How to Prime a Coil and Avoid Dry Hits
Mar
There’s nothing worse than taking a puff from your vape and getting a harsh, burnt taste instead of smooth, flavorful vapor. This dreaded experience, known as a dry hit, usually happens when your coil isn’t properly saturated with e-liquid. The best way to prevent this? Priming your coil correctly before vaping!
In this blog, we’ll cover what coil priming is, why it’s essential, and step-by-step instructions on how to do it.
What Is Coil Priming?
Priming a coil means manually soaking the wicking material (usually cotton) with e-liquid before use. This helps prevent burnt hits, premature coil burnout, and unpleasant dry hits by ensuring the wick is fully saturated before you start vaping.
Why Do You Need to Prime Your Coil?
A vape coil is made up of a heating element and an absorbent wick (typically cotton). When you press the fire button, the coil heats up, vaporizing the e-liquid soaked into the cotton.
If the wick is not properly saturated, the dry cotton will burn instead of vaporizing e-liquid, resulting in:
🔥 A burnt, unpleasant taste.
🚫 A ruined coil that won’t perform properly.
💰 Wasted money on replacing coils too soon.
By priming your coil, you extend its lifespan, improve flavor, and enjoy a smoother vaping experience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Priming Your Coil
Step 1: Prepare Your New Coil
Before installing a new coil in your vape tank, make sure you:
✔ Choose the right coil for your device.
✔ Have your preferred e-liquid ready.
Step 2: Apply E-Liquid Directly to the Coil
🔹 Locate the wicking holes or exposed cotton inside the coil.
🔹 Drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton (2-5 drops, depending on the size of the coil).
🔹 Let the e-liquid absorb into the wick.
👉 Tip: Don’t over-saturate the coil! Too much liquid can cause flooding (gurgling sounds and spitback).
Step 3: Install the Coil in Your Tank
🔹 Screw or push the primed coil into your tank according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
🔹 Fill your tank with e-liquid and reassemble your device.
Step 4: Let the Coil Sit and Soak
🔹 Wait 5-10 minutes before using your vape.
🔹 This allows the cotton to fully absorb e-liquid, preventing dry hits.
👉 Tip: If you’re using a high-wattage coil or thicker VG-based e-liquid, wait a little longer (10-15 minutes).
Step 5: Take a Few Primer Puffs
Before firing the device, take a few puffs without pressing the fire button (also called “primer puffs”). This helps draw e-liquid into the wick for better saturation.
Step 6: Start at a Low Wattage
🔹 Set your vape to a lower wattage than usual and take a few gentle puffs.
🔹 Gradually increase the wattage to your desired setting.
🔹 Enjoy smooth, flavorful vapor with no burnt taste!
Bonus Tips to Avoid Dry Hits
✅ Keep Your Tank Filled: Never let your e-liquid level drop too low—this can expose the cotton wick and lead to dry hits.
✅ Use the Right VG/PG Ratio: Some coils perform better with specific e-liquid blends. High VG liquids may struggle to wick properly in smaller coils.
✅ Replace Coils Regularly: Over time, coils degrade and wicking slows down. If you’re getting muted flavor or frequent dry hits, swap out your coil for a fresh one.
✅ Avoid Chain Vaping: Taking too many puffs in quick succession can overheat the coil and dry out the wick before it can absorb more liquid.
Final Thoughts
Properly priming your coil is a simple yet crucial step in ensuring a smooth, flavorful, and enjoyable vaping experience. By following these steps, you’ll avoid nasty dry hits, extend coil life, and get the best performance from your vape.
Have you ever experienced a dry hit? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below
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