Mistake 1: Buying the cheapest device. A $15 no-name pod system from a gas station will leak, burn coils in 3 days, and make you want to go back to disposables. Spend $25-$40 on a reputable brand (Uwell, Vaporesso, OXVA).

Mistake 2: Skipping the priming step. Filling a pod and immediately vaping is the #1 cause of burnt coils. The 5-minute wait is the difference between a coil that lasts 14 days and one that's ruined in 5 seconds.

Mistake 3: Using the wrong e-liquid. High-VG e-liquid (70/30) from a vape shop's sub-ohm section will clog pod coils designed for 50/50 salt nic. Always check the VG/PG ratio — it should be 50/50 or 60/40 for pod systems.

Mistake 4: Expecting the exact same flavor. Your disposable was engineered by a team specifically for that device's coil and airflow. A refillable gives you different hardware and hundreds of e-liquid options. Give it 2 weeks — most vapers end up preferring the refillable's flavor once they find the right e-liquid.

Mistake 5: Buying too much e-liquid at once. Start with one 30ml bottle. If you don't like the flavor, you're only out $15 — not $60 worth of liquid you'll never finish. Once you find your go-to, buy in larger sizes for better per-mL pricing.