Common Vaping Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid
Jessica Tyson
28/04/2025 • 5 min read
Starting your vaping journey is exciting, but many new users make avoidable mistakes that can lead to a frustrating experience.
From burning coils too quickly to using the wrong nicotine strength, these issues can put beginners off vaping altogether.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the most common vaping mistakes beginners make, and how to avoid them to ensure a smooth and enjoyable transition.
1. Using the Wrong Nicotine Strength
✔ One of the biggest beginner errors is choosing too much or too little nicotine.
✔ Too strong = headaches, dizziness. Too weak = cravings and relapse to smoking.
Suggested Nicotine Strengths:
| Smoking Habit | Nicotine Strength |
|---|---|
| Light smoker (1–5/day) | 3mg – 6mg |
| Moderate smoker (6–15/day) | 10mg – 12mg |
| Heavy smoker (15+/day) | 18mg – 20mg (nic salts) |
Recommended Nic Salts:
Bar Juice 5000 Nic Salts
- Cool and strong with tighter airflow
Elf Bar Elfliq Nic Salts
- Refreshing and smooth
2. Not Priming Coils Before Use
✔ New coils must be primed (soaked in e-liquid) before use.
✔ Failing to prime causes a burnt taste instantly, ruining the coil.
How to Prime Your Coil:
- Drip e-liquid onto the cotton parts of the coil.
- Fill the tank and wait 5–10 minutes.
- Take a few draws without pressing the fire button.
Top Coils at FREESMO:
Vaporesso XROS Series Coils
- Elegantly simple-to-use family of refillable fixed-coil pods
Voopoo PnP Coils
- Versatile resistance range and easy push-fit installation
3. Using the Wrong E-Liquid for Your Device
✔ Beginners often pair high-VG liquids with low-power pod kits, causing leaks or poor performance.
✔ Always match PG/VG ratio to your device.
Use This Rule:
- MTL (Pod kits): 50/50s like freebase liquids or nic salts
- DTL (Sub-ohm kits): 70VG/30PG
Example Pairings:
Buy Vaporesso XROS 3 Mini
Buy Bar Juice 5000 Nic Salt E-liquid
Buy Geekvape Aegis Legend 3 Vape Kit
Buy Big Bold Short Fills E-liquid
4. Chain Vaping (Too Many Puffs Too Quickly)
✔ New users often take puff after puff which doesn’t allow the coil to re-soak.
✔ This leads to dry hits and burnt coils.
⏱ Always leave 10–20 seconds between puffs to allow wicking.
5. Not Charging the Device Properly
✔ Overcharging or using the wrong cable can damage your battery.
✔ Always use the included charger or a manufacturer-approved USB-C cable.
6. Buying the Wrong Device for Your Needs
✔ A beginner shouldn't start with a complex sub-ohm mod.
✔ Likewise, a heavy smoker may need more than a basic disposable or low-power pod kit.
Best Starter Devices:
Buy Geekvape Sonder Q Pod Vape Kit
Buy Aspire Gotek X Pod Kit
Conclusion
✔ Use the right nicotine strength
✔ Prime your coils
✔ Match e-liquid to your device
✔ Take care of your battery
✔ Use beginner-friendly kits
Explore FREESMO’s full collection of coils, kits, and e-liquids to make your first steps into vaping successful and enjoyable.
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