin Endura T18E Coils

Classic Coils for the Prism Tank: 1.5 or 2.0 Ohms

£4.49

5 x Coils Per Pack

SMOK RPM Replacement Coils

MTL/DTL

SMOK RPM Replacement Coils

Smok RPM Coils

£6.49

5 x Coils Per Pack

Aspire Nautilus BVC Replacement Coils

MTL

Aspire Nautilus BVC Replacement Coils

Pack of 5 Nautilus BVC Replacement coils.

£6.99

5 x Coils Per Pack

Geekvape Z Series Coils

DTL

Geekvape Z Series Coils

High-performance mesh coils featuring Z XM Boost technology for extended lifespan, rich flavour, and massive cloud production.

£8.99

5 x Coils Per Pack

Aspire PockeX Replacement Coils - 5 Pack

Aspire PockeX Replacement Coils 5 Pack for PockeX AIO Kit or PockeX Box kit

£10.99

What's the Difference Between High-VG, 50/50 and Nic Salt E-Liquids?

VG/PG Ratios Explained

VG (Vegetable Glycerin) is thick, sweet, and produces dense vapour. PG (Propylene Glycol) is thinner, carries flavour better, and provides throat hit. The ratio between these two base ingredients determines how your e-liquid behaves in different coils.

High-VG liquids (70VG/30PG and above) are viscous and require more power to vaporise effectively. They produce substantial vapour clouds but need coils designed to handle thick liquids.

50/50 blends balance vapour production with flavour delivery. Their moderate thickness works across a wider range of coil types and power settings.

How Do Nicotine Types Affect Vape Coil Choice?

Nicotine salts use a different chemical structure that allows higher nicotine concentrations without harshness. Almost all nic salts now use a 50VG/50PG ratio, but their coil requirements differ significantly from freebase 50/50 liquids due to the nicotine formulation and intended vaping style.

Freebase nicotine (traditional nicotine) provides a throat hit that increases with strength. It's commonly found in both 50/50 and high-VG liquids.

Which Coils Should I Use with High-VG E-Liquids?

High-VG e-liquids are the go-to choice for cloud chasers and DTL vapers. But their thick consistency demands specific vape coil characteristics.

Sub-ohm coils (below 0.5ohm) are essential for high-VG liquids. Lower resistance allows higher power output, which generates the heat needed to properly vapourise thick VG. Popular ranges include 0.15-0.2ohm for maximum clouds, 0.3-0.4ohm for balanced performance, and moderate sub-ohm coils (0.3-0.5ohm) for those new to higher-power vaping.

High-VG liquids need large wicking ports and substantial cotton capacity. The coil must draw thick liquid efficiently to prevent dry hits during extended sessions. Mesh coils excel here - their larger surface area and improved wicking design handle viscous liquids better than traditional wire coils.

These setups typically operate between 40-100W+, ensuring complete vapourisation and consistent performance.

Browse our sub-ohm coils designed specifically for high-VG performance.

Why Are 50/50 E-Liquids So Versatile?

The balanced VG/PG ratio creates a "goldilocks" liquid - not too thick, not too thin. This moderate viscosity wicks effectively in both high and low-resistance coils.

Important note: 50VG/50PG has become the default ratio for nearly all e-liquids today, including both traditional freebase nicotine and nicotine salt formulations. The key difference isn't the VG/PG ratio, but rather the nicotine type used.

Compatible coil resistance ranges:

MTL coils (0.8-1.4ohm): Work perfectly for mouth-to-lung vaping
RDL coils (0.4-0.8ohm): Provide balanced performance
Moderate sub-ohm coils (0.3-0.5ohm): Suitable for moderate cloud production

50/50 liquids perform well across 10-50W depending on coil resistance. This flexibility means you're not locked into specific power requirements, making them perfect for new vapers learning preferences, all-day vaping where battery life matters, and switching between different devices.

What Coils Work Best with Nicotine Salts?

Nicotine salts aren't just about higher nicotine content - they're formulated to work optimally with specific coil types designed for mouth-to-lung vaping.

Higher resistance coils (0.8-1.4ohm) operating at 10-15W prevent overheating the nicotine salt formulation, which can create harshness despite the smoother delivery. These coils typically include tighter airflow designs that mimic cigarette draw resistance.

Nic salts are generally gentler on coils than high-VG liquids due to lower power requirements and thinner consistency, often extending coil lifespan. Check out our classic MTL coils optimised for nicotine salt performance.

What Happens When I Use the Wrong E-liquid and Coil Combination?

Using High-VG in MTL Coils: What Can Go Wrong

Thick high-VG liquid can't wick properly through small MTL coil ports, resulting in dry hits, burnt taste, and rapid coil failure. Solution: Use sub-ohm coils with larger wicking capacity for high-VG liquids.

Nic Salts in High-Power Coils: Too Much Heat

High wattages overheat nicotine salt formulations, creating harsh throat hit and unpleasant taste. Solution: Stick to MTL coils operating at 10-15W for nic salts.

50/50 Liquids in Cloud-Chasing Setups

At high power, 50/50 e-liquids may not deliver the vapour output some vapers expect, and can vaporise too quickly or become harsh at high wattages. Solution: Use 50/50 liquids in moderate power ranges (15-40W) for best balance.

How Should I Prime Coils for Different E-Liquid Types?

When using replaceable coils, pay special attention to the your vape coil type so that you can prime it correctly.

High-VG liquids need extra attention: Apply 5-7 drops directly to cotton, wait 10-15 minutes after filling, start at 50% recommended wattage, and take longer breaks between initial puffs.
50/50 and nic salt liquids use standard priming: 2-3 drops on visible cotton, 5-10 minute saturation time, start low and increase gradually.

Are Prefilled Pod Coils Designed for Specific E-Liquids?

Most prefilled pod systems use nicotine salt formulations in 50/50 ratios with built-in coils (typically 0.6-1.2ohm) optimised for these liquid types. This gives perfect liquid/coil matching by the manufacturer with no guesswork about compatibility. High-VG prefilled options are rare and typically designed with specialised coils for higher power output.

Can I Switch E-Liquid Types with the Same Coil?

Generally not recommended. Different e-liquid types can leave residual flavours, create wicking issues if viscosities vary significantly, and reduce coil performance.

If you must switch: Use similar VG/PG ratios, clean your tank thoroughly, consider a fresh coil for dramatically different liquid types, and allow extra priming time when switching to thicker liquids.

Not sure which coils fit your device? Try our Coil Finder Tool to match your setup with compatible options in seconds.

Conclusion

Getting the e-liquid and vape coil combination right isn't complicated once you understand the basics. High-VG liquids need low-resistance coils and higher power. Nicotine salts work best with higher-resistance MTL setups. And 50/50 blends offer flexibility across most coil types.

The key is matching viscosity to wicking capacity and power requirements to liquid type. Get this right and you'll enjoy better flavour, longer coil life, and a more satisfying vaping experience overall.

Matching the right coil to your chosen e-liquid ensures optimal flavour, vapour, and device performance. If you want to dive deeper into coil compatibility and selection, check our full guide: How to Choose the Right Vape Coils.

Ready to find your perfect combination? Explore our e-liquid collection and coils to discover what works best for your setup. Need help choosing? Our Customer Services Team can recommend the ideal e-liquid and coil pairing for your device and preferences.

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