A Step By Step Guide To Prime And Break In A New Coil

One of the essential aspects of vaping that new users need to get right from day one is how to prime a vape coil properly. Failure to prime a coil correctly could lead to the frying of the coil when you take the first draw. Also, it could ruin the entire coil, which you’ll have to replace at an extra cost. You can imagine the cash that will go to waste if you have to replace your coil every time you take your first vape. 

Even if you bought your products from a vape tank clearance, you could save yourself a lot of trouble, time, and money if you learn to prime your new vape coil properly. It will extend the lifespan of your vape and ensure that you enjoy your vaping sessions. Although it’s not every vape coil that requires priming, having this know-how in your toolkit will take you a long way in your vaping journey. 

First, you need to understand what a vape coil is and identify the ones that need priming. This post also answers vital questions like: 

• What are the benefits of priming your coil?
• Where do you find the best vape tank clearance deals?
• The best places to purchase durable vape tanks at affordable prices?
• How long do vape coils last?

Let’s dive right in.

What is a Vape Coil?

A vape coil is a device with a cylindrical shape that contains the wick and atomizer wire as one piece. The atomizer coil is metallic. It is usually made from Kanthal. However, some manufacturers use metals such as mesh or stainless steel to produce temperature control vaping. You can liken the metal coil to a coil spring. 

Generally, vape devices operate by passing an electric current through the coil, which heats it. This causes the coil to brighten with an orange glow like a cooking stove. The intense heat vaporizes the e-liquid and produces vapor. However, if you have a dry wick, heat from the vape coil will burn the cotton wick instead of the e-juice, giving a burnt taste when you vape. 

The common wick material is cotton. But other materials like bamboo can also serve the same purpose. Due to the proximity of the wick and vape coil, you must saturate the wick with juice before heating the coil. This explains why it’s essential to know the steps required in priming vape coils properly. 

How Long do Vape Coils Last?

Several factors affect the lifespan of a vape coil. From the specifics of your vape setup to the type of e-liquid you're using, you must understand that every situation is different. Some of the factors to consider include: 

• The type of tank you use
• The quality of your coil
• The wattage/voltage that you vape
• The frequency of use
• The type of flavor being used 

On average, decently manufactured coils such as Aspire vape coils could last between four to one week, depending on the rate at which you vape. But the coil can last twice as long if you vape less than the average user. 

There are two main types of vape coils, namely: 

• MTL vape coils - 1.0 ohms resistance
• Sub-ohm vape coils - less than 1.0 ohms resistance

You have to prime both types of coils, although the methods differ slightly. 

Steps to Priming MTL Vape Coils

The atomizer resistance of MTL vape coils is above 1.0 ohms. In case you’re wondering, the meaning of MTL is mouth to lung, implying that you’ll draw the vapor into your mouth and hold for a few seconds before inhaling. Also, MTL is the most common among smokers. Understanding the steps involved in priming MTL vape coils is straightforward. You don’t need to complete any extra efforts. Instead, all you need is patience. 

The typical MTL vape coil is smaller than sub-ohm vape coils. If you’re using smaller diameter coils like Aspire vape coils, you don’t need to prime the actual coil with e-juice. Instead of dropping your e-liquid on the coil, simply fill the tank and allow it to saturate for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then you can begin enjoying your vape. 

Here are the necessary steps in the correct order:

• Put a new vape coil into the bottom of the tank. 
• Gently pour the tank with e-juice until you fill it.
• Carefully assemble the tank.
• Leave the coil to rest for 5 to 10 minutes so the wick can get fully saturated.
• Take your first vape, making sure everything else is properly in place. 

Now, let’s look at the steps involved in priming Sub-ohm vape coils. 

How to Prime Sub Ohm Vape Coils

If you’re using a sub-ohm coil, then your atomizer resistance is less than 1.0 ohms. The lower the atomizer resistance, the more power your vape will pull from the battery. As a result, your vape will produce considerably more vapor, which most vapers find to be excellent. However, you must remember the old saying that “with more power comes more responsibility.” Therefore, it’s always your responsibility to ensure your sub-ohm coil is well-primed before use to avoid burnout. 

The entire process is simple and shouldn’t take you much time. But the best part about priming is that it’s worth the effort. To get started, you must first insert your sub-ohm coil into the tank’s base. The highest quality and durable vape tanks found at Kurevapes, such as Horizon Falcon 2 and Smok Tech TFV9, are designed for precision and enable you to insert coil with ease. 

After securing the coil firmly in place, drop some vape juice via the top opening of the coil onto the cotton material directly. Don’t forget to place a few drops of your e-liquid into the juice ports located near the coil. Now, you can assemble the tank and fill it with juice. Then wait for no less than 10 minutes before the first vape. 

The Steps:

• Carefully thread the new coil into place at the tank’s base. 
• Drop some e-juice directly into the coil’s top and onto the cotton wick. 
• Add a few drops of your juice to the cotton that is visible through the juice ports.
• Assemble your tank.
• Pour vape juice into the tank to fill. 
• Let it sit for about 10 minutes so the wick can properly saturate the e-liquid. 
• Take your first vape. 

Remember, the 10 minutes waiting time is an essential part of the priming process. You’ll find some coils suggesting five minutes in their user manuals. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend nothing less than 10 minutes to be safe since this guarantees your coil is fully prime for the first vape. 

How to Properly Break a New Coil 

Having prepared your coil, you can now focus on how to break in your new vape coil. No worries, it’s easier than it sounds and should take you a matter of minutes to understand. The best analogy for breaking in a new coil is how you would warm up a car before driving it on a cold winter morning. It’s the same concept that’s behind the idea of breaking in a new coil. 

Below is the correct way of breaking your vape coils in gradually to extend their lifespan: 

1. Before you begin vaping, regulate the wattage to the lowest recommended setting.
2. Gradually take a few short vapes to begin breaking in your coil slowly. 
3. Increase your wattage by 5. 
4. Take three normal vapes.
5. Then add another 5 watts to the power.
6. Repeat the slow increment in wattage up to the actual power setting you desire. 

Many benefits come with priming a vape coil and breaking it in. Continue reading to learn how priming and breaking in helps you use the coil for longer, get the full value from your device, and ensures your experience the best vaping sessions. 

Benefits of Properly Priming Your Vape Coil

1. Prevents Burnt Hits

The primary reason to properly prime your vape coil is to prevent burnt or dry hits. Whenever you leave an atomizer without use for an extended period, the wicking material dries up completely. Since the coil and wick are in contact, the wick burns up when you heat the coil. However, pre-saturating the wick prevents this from happening. 

2. Improves the Coil’s Lifespan

There’s a significant difference in the lifespan of primed atomizer coils and coils that haven’t been primed properly. Generally, the former lasts longer than the latter. The only reason being that you’ve adequately broken in the material within the coil. 

3. Boosts Flavor Intensity

Another vital benefit you will enjoy after priming your coil is a noticeably more intense and robust flavor from your vape juice. By taking the time to pre-saturated your cotton and coil, the first and subsequent vapes provide a richer level of flavor. 

Conclusion

Good vapers never stop learning about their tanks and mods. This step-by-step guide is meant to help lay the groundwork to start you on track. As you gather more experience, your confidence and comfort with vaping devices and accessories will increase. You’ll also understand how the different components of the e-cigarettes work better and get better value for your money.

And it all begins with knowing the vape tank, choosing the right ones, and learning the steps required to expertly prime and break in your coils for improved vaping experience and extended coil life. Remember, all you need to do is follow the steps, and you should be fine.