I just cleaned out the tank and changed the wick this morning.
Took a couple of hits (normal cigarette type drags) and it feels like I'm inhaling a ball of fire, right in my chest and lungs, not my throat.
I'm using 18mg/nic juices , I have 6 or 7 bottles of varying ones, they're 1 to 4 years old. I think they're PG ? Not sure really what that is.
The only reason I'm posting is because once every year or so I get fed up with smoking. I do LOVE to smoke (in the moment), but HATE the after-effects, (clothes smell, yellowing of walls , easily winded just walking up stairs) I'm only 27 and feel like I have the lungs of a 70 year old. So I look for an alternative.
Plus I want to be able to vape in the car , or movie theater or hotel room, without having huge withdrawls of wanting a cigarette. Which usually ruins whatever expierience Im trying to have.
And yes I did spend around 600 on this stuff, starter kits of 100$+ each, juices and extra batteries. I probably got ripped off for all I know, but everything I got was shipped to me, so it added up quick. That's why I'm wary to try again and spend more money on stuff that I won't like.
I cannot vape like I smoke - direct lung hits. In fact, I don't lung hit at all. Suck on your vaporizer slowly, as if drawing in a milkshake and hold in your mouth. I personally cannot then move to the lungs, but some people can and enjoy that. You can try, after drawing just into your mouth, to then draw into your lungs.
If you cough and choke every time you take a lung hit, you may need to just stick with mouth hits (that's all I do). The nicotine is absorbed through your gums and cheeks, it doesn't have to go to the lungs, and I believe I've even read you get more nicotine absorbtion just through your mouth. I can't state for a fact that's true, but I'm sure some of our more knowledgeable members can probably point you directly to studies that support that.
Order you some new juices, and start out with 50/50 (PG/VG) mix, and maybe get a few bottles of 18 mg and a few of 12 mg and see if 12 mg isn't more tolerable, or perhaps changing the technique to mouth hit will help you.
Do you have any local Brick and Mortar Vape shops that you can go to and talk to the staff about your concerns? They may also be able to help you with your technique and recommending some good juices. Some even have taste bars, so you can taste before you buy.
Good luck!