Beginners Guide

You may also like to read our FAQ

Starters Guide to Vaping

Thankyou for choosing Vape Hound to begin your journey into the world of Vaping. Below you will find a guide that we hope will help you with the most common queries, however you are always welcome to pop in with any questions you may have.

What are Coils & when to change them

Depending on the kit or tank that you have purchased, coils may be integrated into your re-fillable pod or tank, or can be changed by taking them out and inserting a new one. In either case, we shall refer to them as "coils":

Coils are the element in your device that create the vapour and partly determine the amount of vapor created. The coil is constructed of a metal heating element surrounded by cotton which absorbs your e-liquid – when the coil is heated the surrounding cotton evaporates the e-liquid creating vapour.

Coils do need to be changed regularly – anywhere between a few days typically up to a maximum of 2 weeks depending on use and the type of e-liquid. In terms of liquids, this could be up to 2 - 3 bottles of 10ml Nic Salts in a Mouth To Lung device or 1 - 2 bottles of 100ml Shortfills in a Sub-Ohm device. Pure menthol e-liquids are the kindest on your coils whereas dessert flavours will deteriorate your coil faster.

Typically, the indicator to change your coil is when the flavour deteriorates or you note a burnt taste. However, some coils hold the flavour well even when they have deteriorated and need to be changed. The indicator for this could be less vapour output, a slight gurgling noise or a wet vape sensation.

A deteriorated coil can also cause leaking in any pod or tank (see more on leaking below).

Each coil has it’s own power rating. Coils typically have an Ohm Ω rating of between 1.8 – 0.15, the higher being the lowest vapour output and most restrictive, the lower being the highest vapour output.

Typically an Ohm rating of 1.8 – 0.9 is suited for a MTL (Mouth to Lung) vape experience whereas an Ohm rating lower than 0.4 can offer a DTL (Direct to Lung) experience. In the crossover around 0.8 - 0.5 Ohm this is referred to as RDL (Restricted Direct Lung).

If your device has power setting controls, it is recommended to set the power to within the recommended range of your specific coil. Going too low or too high above the recommended setting can reduce your coil life and possibly cause leaking.

e-Liquids

Nicotine
By TPD law, e-Liquids containing nicotine are only available in a maximum size of 10ml and with a nicotine content of no higher than 20mg.

We offer e-Liquids in 3mg, 6mg, 10mg and 20mg levels. Typically we recommend between 3mg to 10mg to a new user looking to quit smoking, 3mg being for a very occasional smoker and 10mg for a more frequent smoker. 20mg is a good option for those looking to switch from disposable vapes as typically they contain 20mg e-Liquid, and it will help make the change-over an easier process.

Zero nicotine e-Liquids are available in larger sizes, typically in 50ml or 100ml. Each bottle has enough space to add your own separate nicotine to give an overall nicotine level of around 3mg. We do not recommend adding additional nicotine to make the overall content higher than 3mg as this will dilute the flavour of your e-liquid.

The general rule of getting a 3mg content is to add 1 x 10ml 18mg nicotine shot per 50ml of e-liquid.

Nicotine is addictive – we do not recommend using nicotine if you are a non smoker.

Density
10ml e-Liquids typically have a 50/50 density which is ideal for devices using a low powered coil below the 25W range. Above this, or with heavy use or a hot environment, you may find this liquid thins and causes leaking.

e-Liquids larger than 10ml, better known as Shortfills which are typically 50ml or 100ml, most often have a 70/30 or 80/20 density which is thicker. These liquids at either a zero or 3mg nicotine level (when nicotine has been added) are better suited to a higher powered device running above 30W. Below this, the thicker liquid may clog your coil deteriorating your experience or even cause leaking.

Quality
E-Liquid quality is important – not only for the experience and amount of flavour you receive but also for prolonged coil life. “Cheap” e-Liquids will typically deteriorate you coil faster.

Good Habits for Device & Battery Care

Device
  • New pod or coil? Wait 5-10 minutes after filling with e-Liquid before using to avoid burning the cotton.
  • Close your pod or tank immediately after filling to maintain the vacuum and avoid leaking.
  • Change the pod or coil when needed to avoid leaking from cotton deterioration.
  • Not using your kit often? Remove the pod or tank from your device to avoid leaking from cotton over-saturation.
  • Keep your device dry and if you notice any liquid or condensation build-up dry immediately with a tissue.
  • Don’t use Android/Apple or similar super fast chargers to charge your device.
  • Don’t force your charging cable into the port – take your time to align it correctly.
  • Take your time when replacing screw thread type coils to avoid cross-threading and do not overly tighten.
  • If using a traditional tank with a screw thread connector do not overtighten it onto you battery mod – the connector pin will deteriorate faster.
Batteries
Devices with an integrated battery:
  • Avoid leaving your device in extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold.
  • Avoid leaving your device charging when you are not present or asleep.
  • Be cautious if you have dropped your device or it has received any other damage.
Devices with external battery/ies:
  • Avoid leaving your device / batteries in extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold.
  • Use an external charger to charge your batteries if possible as they have more safety protections.
  • If charging via a cable, avoid leaving your device charging when you are not present or asleep.
  • Do not use batteries in poor condition, for example with any dents, a deteriorated battery wrap, or any other visible damage.
  • Replace old batteries when necessary – you will notice they take longer to charge and drain faster.
  • Never transport loose batteries in your pocket or bag etc – always use a cover to avoid possible contact with other objects.

Common Issues

Leaking

If your vape is leaking remove the pod or tank immediately from the device and try to dry all of the components with a tissue, then follow the troubleshooting guide below. A leaking pod or tank can damage your device and e-liquid damage is not covered under our returns policy or the manufacturer’s warranty.

The most common reasons your vape is leaking:
  • The coil has deteriorated and needs to be replaced.
  • Loss of vacuum - close your pod or tank immediately after filling and make sure all components of your pod or tank are in good condition and correctly installed.
  • If you have not used your device for a day or longer the e-liquid may have oversaturated the installed coil.
  • The power on your device is set too high or too low for your installed coil.
  • The e-liquid you are using is not the right density for the type of coil you are using.
  • The e-liquid in your device has thinned due to extreme heat, for example sitting for a long time in the sun or in other hot environments.
  • The coil has not been installed correctly.
  • A deteriorated tank seal.
Charging
The most common reasons your vape isn’t charging:
  • A poor connection with the charging cable or faulty charging cable.
  • A deteriorated charging port – take care when inserting the charging cable to prevent this.
  • Dirt build up in the charging port.
  • The device has been damaged or liquid has seeped into the device.
Turning on but not vaping
The most common reasons your vape won’t vape:
  • Low battery protection
  • Faulty coil detected
  • Liquid or dirt build up around the connector pins
  • Deteriorated connector pin
Not turning on
The most common reasons your vape won’t turn on:
  • Low battery
  • Old battery
  • Damaged battery
  • If using external batteries check they are inserted the correct way looking at the positive and negative markers
  • The device has been damaged or liquid has seeped into the device

This guide has been created in good faith with the aim of assisting you with the most common queries and issues but is by no means a fully comprehensive guide and any issues you may suffer may not be related. We take no responsibility for any actions you take yourself.