How to Vape: A Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide 2026
If you have just bought your first vape kit or are thinking about starting, this guide walks you through everything you need to do to get vaping. It covers unboxing and charging your device, filling or inserting a pod, priming, taking your first draw, and the basic maintenance that keeps your kit performing well. Whether you have a prefilled pod kit or a refillable one, the steps below will get you started.
This guide focuses purely on how to use a vape. If you need help choosing which device to buy, see our beginner's guide to vape kits. If you are not sure which vape juice to use, our e-liquids guide covers the different types and how to match them to your device.
Setting up a prefilled pod kit
Prefilled pod kits like the SKE Bar 600 are the simplest devices to get started with. There is no e-liquid to pour and no coil to prime: the pod comes sealed with vape juice and a built-in coil ready to go.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Charge the battery | Connect the USB-C cable to the port on the bottom of the device and plug it into a USB power source. Most prefilled kits charge fully in 30 to 60 minutes. The LED indicator will change colour or turn off when charging is complete. |
| 2. Insert the pod | Remove the pod from its packaging and peel off any protective stickers or rubber stoppers. Slide or click the pod into the top of the battery device until you hear or feel it lock into place. |
| 3. Wait 2 minutes | Even though the pod comes pre-soaked, give the wick a couple of minutes to fully saturate after inserting it. This reduces the chance of a dry hit on your very first draw. |
| 4. Inhale | Most prefilled kits are inhale-activated: just put the mouthpiece to your lips and draw gently. There is no button to press. Take a slow, steady draw of about two seconds and exhale. |
When the flavour starts to fade or you notice less vapour, the pod is running out. Remove it and click in a new one. The battery device is reusable: you only ever replace the pods.
Setting up a refillable pod kit
Refillable pod kits like the Elf Bar ELFX give you more control over your vape juice choice and are cheaper to run over time. Setup takes a few more steps than a prefilled kit, but it is still simple.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Charge the battery | Connect the USB-C cable and charge fully before first use. The ELFX takes roughly an hour to charge its 1,000mAh battery. Check the LED indicator for a full charge signal. |
| 2. Choose your pod | Most refillable kits come with two pods at different resistances. For a tighter, cigarette-like draw, use the higher resistance pod (0.8 ohm). For a slightly airier draw with more vapour, use the lower resistance pod (0.6 ohm). |
| 3. Fill the pod | Lift or unplug the rubber stopper on the side or top of the pod to reveal the fill port. Insert the nozzle of your vape juice bottle and fill to just below the max line. Do not overfill. Replace the stopper firmly. |
| 4. Prime the coil | Insert the filled pod into the device and wait 5 to 10 minutes before vaping. This allows the vape liquid to soak fully into the cotton wick inside the coil. Skipping this step will burn the wick and ruin the pod. |
| 5. Vape | If your kit is inhale-activated, simply draw on the mouthpiece. If it has a fire button, press and hold the button while you inhale. Take slow, gentle draws of two to three seconds. Release the button (if applicable) and exhale. |
For help choosing a vape juice that suits your device, see our PG/VG ratio guide. If you are unsure about nicotine strength, our nicotine strength guide covers the options based on your background.
How to inhale properly
The way you inhale on a vape is different from smoking a cigarette. Getting this right makes a noticeable difference to how satisfying the experience feels.
Most beginner vape kits are designed for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping. This means you draw the vapour into your mouth first, pause for a moment, then inhale it into your lungs. It is the same two-step motion as smoking a cigarette, which is why MTL devices feel familiar to ex-smokers. The key difference is pace: vape draws should be slower and steadier than cigarette puffs. A gentle, two to three second draw gives the coil time to heat the vape juice evenly and produces the best flavour.
Avoid taking short, sharp drags the way you would on a cigarette. Hard, fast pulls can flood the coil with more e-liquid than it can vaporise, which causes gurgling, spitting, or leaking. If you hear a popping or gurgling sound, ease off and draw more gently.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
| Mistake | What happens | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Not priming the coil | The dry cotton wick burns immediately, producing a harsh, burnt taste that cannot be fixed | Always wait 5 to 10 minutes after filling a new pod before taking your first draw |
| Using the wrong vape juice | High-VG e-liquid in a pod kit causes poor wicking, dry hits, and shortened coil life | Use 50/50 or nic salt vape juice in pod kits. Save high-VG for sub-ohm kits |
| Drawing too hard | Floods the coil, causing gurgling, spitting, and e-liquid in the mouthpiece | Take slow, gentle draws of 2 to 3 seconds. Let the coil do the work |
| Chain vaping | The wick dries out between puffs, leading to burnt hits and reduced coil life | Leave 15 to 30 seconds between draws to let the wick re-saturate with vape liquid |
| Overfilling the pod | Vape juice leaks from the fill port or airflow holes | Fill to just below the max line and leave a small air gap at the top |
| Choosing the wrong nicotine strength | Too low and cravings persist; too high and the throat hit is uncomfortably harsh | Ex-smokers typically start at 20mg nic salts and reduce over time. See our nicotine strength guide |
What to expect in your first week
The first few days of vaping can feel different from smoking, and that is normal. Your throat may feel slightly dry as it adjusts to vapour instead of smoke: staying hydrated helps. You might cough occasionally, especially if you are used to the harshness of cigarettes: this usually settles within a few days as your lungs begin to recover.
Flavour can take a day or two to click. If your vape juice tastes muted or slightly odd at first, give it time. Your sense of taste and smell often improve noticeably within the first week of being smoke-free, and flavours will become more vivid as that happens.
Vaping habits are also different from smoking habits. Rather than having a vape in fixed "breaks" the way you might step outside for a cigarette, many vapers take a few shorter draws throughout the day. There is no right or wrong approach: vape as much or as little as you need to keep cravings under control.
Basic vape maintenance
Keeping your device in good condition takes very little effort and makes a real difference to flavour and performance.
Replacing pods and coils: pods with built-in coils typically last one to two weeks with regular use. The clearest sign that a pod needs replacing is a noticeable drop in flavour or a slight burnt taste. Heavily sweetened vape juice tends to reduce pod life faster than lighter flavours. For more detail on coil types and lifespan, see our vape coils guide.
Charging safely: always use the USB-C cable that came with your device or a certified replacement. Charge on a flat, non-flammable surface and avoid leaving the device plugged in overnight. Most modern kits have overcharge protection, but good charging habits extend battery health over the long term.
Refilling: top up your pod before the vape liquid drops below the coil window. Running a pod dry, even briefly, can burn the wick and ruin the pod. When refilling, close the airflow (if your device has an airflow slider) to prevent e-liquid seeping through the air holes.
Cleaning: wipe the mouthpiece and the contact points between the pod and battery with a dry cloth or tissue every few days. If you notice vape juice collecting around the pod slot, clean it out to prevent sticky residue building up. For a deeper clean, see our vape tanks guide.
Where to go next
Once you are comfortable with the basics, these guides cover the next steps in more detail. You do not need to read them all at once: pick whichever is most relevant to where you are in your vaping journey.
| Topic | Guide |
|---|---|
| Choosing your first device | Beginner's guide to vape kits |
| Understanding MTL vs DTL vaping | Mouth-to-lung vaping guide |
| E-liquid types, PG/VG, and ingredients | The ultimate guide to e-liquids |
| What nicotine strength to start with | Nicotine strength guide |
| What nic salts are and how they work | Nic salts guide |
| PG/VG ratios and device pairing | PG/VG ratio guide |
| Switching from disposables to refillables | Switching from disposables guide |
| Coil types, priming, and replacement | Vape coils guide |
| Shortfills, nic shots, and mixing | Shortfills and nic shots guide |
Browse our full range of vape kits to find a device, or explore our vape juice collection to pick a flavour.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up a vape for the first time?
Charge the battery fully using the included USB-C cable. If you have a prefilled pod kit, insert the pod and wait two minutes before inhaling. If you have a refillable kit, fill the pod with vape juice, insert it, and wait 5 to 10 minutes for the coil to prime before your first draw.
How do you inhale a vape properly?
Most beginner kits use a mouth-to-lung draw: pull vapour into your mouth slowly over two to three seconds, pause briefly, then inhale into your lungs. Avoid short, hard drags as these can flood the coil and cause gurgling. For a deeper explanation of inhale styles, see our MTL vaping guide.
How long should I wait after filling a pod before vaping?
Wait 5 to 10 minutes for a refillable pod so the cotton wick fully absorbs the e-liquid. For a prefilled pod, 2 minutes is enough since the coil is already saturated. Skipping this step burns the wick and produces a harsh, unpleasant taste.
Why does my vape taste burnt?
A burnt taste almost always means the cotton wick inside the coil has dried out or been damaged. The most common causes are not priming a new pod, chain vaping without pausing between draws, or running the pod too low on vape liquid. Replace the pod and prime the new one properly before use.
How often should I replace my pod or coil?
Most pods with built-in coils last one to two weeks with regular use. Replace when you notice flavour dropping off or a slightly burnt taste. Sweet and dessert-flavoured vape juice tends to shorten coil life compared to fruit or menthol flavours. For more detail, see our vape coils guide.
What vape juice should a beginner use?
A 50/50 PG/VG nicotine salt e-liquid at 10mg or 20mg is the most common starting point for ex-smokers using a pod kit. Nic salts feel smoother than freebase nicotine at higher strengths and deliver a fast, satisfying nicotine hit. For a full breakdown, see our nicotine strength guide.
Can I vape without nicotine?
Yes. Many e-liquids are available in 0mg (nicotine-free) versions, including shortfills and some nic salt ranges. Shortfill vape juice comes in larger bottles at 0mg and is designed for use with higher-power devices. For more on shortfills, see our shortfills guide.
Is it normal to cough when you first start vaping?
Yes, mild coughing in the first few days is common, particularly for people switching from smoking. Your throat is adjusting to vapour rather than smoke. This usually settles within a few days. If it persists, try a lower nicotine strength or a smoother nic salt e-liquid, and take slower, gentler draws.