Kaleb, I had the exact same issue when I first got mine. The amount of cotton used plays a huge part in making it work correctly. I wrap my coils on a 1/16 drill bit. When you unroll the cotton ball cut about one inch off (across the grain). Then trim about 1/8 inch off of that piece (with the grain). You want to slightly roll and lightly pack the cotton and being to point on one end. It should slide easily into the coil and pull thru will little to no resistance. If it binds, its too much. You will be surprised at how little it takes. Then you want to trim the ends so they just touch the top of the juice channel. I add a little juice and stick it to the side of the base on both sides, then saturate the rest of the wick. Then install your chimney making sure you don't move the wicks. If you do, once the chimney is installed I use the needle cap on my juice bottle to "recenter" them. Then install the chimney cap. Then install the tank. At this point I have learned the best way to fill it is to screw the airflow all the way in. (Some people on here hold their finger over the holes but mine always leaked that way.) fill with juice leaving about an 1/8" room at the top. Start screwing on the top cap making sure the oring is in place. Once you get it started flip it upside down and tighten all the way. Now unscrew the airflow to the desired setting. When you take a draw on it you should see bubbles flow upwards from one of the juice channel holes at the bottom. From time to time you may even have to hold your finger over the air hole and draw, just to prime it. But be very gentle on your draw or you will flood it. Mine crackles and pops when I fire and I like that. I know when it may need a prime because it will stop crackling. However since I started filling mine by closing the airflow screw all the way, I have not had one single issue. Hope this helps cause I feel your pain. I went thru that issue for the first two weeks and almost gave up. You will get it just keep working on it.
