How to Prime a New Vape Coil — Avoid Dry Hits Every Time

A dry hit on a brand new coil is one of the worst experiences in vaping — burnt, harsh, and unpleasant. It’s also completely avoidable. Priming your coil before firing it takes less than five minutes and will significantly extend how long the coil lasts and how good your flavour is from the first puff.

What does “priming a coil” mean?

The cotton inside your coil needs to be fully saturated with e-liquid before you fire it. If you fire a dry or partially-dry coil, the heat scorches the cotton — and once burned, it stays burned. Priming means giving the cotton enough time and e-liquid to absorb fully before the first hit.

How to prime a coil — step by step

For pod systems (like the Vaporesso XROS, Bewolk Smart, OXVA Xlim):

1. Fill the pod. Add your e-liquid and fill to the marked line.
2. Wait 5–10 minutes. Leave the filled pod sitting upright. This gives the cotton inside the coil time to absorb the juice through the wicking holes. Don’t skip this step.
3. Take a few primer puffs without firing. Cover the airflow (or just draw without pressing the button if it’s a draw-activated pod). This pulls liquid into the coil without generating heat.
4. Start at low wattage. If your device is adjustable, start at the lowest setting and take a few short puffs before working up to your usual wattage.
5. Your first 10 puffs should be shorter than usual. Avoid long chain-vaping sessions on a brand new coil. Give it time to settle.

For coils with exposed cotton ports (like sub-ohm or RDL coils):

1. Before installing the coil, add 2–3 drops of e-liquid directly to the cotton wicking holes on the side of the coil.
2. Add another small drop directly into the centre of the coil (through the top).
3. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes before filling your tank.
4. Fill the tank and wait another 5 minutes.
5. Start at a low wattage for the first 10–15 puffs.

Signs you didn’t prime correctly

If you notice a slightly burnt or off taste on the first few puffs, your cotton wasn’t fully saturated. Stop vaping and wait another 5 minutes. If the burnt taste persists through extended use, the coil may already be damaged. Replace it and start fresh with the priming steps above.

Does the Vaporesso XROS 6 Smart Prime help?

Yes. The XROS 6 has a 60-second Smart Prime countdown that automatically activates when a new pod is detected. It delays the first firing until the timer completes, giving the coil time to absorb liquid before you hit it. It’s a useful safety net, but you should still wait 5 minutes after filling before using Smart Prime as your only preparation.

How long should a primed coil last?

A properly primed coil in a pod system typically lasts 7–14 days of regular use. Chain-vaping, high wattage, and very sweet e-liquids will reduce this. Priming correctly will get you close to the maximum lifespan every time.

Replacement pods and coils for all major devices are in stock at kremvape.co.za.

For adult use only (18+).