How to Properly Prime a Vape Coil

TL;DR

Priming a vape coil means soaking the cotton wick with e-liquid before use. If you skip this step, the dry cotton burns, causing a harsh, burnt taste and ruining the coil. To avoid this, add a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the coil, install it, fill your tank, wait a few minutes, and start vaping at low power. Proper priming improves flavour, prevents dry hits, and extends coil life. 

What Does It Mean to Prime a Vape Coil?

By priming a vape coil, we mean preparing it before use. It is done by saturating the wick cotton with e-liquid. Each coil contains a tiny cotton wick, which soaks your vape juice and directs it to the heating element. After unboxing a new coil, you can be sure that the wick is dry.

As you already understand, such a coil is not ready to be heated. If you try firing the coil without priming it, it will burn immediately after heating. Then the flavor of your vape will become extremely bitter and unpleasant, and, in addition, the coil will probably have to be replaced soon. Coil priming helps prevent such situations.

Why Priming Your Coil Is Essential

If you have a dry coil and push the fire button, then the heating element becomes hot before your e-liquid can be absorbed by the wick cotton. In this case, the cotton begins to burn, causing that burnt taste that can spoil your vaping experience.

When your cotton is thoroughly soaked with liquid, it is able to sustain the temperature and turn it into vapor. Thus, the priming procedure helps you avoid dry hit and enjoy excellent flavor every time you vape.

Step-by-Step: How to Properly Prime a Coil

The procedure of coil priming consists of several steps. Now we will discuss how to prime a coil step by step so you would never face the problem of burnt taste again. 

Step 1 - Put Drops of E-Liquid on the Wick Cotton

Take a coil out of the packaging. Find the tiny holes in your coil, in which the wick cotton is located. You should put several drops of e-liquid into each hole.

Note that you should not pour e-liquid abundantly. It will suffice if the cotton changes its color after adding the e-liquid. This step will make sure that the coil is somewhat pre-soaked when you start vaping it.

Step 2 - Insert the Coil into the Pod or Tank

After that, you need to insert the coil. Be careful as you are doing it: your coil must fit snugly and perfectly.

Even if you think that this procedure is quite obvious, we recommend paying special attention to this point, since you will be vaping with it in just a minute.

Step 3 - Let Your Device Soak for Several Minutes

Then, fill your tank with e-liquid. After that, wait at least five minutes, letting your vape device soak with the liquid.

It is recommended to wait several minutes, despite the fact that you previously soaked the wick with the e-liquid. In this way, you make sure that the whole wick, and not only its surface part, gets soaked..

Step 4 - Start Vaping at Low Temperature

Now it is time to start vaping. However, remember that you should start at the minimum power setting indicated for the coil.

We suggest vaping at low wattage for at least several seconds. Then you can gradually raise the voltage.

Step 5 - Take Primer Puffs (Optional)

If you want to make the coil priming procedure more effective, take a few draws without pressing the fire button. This method is called priming puffs.

This will allow more e-liquid to penetrate the coil and ensure even distribution of the fluid in the wick.

Common Mistakes When Priming a Coil

How to Know if the Coil Has Been Prepared Correctly

Your coil is prepared correctly if you get a nice taste of the vape juice from the very beginning. It must be pleasant and have no bitterness or burnt flavor.

If you notice something strange with the taste, try vaping for several minutes. It is likely that this situation will be temporary. However, if your coil has burned and produces a very sharp taste, then you cannot do anything and should change it.

Picking the Right E-Liquid to Extend Your Coils' Life

Each e-liquid requires a different coil. Thick juices and high-VG liquids take time to soak into the wick. In addition, some sweet vape juices leave a coating in the coil, which reduces its lifetime.

Therefore, if you choose the correct juice that will suit your coil perfectly, it will extend its lifetime. In case you are still unsure which e-liquid will be appropriate, you can always experiment.

Conclusion

Coil priming can seem like a difficult process, especially for novices. However, with this simple procedure, you can avoid dry hits, prolong the lifetime of your coil, and enhance the taste of your vape juices.