Uwell Caliburn: Instructions and Troubleshooting Guide
Released in 2019, the Uwell Caliburn has consistently been one of the world’s most popular refillable pod systems since it first hit the market. For many vapers around the world, the Caliburn simply has the perfect blend of portability, performance, low price and ready availability.
The one drawback of buying some Chinese-branded vaping products, though, is that they may not always include the greatest instruction manuals in the world. That’s certainly true of the Uwell Caliburn; as great as the device is, you’re not likely to get a lot of help from the instruction manual if you run into trouble.
Well, we’re here to help. You’re not going to find a Uwell Caliburn review on this page. If you’re here, you already know the Caliburn is a device that’s absolutely worth owning if you’re a fan of nic salt e-liquid. What you don’t know, though, is how to use the device to its fullest potential. That’s what we’re going to cover in this Uwell Caliburn guide.
This guide was given a comprehensive update on July 19, 2023.
Uwell Caliburn Specifications and Features
As we mentioned, the Uwell Caliburn is a pod system that, for many people, simply hits the sweet spot in terms of the great experience that you get relative to the small size of the device. The Caliburn is a bit larger than a device like the JUUL, but the tradeoff is that the Caliburn has more than double the battery life and more than double the pod capacity while still being incredibly easy to carry and to store just about anywhere.
Uwell Caliburn Specifications (Original Model)
- Pod capacity: 2 ml
- Battery capacity: 520 mAh
- Power delivery: 11 watts
- Coil resistance: 1.4 ohm
- Charging time: About 45 minutes via micro USB port
- Draw-activated or manual puffs
- 5-click lock/unlock function
- Magnetic drop-in pods
- Indicator light shows current battery status
Why is the Uwell Caliburn So Popular?
In addition to the winning combination of price, size and performance, the main claim to fame of the Uwell Caliburn is that it was the first pod system to use a true tank-class coil with a cotton wick as opposed to the smaller coils with silica wicks that most pod systems use. Uwell has always been known as the vape manufacturer of choice for people who prioritize flavor above all else, and Uwell obviously wanted to bring that same mindset to the Caliburn. When it became obvious that pod systems were the future of the vaping industry, most of the vaping product manufacturers in China rushed to bring pod-based devices to the market as quickly as possible. Uwell delayed the release of their pod system until they felt that the flavor was just right, and the payoff for taking a little extra time has been worldwide acclaim.
Caliburn A3S vs. GK2 vs. A3 vs. A2S vs. G2: What Are the Differences?
One of the downsides of the Caliburn’s popularity is that the brand has expanded to include a huge range of different models. There are so many Caliburn models, in fact, that you might have a little trouble telling them apart. That’s especially true since almost all of the models are still in production — even the ones that have been around for a couple of years. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most popular Uwell Caliburn models currently available.
- Uwell Caliburn G2: This is essentially the first modern Caliburn and is probably the oldest model you should consider buying. It uses both button- and puff-activated firing and has haptic vibration to let you know what’s going on with the device. The pod has a replaceable coil and fully adjustable airflow. It works with Caliburn G coils.
- Uwell Caliburn A2S: The Caliburn A2S uses only draw-activated firing for those who want a simpler vaping experience. In addition, the pods for the Caliburn A2S have permanent coils. The Caliburn A2S has a mesh coil for enhanced vapor production and features a USB-C port for faster charging.
- Uwell Caliburn A3: The Caliburn A3 keeps the permanent coil design of the Caliburn A2S but adds button-based firing. The button also serves to lock and unlock the device. The Caliburn A3 has a new quick-charge feature and charges in just 15 minutes.
- Uwell Caliburn A3S: The Caliburn A3S doesn’t have a fire button, but it has a new pod that fills from the side rather than the top. It works with both Caliburn A3 and Caliburn A3S pods.
- Uwell Caliburn GK2: The Caliburn GK2 has a boxy shape that some might find more comfortable for pocket carrying. It uses draw-activated firing, and the pod has a replaceable coil. The Caliburn GK2 works with both Caliburn G and Caliburn G2 coils.
Is There a Uwell Caliburn Pod Shortage?
One of the things you may have noticed if you’re a Uwell Caliburn owner is that the pods have become very difficult to find in the United States. You may have even seen rumblings of a potential Uwell Caliburn pod shortage on Reddit discussion groups. There are two causes for the short supply of Caliburn pods in the US.
- The COVID-19 pandemic entered its first major peak during the Chinese New Year celebration, when many Shenzhen factory workers were at home. The ensuing travel restrictions made it impossible for many people to return to work, creating a shortage of many vaping products.
- On April 27, the FDA sent a warning letter to Uwell demanding that the company stop selling the Caliburn in the US. Since the Caliburn came out after 2016, it is technically illegal to sell in the US without FDA approval. While it’s possible that some Chinese wholesalers are still shipping Caliburn pods to the US, Uwell isn’t. That may make the pods difficult to find.
How to Charge the Uwell Caliburn
To charge the Uwell Caliburn, simply connect it to your computer’s USB port using the charging cable included in the box. Watch the indicator light on the device to know when it’s done charging. To get the best possible longevity from the Caliburn’s battery, you should charge the device fully before using it for the first time.
As you use the Caliburn, the device’s indicator light changes color to indicate the current status of the battery.
- A green indicator means that the remaining battery charge is over 60 percent.
- A blue indicator means that the remaining battery charge is 30-60 percent.
- A red indicator means that the remaining battery charge is under 30 percent.
How to Fill the Uwell Caliburn Pod
Top-Filling Pod
Depending on the model of your device, your Uwell Caliburn either has a top-filling pod or a side-filling pod. To determine which type you have, simply remove the pod from the device and examine it. If you see a silicone cover on the side of the pod, you have a side-filling pod. Skip to the next section below. If you have a top-filling pod, continue here.
To fill the Uwell Caliburn pod, start by removing the pod from the top of the device. Wiggle the black mouthpiece gently until it detaches from the pod. With a new pod, you may find the mouthpiece a little difficult to remove; it’ll get easier with time.
When you remove the pod’s mouthpiece, you’ll see two filling holes alongside the pod’s center air tube. Position the nozzle of your e-liquid bottle over either filling hole and add e-liquid until the pod is almost full. Leave a little room for air at the top; if you overfill the pod, it may gurgle or leak. Replace the pod’s mouthpiece.
Note that some newer Caliburn pods have only one filling hole. In this case, you’ll see a red ring around the hole for easy identification.
Side-Filling Pod
To fill a Caliburn pod with a side filling hole, remove the pod from the device and lift the silicone cover with your fingernail. Insert the tip of an e-liquid bottle into the filling hole and squeeze it until the pod is nearly full. Replace the silicone cover, making sure that the hole is completely covered.
One of the most unpleasant things that you can experience when vaping is a harsh burned taste, and the most common reason for a burned taste with the Uwell Caliburn is vaping too soon after filling the pod for the first time. The Caliburn pod has a cotton wick, and the wick can burn if you attempt to vape before the wick is completely wet. If that happens, you’ll never get a good flavor from that pod because there’s no fix for a burned wick. After you fill a new pod for the first time, wait at least five minutes before vaping.
How Long Do Caliburn Pods Last?
Using a pod system is usually a very affordable way to vape. Since you’re most likely using high-strength nicotine salt e-liquid, you don’t need to use a large amount of vape juice every day in order to feel satisfied. Using the Uwell Caliburn isn’t as affordable as it should be, though, if you need to replace your pods constantly.
So, how long do Caliburn pods last? The answer is that a pod can easily last through several days — or potentially even weeks — of fairly heavy vaping. You’ll only get that much life out of your pods, though, if you don’t use sweetened e-liquid. The sucralose in sweetened e-liquids causes coil gunk, which causes coils to taste burnt. If you use sweetened e-liquid, your Caliburn pods may only last a couple of days.
How to Use the Uwell Caliburn
One of the fun things about the Uwell Caliburn is that it allows you to vape the way you want. It’ll generate vapor automatically when you puff on it, or you can hold the fire button to vape. Some people prefer the more cigarette-like experience of a draw-activated mechanism. Draw-based activation introduces a slight delay, though, so you’ll get bigger vapor clouds if you use the fire button.
If nothing happens when you try to use the Caliburn, the device is probably locked. Press the button five times quickly to unlock the device.
How to Fix Uwell Caliburn Problems
Caliburn Pods Burning Out Quickly
If you’re not getting the expected life out of your Caliburn pods, there are three likely causes.
- As mentioned above, you’re not waiting long enough for the wick to saturate when filling a new pod for the first time.
- You’re vaping at too quick a pace and are not giving the wick enough time to re-saturate itself between puffs. This dramatically shortens the lifespan of the cotton.
- You’re using a heavily sweetened e-liquid, which causes coil gunk. Coil gunk – caused by sucralose residue – creates a strong caramelized sugar flavor that eventually leads to every puff tasting burned. If you use an e-liquid with less sweetener or no sweetener, your pods will last much longer.
Caliburn Not Hitting
Is your Uwell Caliburn not hitting? You press the fire button, and nothing seems to happen? Try these three fixes.
- Press the fire button five times quickly. The most likely reason why your Caliburn isn’t hitting is because the device is locked.
- Charge the battery fully. The device won’t produce vapor if the battery is dead.
- Confirm that the pod has a good electrical connection with the device. Clean the contacts at the top of the Caliburn with a cotton swab. If the bottom of the pod is contaminated with dust and old e-liquid, clean it as well.
Caliburn Blinking Red or Blinking Blue 3 Times (Short Circuit Fix)
If your Caliburn blinks red when you try to use it, it means that the device’s short circuit protection has been triggered. This could be happening because of a poor electrical connection between the pod and the device or because your pod has leaked. Follow these steps to troubleshoot a Caliburn short circuit.
- Remove the pod from the device and check under it. Do you see e-liquid or a large volume of condensation? Dry the pod and the chamber thoroughly with a paper towel. If e-liquid has gotten inside the device, you may be able to clear some of it out by blowing firmly through the bottom of the device.
- Try using the device again. Is it still blinking red? If you’re using a device with replaceable coils, check the bottom of the pod to make sure that the coil is aligned correctly and pushed all the way in. The base of the coil has a flat edge that needs to align with the flat side of the opening at the bottom of the pod. If you’re certain that the coil is installed correctly, try installing a new coil.
- If your device uses pods with permanent coils, try replacing the pod.
Caliburn Blinking Blue (Battery Indicator)
When you use a Uwell Caliburn for the first time, you may notice that the indicator light changes color from green to blue. This is completely normal; the light changes color to let you know how much battery life remains.
- If the light blinks green, the battery’s charge level is between 60-100 percent.
- If the light blinks blue, the battery’s charge level is between 30-60 percent.
- If the light blinks red, the battery’s charge level is below 30 percent.
Caliburn Not Charging
If your Uwell Caliburn isn’t charging, start by trying a different USB cable. Since USB is a common charging standard, you most likely have a few spare cables lying around – and cables that are used daily tend to wear out quickly. If that doesn’t work, try charging your device with a different USB port or different computer. Don’t attempt to use a mobile phone or tablet charger, which can potentially cause an e-cigarette battery to overheat.
It’s likely that your Caliburn spends a lot of time in your pocket, and the charging port may collect dust and lint along the way. Contaminants can prevent the device from charging, so clean the charging port with a toothpick to ensure reliable power transfer.
Caliburn Spitting or Gurgling
If your Uwell Caliburn is spitting or gurgling, it means that e-liquid is caught in the air channel leading from the atomizer coil to the mouthpiece – and the most likely reason is that you’re puffing too firmly when you vape. If you draw too much air through the device when inhaling, you’ll force more e-liquid into the Caliburn’s atomizer coil than the wick can hold. Eventually, the e-liquid works its way into the pod’s air tube and potentially even into your mouth. If you inhale gently when vaping, that shouldn’t happen.
Are you experiencing a stubborn gurgling issue? Continue vaping until the pod is empty, and you’re ready to refill it. Remove the pod from the Caliburn. Place the pod in a paper towel and blow hard through the pod’s mouthpiece. That should clear the e-liquid out of the air tube.
Caliburn Auto-Firing
One of the scariest things that can happen with any vaping device is auto-firing — the device crackles and hisses when you aren’t doing anything with it. If your Caliburn is auto-firing, this most likely indicates a fault with the airflow sensor. It’s probable that the pod has leaked and that the device’s interior is contaminated with e-liquid.
- Remove the pod and thoroughly dry both the pod and the chamber with a paper towel.
- Turn the Caliburn upside down and hold a paper towel over the pod chamber. Blow firmly through the bottom of the device. If the leak isn’t too severe, this should force the e-liquid out of the device and into the paper towel.
- Dry the device’s chamber again to remove any remaining liquid.
Caliburn Leaking
Because of the heat generated during vaping, it’s normal for a bit of condensation to form around the base of the Caliburn pod. If you experience severe or frequent leaking, though, it’s likely that you’re doing something wrong.
- Puff gently when you use your Caliburn. If you use too much air pressure, you could suck e-liquid into the pod’s central airflow chimney. If that happens, the e-liquid will eventually drip back down and flood the coil. The e-liquid will then leak out of the pod’s airflow vent.
- Don’t overfill the pod; always leave a little room for air at the top. If you add too much e-liquid to the pod, some of it will be forced out when you close the pod.
- Make sure that the pod is completely closed — especially if the pod has a side opening. If the silicone cover isn’t pushed fully into the hole, the pod may leak.
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Jason Artman founded eCig One after switching from smoking to vaping in 2010 and has been a professional writer and SEO consultant since 2007. His work has been featured on television and in leading publications, and it has been referenced in numerous peer-reviewed journals. Jason works with leading vape brands around the world to generate targeted web traffic and increase their revenue.
My caliburn is not hitting at all. It is still showing a green light however won’t hit on either of my non burnt pods. Not sure how to fix this and getting frustrated with what is supposed to be a highly rated device.
Same dude…. I have 3 and they are all doing this
Why does my caliburn vibrate while charging? Is it still charging?
For some reason mine like hisses out of nowhere. Like I have it on when I’m puffing and then with the smallest movement it hisses/hits without be puffing it. Idk it’s weird
Auto firing bro!
I have had mine for not even 5 months yet and it shows green for charging but if i want to take a pull or even push the button it flashes blue at me
Why is the device so delicate…the vape stopped working out of nowhere
The pins on the system arent spring loaded so they get pushed down easily. Take it apart and push the pins back up and it should work again. There are tutorials on YouTube. That has happened to me a few times now but its a quick fix once you know what you’re doing.
if you are just using the auto draw instead of the button that’s probably your cause the auto draws on e cigs always break really quickly
try to clean it with a a cotton swap and a little bit of alcohol 70%
I’m having the same problem plugged I get solid green unplugged nothing and blue blinking light I’m pissed.
Same here, please pay attention for development
Same here. 2 different models, same thing. Both seemed to occur after my wife tried using the devices when the pod was empty.
Same and looking for a fix, 3rd day for me using it
Garbage don’t buy
Exact same issue straight out of the box either gave me mouth full of vape liquid and never give any cloud what so ever but I can hear the coil fire
Random dry hits burning the throat.Suddenly hurts my throat then fine for awhile then bam, hurts again
Caliburn2 leaking. I keep it upright, haven’t filled it in wrong spot, & 2nd pod doing it too.
I am on my 3 rd one in less than 2 weeks and even this 3 rd one don’t work properly and to be honest they are not worth the money
My caliburn pod fell apart when trying to fill the pod. A metal part inside popped out and the red thing that you put juice in keeps falling out or down into the pod because of this.
On the base of the pod is a blue film over the electric connection. Removed and it is working
try turning the red little wheel at the bottom of the pod
This worked for me omg so simple
Genius thank you
I am facing the same issue
There’s liquid coming from the firing button. Is this most likely just a vape juice leak, or should I be concerned that it’s battery acid?
The caliburn and other pod devices don’t usually last a whole lot longer than a year or so (if even that) before their performance starts degrading (obviously this depends partly on usage but they are cheap and somewhat disposable devices).
I also think the quality of cali pods has gone WAY down. They used to last me like a month for each pod, but now I’m lucky if I can even get a week out of them! Mostly they just last a day or 2 before they start leaking like crazy or giving me weird acid reflux issues. I’m sure the market was flooded with counterfeit pods early on in the pandemic when they briefly halted production, but most of the pods I’ve bought have been real (I moved on to new devices early on in the pandemic but I still occasionally switch back to my cali just to see if it still sucks). I just bought a caliburn G, but I’m keeping my expectations low.
Mine keeps telling me “no atomizer” and nothing in the trouble shooting guide on what this means… Any help???
so when im charging it and its blinking green, does that mean I should take it out or is it going to stop blinking?
If it’s blinking green when charging, it’s almost done… but not quite. When your device is FULLY charged, the light indicator will be a solid green, non-blocking light.
Fully charged it will stop blinking
my caliburn g wont draw and even after charging, the LED indicator keeps blinking red even after i have charged it for like 30 mins. should be full if the caliburn is charged for that duration. it still wont work until now even i have disassemble the caliburn n wipe all the leakage. please help me solve this bc i just bought this only use less than a month
Me too…
I am on my third , they suck it’s a big scam .
Mines not hitting. Every time I try it’s green then it blinks blue and it does this even after being fully charged and cleaned.
Mine is doing the exact same thing.
I can not fill my caliburn the juice just runs down the side, is there a way to fill easier. Seems like a needle and syringe would help do you have a product to assist in filling .
Are you filling through the red part on top of pod, after black mouthpiece is removed? The red part is some type of flexible material that allows the tip of juice bottles to easily be stuck through it and filled. If doing it correctly, it would be impossible for it to run down the outer side of pod. Put the tip of bottle directly THROUGH the red piece, not in the air hole on opposite side of pod. You have probably already figured this out by now, but if not, I hope this solves your problem.
Why does my Caliburn continuously blue, even without the pod inserted?
*** continously blinking blue, even without the pod inserted?
Not even a month old and I’m having the same issues. It’s fully charged and it doesn’t pull.
Has mine for 2 days and barely used it and now it won’t draw, blinks blue even after charging and cleaning. Really frustrating as I depended on it for a trip Im on and now I’m stuck without my vape 😡
I find that if it’s fully charged and still blinking blue when you fire it then just turn the pod around it works or the pod is defective
Hi,
I’ve done all the cleaning stuff but my pod still won’t charge. When I insert the cable it constantly flashes red but if I draw on it, it is a blue light. Any ideas on what the charging issue is?
Thanks
My caliburn g isn’t hitting as hard as it once did. I changed the pod and the coil and it has not fixed the issue. I have cleaned the inside of the caliburn with a qtip and alcohol and still isn’t pulling strong enough. Is there anyway to fix this, or do I have to buy a new one? It’s only 3 months old!
Mine has the light barley come on, like I have to bang it down to see the light and barley hits two I get to hit after a full nights worth of charge and it dies .
Same problem everyone else has after one week. Unacceptable. Want refund
My Caliburn’s light is green when I’m charging it however flashes red when I press it. When it is off charge t doesn’t work at all. I’ve cleaned it and pressed the button 5 times quickly but it still wont work. Anyone know why???
Having these same issues …not overfilled ..even changed the coil. No sweetener in my juice so my coils should last much longer anyways…slot of people are having problems with them . I bought mine 2 months ago not it’s just garbage on my night stand.
I have the G2 and its been good for the first week or two. And then ‘locked’ itself, apparently. 5 quick presses and back to normal.
Weird to see so many problems, but mine came with a 6 month warranty… did the G1 not?
Rubbish. Fully charged, blinks blue with no draw.
I feel like the Caliburn g pods are hit and miss the center pin on the coil is pushed in too far to make connection and then they don’t work. Wtf!
The light on my Caliburn will not turn off. I can’t put it in my pocket because it won’t turn off. Is there a fix for this?
mine stopped working and idk how to fix it
hahaha you and me both namey
iv put my Caliburn on charge for the last 2 hours, the red light blinks but seems like its not charging or something
Mine won’t charge but it’s weird! I plug it in, it blinks red once sometimes twice, and stops blinking and i think stops charging
Can you change the battery for it?
caliburn G2 should vibrate when cartridge is inserted, but now when i inserted the cartridge the pod didn’t vibrate at all, what seems to be the issue?
Mine only vibrates when it’s done charging
My caliburn is leaking through the air hole in the side of the unit, any fixes?
mine came out the side air holes too. I can’t keep it from leaking everywhere.
my caliburn a2 won’t stop dry firing, it’s been doing this for a while and i’ve cleaned out the thingy where the pod goes and it won’t stop even if i do that. from the pod it doesn’t leak and i’ve tried to fix it from dry firing but it just won’t stop
My Caliburn A2 won’t mouth draw all of a sudden but works fine with button?
My Caliburn G2 has been glowing (not blinking) red light for 24 hours since I started to charge it. I tried to click 5 times to turn it off and also tried holding the button for 30 seconds but then it goes back to red again.
Second time in two years, on two different devices… The charger at first it feels like is unstable when placed in the charging port and after week or so of that, cannot get into the charging port at all. You cannot even forced it in. What is happening and can’t be fixed? Is it the problem with the cable or the port? If it is the cable, where I can find new compatible cable to buy? Than.
1) if the light seems dull use a tooth brush to clean out the hole shines through.
2) If you need a new lead it’s a USB2 plug that fits the charging port
WOW Sorry it’s a USB C not usb 2.
G2 wont charge then starts to vibrate, it seems to have a vibrating code it does 2-3-3-3 then starts again and wont stop or switch off, if left for some hours it stops vibrating and will switch off but still wont charge.
A2 autodrag is not working but button is working perfectly. Any solution ?
How do u insert the filter? It just falls out