Kingston AU Gold 10ml Nic Salts: A Beginner's Guide to Getting It Right
So you've made the switch from disposables to a refillable pod system. Smart move. Your wallet will thank you, the planet will thank you, and honestly? Your taste buds will thank you too. But now comes the confusing part: all those numbers on e-liquid bottles. 60/40? 10mg? 0.8 ohm? What does any of it mean?
I remember being exactly where you are. Standing in front of my new vape, bottle in hand, thinking "what do I do now?" After a few months of trial and error (and some burnt coils I'd rather forget), I've figured it out. And I'm here to share everything I've learned about using Kingston AU Gold 10ml Nic Salts – one of my favourite UK-made e-liquids.
This guide is for beginners. No jargon, no showing off – just practical advice from one vaper to another. Let's get started.
First Things First: What's This 60/40 Thing?
Every e-liquid bottle has two numbers: the VG and PG ratio. Kingston AU Gold uses 60% VG and 40% PG. Here's what that actually means in plain English:
- VG (Vegetable Glycerin): This is what makes the clouds. More VG = more vapour. 60% gives you nice, satisfying clouds without being too much.
- PG (Propylene Glycol): This carries the flavour and gives you that "throat hit" – the little kick at the back of your throat that feels like smoking. 40% is enough for good flavour without being harsh.
Most other nic salts use 50/50. Kingston's 60/40 is a bit different – more vapour, smoother hit, and in my experience, coils last longer. Win-win.
Choosing Your Nicotine Strength: 10mg or 20mg?
This is the most common question I get. Here's a simple way to decide:
Go for 10mg if:
- You were a light smoker (under 10 a day)
- You've been vaping for a while and want to cut down
- You're not sure – you can always take more puffs
Go for 20mg if:
- You were a heavy smoker (15-20+ a day)
- You're switching straight from disposables (most use 20mg)
- You need that strong throat hit to keep cravings away
I started with 20mg because I was a heavy smoker. After a few months, I dropped to 10mg and barely noticed the difference – except my coils lasted even longer.
Picking Your First Flavour: Don't Overthink It
Kingston AU Gold has around 15 flavours. That might sound like a lot, but here's how to narrow it down:
If you like sweet, fruity vapes: Start with Blue Raspberry. It's a classic for a reason – sweet, tangy, and easy to vape all day.
If you want something fun and different: Try Golden Gummy Bear. It tastes exactly like those little gummy sweets. Different puffs taste like different colours. It's brilliant.
If you're an ex-smoker and want something familiar: Cream Tobacco is smooth and not too strong – a gentle transition.
If you like ice/cold vapes: Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice or Pineapple Ice are both excellent.
If you're feeling adventurous: Watermelon Lime Mint is unlike anything else. Watermelon, lime, and mint together – trust me, it works.
My advice? Pick 3-4 different ones and see what clicks. At How To Vape they're only £2.99 each, so experimenting won't break the bank.
What Device Should You Use?
Kingston AU Gold is made for MTL (mouth-to-lung) devices – basically, the kind where you inhale like a cigarette. Here are the devices I've tried and what I think:
- OXVA Xlim Pro: This is what I use every day. Great flavour, battery lasts forever, and the 0.8 ohm pods are perfect for Kingston. Highly recommend.
- Vaporesso XROS 3/4: Another excellent choice. Slightly better flavour than the OXVA, but coils don't last quite as long.
- Uwell Caliburn G3: Simple, reliable, and draw-activated (no buttons). Good for beginners.
- Voopoo Argus Pod: Lets you adjust the wattage, which is fun if you like to tinker.
Any of these will work great. Just make sure you use 0.8 ohm coils – that's the sweet spot for 60/40 liquids.
How to Fill Your Pod (Without Making a Mess)
This is easier than it looks. Follow these steps and you'll be fine:
- Take the pod out of your device. Never fill while it's in – asking for leaks.
- Find the fill hole. It's usually a rubber flap on the side or bottom.
- Open the flap and put the Kingston bottle nozzle in. It fits perfectly.
- Squeeze gently. Fill to about 90% – leave a tiny air bubble. Overfilling causes leaks.
- Close the flap and wipe any stray liquid with a tissue.
- Here's the most important step: WAIT. Put the pod aside for at least 5-10 minutes. This lets the liquid soak into the coil. If you vape immediately, you'll burn the coil and ruin the flavour. I learned this the hard way.
- Pop the pod back in and you're ready to go.
Getting the Settings Right
Most pod devices have adjustable airflow. Start with it fairly tight – about the same draw as a cigarette. You can loosen it later if you want more vapour.
If your device lets you change wattage (like the Voopoo Argus), here's a rough guide:
- 0.8 ohm coil: 15-18W
- 1.0 ohm coil: 10-12W
- 1.2 ohm coil: 8-10W
If you're using an OXVA or XROS, you don't need to worry about wattage – they're set automatically.
How to Vape (Yes, There's a Technique)
Take a slow, steady draw – not too hard, not too soft. Hold the vapour in your mouth for a second, then inhale. That's it.
If it tastes burnt, you didn't wait long enough after filling. Empty the pod, replace the coil (sorry), and start over.
Making Your Coils Last Longer
Coils cost money, so making them last is worth the effort. Here's what works for me:
- Prime every new coil: Wait 5-10 minutes after filling. Non-negotiable.
- Don't chain vape: Give it 10-15 seconds between puffs. Let the coil re-saturate.
- Keep your pod upright: When it's lying on its side, liquid can leak into the airflow.
- Store your e-liquid in a cool, dark place: Heat and light make nicotine go weird.
- Change coils when flavour drops: Usually every 1-2 weeks. You'll know when it's time.
With Kingston AU Gold, I consistently get 2+ weeks from a coil – better than most other brands I've tried.
How Long Does a Bottle Last?
This depends how much you vape. Rough estimates:
- Light vaper (100-150 puffs/day): 5-7 days
- Moderate vaper (200-300 puffs/day): 3-4 days
- Heavy vaper (400+ puffs/day): 1-2 days
At £2.99 a bottle, even heavy vapers spend only about £1.50 a day. Compare that to disposables at £6 a day, and the savings are massive.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
Burnt taste: Coil not primed, or you're chain vaping. Wait longer after filling, and slow down between puffs.
No flavour / weak vapour: Coil might be old. Replace it. Also check you're using the right resistance (0.8 ohm).
Leaking: You probably overfilled. Clean it up, and next time leave that air bubble.
Gurgling sound: Condensation in the airflow. Take the pod out, blow gently through the mouthpiece into a tissue.
Why I Stick with Kingston AU Gold
I've tried a lot of nic salts. Elux, Elfliq, Bar Juice – they're all good. But Kingston AU Gold is the one I keep coming back to. The 60/40 ratio hits that perfect balance between flavour and cloud. The flavours are authentic and interesting (Watermelon Lime Mint is genius). And the price from How To Vape is unbeatable.
Plus, knowing it's made in the UK gives me confidence in the quality. Every bottle has that tamper-evident seal, childproof cap, and clear labelling. It's TPD compliant – which means it's been tested and approved for UK sale.
Ready to Give It a Go?
If you're new to refillable vaping, Kingston AU Gold is a fantastic place to start. It's forgiving, flavourful, and affordable. Grab a bottle (or five) from How To Vape, pick up a decent pod device, and follow the steps above. You'll be vaping like a pro in no time.
And if you have questions? Drop them in the comments. I'm happy to help.
Happy vaping!

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