How to Fill and Prime a Refillable Pod

Almost every “my new device tastes burnt” complaint traces back to one skipped step. Here is how to fill and prime a pod properly, whichever Airscream device you own.

Filling the pod

1. Take the pod out of the device. On every current Airscream device it pulls straight up — it is held by magnets, not clips.
2. Open the fill plug on the side of the pod.
3. Fill slowly, at an angle, letting air escape as liquid goes in. Stop just below the max line.
4. Seal the plug flush. A plug that is not fully seated is the most common cause of leaking.

Do not fill to the very top. The pod needs an air gap to regulate pressure. Overfilling is what produces gurgling and liquid in the mouthpiece.

Priming — the step that matters

A new coil is bone dry. Vaping it dry burns the wick in seconds, permanently, and no amount of liquid afterwards will fix the taste.

After filling, stand the pod upright for 5 to 10 minutes so the wick soaks. That is the whole technique. If you are impatient, take two or three draws with the device switched off (or without inhaling hard) to pull liquid into the wick first.

This one step is behind almost every "my brand-new device tastes burnt" message we receive. If it has already happened, fixing a burnt taste covers what can and cannot be salvaged.

Why pods leak

• Overfilled — no air gap left.
• Fill plug not seated — press until flush.
• Stored on its side — liquid works into the airway. Store upright.
• Heat or altitude — pressure pushes liquid through the coil. Not a fault; wipe it and carry on.
• Very hard draws — these flood the coil. Draw gently and steadily.

Making a coil last

• Never let the level drop below the coil window. Running dry is what kills coils, not time.
• Rest it between long sessions so the wick can re-saturate.
• Avoid very sweet liquids if you want maximum coil life — sweeteners caramelise on the coil.
• Expect one to two weeks of regular use. That is normal wear, not a defect.

Replacements: Pro II / Pro LITE refillable pods, coils, or the AirsPops XL refillable pod.

Nicotine is addictive and for adults only. These products are intended for adults of legal purchase age who already use nicotine. Not for sale to persons under 18.