While there's plenty of discussion about building coils for your vaporizer, wicks often get overlooked. They may not be as complex as coils, but they play an important role in your vaporizer's performance. Learning proper wicking techniques can significantly enhance your vaping experience.

This guide will take you step-by-step through the process of wicking a coil to achieve the best possible vaping experience.

First, you'll need your vaporizer with your RBA or RDA. Ensure your coils are installed on the build deck before wicking to avoid bending them. You'll need your wicking material and a pair of scissors to trim it to size. A tiny screwdriver or a pair of tweezers can help you adjust the wick once it's through the coil. Finally, have your e-liquid of choice ready.

Today there are half a dozen or so different wicking materials in use. Each one has its own pros and cons. Here's a quick overview of your options for wicking:

• Organic Cotton: Inexpensive and accessible in cotton ball or rope form. Avoid bleached or chemically treated cotton to prevent chemicals from leaching into your vapor. Boil it for 15 minutes and let it dry to ensure cleanliness.
• Silica: Popular for pre-built atomizers, silica wicks don't overheat with dry hits, reducing the risk of combustion.
• Rayon Fiber: A synthetic material that mimics organic cotton without the cotton flavor. It's inexpensive and widely available.
• Ekowool: An advanced wicking material that is a tightly braided, hollow rope, changing how it absorbs liquid and allows air to flow.
• Koh Gen Do: Japanese cotton pads that are chemical-free and easy to use, making wicking simpler.

For the purposes of this tutorial we will use organic cotton as our example. Since cotton is one of the most popular wicks, and other wick types tend to mimic the look and feel of cotton, this is a good place to begin.

1. Prepare the Cotton: Stretch a cotton ball into a rope-like shape several inches long. Roll it between your fingers to compact the fibers, ensuring it fits through the coils without slipping out or pulling them out of shape.
2. Thread the Wick: Tightly roll one end of the cotton into a point to thread it through the coil. The wick should be snug without damaging the coil's shape.
3. Trim the Ends: Leave about a half-inch of wick sticking out on either side of the coil. Use scissors to trim the fibers down to size.
4. Tuck the Ends: Tuck the ends of the wick under the coil, creating a way for the wick to absorb juice sitting in the well. Use a screwdriver or tweezers to avoid damaging the coil.
5. Create an Air Tunnel: Ensure there's a small air gap beneath your coils by pushing the wick ends to either side. This allows air to flow around the coils, enhancing flavor and preventing airflow obstruction.
6. Saturate the Wick: Add a few drops of e-liquid to your wick, ensuring it is well-saturated inside the coil and at the base. Test fire your device to check for immediate vapor production. If everything checks out, reassemble your RDA or RBA and start vaping.

For multi-coil configurations, repeat this process for each coil in your build.

There are certainly other techniques to help you with wicking. If you purchase wicks such as Ekowool or stainless steel in a rigid mesh form, wrap your coil around the mesh during the build instead of building the coil separately. This eliminates one step and makes it easy to get your wick perfect every time.

If you opt for Japanese cotton sheets, there are various ways to roll the cotton to form a perfect cylinder. First, remove the outer layer of the cotton sheet; it is tightly knit and won't let liquid or air pass through until you rough it up a bit. However, the fibers remain fairly loose, and you can simply take a 2-inch long and half-inch wide piece and roll it into a cylinder that can be inserted directly into your coil. This gives you the performance advantage that you would enjoy with Ekowool or stainless steel, thanks to the airflow they provide.

Now that you’ve mastered wicking your own vape, it’s time to discuss maintenance. Each wicking material has its own lifespan, so you need to pay attention to your wicks to know when it's time to replace them. Cotton, for example, can become grimy and foul-tasting if left in your vape for too long.

Failing to change wicks can also leave nasty residue on your coils, requiring cleaning or replacement. The best practice is to check your wicks often and replace them when they start to discolor.

You will also begin to taste the burnt flavor of old liquid residue, indicating that it’s time for a new wick. Fortunately, re-wicking your vape should become second nature, and you will be able to complete the process in just minutes.

If you're ready to start experimenting with wicking your own coils and creating exciting new vapor builds, check out Smok’s G-Priv 4 Vape Kit today! You'll get all kinds of goodies that are perfect for wrapping your first coils and rolling your first wicks at a price you'll love!