How to Use E-Liquid: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

If you’ve just bought your first vape device, you might be staring at a bottle of e-liquid, wondering exactly how to get it into your device without making a mess. You’re not alone, as this is one of the most common questions new vapers ask us.

The good news? Filling your vape is straightforward once you understand the basics. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using e-liquid, from choosing the right juice for your kit, to filling different device types without leaks or burnt hits.

Vape Juice Basics for Beginners

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Before you start filling your device, it helps to understand what e-liquid actually is.

E-liquid is the fluid that your vape heats up to create vapour. It’s made from a combination of Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), flavourings, and optional nicotine. Think of PG and VG as the base ingredients that carry the flavour and nicotine.

The ratio of PG to VG matters because it affects how your vape performs.

• A 50/50 e-liquid (equal parts PG and VG) works best in smaller, low-power devices like pod systems and basic vape pens. The volume and thickness of the vapour given off by these e-liquids are similar to the smoke that emerges from a cigarette.

• High-VG e-liquids (70% VG or more) are thicker and designed for larger, high-power “sub-ohm” devices that produce big clouds. These larger, high-VG clouds are much smoother to inhale, though usually have less nicotine content. If you have used shisha or hookah before, it’s a similar experience.

Nicotine also comes in two main types:

• “Freebase” nicotine is the traditional form with a harsher throat hit. Freebase nicotine is more traditional and has a much more noticeable ‘hit’ to the chest and throat.
• Nicotine salts are smoother and absorbed faster, making them ideal for low-power pod devices. Today, nicotine salts are by far the most popular and often default style of nicotine solution used in e-liquid.

Tip: Choosing the wrong type for your device can lead to a disappointing experience, so it’s worth checking what your vape is designed for.

How to Refill Your Vape: Tanks, Pods, and Pens

Different vape devices have different filling methods. Here’s how to refill the three most common types:

Filling a Vape Tank

Most box mods and larger devices use refillable tanks. To fill one:

1. Unscrew or slide open the top cap to expose the fill port (or ports—some tanks have two).
2. Insert the nozzle of your e-liquid bottle into the port.
3. Squeeze the bottle gently to fill the tank, leaving a small gap at the top.
4. Avoid dripping liquid into the central tube in the middle of the tank—this is the airflow chimney, not the fill hole.
5. Screw the top cap back on firmly, making sure it’s sealed properly.

Filling a Vape Pod

Pod systems are compact and simple. Here’s the process:

1. Pull the pod out of the battery section of the device.
2. Locate the fill port—this is usually a small rubber plug on the side or bottom of the pod.
3. Open or remove the rubber plug to reveal the fill hole.
4. Insert the bottle nozzle and fill the pod, leaving a bit of space at the top.
5. Press the rubber plug back firmly to seal the pod.
6. Reinsert the pod into the device.

For a more detailed guide, we have a separate guide (How to Fill a Pod Vape) that you should definitely read.

Refilling a Vape Pen

Most vape pens have a tank structure built into the pen body. To refill:

1. Unscrew the top part of the tank (usually the mouthpiece section) from the glass barrel.
2. Tilt the tank slightly and drip the e-liquid along the inside edge of the glass.
3. Keep the liquid away from the centre chimney—this is where air flows through, not where juice goes.
4. Once filled, screw the top section back on tightly.

Priming Your Coil: The Most Important Step After Filling

Here’s something many beginners don’t know: you can’t just fill your device and start vaping straight away, especially with a new coil.

Inside every vape coil is cotton (or another wicking material) that absorbs e-liquid. When you first install a new coil, this cotton is completely dry. If you fire your device before the cotton is saturated, it will burn instantly, giving you a horrible taste that won’t go away.

This process of saturating a new coil is called “priming.” Here’s how to do it:

1. After filling your device with e-liquid for the first time, let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This gives the cotton time to fully absorb the juice.
2. Before taking your first puff, you can also take a few “primer puffs”—inhale through the mouthpiece without pressing the fire button. This helps draw liquid into the coil.
3. Start with a lower power setting for your first few puffs, then gradually increase to your preferred level.

Skipping this step is the number one cause of burnt hits for new vapers, so don’t rush it. And yes, hitting a burnt vape is bad for you.

How to Fill a Vape Tank Without Leaking

Leaking is frustrating, but it’s usually preventable. Here are the main causes and fixes:

Don’t Overfill

Always leave a small air bubble at the top of your tank or pod. When you fill it completely to the brim, the liquid has nowhere to expand, which can force it out through the airflow holes. That small gap creates pressure balance and prevents leaks.

Check Your Seals

Make sure all parts of your device are screwed together properly. Not tight enough and liquid can seep out, but overtightening can damage the rubber O-rings that create the seal. Check that these O-rings are in place and haven’t become damaged or worn—replace them if they look cracked or stretched.

Use the Right Juice

Thin e-liquid (high PG) can leak from tanks designed for thick liquids (high VG), as it can seep through cotton that’s meant to wick thicker juice. Similarly, using thick juice in a device designed for thin liquid can cause dry hits. Match your e-liquid viscosity to your device type for the best results.

Choosing the Right Vape Juice for Your Device

Before you fill your vape, you need to make sure you’re using compatible e-liquid. Using the wrong type is one of the most common beginner mistakes.

The general rule is simple: smaller, low-power devices work with 50/50 nicotine salt e-liquids, whilst larger, high-power devices need high-VG freebase e-liquids. Check your device manual or ask at your local vape shop if you’re unsure.

Want to know more about the different e-liquids? Read our vape juice types guide.

Conclusion

Using e-liquid isn’t complicated once you know the basics. Choose the right juice for your device, fill it carefully through the proper port, and always give a new coil time to prime before vaping.

Follow these steps, and you’ll avoid the two most common beginner problems—leaks and burnt hits. Take your time with your first few fills, and you’ll soon find the process becomes second nature. Happy vaping!