The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Vape Pods

If you’re not already aware of what the container that sits at the top of your pod kit is for, then look no further than this guide!

Vape pods are an essential component of your pod vape, whether you’ve got a refillable or a pre-filled one. They contain not just your e-liquid, but the coil that vaporises it too. They’re essentially the lifeblood of your pod kit.

Typically constructed with durable plastic, vape pods come in all shapes and sizes, and can either either be refillable or pre-filled.

Since there’s such a variety of options available, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide that breaks down exactly what vape pods are and how they work.

Different Types Of Vape Pods

Ah, the classic dilemma for vapers: refillable pods or pre-filled pods?

It’s important to note that most pod kits are only compatible with one type of pod or a small selection, so if you opt for refillable pods, be prepared for a bit more maintenance.

Do you prioritise convenience and low upkeep, or are you more interested in exploring the vast variety of flavours available in the e-liquid market? Are you a vaper who’s always on the move, or do you prefer to sit back and relax?

Ultimately, the choice comes down to how much effort you’re willing to put into your vape kit and the kind of experience you’re after.

Refillable (Open) Pods

Refillable, or open pods, are designed for use with refillable pod kits. You can fill and refill them with any vape juice you like.

Not only are they the cheaper option, but they open up a whole world of vape juice flavours and nicotine strengths, but you’ll need to keep an eye on your remaining e-liquid levels.

Additionally, you’ll have to refill the pod when it’s empty.

Prefilled (Closed) Pods

Prefilled pods, also known as closed pods, arrive already filled with nicotine salt vape juice (just like a disposable vape), so you don’t have to worry about refilling or stocking up on bottles of e-liquid.

They can only be used with specific closed pod systems and offer less flavours for you to choose from.

Plus, they typically come with a higher cost.

What are the different types of Coils in a Vape Pod?

These days, vape pods usually contain built-in coils, but if not, they’ll use replaceable coils.

Built-in coils cut down on a lot of maintenance, since you can just replace the whole pod when it’s finished — no need for messy, fiddly coil changes.

On the other hand, pods that use replaceable coils offer more customisation. They’re also the more eco-friendly option, since they’re reusable.

Again, this all comes down to your personal preferences.

Built-In Coils

As light and effortless as the clouds they produce, these pods come with integrated coils, meaning the coil cannot be replaced separately.

When your vape juice starts tasting burnt or loses its flavour, you can just dispose of the entire pod and swap it for a new one instead of changing the coil.

While built-in coils keep maintenance to a minimum, they aren’t as environmentally-friendly, as you’ll be discarding the plastic pod.

However, for new vapers unfamiliar with pod kits, they’re a lot easier to get the hang of.

A downside of these pods is that their coils typically don’t last as long. Pods with built-in coils usually need replacing after a week or so, which can become more expensive over time, despite the convenience they offer.

Replaceable Coils

If you consider yourself to be somewhat of a handyman, opting for a pod vape with changeable coils is a great choice.

They’re more eco-friendly, as you won’t be discarding plastic every time you need to replace a coil, and they generally last longer than their built-in counterparts.

When your vape e-liquid tastes burnt or loses its flavour, you can just change the coil, not the entire pod — and it’s easier than you might think.

Most pod kits use press-fit coils, which are simple to install — just slide the new coil into place until it clicks.

Changeable coils typically last for about a week or two before you need to replace them. However, their lifespan varies based on usage.

Components of a Vape Pod

Vape Juice

Your vape juice, or e-liquid, is probably the most exciting part of your vaping experience.

Blended with a mixture of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), nicotine and flavourings, it’s what you use to create flavourful vapour using a vaping device.

Mouthpiece

Sometimes referred to as a drip-tip, the mouthpiece is the plastic head of your pod.

When you take a puff of your pod vape, the mouthpiece is what you’re inhaling through — converting your favourite e-liquids into luscious plumes of vapour.

Coil

Arguably the most essential component of any vape kit, the coil —also referred to as a coil head or atomiser — is a small metal heating element inside your pod.

It conducts electricity from the battery to heat the surrounding vape juice, producing vapour.

Wick

Within your coil is, an absorbent wick that draws e-liquid from your pod for it to be vaporised.

If you take a closer look, you’ll notice small holes around the sides filled with cotton — these are the wicking holes.

Wicking material tends to be made from cotton or ceramic.

Setting Up Your Vape Pod

Installing Prefilled Pods

While prefilled pods are super simple, some people do have a bit of trouble working out how to install them when they first use them.

Most prefilled pods have a base that you need to push in before using them.

A lot of people pop a pod into their vape device without being aware of this and as a result, burn the coil prematurely.

Your coil needs to be soaked in vape juice before use, which is achieved by pushing the pod’s base upwards.

After about 30 seconds, you’re ready to insert your pod and start vaping.

That said, not all prefilled pods feature this mechanism, so it’s worth having a quick look at the instructions to make sure.

Topping Up Your Refillable Pod

Refilling a pod vape can be somewhat fiddly sometimes, but it’s usually fairly simple.

Refillable pods feature a filling port that you’ll find beneath the mouthpiece, on the side or at the bottom.

A lot of beginners tend to find top-filled pods the easiest and least messy to refill, as all they have to do is remove the mouthpiece.

If your vape kit comes with side-filled or bottom-filled pods, there’ll be a rubber or silicone tab that you can lift up to access the filling port.

Due to TPD regulations in the UK, all vape pods (whether refillable or prefilled) have a 2ml capacity, so you’ll get around five refills from a 10ml bottle of e-liquid.

Priming Your Coil

All pod vapes, whether they use built-in or replaceable coils, need them to be primed before use.

With built-in coils, all you need to do is let the pod sit for about 30 seconds in your vape juice.

If you’ve opted for a pod vape with a changeable coil, you’ll need to manually prime the coil before using it. This is only necessary when inserting a new coil.

First, you’ll want to locate the wicking holes around the coil. Apply a drop of e-liquid to each hole, allowing the wick to absorb it. Typically, only a few drops are needed for a single coil.

Next, place a drop of vape juice down the centre of the coil to saturate the internal wick. This step is optional, as not all replacement coils have an exposed centre.

Once the coil is primed, slide it into your pod vape and fill it with e-liquid.

Allow the new coil to sit in the e-liquid for about 5 minutes to ensure the wick is fully saturated.

After that, your coil is ready, and your device is good to go.

For more detailed information, check out our comprehensive vape coil guide.

What e-liquid should I pair with my refillable vape pod?

Different pod vapes work better with different types of vape juice. If you’re unsure what type of e-liquid is compatible with your pod kit and vaping style, checking its product description will give you a good idea of what will work.

These days, most pods are designed for Mouth To Lung (MTL) vaping, while vape tanks are typically suited to Direct To Lung (DTL) vaping.

So, as a rule of thumb, the type of e-liquid you’ll want to use in a MTL pod vape or starter vape kit, is high-PG vape juice — Whether that’s nic salts or 50/50 e-liquids that use freebase nicotine.

If you want a smoother throat hit and for your nicotine cravings to be satisfied in no time, go for nicotine salts.

Nic salts are also the best option if you’re after a higher nicotine strength.

If you prefer a slightly harsher throat hit and longer-lasting satisfaction, a freebase blend will do just fine.

With all that being said, there are also pods intended for sub ohm vaping in DTL kits and vape mods available. You’ll want to pair them with high-VG e-liquids, such as most shortfills.

In fact, there are even pod vapes that might be compatible with both MTL and DTL replaceable coils.

Again, take a quick took at the product description to see what e-liquid you can use, and what vape style your pod and/or coil is intended for.

Maintaining Your Vape Pod

Just like anything else to do with vape kits and hardware, vape pods, especially refillable ones, require a bit of maintenance here and there.

Let’s go through some of the necessary steps that ensure an optimal vaping experience from your pod.

How To Clean Your Pod

The inside of a vape pod should be cleaned weekly with a dry or slightly damp kitchen roll.

Don’t worry about visible condensation — it’s normal and doesn’t mean your vape is leaking.

Additionally, wipe down the exterior of the pod and device with a soft, dry cloth to get rid of any dust, dirt, or vape juice residue.

Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the plastic.

It’s also a good idea to inspect the connection between the pod and the device.

Use a cotton swab or small brush to gently clean the contacts, ensuring a secure connection and optimal performance.

Avoiding Dry Hits

We’ve all been there at one point. An unpleasant, flavourless hit that feels like you’re inhaling exhaust fumes.

Alright, that might be a tad hyperbolic. Our point, is that you’ll want to keep an eye on how much e-liquid is left in your pod, and refill when it’s running low.

If there isn’t enough liquid in there, vaping will not only lead to a nasty dry hit, but eventually damage the coil too.

Additionally, make sure your coil’s wicking material is fully saturated with vape juice to avoid dry hits.

Try not to chain vape too, as it might not give the wick enough time to re-saturate between puffs.

Extending Pod Lifespan

Overfilling can be disastrous for a pod vape.

Always refill your pod only up to the recommended maximum fill line to avoid flooding and leaking.

Over or underfilling can put stress on the coil and lead to performance issues.

Furthermore, if you’ve bought your pods in bulk, make sure they’re stored correctly.

Unused vape pods should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Exposure to heat and light can degrade the quality of your vape juice and shorten your pod’s lifespan.

Vape Pods Vs. Vape Tanks

Before pods were around, vape tanks were king. However, all reigns eventually come to an end, and pods took the crown in around 2018. That said, they pretty much do the same thing.

A tank refers to the glass reservoir that sits above above a vape mod, containing the coil and e-liquid — just like a pod.

They’re typically made up of multiple removable parts and you can disassemble them for maintenance tasks, such as cleaning them or replacing the coil.

While they’re perfect for more advanced vapers who like a bit of customisation, tanks aren’t the best choice for newbies, due to all their fiddly parts. Plus, the glass is breakable, and accidents happen.

Pods make for fuss-free alternative to tanks, thanks to their durable plastic construction and simple design.

While they both offer refillable options, pods require a lot less maintenance and you don’t have to clean them as often.

When it comes to your vaping style, pods are generally designed for MTL vaping, while tanks tend to suit DTL vaping better — although there are exceptions in both cases.

How long do pods last?

The lifespan of your pod or coil depends on the type you have, but a general rule is to replace it when the flavour starts to taste burnt or fades in richness.

For pods with changeable coils, the pod itself can last a long time and typically only needs replacing if it cracks, leaks, or can no longer hold the coil securely.

For pods with built-in coils, the duration of use will vary based on your vaping habits and how frequently you vape.

One of the biggest factors affecting coil lifespan is how sweet your vape juice is.

Sweeter e-liquids tend to degrade your coil faster, as the sweeteners caramelise on the coil as it heats, eventually leading to that unpleasant burnt taste.

In general, coils last for around a week or two, but for pods that contain built-in coils, this timeframe may be shorter.

Vape Pod Troubleshooting

Using pod kits isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem. Issues can arise now and again, but most of the time, there’s a simple solution.

The more you familiarise yourself with your vape device, the better equipped you’ll be to troubleshoot these problems with ease.

Leaking

If you find that your pod vape is leaking, wipe it down with a dry cloth and leave it to cool down.

Pods usually leak when you’ve overfilled them. But why is that?

For starters, if you’re using a side-filled pod, this can visually distort the amount of e-liquid inside slightly, especially with an angular mouthpiece.

From a certain angle, your pod might appear to be full. From another, it might look only half-full.

Not only that, but some pods don’t have fill line or anything else that marks their maximum capacity.

This can have some people scratching the head over how much vape juice to fill them with.

To prevent this issue, try leaving a small air bubble visible when topping your pod up, filling only up to about 80% capacity.

If it’s still leaking, the problem might not be overfilling. Make you’re using the right e-liquids or coils for your pod kit, and double-check that the replacement coil is installed correctly.

Lack Of Flavour

There’s a plethora reasons of why your vape might have lost its flavour.

Usually, it’s because you’ve vaped without realising your pod is nearly or fully empty. This obviously just means you need to refill it.

However, it isn’t always a case of your pod not having enough e-liquid inside.

If you’re using a refillable pod, you might want to check that it’s clean — especially around the coil, as this is where it’s most likely for residue to build up each time you refill your pod vape.

This can cause your device to heat the e-liquid improperly, preventing the flavours from being fully released.

Plus, many vapers experience something called ‘vaper’s tongue,’ which temporarily dulls the ability to taste vape flavours due to prolonged exposure. If this is the case, it can go on for several days.

Auto-Firing

The inhale activation function that everyone loves about open pod vape kits and starter kits can also be a problem if you’ve somehow damaged the battery.

While this doesn’t really have much to do with the pods themselves, it’s an issue that many pod vapes, and vape kits in general, suffer from.

Sometimes, your vape kit might start firing by itself without being activated, or you may notice a burnt smell coming from the vape device.

In such cases, remove the pod and inspect the battery, as residue may have accumulated. Clean any residue from the battery to resolve the issue.

E-Liquid Spitting

Nobody wants their pod kit to spit hot vape juice. If this is happening, you might be making a common mistake.

One frequent cause is over-priming your coil.

While you might think applying more e-liquid is necessary, only a couple of drops on the wick is necessary. After that, just insert the coil and let it soak for a bit.

Another potential issue is overfilling your pod kit, which can lead to problems, including spitting.

To avoid this, follow the rule of thumb: never fill your pod beyond 80% of its capacity.

Safe Usage & Disposal

It’s essential that we’re responsible for our vaping hardware.

While e-cigarettes are a highly-effective alternative to traditional cigarettes, they can have quite big impact on the environment if not disposed of properly.

Moreover, it’s crucial to ensure that these vaping devices don’t fall into the wrong hands, as they can be harmful if used by someone unsuitable for vaping. Inappropriately handled, these tools can pose toxic risks.

Battery Safety

You’ll sometimes find that pods can overheat the battery in your device.

You should avoid using your vape when it feels too hot to prevent any further overheating.

For added safety, you can remove your pod and allow it to cool down before vaping again.

To prevent your battery from overcharging, avoid leaving your device plugged in and unattended for long periods.

Always use a quality charger and follow the manufacturer’s recommended charging times to prevent overheating and potential damage to the pod.

Transport & Storage

When storing or carrying around your vape kits and pods, make sure your device is switched off and properly secured to stop it leaking or getting damaged.

Store your vape kits, spare pods and coils in a protective case or pouch, and try not to carry them loose in your pocket or bag — as they get damaged by other items and possibly leak.

Additionally, you should store e-liquids away from children or animals, as they can be harmful if not ingested properly.

Make sure that they’re stored in a cool, dark and dry place with no exposure to sunlight, which can degrade the quality of the plastic over time.

Disposal

Before disposing of your pod, you’ll want to make sure that it’s empty of any e-liquid.

Since vape pods are made of plastic, it’s important that you recycle them according to your local recycling regulations — avoid throwing them in your regular recycling.

Some manufacturers and vape shops offer recycling programs specifically for pods, so check whether local retailers accept used pods for recycling.

If no recycling option is available, wrap the empty pod in a paper or plastic bag and dispose of it in your general rubbish.

Ensure it’s properly sealed to avoid any potential leaks.

Summary

Vape pods may seem overwhelming to beginners, but they’re simpler than they might seem.

While there’s a wide variety available, they all serve the same purpose: housing the key components that power your vape.

Prefilled pod kits (closed system pod vapes) are an excellent next step for beginners transitioning from disposable vapes, while refillable pods with changeable coils (open system kits) offer a great way to expand your knowledge and progress in your vaping journey.

If you need any further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our friendly support team are experts on all things vaping.

So, whether you’re unsure of which pod vapes suit your vaping style, what nicotine strength to start out with, or if your pod is leaking and you don’t know why — we’re ready to assist with any questions you may have.