You've just purchased an electronic cigarette and are trying to learn the right way to use it? Indeed, it's not always easy at first. It takes time to get used to this new medium and understand all of your device's features.
One of the most important techniques to master is how to fill up your electronic cigarette. This technique differs from one kit to another. The tank that holds your e-liquid isn't necessarily designed in the same way, and its refill well isn't accessed in the same way either.
Arômes et Liquides tells you everything you need to know to master the refill of your e-cigarette tanks!
The basics of how an electronic cigarette works
Would a recap of how an electronic cigarette works help you start out on the right foot, particularly before refilling your device? No problem, here we go!
In short, an e-cig is comprised of a battery, a tank and a coil. The battery's power output heats up the coil, which in turn heats up the e-liquid contained in the tank. This then produces a certain amount of vapour, which rises through a chimney and a mouthpiece (known as a drip tip) so that you can inhale it. The beautiful clouds of vapour are then yours to enjoy!
In regards to filling your tank, it's important to remember that you cannot put any old liquid inside it. You must use a specific type of liquid that's purposely made for electronic cigarettes, called an e-liquid. Adding water, oil or any other ingredient can seriously deteriorate your equipment and harm your health.
Choosing your e-liquid
As a vaper, there's a crucial step you have to make before you fill up your electronic cigarette, that is, choosing your own e-liquid!
Finding a flavour that you enjoy vaping throughout the day is a key moment in any vaper's life. Whether you prefer fruit, pastry, drink, menthol or tobacco-inspired flavours, a whole world of tastes is available to you! It's up to you to choose your favourite one, but one thing's for certain: once you try out vaping, you won't be missing your old tobacco cigarette flavour! That's what makes vaping so great. You quit smoking and you can discover loads of flavours!
For a successful tobacco withdrawal however, you must find the right nicotine level for your e-liquid.
Then, it's up to you to decide if you want to buy a ready-made e-liquid or make your own, using a flavour concentrate and some base liquid. The latter is referred to as 'DIYing' among the vaping community, or simply 'DIY'.
Finally, the last thing to consider when choosing an e-liquid is its PG/VG ratio (Propylene Glycol / Vegetable Glycerin). Indeed, this ratio determines whether you get more flavour or more vapour out of your e-liquid, as well as its viscosity. An e-liquid with more PG will be more fluid and may cause leaks. Conversely, an e-liquid with more VG will be more viscous, but may damage your e-cigarette's coils if they're not suited for it.
Make sure to check your coil's recommended power range to know what type of e-liquid to use. If in doubt, you can opt for an e-liquid with a 50/50 PG/VG ratio, as it's compatible with the vast majority of coils!
When can you fill up your tank?
You might be wondering when to fill your electronic cigarette, and it's perfectly normal! It's a rather simple task, but there are a few rules that shouldn't be neglected.
First, you should keep in mind that not all atomizers and clearomizers consume e-liquid in the same way or at the same speed. The coil plays a huge part in this consumption. Indeed, the lower its resistive value (ohmage), the more power your battery must use to heat it properly. Thus, your coil uses more energy and vapourises your e-liquid at a faster rate.
Of course, this e-liquid consumption also varies depending on the tank's capacity, your vaping frequency and the type of inhale you opt for. If you want to find out more, you can calculate your e-liquid consumption.
We recommend you fill up your tank before it's completely empty. It's easy to check how much e-liquid you have left by looking through your tank's glass. When there's about 10% left, it's time for a refill! You need to leave a minimum amount of juice in your tank to ensure that the coil's cotton fibre is soaked at all times.
If your tank is insufficiently filled, you risk causing a dry hit. This well-known phenomenon among vapers occurs when the coil's fibre isn't fed with enough liquid. The result is an unpleasant burnt taste, and you'll have to then replace your coil with a new one, so be careful!
How do you fill an e-cigarette?
If an electronic cigarette is always filled through its clearomizer, the latter can have several shapes and aperture sytems. Let's take a look at some of them.
If you examine a clearomizer, you can see it's made up of two main components, the tank and the coil. Depending on which type of clearomizer you use, it can either be filled from the top, from beneath, and sometimes even from the side. Note that electronic cigarette devices are generally designed to be as simple to use as possible.
Top fill
A top-fill clearomizer is both simple and fast to refill! This system is the most widely used on clearomizers today.
In most cases, they have a refill system on their top cap. This is the upper part of the tank where the drip tip is. Depending on your clearomizer model, you either unscrew the top cap and remove it entirely, or slide it outwards to reveal the refill well.
This method has many advantages. It's the easiest and quickest way to fill up your tank. It's much cleaner as well, as you don't risk spilling any e-liquid or overflowing your tank anymore! This system greatly reduces the risk of leakages, and its easy access makes the refill process much simpler.
However, you must be careful not to let any e-liquid spill into the clearomizer's chimney. Also, make sure you fully close the airflow ring to seal off the air intakes, and thus prevent any potential leaks.
Bottom fill
Bottom fill clearomizers are rarer, but they still exist. The most famous range to use such a system is Aspire's Nautilus clearomizers!
In order to fill your tank, you must unscrew the clearomizer from the battery first. You can then unscrew the drip tip if you want to be able to put your device down on a flat surface. Then, you must unscrew the clearomizer's base. This component is the one that holds the coil and connects to the battery.
Finally, you can access the tank itself. Be careful not to pour any e-liquid into the chimney in the middle. Of course, do not pour the e-liquid any higher than the chimney's height.
When all this is done, simply reassemble everything together and screw the clearomizer back onto the battery, and you're good to go! Enjoy your vaping!
Side fill
Have you heard of side-filling tanks? They are rare, but they do exist! This type of clearomizer works in pretty much the same way as a top-fill device. In general, you have to remove the top cap to access the refill aperture on the side.
The recommendations are the same as for a top fill device. Remember to close your airflow ring if it's placed below, in order to avoid any leaks. This type of filling system is not very practical though, but it is quite rare.
What if your electronic cigarette doesn't have a clearomizer?
Your electronic cigarette might not have a clearomizer in the usual sense but a cartridge instead. How are they refilled?
Indeed, some e-cigarettes, known as pods, are all in one piece and have a built-in battery. It is therefore impossible to detach the tank from the battery. In this case, there's a refill hatch on top of your cartridge, allowing for an easy access to the device's tank!
If this isn't the case, you may own an e-cigarette with an interchangeable tank. Here, you must remove the cartridge in order to fill it, before putting it back inside the pod. This allows you to swap the tank and enjoy whatever flavours you want, whenever you want!
Tips and tricks for avoiding leaks and other annoyances
Filling a tank is an essential step for every vaper! It can be tricky, however, no matter how experienced you are. That's why we give you a few tips so you can prevent leaks and other mishaps that could occur when filling.
E-cigarette leaks can happen and they're always unpleasant! Be aware that in most cases, these leaks are due to the user improperly handling his device.
Firstly, make sure to pour your e-liquid along the tank's inner side when you're filling up. Do not overfill and do not pour any e-liquid inside the chimney. If you do, you could end up with e-liquid droplets in your mouth when vaping.
An e-liquid overflow could also damage your electronic cigarette as a whole, including its electronic parts and batteries.
It often happens that we change a coil just before refilling our tank. If that's the case for you, you'll have to prime your new coil. 'Priming' a coil is a crucial step if you want to achieve the best flavour rendition and vapour when vaping, and avoid any dry hits in the process. To prevent this burnt taste from occurring, simply soak the coil's cotton with e-liquid and let it sit for a few minutes inside a full tank before using it.
Helpful tools for filling your tank
Depending on which type of electronic cigarette you own, filling it can be more or less difficult.
Indeed, a tank's aperture can sometimes be small or hard to access. There are a few tools that can help you out with the filling process, however. You can use a pipette or a syringe, for example, which will help you transfer your e-liquid from the bottle to the tank. They're more precise, so you can say goodbye to difficult refills and e-liquid spills!
Moreover, if your pipette or syringe are graduated, you can be even more precise and accurately dose your e-liquids!
Thanks to all these tips, tricks and tools, you'll become the king of vaping!
Find out more about how to use your electronic cigarette
- How to clean your electronic cigarette in just a few steps!
- Why does an electronic cigarette blink?
- Why does your e-cigarette make you cough?
- Finding the right vaping frequency for your needs