If your vape feels underwhelming, let’s sort it out.
You’ve taken a puff, expecting that satisfying throat hit or bold flavour burst, and instead… meh.
Barely any vapour, no kick, and you're left wondering what's gone wrong.
Sound familiar?
Weak hits are a common complaint — especially if you’ve recently changed kits, coils, or even the weather’s shifted. The good news? It’s usually an easy fix. Let’s walk through what could be going on and how to get your vape back to full strength.
🧪 1. Your Coil Might Be on Its Way Out
This is the most common cause of weak hits. Coils wear out over time — especially if you’re a regular vaper or using sweet, coil-gunking e-liquids.
Signs your coil needs replacing:
- Flavour is dull or off
- Vapour production is low
- You’re needing longer drags to feel satisfied
- It’s been more than a week (especially for nic salts or MTL kits)
I always notice it first with my rhubarb custard juice — that creamy hit just isn’t there anymore when the coil’s past its prime.
Fix:
Swap in a fresh coil or pod. You’ll likely notice the difference within two puffs.
🔋 2. Low Battery = Low Power
When your battery runs low, so does your device’s performance. Most vape kits reduce output as the battery drains — especially if you're using a smaller pod system.
Clues:
- Vapour feels weak
- Draw takes longer
- LED light or screen shows low battery
- You’ve not charged it since last night…
Fix:
Give it a proper charge — and see if performance improves. If it does, you’ve found the culprit.
💧 3. Wrong Wattage or Power Setting
If you’re using a device with adjustable power, it’s possible your wattage is set too low for your coil.
Look for:
- A cool, underwhelming vape
- Coil struggling to produce much vapour
- You’ve changed coils recently and forgot to adjust
Fix:
Check the coil’s recommended wattage range (often printed on the side) and bump your settings into that range.
One customer came in thinking her juice was faulty — we popped her device up from 6W to 12W and boom, full flavour again.
🌬️ 4. Your Airflow Is Too Open
Open airflow means cooler, airier hits — which some love, but it can also dilute the vape if you’re not getting enough warmth or resistance.
Signs:
- The vape feels “empty”
- You’re not getting the throat hit you’re used to
- You’ve recently adjusted airflow or switched devices
Fix:
Try tightening your airflow to create a more concentrated draw. You might be surprised how much this improves the hit.
🧪 5. Your Nicotine Strength Might Be Too Low
Especially if you’re transitioning from smoking or have just switched from disposables — 5mg won’t cut it if you’re used to 20mg.
Look out for:
- Craving more frequent hits
- Still feeling unsatisfied after a session
- You’ve recently changed juice brands or strengths
Fix:
Try stepping up your nic salt strength:
- 5mg = for light users
- 10mg = moderate smokers
- 20mg = ideal if you were on 20+ cigs a day or using strong disposables
We had a customer who loved the flavour of a 5mg liquid, but said it felt “pointless.” He moved to the 10mg version and said it was the best thing he’d done.
🥶 6. Cold Weather Blues
Here in the UK, our lovely weather can actually impact vape performance. In colder temperatures:
- E-liquid thickens
- Batteries lose charge faster
- Vapour production drops
Fix:
- Keep your device warm in your coat or inside pocket
- Don’t leave it in the car overnight
- Warm it up in your hands before taking your first puff
🧼 7. Gunked-Up Contacts or Dirty Pod Connectors
If your pod or tank isn’t making proper contact with the battery, it might be firing inconsistently or not delivering full power.
Look for:
- Residue around connectors
- Loose-fitting pod or tank
- Device feels unresponsive or glitchy
Fix:
- Wipe the contacts on both pod and device with a dry cotton bud or tissue
- Make sure everything clicks into place properly
✅ Quick Checklist to Get Back on Track
Before you panic or toss that bottle of juice:
- 🔁 Change your coil or pod
- 🔋 Fully charge your device
- ⚡ Check your wattage settings
- 🌬️ Adjust airflow for a tighter draw
- 💪 Try a stronger nic strength
- 🧽 Clean your contacts
- 🧤 Warm up your device in cold weather
Still weak? Come see us — we can usually spot the issue in about 30 seconds.
Final Thoughts from the Counter
Weak hits are frustrating, especially when everything seems like it should be working. But most of the time, it’s something simple — and easily sorted with a fresh coil, a tweak to your settings, or a little maintenance.
And remember: if your vape isn’t giving you what you need, don’t suffer in silence. Pop in, message us, or bring your kit for a quick check. We’ll help you get that satisfying hit back where it belongs — in your lungs, not your imagination.