Vape Guide

New to vaping, or just want to get more out of the setup you already have? This is the complete Pirate Vapes guide, and it's built to take you from your very first pod kit through to sub-ohm tanks, coil resistance, battery safety, and rebuildables. Whatever stage you're at, there's a section here for you.

 

Everything below applies to adults aged 18 and over. Nicotine is an addictive substance.

 

How to use this guide. If you're just starting, read Parts 1 to 5 in order, and you'll have everything you need. If you already vape and want to go further, skip to Part 8. If something's gone wrong with your device, Part 7 is the troubleshooting section. There's a plain-English Vaping Glossary too, for any term you don't recognise.

Part 1: The basics

What is vaping, and how does a vape work?

 

Vaping means using a battery-powered device to heat a liquid, called e-liquid, into a vapour that you breathe in and out. There's no burning involved, so there's no smoke and no ash. That's the whole idea in one sentence.

 

Inside, the process is simple. The battery sends power to a coil. The coil is wrapped in a wicking material that soaks up e-liquid. When you draw on the device (or press the button), the coil heats the soaked wick, the liquid turns to vapour, and you inhale it. Let go, and it stops. Everything else in vaping is a variation on that loop.

 

The parts of a vape

 

Whatever the device, it's made from the same handful of parts:

 

• Battery or mod. The power source and controls. On simple devices this is built in and charged over USB-C. On larger ones it's a "mod" with a screen and settings, sometimes taking removable batteries.

• Tank or pod. The part that holds your e-liquid. Pods clip into pod kits; tanks screw onto mods.

• Coil. The heating element that turns liquid into vapour. It's a consumable part and wears out with use.

• Wick. The material (usually cotton) inside or around the coil that draws e-liquid to it.

• Airflow. The opening that controls how much air is pulled through as you inhale. More air gives a looser, airier draw; less air gives a tighter one.

• Mouthpiece or drip tip. The bit you draw from.

Types of vape device

 

Since single-use disposables were banned across the UK in June 2025, every device sold now is rechargeable, refillable, or both. Here's the range, roughly from simplest to most advanced.

 

Prefilled pod kits. The easiest devices to live with. You click in a pod that's already filled with e-liquid, vape it, and swap it when it's spent. No filling, no settings. The natural choice if you want big puff counts with none of the faff.

 

Refillable pod kits. Compact devices with empty pods you fill with your own e-liquid. Cheaper to run than prefilled, and open to hundreds more flavours. For most people this is the everyday sweet spot.

 

Pod mods. A step up from a basic pod kit, with mod-style features like adjustable power, while keeping the pod format. A good bridge if you want more control without going fully sub-ohm.

 

Vape pens. Pen-shaped kits with a refillable tank and a built-in battery. Straightforward, pocketable, and a long-running format.

 

Sub-ohm kits and Box Mods. The powerful end. Bigger batteries, adjustable wattage, and low-resistance coils in a tank, for large clouds and warm, full flavour. These reward a bit of experience.

 

Mech mods. Unregulated devices with no chipset or safety features, firing the battery directly. For experienced users only, and never a place to start.

 

At Pirate Vapes, our full Vape Kits collection is organised across these types so you can see them side by side.

 

Which device should a beginner choose?

 

Keep it simple. A prefilled or refillable pod kit gives you a tighter, cigarette-style draw that most people find easy to get on with, with nothing to set up or adjust. Start there, learn what you like, and move up later if you want to. Chasing clouds, gadgets, and settings can wait until you've got the basics down.

 

Part 2: Draw styles

 

"Draw style" just means how you inhale. It's one of the first things to understand, because it shapes which device, coil, and e-liquid suit you.

 

Mouth to lung (MTL)

 

You draw the vapour into your mouth first, hold it a moment, then breathe it into your lungs, the way you might sip through a straw. It's a tighter draw with less vapour, and it suits pod kits, higher-resistance coils, and nic salts. Most new vapers start here.

 

Direct to lung (DTL)

 

You draw the vapour straight into your lungs in one breath, like taking a deep breath of air. It's an airier draw with much more vapour, and it suits sub-ohm tanks, low-resistance coils, and high-VG e-liquid at lower nicotine. This is the cloud end of vaping.

 

Restricted direct to lung (RDL)

 

The middle ground, and increasingly popular. The draw is airier than MTL but tighter than full DTL, giving you more vapour without going all the way to big clouds. Plenty of modern kits are built for it.

 

How to choose

 

If you want something familiar and discreet, go MTL. If you want big clouds and full flavour and don't mind using more e-liquid, go DTL. RDL sits nicely between the two. There's no wrong answer, and many people run different setups for different moods.

 

Part 3: E-liquids

 

E-liquid, also called vape juice, is what your device turns into vapour. Getting the right one for your device matters as much as the device itself. Our full Vape Juice range is sorted by type and strength to make matching easier.

 

What's in e-liquid

 

Legitimate UK e-liquid is made from four things:

 

• PG (propylene glycol). A thin base that carries flavour well and gives a sharper throat hit.

• VG (vegetable glycerine). A thicker base that produces more vapour and a smoother draw.

• Flavourings. Food-grade flavourings made and tested for inhalation.

• Nicotine. Optional, from nicotine-free (0mg) up to the UK maximum of 20mg/ml. Nicotine is an addictive substance.

PG/VG ratios

 

The balance of PG to VG changes how a liquid behaves. A 50/50 blend is thinner, with a firmer throat hit, and suits pod kits and MTL. A high-VG blend such as 70/30 is thicker, makes bigger clouds, and suits sub-ohm tanks. Using a thick high-VG liquid in a small MTL coil can starve the wick and cause burnt hits, so match the ratio to your device.

 

Freebase nicotine vs nic salts

 

Both deliver nicotine, but they feel different. Freebase is the traditional form, with a stronger throat hit, common in larger, lower-strength setups. Nic salts are smoother at higher strengths and absorb quickly, which is why they suit small pod kits and a tighter draw. If a high-strength freebase feels harsh in a pod kit, a nic salt of the same strength will feel gentler.

 

Choosing a nicotine strength

 

Strengths run 0mg, 3mg, 6mg, 10mg, 12mg, and 20mg (the UK cap is 20mg/ml). A higher number means more nicotine and a stronger throat hit. As a rough guide, smaller pod kits pair with higher-strength nic salts, while bigger sub-ohm setups use lower-strength, higher-VG liquid, because they deliver far more vapour per puff. If a strength feels too strong or too weak, adjust up or down next time. You can always start lower and raise it.

 

Shortfills and nic shots

 

A shortfill is a larger bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid, deliberately underfilled to leave room for nicotine. A nic shot is a small 10ml bottle of unflavoured nicotine you add to bring it to strength. For example, one 10ml 18mg nic shot added to a 50ml shortfill makes 3mg. Shortfills are a cost-effective way to buy your favourite flavours in volume, especially for sub-ohm vaping.

 

Flavour categories

 

Flavour is entirely personal. The main families are fruit, menthol and mint, tobacco, dessert and bakery, drinks, and sweets. If you're not sure where to start, fruit and menthol are the most popular first picks. Buying a couple of smaller bottles is a cheap way to find your favourite before committing to a big one.

 

Steeping

 

Some e-liquids, especially shortfills after a nic shot has been added, taste better after sitting for a while, which lets the flavour mature. Give the bottle a shake, leave it somewhere cool and dark for a few days, and shake again before use. Not every liquid needs it, but it can round out richer dessert and tobacco blends.

 

Part 4: Coils, PODs and Resistance

 

What a coil is, and what resistance means

 

The Coil is the heating element that turns e-liquid into vapour. Every coil has a resistance, measured in ohms, which decides how much power it draws and how much vapour it makes. Lower resistance means more power, more vapour, and more warmth. Higher resistance means less vapour and a cooler, tighter draw.

 

• Sub-ohm coils (below 1.0 ohm) are for DTL vaping, sub-ohm tanks, and high-VG liquid.

• Above-ohm coils (1.0 ohm and up) are for MTL vaping, pod kits, and nic salts or 50/50 liquid.

Mesh vs wire coils

 

Older coils use a length of wound wire. Mesh coils use a flat strip of mesh instead, which heats more evenly across a larger surface. The result is usually cleaner flavour and a slightly longer life, which is why most modern kits use mesh. Our Coils collection lists coils by the exact kit and tank they fit.

 

Wattage and coils

 

Every coil has a recommended wattage range, usually printed on the side. Run it too low and the vape is weak; too high and you'll burn the coil and the flavour. Start at the lower end of the range and work up until it tastes right. On a regulated device, the mod handles the power once you set the wattage.

 

Pods

 

On a pod kit, the POD holds your e-liquid and connects to the device. Some pods have the coil built in, so a fresh pod is a fresh coil. Others take separate replaceable coils. The one rule that never changes: pods are specific to their device, so a pod from one kit won't fit another. Our Vape Pods collection lists pods by the device they fit.

 

Priming a coil

 

This is the single most useful habit to learn, because it prevents the harsh, burnt first puff known as a dry hit. When you fit a new coil or pod:

 

1. Fill the tank or pod with e-liquid.

2. Let it stand for five to ten minutes so the wick soaks through completely.

3. On some coils, you can also drip a drop or two of e-liquid directly onto the exposed wicking holes before fitting.

4. Take a few gentle puffs to start, before turning the power up.

 

When and why to change coils

 

Coils are consumable and wear out. Most last one to two weeks, though heavy use and very sweet e-liquids shorten that. You'll know it's time when the flavour goes muted or burnt, the vapour thins out, or the coil starts to gurgle. Changing it is normal maintenance, not a fault. Keeping a spare pack in the drawer means you're never caught out.

 

Part 5: Setting up and using your vape

 

Setting up a new kit

 

Most kits follow the same first steps:

 

1. Charge it. Use a decent USB-C cable and a sensible plug. Don't leave a device charging unattended on bedding or inside a bag.

2. Fit the coil or pod, and prime it. Fill up and let it soak for a few minutes (see priming, above).

3. Fill the tank or pod. Avoid getting e-liquid down the central airflow tube, as that causes gurgling and leaks.

4. Set the airflow tighter and the power lower to begin with. You can open things up once you've found your feet.

5. Take a few gentle puffs, then adjust airflow and power slowly until it feels right.

 

How to fill a pod or tank

 

Open the fill port (most pods and tanks have a rubber bung or a sliding cover), tip the bottle against the side of the fill channel rather than down the middle, and stop before it's completely full to leave a little air. Close it properly, then let it stand so the wick saturates before your first puff.

 

How to vape

 

Vaping isn't quite like smoking. Instead of a short, sharp drag, take a longer, slower, gentler draw. For an MTL device, close your lips around the mouthpiece and draw as if sipping through a straw, then breathe it in. For a DTL device, draw straight into your lungs in one smooth breath. If you catch yourself coughing at first, ease off the power or drop the nicotine strength.

 

Adjusting airflow and wattage

 

These two settings shape your whole experience. Tighter airflow gives a warmer, more concentrated draw and more throat hit; opener airflow gives cooler, bigger clouds. Lower wattage is gentler; higher wattage is warmer and more intense, up to the point where it burns. Change one thing at a time so you can feel what each does.

 

Tips for your first week

 

Keep it simple to begin with. Stick to one device and one or two flavours, run a 50/50 nic salt if you're on a pod kit, keep the power modest, and carry a spare pod or coil. Give a new setup a few days before you judge it. Most early frustration comes down to a coil that wasn't primed or power set too high, both of which are easy fixes.

 

Part 6: Care, maintenance and battery safety

 

A little upkeep keeps a device tasting good and lasting longer.

 

Cleaning your device and tank

 

You won't need to do this often. When you change coils or switch to a very different flavour, rinse the empty tank or pod with warm water, let it dry fully, then refit and refill. Wipe the battery and connection with a dry cloth. Never run water through the battery or the electronics.

 

Battery care (built-in batteries)

 

Charge with a proper cable and plug, and unplug once it's full rather than leaving it on charge for days. Don't let a device sit fully flat for long periods. If a device or cable ever gets unusually hot, smells odd, or the battery swells, stop using it.

 

External battery safety (for mods that take removable cells)

 

This matters, so treat it seriously:

 

• Use the cell type and amp rating your mod specifies. Under-rated cells run hard can be dangerous.

• Never use a battery with torn or damaged wrap. Rewrap or replace it.

• Carry loose batteries in a proper case, never loose in a pocket with keys or coins, which can short them.

• Charge with a dedicated external charger where possible, which is safer and more efficient than charging in the device.

• If you run two cells, keep them "married": bought together, used together, charged together. Don't mix old and new or different brands.

• Don't over-discharge. Recharge before a cell runs completely flat.

 

Storing e-liquid and devices

 

Keep e-liquid bottles sealed, upright, and out of direct sunlight and heat, which preserves the flavour. Store devices somewhere cool and dry, and turn a device off (usually five clicks) when it's in a pocket or bag so it can't fire by accident.

 

Keeping nicotine away from children and pets

 

Nicotine e-liquid can be harmful if swallowed, so store all e-liquids, pods, and devices well out of the reach of children and animals, in their original child-resistant packaging.

 

Part 7: Troubleshooting

 

Most vaping problems have the same few causes. Here's how to fix the common ones.

 

Burnt or harsh taste (a dry hit). The wick isn't wet enough. Stop, top up the e-liquid, let a new coil soak for longer, and lower the power. If it keeps happening on an older coil, the coil is spent, so change it.

 

Leaking. Usually overfilling, e-liquid down the central airflow, a coil that isn't seated properly, or leaving the device in a hot car or pocket. Fill correctly, seat the coil, and close the airflow when carrying it.

 

Gurgling or spitback. Too much e-liquid has pooled in the coil, often from flooding or vaping at too low a power. Give it a few firm blows through the mouthpiece onto a tissue, and turn the power up slightly.

 

Weak flavour or thin vapour. The coil may be near the end of its life, the power may be set too low, or the e-liquid may be the wrong type for the coil. Try a fresh coil, a little more power, or a better-matched liquid.

 

Device won't fire or makes no vapour. Check it's charged and switched on (usually five clicks). Make sure the pod or tank is seated and the coil is making contact. Clean the connection with a dry cloth. If a screen shows "no atomiser" or "check coil", refit or replace the coil.

 

Device won't charge. Try a different cable and plug first, since cables fail often. Clean the charging port gently. If nothing works, the battery may have reached the end of its life.

 

The device fires on its own. Turn it off when it's in a pocket or bag, and check nothing is pressing the fire button. If a button sticks, stop using the device.

 

Nicotine feels too strong or too weak. Adjust the strength next time, or switch between nic salts and freebase. Too much throat hit usually means the strength or PG is too high for your device.

 

If a problem persists after all that, contact us and we'll help you work out what's going on.

 

Part 8: Levelling up (for experienced vapers)

 

Got the basics down and want more? This is where vaping opens up. Some of it involves external batteries and higher power, so read Part 6 on battery safety first.

 

Sub-ohm vaping in depth

 

Sub-ohm means running a coil below 1.0 ohm for bigger clouds and warmer, fuller flavour. It uses more power, more e-liquid, and high-VG liquid at lower nicotine. You'll get the best from it by matching coil, wattage, airflow, and liquid together, rather than pushing any single setting to its limit. Browse Tanks and Mods for sub-ohm setups.

 

Variable wattage and voltage

 

Regulated mods let you set the exact power going to the coil. Wattage mode is the one most people use: pick a number inside the coil's range and fine-tune from there. More watts means more heat, vapour, and e-liquid use, up to the point where flavour starts to cook.

 

Temperature control (TC)

 

TC mode limits how hot the coil is allowed to get, which gives a consistent vape and helps prevent dry hits. It needs a compatible coil, usually nickel, titanium, or stainless steel rather than standard kanthal. It's worth trying if your mod supports it and you want a steadier, more repeatable vape.

 

Understanding resistance and Ohm's law

 

You don't need to be an electrician, but a basic grasp helps you vape safely, especially on mechanical mods. Lower resistance draws more current from the battery. Push resistance too low for a battery's safe current rating and you're asking too much of the cell, which is where the amp rating in Part 6 matters. On a regulated mod the chipset protects you; on a mech mod, nothing does, which is why mech mods are for experienced users only.

 

Rebuildables (RBA, RDA, RTA)

 

At the far end sit rebuildable atomisers, where you build and fit your own coils and wicking rather than buying ready-made ones. An RDA you drip onto directly, an RTA feeds the coil from a tank, and an RBA is a rebuildable deck for a pod or tank. They offer the most control over flavour and vapour and the lowest running cost, at the price of time, know-how, and care. If you're curious, read widely and start slowly. This is a hobby in its own right.

 

Tuning for flavour or clouds

 

Once you're comfortable, you can dial a setup toward either end. For flavour, tighten the airflow a little, keep the power moderate, and pick a flavour-focused coil. For clouds, open the airflow up, raise the power within the coil's range, and run a higher-VG liquid. Small changes, tasted one at a time, get you there.

 

Part 9: Buying and UK law

 

UK vaping rules

 

Vaping in the UK is regulated, which is a good thing: it means what you buy is tested and above board. The key rules:

 

• Nicotine e-liquid is capped at 20mg/ml.

• Nicotine bottles are capped at 10ml, and prefilled pods and tanks at 2ml.

• Every nicotine product must be notified to the MHRA and appear on its Notified Products List before it can be sold.

• Vaping products are for over-18s only, and age is verified at checkout.

 

These come from the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (the UK's version of the TPD). You can read more on our TPD Compliance page.

 

The disposable ban

 

Single-use disposable vapes were banned across the UK on 1 June 2025. Every device sold now is rechargeable, refillable, or both. If you liked how easy disposables were, prefilled pod kits give you the same simplicity in a rechargeable form, and cost less per puff.

 

Vaping Products Duty (from October 2026)

 

A new tax, Vaping Products Duty, applies from 1 October 2026 at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid. Because it's charged by volume, more liquid means more duty, which is worth bearing in mind when you choose between formats. We'll keep our pricing clear as this comes in.

 

Buying genuine products

 

Counterfeit vape hardware and e-liquid do circulate, and they're worth avoiding: fakes can perform poorly and skip the testing genuine products go through. Stick to established brands and authorised UK retailers, be wary of prices that look too good to be true, and use any authenticity code or scratch panel the brand provides. At Pirate Vapes, we only source genuine stock from authorised UK suppliers, and every nicotine product is MHRA-notified.

 

Still got questions?

 

This guide covers the ground, but everyone's setup is different, so if you're unsure about anything, get in touch and we'll point you the right way. For any term you didn't recognise, our Vaping Glossary explains them all in plain English. When you're ready, browse our Vape Kits, Vape Juice, and Vape Pods.

 

Pirate Vape Contact Details

• Legal Company Name: TREAT VERSE LTD (T/A Pirate Vape)
• Company No.: 16935581
• Phone: +44 7733 647231
• Email: support@piratevapes.co.uk
• Address: 10 Parkfield Avenue, Manchester, England, M14 4HL

All products are for adults aged 18 and over. Nicotine is an addictive substance.