Common Vaping Mistakes to Avoid
Dec 19, 2025
Vaping Mistakes
When you are new to vaping, there seems to be a million unspoken rules, which if you don't follow can land you in a bit of confusion. We are here to help, explaining the common mistakes vaping beginners(and some non-beginners) tend to make, and how to rectify them.
Mistake #1: Ignoring nicotine strength
When trying to quit smoking, it is important to choose the right nicotine strength for you. If you choose too low a strength you may experience nicotine withdrawal and cravings, making you far likelier to go back to cigarettes. Eventually, you can lower the amount of nicotine in your vape, eventually reaching 0 nicotine.
Mistake #2: Using the wrong e-liquid for your vape device
Some vapers assume they can use any e-liquid with any device and end up accidentally damaging their vape. For starter/ pod kits you should use a balanced 50/50 PG/VG ratio, whereas for more advanced sub ohm kits you will need a high VG e-liquid, around 70VG/30PG. Lower VG ratios will not work as well for sub-ohms as the liquid will be too thin, causing the coil to not wick effectively. For a deep dive into the world of e-liquids visit our e-liquids page today.
Mistake #3: Forgetting to replace the coil
If your vape includes a refillable tank, you must remember to do a few upkeep tasks. Changing the coil is one of the most important upkeep tasks for a smoothly functioning vape. Coils have fairly short lifespans, lasting only a week or two. More frequent vapers may find they need to replace their coil more every few days. Not changing the coil can lead to it burning, producing an unpleasant taste when vaping, as well as potential e-liquid leakage.
Signs you may need to replace your coil include:
- A bubbling sound
- Dry hits
- Leaking e-liquid
- Less flavourful
- An unpleasant burnt taste
Some high-tech kits may offer a feature that will tell you when your coil needs to be replaced.
Mistake #4 :Not priming your coil
For your coil to work to its full potential, it should be primed in e-liquid before use. To do this, install the coil when the tank is slightly less than completely full. After installing the coil take short, slow puffs at 2 minute intervals, in order to fully saturate the wick.
Mistake #5 :Not cleaning your tank regularly
A dirty tank can lead to an unpleasant taste, it is important to ensure you clean your vape tank at least once a week, sometimes more if you vape very frequently. It is important to take the tank apart and clean each individual bit.
Mistake #6: Puffing too hard
Smokers who are new to vaping may be inclined to take hard puffs to try and produce more vapour. However, with vapes this just runs the risk of getting e-liquid in your mouth. Instead take long draws to produce higher amounts of vapour.
Mistake #7: Running out of e-liquid
It is a great idea to plan ahead by having a steady supply of e-liquid at home. It can be very annoying to suddenly run out of e-liquid, and may even set you back on your smoke-free journey.
Mistake #8: storing your vape in your pocket
Although a lot of vapes fit comfortably in your pocket, it is not the best idea to keep them there. In a pocket it is easy to accidentally activate the buttons, causing an overheated or leaking tank. It is sensible to instead store your vape in a small bag, keeping any spare batteries in a separate bag.
Mistake #9: Overfilling your tank
Overfilling a tank can lead to e-liquid leakage and a flooded coil. When refilling your e-liquid it is best to leave a small air gap at the top of the tank.

Mistake #10: Underfilling your tank
It is also possible to underfill a vape tank, which can also lead to leaks and a burnt coil. Most vapes have a refill line which serves as a handy measure for how much e-liquid you should be adding.
Mistake #11: only using very sweet e-liquids
It is good for your tank to switch up your e-liquid flavour from time to time. Very sweet flavours can clog up tanks more than their less sweet counterparts. That's not to say you can`t still enjoy sweet flavours, just switch them up sometimes to optimise the health of your tank.
Mistake #12: Not experimenting with different airflows
Customise your vaping experience by experimenting with different kinds of airflow, changing airflow may alter temperature, cloud density, and flavour intensity, so it's worth playing around with your settings.
Mistake #13: Chain-vaping
Former chain smokers may also be tempted to chain vape; that is taking hits of a vape in quick succession. This method is less effective when it comes to vaping as it may cause your e-liquid to run out faster, and may overheat your coil giving you a dry throat hit.
Mistake #14: Doing no research before making your own e-liquid
Some vapers enjoy making their own e-liquid by combining different flavours and adding nicotine shots to 0 nicotine shortfill e-liquids. Doing this without lots of research prior may result in a poor quality, unvapeable liquid.
Mistake #15: Not drinking enough water
It is also important to stay hydrated when vaping, as propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) (key ingredients in E-liquid)can cause dry mouth as they absorb moisture from your mouth.
We hope we've helped you understand how to avoid making these common mistakes. Now go forth and vape!
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