How to Fill and Prime a Refillable Pod Kit (Step by Step)

Filling a refillable pod takes about a minute once you know how. Getting it right also stops the two most common problems: a burnt taste and leaks. These steps work for most pod kits, including the Vaporesso XROS, OXVA XLIM, Geekvape Sonder Q2 and Voopoo Argus.

Step 1: Find the fill port

Pods are either top fill, where you lift the mouthpiece or a rubber flap on top, or side fill, where there is a rubber bung on the side of the pod. Some ranges come in both, like the Geekvape Q top fill and side fill pods.

Step 2: Fill slowly, and not to the top

Hold the pod at a slight angle and squeeze the bottle gently, aiming the nozzle at the side wall rather than straight down the middle. The middle is the air tube, and liquid going down it causes leaks. Stop just below the max line to leave a little air space.

Step 3: Close it and wait

Close the fill port firmly. With a new pod, wait five to ten minutes before vaping. This lets the cotton inside the coil soak through. Vaping on dry cotton burns it, and once a coil tastes burnt it will not recover.

Step 4: Take a few gentle puffs

Start with a few short, gentle puffs. If your kit has adjustable power, start low and work up.

How to avoid leaks

• Do not overfill: leave the small air gap.
• Keep the fill port closed tightly.
• Do not leave the kit somewhere hot, such as a car dashboard.
• If you see liquid in the pod’s base, wipe it with a tissue before it reaches the battery contacts.

When to change the pod

Most pods last one to two weeks. Change yours when the flavour fades, it tastes burnt, or it starts leaking. Sweeter liquids wear pods out faster. Find yours in Replacement Pods, or read How to Choose the Right Replacement Pod.

What should you fill it with?

For small pod kits, nic salts are the usual choice. Not sure? Read Nic Salts vs Freebase E-Liquid.

Related guides

• What Is a Pod Kit? Pre-Filled vs Refillable Pod Kits Explained
• Vaporesso Luxe Pods Guide: Luxe X COREX 2.0 vs Luxe Q Pods
• Best Shortfills UK: Top E-Liquid Ranges, VG/PG Ratios and How to Mix

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