How to prime a vape coil comes down to five actions: switch the device off, fit the coil, drip a few drops of e-liquid onto the cotton where your manual says to, fill the tank and wait while the cotton soaks. Then take gentle first puffs. Your kit’s manual sets the exact wait.
- Priming means soaking a new coil’s cotton with e-liquid so it does not scorch on the first puffs.
- The wait after priming varies by kit, so your kit’s manual sets the timing.
- Kits with a refillable tank or a removable coil head let you change the coil; prefilled pod kits do not.
- A burnt coil taste usually points to a dry, under-primed or worn coil.
Which vape kits have a coil you can change?
Vape kits with a refillable tank, or a pod with a removable coil head, let you change the coil, while prefilled pod kits do not. In a tank kit, the coil is usually a separate head that screws or pulls out. In some pod kits the coil is built into the pod, so you replace the whole pod instead.
Prefilled pod kits work differently: you swap the whole pod and there is no coil to prime. Refillable systems include the Vaporesso XROS Mini Retro Pod Vape Kit and the Romio Aster R Refillable Pod Starter Kit. Whether the coil can be changed depends on the model, so check the manual. This guide applies to refillable systems, including refillable pod kits.
What do you need to change and prime a vape coil?
You need a compatible replacement coil, your usual e-liquid, a clean tissue and your kit’s manual to change and prime a vape coil. Check the coil model and ohm rating against your device before you start, and do not mix brands unless the maker says the coil fits. The Romio Aster R 2ml Refillable Replacement Pods list 0.6Ω and 0.8Ω coil options, so check which one your device takes.
- A replacement coil that matches your device’s model and ohm rating
- E-liquid, ideally the liquid you plan to use
- A clean tissue for the tank and your fingers
- Your kit’s manual or the maker’s instructions
E-liquid is a mix of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). Thicker, higher-VG liquid soaks into cotton more slowly and may need a longer wait. iBreathe Everyday E-Liquid is 70PG/30VG and is listed in the iBreathe premium e-liquid range.
How to change a vape coil, step by step
To change a vape coil, switch the device off, remove the tank or pod, empty the old e-liquid, then swap the coil and fit the new one firmly. Kits differ, so treat these steps as a general guide. Where the coil is built into the pod, you replace the whole pod.
- Turn the device off.
- Remove the tank or pod from the battery.
- Pour out the remaining e-liquid and wipe the tank dry with a tissue.
- Unscrew or pull out the old coil, as your device allows.
- Fit the new coil firmly, so it sits straight and seals, without forcing it.
- Leave the tank empty for now and move on to priming.
How to prime a vape coil, step by step
To prime a vape coil, soak its cotton with e-liquid before you fire the device. Cotton that is still dry can scorch on the first few puffs, which causes a burnt taste. These steps are general practice, so if your manufacturer’s wording differs on method or timing, follow the manufacturer.
- Switch the device off and check the new coil is fitted firmly.
- Where your manual says to, drip a few drops of e-liquid onto the cotton through the coil’s wicking holes.
- Fill the tank or pod, taking care not to cover the central airflow tube.
- Wait for the time your manual gives, so the cotton can soak up the liquid.
- Take a few gentle, short puffs, then build up to normal use.
Some refillable pod systems are primed by filling the pod and waiting, with no dripping step. Your manual says which method suits your device.
Why does my vape taste bad? Common mistakes to avoid
A vape tastes bad most often because the coil is dry, under-primed or worn, or because the tank has been left too low. A burnt coil taste is the usual sign. The fix is often simple: re-prime the coil, refill the tank, or swap the coil if the taste stays.
- Skipping the wait after priming
- Letting the tank run too low
- Overfilling the tank, which can cause leaks and a flooded coil
- Fitting a coil that does not suit the device
- Using a liquid that is too thick or too thin for the coil
The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) limit tanks and pods to 2ml, so check the level often and fill only to the marked line.
When should you replace a vape coil?
A vape coil needs replacing when the flavour turns muted or harsh, the vapour weakens, the tank gurgles, or a burnt taste stays after you re-prime. Coil life depends on how often you vape, the e-liquid and the power setting. No fixed number of days or puffs suits every coil, so check your manufacturer’s manual.
- Refillable tank kit: replace the coil head.
- Refillable pod kit: replace the coil or the pod, as your manual says.
- Prefilled pod kit: replace the whole pod.
Single-use vapes have been banned in the UK since 1 June 2025, according to DEFRA’s single-use vapes ban guidance. DEFRA treats a reusable vape as one that is rechargeable and has a refillable or replaceable pod. Replacing a coil or pod is normal upkeep for a reusable device.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I wait after priming a vape coil?
Wait for the time your kit’s manual gives, because soak times vary between coils and devices. Thicker, higher-VG liquid can take longer to soak into the cotton. If the manual gives no timing, wait a few minutes and take gentle first puffs, stopping if you taste burning.
Can I use a coil straight away after changing it?
A new coil should not be used straight away. Firing it before the cotton is soaked can scorch it and leave a burnt taste. Where your manual says to, drip a few drops of e-liquid onto the cotton, fill the tank, wait while it soaks, then take gentle puffs.
How do I change the juice in my vape?
To change the juice in a refillable vape, switch the device off, remove the tank or pod, empty any old e-liquid, then refill with the new liquid without going past the fill line. Wait a few minutes before vaping so the coil can soak up the new liquid. Check your manual for rinsing advice.
Why does my new coil taste burnt?
A new coil tastes burnt when its cotton was dry or under-primed on the first puffs, when the tank ran low, or when the coil does not suit the liquid or power setting. Re-prime it by letting it soak for a few more minutes. If the taste stays, replace the coil.
Do I need to change the coil in a prefilled pod kit?
No. A prefilled pod kit has no user-changeable coil, so you replace the whole pod when it runs out or the flavour fades. Only kits with a coil head you can remove need a coil change, and some refillable pods are replaced whole instead. Check your manual to confirm which type you have.
Prime, wait, then take gentle puffs
Priming a vape coil means soaking the cotton, filling the tank, waiting as your manual says and taking gentle first puffs, and this guide is for adults aged 18 or over. The MHRA’s guidance on e-cigarette regulations says consumer vapes sold in the UK must be notified to the MHRA. Browse our refillable vape kits to compare options.
