How to Prime Vape Coils for Maximum Flavour & Longevity

If you’ve ever taken that first puff on a new coil and instantly regretted it due to a burnt taste—trust me, I’ve been there. That unpleasant flavour isn’t just annoying; it means your coil may already be damaged. But don’t worry, learning how to prime a coil is the right way to do it, and it can change your entire vaping game.

Whether you're a beginner or a long-time cloud chaser, this 2025 guide will help you learn how to prime a vape coil for better flavour, smoother vapour, and longer-lasting performance.

Priming saved me so much money. My coils now last 3x longer just by doing this! – Greet Vape customer Annika

A vape coil is a heating element wrapped in cotton that turns your e-liquid into vapour. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to vape. Coils vary in resistance, material, and design (like mesh or wire), each giving you a different vapour production and flavour profile. At Greet Vape, we stock all major coil types, including:

• Aspire Coils – for bold flavour & cloud control
• Smok Coils – for sub-ohm enthusiasts
• GeekVape Coils – known for durability
• Voopoo Coils – perfect for customisation
• Vaporesso Coils – great for beginners and pros alike
• Innokin Coils – ideal for MTL vapers

Each coil requires proper priming to perform at its best. Choosing the right coil for your device and knowing How to prime a coil for a vape can make all the difference in your vaping experience. If unsure, check out our guide on How to Choose the Right Coil for a Vape.

Priming is soaking your coil’s cotton wick with e-liquid before firing it up. It may seem like a small step, but it makes a huge difference in:

• Preventing dry hits
• Extending coil lifespan
• Delivering smoother inhales
• Enhancing e-liquid flavour profiles
• Reducing spit-back and leaks

I always recommend spending a few extra seconds on Prime vapes, it saves your coil and your flavour!

For Sub-Ohm Tanks:

• Drip e-liquid on the coil: Apply 3–5 drops directly onto the exposed cotton ports.
• Install the coil: Insert it into your tank securely.
• Fill your tank: Use your favourite nic salt or shortfill and fill the tank.
• Wait 5–10 minutes: Let the coil fully absorb the juice.
• Take a few dry puffs: Puff to draw liquid in without pressing the fire button.
• Start low, then go high: Begin at lower wattage, then gradually increase.

For Pod Kits:

• Fill the pod with e-liquid
• Let it sit for 10 minutes
• Take a few primer puffs
• Start vaping at low wattage (if adjustable)

Want to see priming in action? Try it with the Voopoo TPP Replacement Coils—they’re incredibly responsive to priming and deliver top-tier flavour.

You risk experiencing this when you don't know how to prime a coil:

• A burnt taste on the first inhale
• Reduced vapour clouds
• Coil failure within hours
• Gurgling or spitting e-liquid
• Leaking from the tank or pod

New coil tastes burnt? You probably skipped priming.

Priming isn’t optional; it’s essential for any vaping device, whether it's a starter kit or an advanced mod.

How long to prime a vape coil? At least 5–10 minutes is key, but longer for thicker cotton.

If you’re experiencing coil failure or poor vapour production, it might be time to change your coil. Not sure when to replace it? You can learn more in our complete guide on when to Change Your Vape Coil.

To get the most out of your coil:

✅ Use compatible e-liquids – Thick e-liquids (like 70VG/30PG) suit sub-ohm coils, while nic salts work best with high-resistance MTL coils

✅ Avoid chain vaping – Give the wick time to reabsorb juice

✅ Stay within recommended wattage – Don’t overpower your coil

✅ Switch flavours with care – Flavour ghosting can damage cotton

✅ Clean your tank regularly – Build-up shortens coil life

I always keep an extra pack of Smok RPM Coils in case I need to switch flavours or want to change my vaping style. If you’ve experienced burnt coils, check out our Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Burnt Vape Coils to return to a smooth vaping experience.

When it comes to Prime vapes, different types of coils need slightly different approaches due to their design and functionality. Here’s a breakdown of the most common coil types and how to prime a coil for a vape for optimal performance.

Mesh Coils

Mesh coils are popular because of their larger surface area, which allows them to produce large vapour clouds and intense flavour. Because of this, they require a bit more attention when priming.

Priming Mesh Coils:

• Drip e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton, especially in the middle of the mesh, to ensure the full surface area is saturated.
• Fill the tank and wait 10 minutes for the e-liquid to soak the cotton thoroughly.
• Begin vaping at a lower wattage to avoid burning the cotton.

Why Mesh Coils Need Extra Priming: Mesh coils work best when the entire surface area is fully saturated. If not primed properly, you may experience dry hits, and the coil may burn out faster.

High-Wattage Sub-Ohm Coils

Sub-ohm coils are built for higher wattages, so they can quickly burn through e-liquid. However, they’re prone to burning out faster if not adequately primed.

Priming High-Wattage Coils:

• Apply a few more drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton inside the coil to fully saturate it before installing it into the tank.
• After filling the tank, wait 10-15 minutes for the cotton to soak up the liquid properly. Start vaping at a lower wattage and slowly increase it to the recommended level.

Why High-Wattage Coils Need Careful Priming: These coils burn through liquid faster, meaning the cotton must be completely saturated before use. You'll experience poor vapour production and a shortened coil lifespan without proper priming.

MTL Coils (Mouth-to-Lung) Coils

MTL coils are typically designed for lower wattages and are favoured by vapers who want a more cigarette-like draw. Because they are smaller and have narrower cotton ports, priming takes a bit longer.

Priming MTL Coils:

• Drop e-liquid on the cotton inside the coil, but be cautious not to over-saturate as these coils absorb liquid slowly.
• After filling the tank, allow the coil to sit for 10-15 minutes to ensure the wick is fully saturated.
• Start at a lower wattage to avoid burning the coil and gradually increase it as you feel the flavour.

Why MTL Coils Need Extra Patience: MTL coils wick liquid more slowly due to their smaller ports. Be patient and ensure the cotton is thoroughly soaked to prevent dry hits.

While all coils benefit from priming, the following especially need it:

• Mesh coils – Due to the larger surface area
• High-wattage sub-ohm coils – Burn out faster without saturation
• Thicker cotton coils – Absorb slower, so they need longer priming
• MTL coils – Smaller ports = slower wicking

From my experience, coils like GeekVape Zeus Coils and Aspire Nautilus Mesh Coils perform drastically better when appropriately primed.

How long should I wait after priming a vape coil?

Wait at least 5–10 minutes after filling your tank. If you’re unsure how long to prime a vape coil, remember that factors like coil size, wick thickness, and e-liquid viscosity all play a role. When in doubt, longer is better.

Can I reuse a burnt coil if I didn’t prime it?

Unfortunately, no. Once a coil is burnt, there's no saving it. The cotton inside is charred; continuing to use it may lead to inhaling harmful substances.

Do prefilled pods need priming?

No. Prefilled pods, like many disposable vapes, are pre-saturated and don’t require manual priming. Just let them sit for a few minutes after unboxing to be safe.

What’s the best vape juice for extending coil life?

Use clear e-liquids with lower sweetener content. High-VG juices and sweet dessert flavours tend to gunk up coils quicker. Check out Frugi Nic Salts for clean, coil-friendly flavours.

How do I know when it’s time to replace my coil?

Common signs include:

• Diminished flavour
• Burnt or metallic taste
• Gurgling noises
• Leaking issues
• Reduced vapour production

If you notice any of these issues, browse our full vape coil collection and replace it as soon as possible.

Learning how to prime a coil is one of the easiest ways to enhance your vaping experience. Priming your vape coil is a small habit that leads to big wins, better flavour, longer coil life, and a smoother, more enjoyable vape. I’ve ruined a few coils in the past by skipping this step, and believe me, I never make that mistake anymore.

Whether you're using Voopoo PnP X Coils, Smok Nord Coils, or Nautilus BVC Coils, priming is the key to unlocking their full potential. From avoiding the dreaded "New coil tastes burnt" situation to knowing exactly how to prime a vape coil, you’re now set up for vaping success.

Ready to take better care of your vape? Browse Greet Vape’s full coil collection and level up your experience. If you have any inquiries, feel free to email us at support@greetvape.co.uk.