How to Set Up a New Vape

Learn how to unbox and set up your new vape mod and tank or pod with this simple and straightforward walk-through.

If you are new to vaping, there is no need to feel anxious as devices are generally incredibly easy to set up and use.

Opening the Box

There are two types of device - those that have built-in batteries and those that have removable batteries. If you buy a device with removeable/replaceable batteries, you’ll most likely need to invest in a pair of 18650 batteries to complete your kit.

When you receive your kit, open the box and you will find:

• The vaping device
• The tank or pod, usually with a coil installed
• A USB charging cable

Tank kits often also feature at least one spare coil while pod kits usually give you a spare pod. You may also find spare parts. Tank kits may also include spare parts such as o rings (gaskets). If you purchased the batteries separately, you should remove them from the packaging at this time.

Store any spare parts, coils and pods in a safe place for when you need them.

Charging Your Device

You should find that the built-in battery of your device has been charged but not fully. There should be sufficient charge to use the device.

If the device is powered by removeable cells, you will need to fit these and then charge the device.

Most vapes are supplied with a USB charging cable.

If the device features a digital display, you’ll see the current charging status on the screen. If you’re using a single-button vape pen with no display, the button itself will generally have an LED light to indicate the charging status. When the light turns off, the charge cycle is complete.

Preparing a Tank

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the operation of your tank.

Your tank should have a coil installed. if a spare coil has been supplied and you wish to use it, you will need to remove the coil in the tank and fit the spare. Coils are easy to fit, usually via a push-fit system.

With most tanks you will unscrew the mouthpiece and then fill with e-liquid before replacing the mouthpiece. Prior to filling, it is advisable to access the coil by unscrewing the bottom of the tank and then dripping a few drops of e-liquid onto the wicking holes in the coil.

After filling the tank, you should wait a few minutes for the coil's wicking to absorb e-liquid. This is called priming.

Screw your tank to your device and ensure that is sitting correctly.

Preparing a Pod

If you have chosen a kit compatible with prefilled pods, simply click a pod into place. Pods are held firmly in place by magnetic connectors.

There are two types of refillable pods, those with with built-in coils and those with replaceable coils.

Kits featuring pods with built-in coils may be supplied with more than one pod and with each pod boasting a different coil resistance. You will need to select a pod to suit your vaping style, fill it with e-liquid via the filling port, close the port and then click the pod into place on the device.

If your kit is compatible with refillable pods boasting removeable coils, it should feature a pod with a coil preinstalled and often also an additional coil with a different resistance. Should you be happy to proceed with the installed coil, top up the pod with e-liquid via the filling port, close the port and then attach the pod to the device. If you would prefer to use the spare coil, you will need to replace the preinstalled coil with this. Follow your device's instructions to change the coil, then fill the pod and fit it to the device.

As with vape tanks, after filling your pods, you should wait a few minutes before vaping.

Dealing with Settings

Vapes vary considerably in their functionality. Simple vape pens and pod kits are great choices for beginners as they give you no settings to deal with. However, intermediate devices may enable you to choose from two or three outputs while advanced vapes enable you to take advantage of two or more operating modes such as variable wattage and temperature control.

You should consult the instructions for your device to familiarise yourself with its capabilities and how to make any adjustments. It isn't possible for us to outline the functionality of every device here and how to use it, such is the diversity of the hardware available.

Using Your Mod

Once you have charged your battery, filled your pod or tank, then fitted the tank or pod to the device and chosen your settings, you are ready to vape. Devices may be inhale activated, fired via a button or both.

With inhale activated vapes, simply puff on the mouthpiece. If you need to use a fire button, depress this while inhaling on the mouthpiece.

Never allow your pod or tank to run dry. Continue to top it up until you sense your flavour diminishing or you experience an unpleasant burnt hit. You should then replace the coil, or in the case of pods with built-in coils, you should replace the pod.

Stocking Up

As you will now be aware, vape kits feature minimal spares and are not usually supplied with e-liquid. It is best to stock up on e-liquids, spare pods and/or spare coils at the outset to ensure you always have what you need to hand. Each time you reorder e-liquids, check if you still have any spare coils or pods remaining and order then order these at the same time. Never leave yourself without at least one spare coil or pod.