1 week vaping/smoke free

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FadedSun

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Jun 12, 2015
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So it's been a week now without a cigarette. I don't miss them (well maybe a teeny bit when my wife smokes). Right now I'd call vaping a "good enough" replacement that considering the health benefits I'm not looking back. But I'm still looking to understand how to get an even better experience. I guess I'm hoping to find that place where it feels even better than a cigarette even ignoring the health aspect.

My wife on the other hand is still mixing it up with the vaping and smoking. Right now she's using it mostly to replace when she would have 2 cigarettes (on way to/from work, just before bed). I don't think she's found that "ah ha" combination with the vaping yet. I've been trying to help her but she isn't telling me much to guide me. I hope it'll grow on her, the smoke smell is REALLY starting to get to me already.

So her biggest complaint (and I feel it to) is the throat irritation. I assume it's what most people here are referring to as throat hit. I don't think either of us enjoy that feeling at all. If there's a way to minimize or get rid of that we'd welcome any tips. I'd love to just have a buttery smooth vaping experience if that's possible.

For me all I need is the nicotine hit to replace my need for a cigarette, I don't seem to have the need to replace the other physical aspects of smoking people have mentioned (throat hit, cigarette like feeling in my hand, cigarette like air resistance). My favorite part so far has been experiencing the flavor, and I enjoy the density of the vapor. Lung hits are about all i do now.

We have a lot of sample bottles from a few places now. So far we've tried 12mg/ml 65%/35% PG/VG from MBV, a local store's 12mg/ml ratio unknown (it was thin looking juice so i'm guessing higher PG), and some 12mg/ml 50%/50% from ohm's vapes and nocoticket. I like the vapor feeling from the 50/50 mixes better, I think the throat hit is less too. But it does bring up other questions. The 12mg 65/35 from MBV felt like the perfect nicotine level, I could feel it but could still vape the length that I wanted. The other brands 50/50 mixes the nicotine has hit me way to fast for my liking. Is there and reason for that? Does the nicotine have more effect with higher VG, or was the MBV bottle just weak? Or is this all in my head and i'm just hitting the newer stuff I bought harder as I get more into vaping? I'm tempted to but 6mg next time, but i'd hate to place a bigger order of the wrong strength.

Also, with our nautilus mini tanks we were both really enjoying lung hits with the largest air hole on the 65/35. Now with the 50/50 the pulls seem so much more restrictive. Is that how it works? Does a higher VG need more airflow to feel the same as PG? There's no bigger hole on the nautilus minis. Is that what sub-ohm is for, easy pulls with good vapor and flavor?

One last question (yeah i know this is long). I've read it's bad for your coil to run your juice too low... But I haven't heard anywhere what too low really means. Do I need to add more juice when the wicking holes start showing when i tip the tank to vape? That seems to happen with a decent amount of juice left. Or can I run it to almost empty?
 

tehmidcap

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More VG % and slightly less nicotine will diminish the throat hit. Even if you kept the 12mg but found an e-liquid that was 60-80% VG I'm sure you would find it a good deal smoother. Some flavors tend to be a little harsher on the throat, as well. I vape around 90% VG and if I vape unflavored it's smooth as butter I could take long hit after long hit without throat irritation.

I just don't know from experience if the Nautilus Mini can handle high VG liquids easily -- Some tanks run into wicking issues with higher VG just because it's more viscous and doesn't flow as freely.

You could always get yourself a small bottle of USP Vegetable Glycerine for pretty cheap to "dilute" your premixed liquids down some, if you can't easily find any 60-80% VG premixed liquid (just bear in mind that it's going to dilute the nicotine percentage as well) or to test it with what you already have.

Maybe someone that owns a Nautilus Mini could tell you if a higher VG juice would be problematic for you.

As long as the juice is still able to freely flow into juice channel in the coil head, you'll be fine.. But when you can see the liquid level falling below those channels then it's time to refill.

Congrats on going cigarette free, by the way!
 

daleron

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  • Apr 16, 2013
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    Welcome to ECF FadedSun , make yourself right at home :)
    I can't really answer all your questions but generally the higher the PG the stronger your throat hit will be.
    Maybe try a few juices from Mushroom Vapes Mushroomvapes.com Store - Mushroomvapes.com He offers a choice between throat hits when you order :?:

     

    FadedSun

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    Jun 12, 2015
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    More VG % and slightly less nicotine will remove throat hit. Even if you kept the 12mg but found an e-liquid that was 80% VG I'm sure you would find it a good deal smoother.

    You could always get yourself a small bottle of USP Vegetable Glycerine for pretty cheap to "dilute" your premixed liquids down some, if you can't easily find any 80% VG premixed liquid (just bear in mind that it's going to dilute the nicotine percentage as well) or to test it with what you already have.


    As long as the juice is still able to freely flow into juice channel in the coil head, you'll be fine.. But when you can see the liquid level falling below those channels then it's time to refill.

    I'd be fine diluting what we have now to add VG take down nicotine level. I'd miss weakening the flavor though, flavors already taste a tad on the weak side to me already.

    As far as when to refill, the channels are still fully covered when i'm holding it upright. But when I go to vape I tip it and the channels on top don't have liquid covering them. Is that ok?
     
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    Sir2fyablyNutz

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    Hello @FadedSun and welcome to the forum.

    Throat hit is or can be a combination of two things, PG and Nicotine level. If you go to lower PG or nicotine it could help. Also you could be experiencing some of the withdrawl from the cigs. A list of symptoms when quitting tobacco and changing to an ecigarette | E-Cigarette Forum

    VG is much thicker than PG. VG is know as the vapor creator and a little sweet, while PG is known as the flavor carrier. There is a keyword activated search box in the upper right above your name and avatar. Any vape term or acronym will work in it and give tons of info.

    I have 4 of the Nautilus Mini's and love them. I usually ran the 1.8 ohm coils around 10 to 12 watts and the 1.6 ohm coils at 12 to 15. Some people are a little higher and some lower. The rule of thumb with ANY device/tank is to start low and take a hit, bump it up and repeat. If it gets to warm or starts to taste dry/burnt, back it down. I run my Nautilus almost empty (and really empty when I am not paying attention) but you do not want to risk burning a dry coil out or getting the dry hit, it's awful.

    One trick I used to get off the stinky's was to get a cheap clearomizer/tank and keep the next highest nic level in it. When I had the "itch" that vape wasn't going to scratch, I'd hit it once and go back to the normal level. I used this same technique to lower my nic level down to almost zero (now I don't "jones" when I am someplace I can't vape)

    If you do decide to go to Subohms (like the Kanger Subtank Mini I love), you'll need to LOWER the nicotine level by half or more because the Subtanks guzzle juice. (pay attention to how much juice you have on hand) You can always buy the same flavor in zero nic and combine the 2 bottles "equally" to cut the nicotine in half.

    Now I can take a breath and a vape. "" puff ""

    Don't be shy about asking questions, many good people on ECF are here to help.
     

    Mark Spivey

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    Jan 21, 2015
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    The higher the VG is the vape cloud/density will increase, the e-juice is "thicker", and you will have less throat hit. Personally I like 20/80 PG/VG but it is borderline at times with the Nautilus Mini. You can add a few drops of distilled water to your bottle and shake thoroughly to thin it. You can run the juice down fairly far in the Mini. I usually add more when it gets below half way down on the holes but before it gets to the bottom when sitting flat.

    I started at 18 mg Nic in November 2014 and I'm at 3 mg now in my efforts to ultimately be at 0. You and your wife may find more satisfaction with a more advanced setup that will give you more control of your air flow and more vapor. As far as the Nic effect goes... no clue.

    No matter where you go, take your Vape!
     

    FadedSun

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    So it sounds like lower nic and higher VG are the 2 best bets to lowering throat hit. I'll give it a try when we've burned through all the samples I bought and order again. If that seems to be taking to long, maybe i'll have to break down and try cutting them with some VG as someone suggested.

    I just read in another new thread on here that the sub-ohm tanks generally have more airflow too. I'll have to look into it more and see if it might be more fitting for me.
     

    Caro123

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    I agree that some flavours seem to produce a stronger throat hit, as does higher pg. be sure to drink lots of water especially in the beginning, pg/ vg is drying everybody seems to need to find the specific way for themselves:) some vape and smoke a bit , some increase their nic a time or two like Sir said. I didn't find this forum until I was vaping exclusively but I started at 12 and had to move to 18 to feel satisfied. I smoked for about six weeks initially but in very reduced amount until the cigs were so disgusting I couldn't stand them any more.

    vaping truly is a miraculous way to quit smoking, takes some learning but it really is the cats meow - best to you and your wife
     

    Mark Spivey

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    Jan 21, 2015
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    Just as an addition to info on the Nautilus Mini, I use the newer coils with cotton, larger holes, 1.6 ohms, and run it around 10 watts. 20/80 seems to work good with the newer coils. If you get your e-juice from Mt. Baker you can always get an extra shot of flavoring then dilute with VG if flavor/nic too strong. If you plan on diluting you can purposefully get 50/50 and a little higher nic. You can "streatch" your juice that way making it a little cheaper. I've gone to DIYing my own e-juice.

    No matter where you go, take your Vape!
     
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    Grimwald

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    I agree that nicotine and PG are the biggest contributors to throat hit. Another factor is heat. A hotter vape will cause more TH. You can reduce heat by lowering wattage, (lower ohms or lower volts) or by changing to a longer drip tip, a fluted tip, or a plastic/ceramic/acrylic tip. Also, you mentioned you are a lung hitter, so more airflow can help make it milder.
     

    tehmidcap

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    I'd recommend just trying to increase vg at first, and maybe try a higher airflow device (Subtank mini or nano, smok vct, innokin isub, there's a lot out there) as they're better for high vg liquid, have more airflow, and produce more vapor which would allow you to lower your nicotine and may prove to be mote satisfying while keeping throat hit to a minimum... provided you battery/mod can handle it. What kind of battery mod do you have?

    A lot of those devices are getting into sub ohm territory and there's a bit of safety and knowledge that needs to come along with that, but this is a great place to learn all you need to know. With pre built coil heads and staying above 0.5ohms, though, the most important thing is making sure your device can handle that without putting stress on it.

    There's always the option of Chinese clones to test devices out, then if you like it you can support the manufacturer by buying the authentic. Not recommending it just saying it's an option. I don't mess around with clones when it comes to regulated mods but I do for tanks and rtas sometimes just to gauge my interest.
     

    FadedSun

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    I'd recommend just trying to increase vg at first, and maybe try a higher airflow device (Subtank mini or nano, smok vct, innokin isub, there's a lot out there) as they're better for high vg liquid, have more airflow, and produce more vapor which would allow you to lower your nicotine and may prove to be mote satisfying while keeping throat hit to a minimum... provided you battery/mod can handle it. What kind of battery mod do you have?

    A lot of those devices are getting into sub ohm territory and there's a bit of safety and knowledge that needs to come along with that, but this is a great place to learn all you need to know. With pre built coil heads and staying above 0.5ohms, though, the most important thing is making sure your device can handle that without putting stress on it.

    There's always the option of Chinese clones to test devices out, then if you like it you can support the manufacturer by buying the authentic. Not recommending it just saying it's an option. I don't mess around with clones when it comes to regulated mods but I do for tanks and rtas sometimes just to gauge my interest.

    Yeah, I'd be up for trying higher VG, but I just don't think the nautilus mini has the airflow to make that feel right to me. I already felt a big change in airflow going from 35% to 50% VG, I wouldn't want to try 80% or max VG in this tank.

    The battery is a small starter kit one, the Aspire CF VV+. From what i understand so far it's great with the nautilus mini, but it doesn't have the power to get into the heavier stuff. That's ok though, even if I get something else it'll make a nice backup/travel/less conspicuous setup.

    I'm really considering getting the eVic-VT again. I'd use their tank and coils (Sub-ohm Ti and Ni) at first. Since their designed for each other I'd assume I wouldn't have to worry about the safety of pushing the battery to far. I found it really cheap here eVic-VT kit, at that price even if it's not perfect I can't really go wrong. The only downside is the really slow shipping. I can get impatient, but I'm trying to tell myself that the long shipping will give me time to use up all the 12mg 50/50 samples I have so I can start with something lower nic and higher VG by the time I get it. Considering the 12mg has felt a little strong to me at 50/50 PG/VG, would I be best to start sub-ohm at maybe 3mg 80/20?
     

    tehmidcap

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    Yeah if you were thinking of purchasing a new kit and that appeals to you I'd imagine it'd be a good way to go. The evic can handle the lower ohm coils fine and seems to be one of the most user friendly out of those kind of devices- -temperature control also gives you another parameter to adjust to find that vape just right for you.

    I was at 12mg when I used ego devices with higher ohms and less airflow, but now I'm at around 7mg. But then, when I used the 12mg I rarely felt fully satisfied and I really chain vaped. But if you're finding 12 a bit much with what you have...

    I'd say anywhere from 3-6mg. And 80/20 or even 75/25.
     

    yuseffuhler

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    Mar 28, 2015
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    Yeah, I'd be up for trying higher VG, but I just don't think the nautilus mini has the airflow to make that feel right to me. I already felt a big change in airflow going from 35% to 50% VG, I wouldn't want to try 80% or max VG in this tank.

    The battery is a small starter kit one, the Aspire CF VV+. From what i understand so far it's great with the nautilus mini, but it doesn't have the power to get into the heavier stuff. That's ok though, even if I get something else it'll make a nice backup/travel/less conspicuous setup.

    I'm really considering getting the eVic-VT again. I'd use their tank and coils (Sub-ohm Ti and Ni) at first. Since their designed for each other I'd assume I wouldn't have to worry about the safety of pushing the battery to far. I found it really cheap here eVic-VT kit, at that price even if it's not perfect I can't really go wrong. The only downside is the really slow shipping. I can get impatient, but I'm trying to tell myself that the long shipping will give me time to use up all the 12mg 50/50 samples I have so I can start with something lower nic and higher VG by the time I get it. Considering the 12mg has felt a little strong to me at 50/50 PG/VG, would I be best to start sub-ohm at maybe 3mg 80/20?
    Joyetech eVic-VT 60W 5000mAh Temp Control Full Starter Kit price is much cheaper here, ships from the states with great shipping times. Shipping is free with orders above $75. You'll be amazed at the battery life on that thing, and the vapor it makes along with flavor.
     
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