Finally got yourself a vape, did you? Well done, soon-to-be-ex-smoker! You’ve made a great choice for your health and your wallet. Now comes the time to actually start using it, and there’s no shame in being a little uncertain with how to proceed.
After all, cigarettes are fairly user-friendly (if deadly), whereas the variety of vape designs means it’s not always a uniform process. But worry not; those wondering how to use a vape will find it’s always a simple task that’ll be second nature in no time. Follow these tips to learn how to use your vape, and if you pay close attention, you’ll pick up some good maintenance advice, too!
Step 1 – Charge the Device
First things first, let’s make sure the battery on whichever vape you have is charged. Without that, we aren’t going to be getting very far at all.
Your vape may have an internal battery, in which case it just needs to be plugged in, ordinarily with a USB-C cable like the one your phone and laptop use. Most kits come with a charging cable, though some budget ones do not. But chances are you’ve got some of these cables around because they’re pretty universal at this point.
However, some vape kits and mods don’t have an internal battery cell, and instead require an external 18650, 20700 or 21700 battery to operate. These NEVER come included with the kit, so be sure you have everything you need. These external, rechargeable batteries can be charged in the vape kit or with an external, dedicated vape battery charger.
Vape kits with internal batteries often (but not always) have about 50% charge, and it’s a good idea to top them off right away. External vape batteries aren’t sold charged, so you’ll need to plug them in right away.
Step 2 – Fill the Pod / Tank
With the battery charged or charging, it’s time to get the e-juice loose and fill a pod!
Most kits use acrylic pods with magnets or plastic fittings and pre-installed coils, replaced after 2-4 weeks.
Other pods don’t have coils pre-fitted. These are pods you install and change the coils in yourself; they are to be retained rather than disposed of. The coils will last around 2-4 weeks, like the ones in the disposable pods.
Take note: If your pod uses replaceable coils, make sure you have a coil installed before you add e-liquid. Otherwise, it’ll just all leak right back out again.
If you aren’t using a pod but rather a tank, all the advice for pod-based devices with replaceable coils still applies.
It is very important that you select the right vape juice type when filling your pod or tank. It’s not just the flavours that vary; the composition and thickness of the liquid do too, and it is NOT universally compatible!
The kind you need depends on your coil. Here’s a quick and easy breakdown:
| 50VG/50PG or higher-PG than VG | 0.8ohm – 1.8ohm |
| Higher-VG than PG | 0.1ohm – 0.6ohm |
Once you’ve selected the right e-liquid, you need to fill your pod/tank.
On pods, look for a rubber hatch on the side or base; if not, try ‘snapping’ the plastic mouthpiece off. For tanks, it’s usually a matter of unscrewing the top to reveal the refill ports.
Fill the pod/tank to nearly the top, but not quite to the absolute top. Overfilling can cause flooding and ruin the coil.
Let the filled pod or tank sit for several minutes so the coil saturates, especially for sub-ohm coils.
Step 3 – Insert the Pod and Turn On the Device
With pods, simply slot the pod into the device. It will connect through either magnets or a secure clicking mechanism. If it’s the first time using the vape kit, be sure to check if there’s a sticker on the base of the pod that prevents an electrical connection.
Insert the tank’s short screw into your device’s 510-threaded hole and turn counter-clockwise to secure.
Step 4 – Set the Optimal Wattage
To set the wattage on your device, check the box or manual for the coil’s recommended wattage. Exceeding this burns the coil; too little and the device likely won’t fire.
Many kits do not have selectable wattage. These devices automatically set the optimal wattage for your coil when connected.
Check that your airflow slider is open; closed airflow can burn the coil.
Step 5 – Press the Fire/Power Button
Now to fire up the kit! Many kits have a firing button that serves both to activate the kit and to navigate any menus on the screen (though many vapes do not have screens). However, many vapes lack firing buttons and use “draw-activation.” Like disposables, these kits sense your breath and atomise as you inhale.
Step 6 – Inhale
Now, time to enjoy the vapour! While instinct might tell you this is an easy part, there are actually two inhalation techniques.
One, mouth-to-lung (MTL) is for 50/50 and high-PG e-liquids. This method is just like smoking a cigarette or drinking through a straw; vapour is drawn into the mouth by expanding pressure, then taken down to the lungs with a subsequent inhale.
The other, direct-to-lung (DTL), is for high-VG e-liquids, which produce a MUCH thicker, but usually less nicotine-intense, cloud of vapour. DTL inhalation is like using an inhaler; you take it straight down to the lungs without pausing in the mouth.
Remember when I told you to let the coil sit in the e-liquid for a while? I hope you took note of that, because if the coil’s dry when you try to fire it up, you’re going to burn the wicks and ruin the coil. That coil can’t be fixed; it can only be replaced, so take caution. Vaping from a burnt coil rasps your throat, tastes awful and puts burnt cotton smoke in your lungs, so let’s avoid that!
If the coil is fine but you’re still coughing after an inhale, lower the wattage or decrease the nicotine strength.
Step 7 – Exhale
Then comes the easiest part of all: breathe out! Congrats, you’re now vaping like a pro!
Need More Help?
By following these tips closely, you can be confident you’re using and maintaining your new vape kit correctly. Don’t be embarrassed if it’s all a bit new to you; education is a lifelong process that never stops! And once you feel confident with your new tool, it might be time to start learning some cool vape tricks!
Vape not working? Follow our guide here.