No Leaks, No Mess: How to Refill Your Vape Pod

Is your vape leaking after you fill it? You might be doing it wrong. From avoiding airlocks to knowing exactly when to stop pouring, we explain the simple tricks that keep your hands clean and your coil safe. 

Switching to a refillable kit is the best financial decision a vaper can make, but it comes with one new skill to master: the refill. While modern pods are designed to be "leak-proof," they still rely on physics. If you overfill them, close them incorrectly, or trap air inside, gravity will take over, leaving you with sticky hands and a pocket full of e-liquid. 

The good news is that the vast majority of leaks are caused by simple, avoidable user error, which means they are easy to fix. Whether your replacement pods have a snap-top mouthpiece or a rubber bung, this guide covers the correct techniques to ensure every refill is mess-free. 

Key Takeaways

• The 90% Rule: Never fill your pod to the very top. Leave a small air bubble to prevent pressure build-up and leaks. 
• Snap, Don't Pull: For top-fill pods (like the XROS), snap the mouthpiece off sideways. Do not try to pull it straight up. 
• The 5-Minute Wait: Always wait 5 minutes after filling a new pod or changing a coil to let the coil prime. Vaping too soon will ruin the coil instantly. 
• Close it Fast: Don't leave the fill port open. The vacuum seal is what keeps the liquid inside; if you break the seal for too long, it will leak.

Method 1: Refilling a "Snap-Top" or Top-Filling Pod

This is the most common style for 2025 starter kits and top-filling pods are common with series like Vaporesso XROS, and Uwell Caliburn kits. The mouthpiece (the black plastic bit you vape from) acts as the cap, or lid. 

• The Snap: Keep the pod inside the device. Push the flat side of the black mouthpiece firmly away from you (or sideways) with your thumb. It should "snap" off. Do not pull it straight up, or you might break the clips. 
• The Red Hole: You will see three holes. The centre one is for air—never put liquid here. Look for the hole with the Red Silicone Seal (or sometimes black). Push your bottle nozzle through this seal. 
• The Fill: Squeeze the bottle gently. Watch the liquid level rise and stop when it is about 90% full. 
• The Click: Snap the mouthpiece back on immediately. Listen for a solid click. If it isn't clicked down fully, it isn't sealed, and it will leak. 

Method 2: Refilling a Side-Filling Pod  

Common on side-filling pods and budget kits. These pods usually need to be removed from the battery to be filled. 

• The Tilt: Remove the pod from the device. Locate the rubber or silicone plug (usually on the side or bottom) and lift the edge. 
• Gravity Check: Tilt the pod so the fill hole is at the highest point. This stops liquid from blocking the hole immediately and creating an "airlock" (where liquid spills back out because air can't escape). 
• The Fill: Insert the nozzle and fill slowly. If liquid bubbles up at the entrance, stop, tilt the pod to move the air bubble, and try again. 
• The Seal: Push the rubber bung back in firmly. Run your finger over it to ensure it is flush with the pod surface before putting it back in the device. 

Method 3: Refilling a "Sliding Top" Tank or Pod (e.g., Innokin Plexus/Trine) 

Often found on pen-style kits like the Innokin Plexus and on Advanced Tanks typically used with sub-ohm vape devices. 

• The Slide: Look for a small arrow marker on the top cap. Push the cap in the direction of the arrow. It should slide open to reveal a fill port. 
• The Fill: Insert your bottle nozzle. Some have a silicone membrane you need to push through. 
• The Close: Slide the cap back until it locks into place. Do this quickly—leaving a sliding tank open for too long destroys the vacuum and can cause liquid to flood the coil. 

The Golden Rules of Refilling 

• Leave an Air Bubble: Never fill your pod to 100% capacity. E-liquid needs a small pocket of air to move around. If you fill it to the brim, the pressure changes when you put the cap on will force liquid out through the coil and into your mouth (spitting) or out of the airflow holes (leaking). Aim for 80-90% full. 
• Prime Your Coil or Pod: If you are filling a brand new pod for the first time, you must wait 5 to 10 minutes before vaping. The cotton inside the coil is dry and needs time to soak up the liquid. If you press the fire button immediately, you will burn the dry cotton. This taste cannot be fixed; you will have to throw the pod away.
• 3. Check Your Liquid Ratio: Ensure you are using the right liquid for your kit. Small pod kits need thinner 50/50 E-Liquids or Nic Salts. If you use thick High-VG liquid (designed for big cloud kits), it won't flow into the coil fast enough, leading to dry hits and burnt coils.

Troubleshooting: Gurgling vs. Leaking

My vape is "gurgling" or spitting: This means the coil is "flooded" (too much liquid inside the metal tube).

The Fix: Take the pod out. Wrap a tissue around the bottom. Blow firmly through the mouthpiece. Excess liquid will spray out onto the tissue. Wipe it clean and try again.

My vape is leaking from the bottom: This usually means the vacuum seal is broken.

The Fix: Check the rubber bung or top cap is fully closed. Ensure the pod isn't cracked. If it persists, the coil might be old and no longer holding liquid—time for a fresh Replacement Pod.