How to refill a vape pod: remove the pod, open the fill port, and drip e-liquid down the inside wall until it reaches the max line. Close the port firmly, wipe off any spills and wait a minute before vaping. Never fill down the central tube. That is the airflow, and liquid in there is what causes most leaks and gurgling.
Find your fill port
Pods fill in one of two ways. Side-fill pods have a small rubber bung on the side or front. Top-fill pods open from the top, either with a sliding lid or by pulling the mouthpiece off. Check the pod before you start; forcing the wrong part open can split the seal.
Step by step
- Take the pod off the device. Filling it attached risks liquid reaching the battery contacts.
- Hold the pod upright and open the fill port.
- Put the bottle nozzle against the inside wall, not over the centre tube, and squeeze gently.
- Fill to the max line. Leave a little air at the top so the port can close cleanly.
- Close the port firmly and wipe the outside dry with a tissue.
- Wait a minute before vaping, or five to ten if it is a new pod, so the wick can soak.
With a brand-new pod, fill it and leave it standing before the first puff. Our guide to priming a coil explains why.
How full should a pod be?
Up to the max line, no further. Overfilling leaves no air gap, and the pressure can push liquid through the coil and into the airflow. Running it too low is the opposite problem: once the level drops below the wick holes, the cotton dries and the next puff tastes burnt. Refill when you can still see liquid covering the wick holes.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Leaking after a refill | Liquid down the centre tube, or overfilled | Empty the airflow onto a tissue; fill only to the line |
| Gurgling | Flooded coil | Remove the pod, blow gently through the mouthpiece into a tissue |
| Burnt first puff | Wick not soaked | Wait longer after filling |
| Fill port will not seal | Liquid on the bung, or a worn seal | Wipe it dry; replace the pod if it keeps opening |
How many refills from a 10ml bottle?
UK rules cap refillable pods and tanks at 2ml, so a 10ml bottle of nic salt fills a 2ml pod about five times. How long that lasts in days depends on how much you vape; our guide to how long a 10ml nic salt lasts works through it.
Which e-liquid to use
Pod kits are built for nic salts, which are usually 50/50 PG to VG and wick well in small coils. Thick, high-VG liquids can struggle in a pod. If you are choosing a bottle, compare flavours in our flavour guide or start with a range review such as Bar Juice 5000.
Opening the bottle
UK nicotine e-liquid has to come in child-resistant, tamper-evident packaging, so the first opening can be fiddly. Most caps work by pushing down firmly while you turn. The nozzle is usually a fine tip that fits most fill ports; if your pod has a very small port, squeeze slowly so it does not overflow.
Refilling on the go
- Carry the bottle upright in a small zip bag in case of a leak.
- Refill sitting down with the pod on a flat surface, not in your hand while walking.
- Keep a tissue handy to wipe the port before you close it.
- Never leave bottles where children or pets can reach them.
Switching flavours
A pod's cotton holds on to the last flavour. If you go from a menthol to a fruit flavour in the same pod, the first few fills may taste of both. For a clean switch, finish the pod, then fit a new one for the new flavour. Many vapers keep one pod per favourite flavour for exactly this reason. Our flavour guide groups the ranges by flavour family if you are choosing what to try next.
When to replace the pod instead
A pod with a built-in coil only lasts so many refills. When the flavour stays muted after a fresh fill, or the first puffs taste scorched even though the pod is full, the coil is done and refilling will not help. Swap to a new pod and prime it. Keeping one spare means you are never stuck with a tired pod.
Keep it clean
Wipe the pod and the device contacts now and then. A little condensation in the mouthpiece is normal; shake it out or dab it with a folded tissue. Store bottles capped, upright and out of reach of children and pets.
Questions readers ask
How do I refill my vape pod?
Open the fill port, drip e-liquid down the inside wall to the max line, close it, wipe it dry and wait a minute before vaping.
Why does my pod leak after refilling?
Usually liquid went down the central airflow tube, or the pod was overfilled. Fill against the wall, only to the line.
How long should I wait after refilling a pod?
About a minute for a pod you are already using, five to ten minutes for a brand-new one.
Can you refill a disposable vape?
Single-use vapes are banned from sale in the UK and are not designed to be refilled. Use a refillable pod kit instead.
How many times can you refill a pod?
It depends on the coil. When the flavour fades or turns burnt after refilling, it is time for a new pod.