The Ultimate Guide to Vape Pods
There is a huge array of vape pods on the market. Our ultimate guide will break down exactly what they are, how to use them, and more.
What are Vape Pods?
If you don’t already know what the reservoir at the top of your pod system does, you will soon. Coming in all shapes and sizes, vape pods hold both your E-Liquid and your coil; they are the lifeblood of your vape.
Usually made of sturdy plastic for durability and convenience, vape pods can be either refillable, allowing you to fill and refill with a vape juice of your choosing (an open pod system), or pre-filled, offering the utmost functionality and ease of use (a closed pod system).
What are the different types of Vape Pods?
Ah, an age old question for vapers. Refillable pods or prefilled pods?
It’s good to keep in mind that most pod vape kits will only be compatible with one type of pod or a small range, so make sure you are ready for the maintenance side of things if you go down the refillable pod route.
Would you prefer ease-of-use and lack of maintenance, or do you want to be enriched by the thousands of different flavour options on the vape juice market? Are you an on the go vaper, or a sit down and relax kind?
It all comes down to how much work you want to do with your vape kit, and what kind of experience you want.
Refillable Pods
Refillable or open pods are used in refillable pod kits, allowing you to fill and refill the pod with an E-Liquid of your choosing.
These are the cheaper choice, and they open a whole world of E-Liquid options, but they require you to keep track of how much E-Liquid you have left. In addition, you’ll have to refill the pod every so often.
Prefilled Pods
Closed pods, also known as prefilled vape pods, come already filled with nicotine salt E-Liquid, so you’ll never have to buy E-Liquid or remember to refill.
They’re only compatible with specific closed pod kits, and you’ll have a more limited range of flavour options depending on which vape kit you choose. They’re also more expensive overall.
What are the different types of Coils in a Vape Pod?
Pods either have a built-in coil or they use changeable coils.
Built-in coils mean that work is low and proficiency is high, since all you have to do is simply discard the entire pod when the coil degrades. Pods that use changeable coils are more customisable, and they produce less waste overall, since you can keep reusing them!
Once again, your choice of coil should come down to the type of vaper you are.
Built-In Coils
As breezy as the clouds they exhibit. With these, the coil inside the pod is integrated, meaning it cannot be removed.
When your vape begins to taste burnt or lose its flavour, instead of changing the coil, simply discard the whole pod and replace it with a new one.
Built-in coils make maintenance incredibly simple, but they’re not as eco-friendly, since you’ll have to throw away the plastic.
However, for new vapers who don’t know the ins and outs of pod systems, they’re much easier to use.
Another downside to these pods is that their coils generally don’t last as long. Vape pods with built-in coils tend to last about a week before they need to be replaced, which can be costlier in the long run, despite its ease of use at the time.
Replaceable Coils
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a handyman, you should opt for a pod vape with changeable coils.
They’re better for the planet, since you’re not throwing away plastic every time you need a coil change, and they also tend to last a bit longer than their built-in counterpart.
Once the vape tastes burnt or loses flavour, it’s only the coil you need to replace, rather than the whole pod. It’s actually easier than it sounds too.
Most pod vapes use press-fit coils, which are really easy to install—simply slide the new coil into place until it’s fitted.
Changeable coils will last you about 1 to 2 weeks before they need to be replaced, though time isn’t a great measurement when it comes to lifespan. Check out our coil life guide to learn more.
Anatomy of a Vape Pod Cartridge
E-Liquid
Your E-Liquid is your vape juice. It’s the soul of the vape, made from vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavourings and nicotine.
Mouthpiece
The plastic head of your vape pod. Inhale through it, and release the vapour that was once your precious E-Liquid.
Coil
Perhaps the most integral part of every vape kit. Also known as a coil head or atomiser, your coil is a small metal piece inside your vape pod which conducts electricity from the battery to heat the E-Liquid around it and produce vapour. They are usually made from wire and mesh.
Wick
Inside the coil is an absorbent wick, which draws E-Liquid in from the pod ready to be vaporised. Look closely at a coil: you can see small holes lining the circumference with bits of cotton inside—these are the wicking holes. Wicks are usually made from cotton or ceramic.
How To Use A Vape Pod
Installing Prefilled Pods
Although pre-filled pods are famed for their ease of use, some people have had trouble with them.
The majority of pre-filled vape pods often have a base that needs to be pushed in prior to use. Many people have simply inserted their pod into their device without knowing this, and have ended up with a burnt coil.
The coil needs to soak in the E-Liquid before being vaped, and the act of pushing the base upwards does this. After 30 seconds of sitting, the pre-filled pod is then ready to be inserted into its device to be vaped.
Some pre-filled pods don’t have this mechanism, so check the instructions to make sure.
Filling Refillable Pods
Refilling a pod kit can be a little handsy, but it’s still a relatively simple concept.
Refillable pods have a fill port, located either under the mouthpiece, on the side, or on the bottom of the pod.
Take off the mouthpiece to access the filling port at the top, or lift a tab on either the side or the bottom of the pod.
You can now squeeze in your chosen E-Liquid.
Each pod has a 2ml capacity meaning you can get about five full refills from a 10ml bottle of E-Liquid.
Priming Coils
Every pod kit, no matter whether you’re using built in coils or replaceable ones, has a coil that needs to be primed before use. With built in coils, luckily all that’s required is letting it sit for 30 seconds in its E-Liquid.
If you have chosen a pod kit with a replaceable coil, you’ll need to manually prime your coil before use. You’ll only need to do this once for every new coil.
First, identify the wicking holes around the circumference. Place a drop of vape juice on each of these holes and allow the wick to soak it up. A single coil should only need a few drops of E-Liquid.
Next, place a drop down the middle of the coil to saturate the wick inside. Not all replacement coils have an exposed centre, so this step is optional.
Slide in your vape coil and fill up your pod. From here, you should allow the new coil to sit in the E-Liquid for about 5 minutes to allow the wick to fully saturate. Your coil should now be primed, and your device is ready to use.
Peruse through our vape coil guide for more information on everything coil related.
What type of E- Liquid should be used in a Vape Pod?
Different vape pods are compatible with different E-Liquids. Checking the product description of the vape pods should tell you what E-Liquids are available for your pods.
Nowadays, vape pods tend to be for Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping, whereas vape tanks are used by Direct-to-Lung (DTL) vapers. Basically, the type of E-Liquids you should be using in vape pods are high PG E-Liquids such as nic salts, or a freebase 50/50 vape juice.
For DTL or sub-ohm vape pods, high VG E-Liquids such as shortfills are better.
There are vape pods out there which may be compatible with both MTL and DTL replaceable coils. Again, check the product descriptions to see what E-Liquid you should be buying.
For a better understanding of MTL and DTL vaping, we have a guide which will help you determine your vaping style.
How to Maintain a Vape Pod
Cleaning a Vape Pod
The inside of a vape pod should be cleaned with a dry or damp kitchen roll once a week. Don’t worry about visible condensation, it happens. Your vape isn’t leaking.
Also, wipe down the exterior of your vape pod and device with a soft, dry cloth to remove any dust, dirt, or e-liquid residue. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the finish.
Another good practice would be to inspect the connections between the pod and the device. Use a cotton swab or a small brush to gently clean the contacts to ensure a secure connection and optimal performance.
Avoiding Dry Hits
You’ve been there before. A dry, flavourless hit that slams into the back of your throat like a truck.
Basically, keep an eye on the E-Liquid level in your vape pod and refill it before it runs dry. Vaping with insufficient E-Liquid not only can cause dry hits but it could potentially damage the coil.
Furthermore, ensure the wicking material in your coil is properly saturated with E-Liquid to prevent dry hits. Avoid excessive, over the top chain vaping too, as this may not allow enough time for the wick to resaturate between puffs.
Extending Vape Pod Life
Overfilling can be a vape pod killer. Refill your pod cartridge with E-Liquid up to the recommended maximum fill line to prevent flooding and leaking as this can put pressure on the coil and lead to performance issues.
Also, if you’ve bulk bought pods, store them properly. Unused vape pods should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Exposure to heat and light can degrade E-Liquid quality and shorten the lifespan of your pod.
How are Vape Pods different from Tanks?
Vape tanks are the big brothers that previously ruled the roost, before the inception of vape pods, but have flown the nest. Although, both essentially do the same thing.
Vape tanks are glass reservoirs that sit atop a vape mod, holding the coil and the E-Liquid.
They usually have a number of removable parts and can be disassembled for maintenance. While highly customisable for advanced vapers, tanks aren’t the best option for beginners because they have so many parts. Plus, the glass is breakable.
Vape pods provide a hassle-free alternative to tanks due to their sturdy plastic construction and single-piece design. While both tanks and pods may offer refillable options, pods generally require significantly less upkeep and cleaning.
How long will a Vape Pod last?
This will depend on the type of pod you have, although a good general rule is to replace your pod or coil when it starts to taste burnt or begins to lose its rich flavour.
If your pod uses changeable coils, it should last a long time. You should only need to replace it if it becomes cracked, leaky, or no longer holds its coil securely in place.
If your pod has a built-in coil, the length of time it will last will vary based on your vaping style frequency of use.
Yet most of all, it will depend on how sweet an E-Liquid you choose to vape. The sweeter the E-Liquids, the faster your coil will degrade. This is because sweeteners will caramelise around the coil as it heats up over time, eventually causing that nasty burnt taste.
Generally speaking, coils can last anywhere between 1 and 2 weeks, though for pods with built-in coils, this may be shorter.
Common Problems with Vape Pods
Vaping pod kits isn’t always as easy as it looks. There are some issues that can pop up from time to time, but most of the time, there’s an easy fix available. Remember, the more you learn about your device, the more often you’ll be able to troubleshoot these problems with good sense.
Leaking
Leaky pods should be wiped by a dry cloth and left to cool.
Vape pods tend to leak most often when they have been refilled with too much E-Liquid. Why?
Well, many vape pods need to be refilled from the side, and this can visually distort the E-Liquid level, especially when combined with the angular mouthpiece. From certain angles, the pod can look full; from certain angles, half full.
Also, many vape pods don’t have a maximum level marker, which can leave people confused about how much E-Liquid to put in.
Some tips to fix this issue would be to leave an air bubble visible when refilling your E-Liquid; so only fill to around 80% capacity.
In some cases, this may not be the reason why your vape pod is leaking. Check your using the correct E-Liquid or coil for your vape pod. Alternatively, check if the replacement coil has been installed properly.
Weak Flavour
There could be a myriad of reasons as to why your vape has lost flavour.
The most likely reason is that your E-Liquid has run out, so needs to be replaced. Fairly simple. But it’s not always that.
For refillable pods, examine your pod to see if it’s clean, especially around the vital coil. Every time you fill your pod vape, residue from the liquid can build up in various areas, including along the coil.
This can result in your device not heating the E-Liquid to the right temperature, and so the flavours aren’t released.
Also, almost all vapers experience a sensation known as vapers tongue, which prohibits their ability to taste vape flavour through prolonged exposure to different flavours. It could be this, in which case, it could last several days.
Auto-Firing
The auto-inhale function we all know and love can also work against us should the battery be damaged.
Although not really an issue with the vape pods themselves, its generally pod kits that tend to suffer from this problem.
Sometimes, the vape may start firing on its own, without any activation, or a burnt smell may emanate from the device.
In this case, remove the pod and inspect the battery; some residue may have built up there. Clean the residue from the battery.
We have an excellent how-to guide in fixing auto firing issues.
Spitting
No-one wants recoil from their own vape. If your vape is occasionally firing hot liquid into your mouth, you could be making a common mistake.
Over-priming your coil is a common cause of spitting. As much as you feel you should be putting more than a few droplets on to your wick, its honestly not necessary. Only a drop or two is needed, then install the coil and let it sit for a while.
Overfilling vape pods can be a disaster all round, so its unsurprising that it can your vape to spit too. Keep to our rule of thumb: never fill your pod above 80% of its total capacity.
If spitting is a persistent problem for you, its best to check our guide to solve leaking and spitting issues.
Safety and Disposal
Making sure we are responsible for our equipment is an absolute must. Vaping may be a highly successful form of nicotine replacement therapy, but between vape pods, E Liquid bottles, disposables and more, it sure can create a lot of hassle for the environment if not correctly disposed of.
Furthermore, the last thing we want would be for someone unsuitable to vape to have access to these pieces of equipment. In the wrong hands, these tools have the potential to be toxic.
Battery Safety
Occasionally vape pods can overheat the battery of the device. The vape mustn’t be used when it’s hot. For an extra level of precaution, the vape pod can be removed until cool.
Avoid overcharging your batteries by not leaving your vape pod device charging unattended for extended periods. Use a good charger and follow manufacturer recommendations for charging times to prevent battery overheating and potential damage to the pod.
Transport and Storage
When storing or transporting your vape pods and their devices, ensure it is turned off and properly secured to prevent leaks or damage during transit.
Use a protective case or pouch to store your device, spare pods, and coils, while avoid carrying them loose in pockets or bags where they could get damaged by other items and potentially leak.
Furthermore, E-Liquids should be sealed away from the vicinity of children or animals, as they can be toxic if improperly ingested. Store in a cool dark place away from sun, as sunlight exposure can degrade the quality of the E-Liquid.
Disposal
As vape pods are plastic, make sure to recycle them according to the local recycling regulations. The same goes for any replaceable coils or E-Liquid bottles.
Summary
Vape pods aren’t as daunting to a beginner as they may sound. There’s a huge range of them, yes, but in action they all do the same; they house the essential sources to give your vape life.
Pre-filled pods (closed system kits) are a perfect step up from disposables for beginners, while refillable pods with changeable coils (open system kits) are a great learning tool to further your knowledge and customise your vaping experience.
For extra help in choosing the correct vape pods, or pod system for you, contact our help centre.
