How to Prime a Vape Coil (Step-by-Step)

If you’ve ever taken a first puff from a new vape coil and tasted something like burnt toast, you’re not alone. That’s usually the result of a dry hit, caused by vaping before your coil is properly primed. Priming your coil isn't complicated, but skipping it can shorten coil life and leave you with poor flavour from the start.

In this guide, we’ll break down what priming is, why it’s essential, how to do it correctly, and how coil types like mesh and standard wire affect the process. 

Priming a coil means saturating the cotton inside the coil head with e-liquid before you start using it. Coils are wrapped with cotton (or other wicking material), and when dry cotton gets exposed to heat, it burns.

Inside every coil, you’ve got wire (or mesh), cotton, and sometimes a bit of insulation material, depending on the build. The cotton soaks up the liquid, and the coil heats it into vapour. If the cotton isn't fully soaked before that first hit, the heat will damage it instantly.

This is especially important when you're using new coils or switching between different e-liquid types, especially those with a high VG content, which takes longer to absorb.

Different Types of Coils and How They Affect Priming

The most common types are explained below:

Standard Wire Coils

Traditional wire coils use materials like Kanthal, stainless steel, or nichrome. These are often found in starter vape kits and tanks. They’re made by wrapping a wire around a bit of cotton, forming either a single or dual coil build.

With these coils, it’s important to drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton before assembling your tank. Because the liquid needs to travel through small juice ports, rushing the process can cause problems.

These types tend to perform best with 50/50 or 60/40 VG/PG e-liquids, which soak into the cotton a bit faster. If you're not sure what ratio you’re using, our vape juice calculator can help you adjust your mix properly (if you’re creating your own e-liquid).

Mesh Coils

Mesh coils are a bit different. Instead of a coiled wire, they use a thin sheet of metal with a mesh-like structure. This creates a larger surface area for heating and faster wicking.

Because mesh coils absorb liquid more efficiently, many people assume they don’t need priming, but that’s not the case. In fact, mesh coils often use more cotton behind that metal sheet, so if the liquid doesn’t reach the entire wick, you’ll still get dry hits.

You’ll commonly find mesh coils in sub-ohm kits or pod mods with a bit more power behind them. If your vape uses replacement pods, it's worth checking if they’re mesh-based before priming.

We’ve broken down the key differences in coil types in our guide to coils.

Note: Apart from standard and wire coils, you may find replaceable or pre-built coils. Replaceable ones can be thrown out without removing the entire pod when they burn out. However, the built-in coils can’t be replaced. In this case, you may have to replace the entire pod when needed.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Here is the list of things you need:

• A new coil (make sure it’s compatible with your tank or pod)
• Your vape tank or pod device (if it’s with a built-in coil, you don’t need a separate coil)
• Your chosen e-liquid
• A few tissues or paper towels for cleanup

If you’re still unsure what type of setup you’re using, you might want to check our beginner-friendly e cigarette guide for more context.

Here is your guide on “how to prime a coil for a vape” for standard wire coils:

1. Drip E-Liquid Onto the Coil

Take the coil or pod (with built-in coil) out of the packaging and look for the small juice ports on the coil’s side. These are where the cotton is visible. Using your e-liquid bottle, carefully drip liquid onto each juice hole until the cotton darkens slightly.

Also, drip one or two small drops straight down into the centre hole. Don’t flood it, just enough to dampen the inner wick.

2. Install the Coil into the Tank (For Replaceable coils only)

Once the cotton is damp, screw or push the coil into the base of your tank (depending on the design). Make sure it’s snug but not overly tight, as that can damage the threads.

Need help picking the right tank or want to check if yours is compatible with mesh coils? Have a look at our full vape tank guide for more info.

3. Fill the Tank With E-Liquid

Assemble the rest of the tank and fill it with your chosen e-liquid. Again, don’t rush. Some tanks fill from the bottom, some from the top. Watch for bubbles that may indicate trapped air.

4. Let It Sit

This part is often skipped, but can make or break your first vape. Let your filled tank sit upright for at least 5–10 minutes to give the cotton enough time to absorb the liquid fully.

If you're using a thicker 70VG/30PG mix, wait closer to 15 minutes. It’s better to wait a bit longer than to risk ruining a new coil.

Need help picking the right liquid ratio for your coil? Our e-liquid guide has all the info you’ll need.

5. Start at a Lower Wattage

The best way to prime a coil is to avoid instant hitting. When you do start vaping, set your device to a lower wattage than what the coil recommends. If the coil is rated for 40–60W, start at around 35–40W and take a few gentle puffs. After a few minutes, you can work your way up to your preferred setting.

Priming a mesh coil is similar to wire coils, but with slight differences.

1. Saturate the Cotton Evenly

Mesh coils usually have larger juice ports and sometimes a longer cotton section. Drip e-liquid directly onto all visible cotton areas and into the centre. You may need 4–6 drops depending on the size of the coil. Mesh coils soak quickly, but don't assume they are fully primed after a few drops.

2. Fit the Coil into the Tank or Pod (for replaceable coils only)

Insert the coil properly into the tank or pod cartridge (if it’s replaceable). Mesh coils are often push-fit, so make sure they’re fully seated to avoid leaks.

3. Fill Your Pod or Tank and Let It Soak

Fill as normal, and allow the coil to sit for 10–15 minutes. Mesh coils tend to use more cotton, so they benefit from extra soak time, especially if your liquid has a higher VG content.

4. Take a Few Unpowered Draws

Take a few puffs without pressing the fire button. This helps draw more liquid into the wick through natural airflow.

5. Begin Vaping at Low Wattage

Start low, 5–10 watts below the recommended range, and slowly work your way up. Pay attention to taste and vapour; if it still feels dry, give it more time.

How to Tell If a Coil Is Fully Primed

• The cotton no longer looks dry or white in the juice ports.
• You can see small bubbles rising in the tank when you take a puff (indicating the wick is pulling liquid).
• There’s no burnt taste on the first draw.
• Vapour production is consistent without spitting or gurgling.

Priming a coil with the right steps usually requires around 5 to 10 minutes. However, some vape experts suggest leaving the coils for around 15 minutes for saturation, which means it may take around 20 to 25 minutes in total in such cases.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In order to prime your coils the right way, make sure you avoid the mistakes listed below:

Starting Too Soon

This is the most frequent cause of burnt coils. No matter how impatient you are, don’t skip the soak.

Over-Saturating

Dripping too much liquid directly into the coil can flood it. You’ll hear gurgling, and your vapour may feel weak. If that happens, remove the coil and blow through it from the bottom (into a tissue) to clear any excess liquid.

Ignoring Coil Specs

Every coil has a recommended wattage range printed on the side. Always stay within this range to avoid damage. Need help with matching wattage and resistance? Check our coil guide for safe ranges.

You should prime every new coil, even if it’s the same brand or model as your last one. If a coil has been sitting dry for days, it's a good idea to re-prime it. Also, if you’re switching to a different VG/PG ratio, it's worth taking extra care.

Do Pods Need Priming Too?

If you're using a closed pod system, you won’t be able to access the coil, but if it's refillable, it still needs to sit after filling.

Let it rest for 10–15 minutes after filling, especially if it’s the first fill or you’ve changed the coil. Mesh pods often need even longer due to the cotton depth.

For help with pods, check our vape pods guide.

Final Thoughts

Priming is essential if you want good performance and consistent taste. Always match your e-liquid to your coil, follow the power recommendations, and give the cotton time to do its job.

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