4 years and I still cant get into vaping

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rabernet

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Nov 20, 2011
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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!
 

Glen Snyder

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Without going into a long drawn out 'we walked to school in 3 feet of snow in bare feet uphill both ways' speech. You have to be committed to quit smoking and part of that commitment is experimenting with different devices and e-liquids to find what suits you best. In the learning process you will need that commitment (to yourself) to gut it out. Many good things in life don't come easy. Looks like this is the case for you and vaping.

Good Luck, hope you have a breakthrough soon.
 

Glen Snyder

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I had no commitment. Vaping just got a hold on me. A well tuned vape machine is hard to put down. I did put forth an effort to tune PV to suit myself and enjoyed every minute. I have a feeling that about 10 of 10 people would enjoy the vapor from my gear. Many others have found nirvana as well.
Oh man...I can't believe you just blew my motivational post to the OP out of the water with 4 words. :p LOL
 

emus

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Oh man...I can't believe you just blew my motivational post to the OP out of the water with 4 words. :p LOL

My bad, I took the congregation to the honky tonk right after church:)

Peeps are different anyways. What works for one peep won't work for another. Too bad gas stations don't sell PV's that work like mine or else smokers would quit in masses.
 

patkin

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If you're not committed to quiting smoking then just get committed to vaping. View it as another enjoyable activity and don't think of it as a smoking replacement. Do them both. One day you might find you're smoking less... you might not also but, frankly, I don't think so. You threw your hardware in a drawer because you couldn't think of vaping as a separate thing... you never gave it a chance. Try it this way... who knows, you might like it.
 

emus

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If you're not committed to quiting smoking then just get committed to vaping. View it as another enjoyable activity and don't think of it as a smoking replacement. Do them both. One day you might find you're smoking less... you might not also but, frankly, I don't think so. You threw your hardware in a drawer because you couldn't think of vaping as a separate thing... you never gave it a chance. Try it this way... who knows, you might like it.

Concur! Good plan. I'd bet money most anyone would like it. There is nothing not to like w/ tasty vapor. If you don't like this flavor try that flavor or even no flavor. Proper PV produces a luxury smooth throat hit at any desired strength and warmth; analog not even close. Many factory built atomizers can burn the juice and produce a scratchy throat hit and bad experience.
 

Jcdew67

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Sep 25, 2013
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I use the Evod and have never had that problem. I haven't spent $600 in the 3.5 years I have been vaping. I still use a Ego type battery with a low resistance atomizer coil in my evod,I still use 24mg ejuice also.
I started with a low resistance 1.5 dripping atomizer.I don't know what you used to smoke when you did analogs but I used Marlboro Reds/Pall Mall/USA Gold.
Don't fall prey into spending money on fancy,expensive devices. I started vaping because I hated the way they were always raising taxes on them not for health reasons. If you are unsure of flavors then buy Unflavored Nicotine juice,no flavor but still the Nicotine and throat hit. Azure Vaping Unflavored EZ-DIY Liquid for example. I didn't want to quit smoking,I loved it too much but after I found something that gave me the same feeling as puffing a cig I said why keep smokin em?
 

Katya

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Yeah... what they all said... :D

Get some new juice. Are you using a T2? Anyway, Kanger BCC claros are nice--T2, T3S, eVod, mini ProTank are all fine for an eGo-class battery.

And if you need help with your BCC clearos, here it is:

Kanger Troubleshooting 101:

If your clearo is flooding, the connections are not tight enough--or too tight. Keep reading.

If you're using clearos and getting a burnt taste it means that not enough juice is getting to the coil and you're basically vaping dry, hot air or inhaling smoke from the gunk that's burning off of your coil. Not a good thing. Another case of bad taste maybe the tank itself--some arrive covered with some kind of nasty grease; wash them with soap and water (just the tanks--soak the coils in PGA or vodka).

There are a few things you need to remember when using a T3 or an eVod or a ProTank--in addition to keeping your coils clean and free of gunk that accumulates on them.

1) Make sure that the atomizer coil is screwed into the base tightly--every time you refill; they often come not fully tightened from the manufacturer, or may have gotten loose through repeated refills.

2) Look at all the inner seals and gaskets to make sure they haven't become dislodged.

3) Make sure that you screw the tank into its base tightly. If it's not tight, it will leak.

4) When you screw your clearomizer into your battery, do not overtighten--screw it in only until it makes contact--no farther, or you may push the center post in too deep and cause all kinds of problems, including leaking. When the draw becomes tight or the taste and vapor production begin to diminish, replace the coil. This will happen sooner (even as soon as one day of heavy use) if you're using dark, viscous, or very sweet juices. The old coil can be cleaned and dry burned.

5) Make sure you're not getting any juice in the center tube when you're filling--this will cause your eVod to leak like a sieve. If some juice gets into the tube, close the top cap, place a tissue under your tank and blow gently through the clearomizer to get rid of any excess eliquid. Also, extra condensation inside the tank may, on some occasions, drip back into the center tube. Wipe your mouthpiece dry with a q-tip or a tissue when you refill (or more often when/if needed).

6) Take an occasional "primer puff" (a slow draw without activating the battery) when you vape. It helps move the juice into the coil chamber and removes any air bubbles that sometimes form in the tank and may cause gurgling or impede proper wicking.

7) Take slow long draws rather than sharp and quick ones like we used to do while smoking cigarettes. Do not over vape, chain vape, power vape. Let the juice travel to the coil between drags.

and last but not least

8) Do not remove any flavor wicks if you're experiencing any leaking or flooding. Those wicks are there for a reason. If you feel that you have to remove a wick because your eliquid is particularly thick, do it carefully--one strand at a time. If your liquid is super thin, you can thicken it with a bit of VG (USP--pharma grade) or you can add another strand of cotton to your flavor wick. Don't add too much or you'll choke your atomizer and get a dry hit.

Also, make sure you're vaping at correct wattages; I like 5.5-7 watts.

Good luck!
 
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Spazmelda

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Aug 18, 2011
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I was also not committed to quitting. I was 100% convinced vaping would not work. I wanted to quit, but I'd tried so many times without success and I thought this would be more of the same. I got lucky.

4 year old juice is probably not good. It may have never been good juice and that may be part of your problem. Keep your current ecig. It's probably okay, ans invest in a variety of eliquids. If you have a shop nearby, visit and try the juice bar (not sure if they allow those in canada). If not, order small sample packs and try try try a bunch of flavors. If you are only using tobacco now branch out and try some different flavors. Try some bakery flavors, try fruits, try candy. If part of your problem is that you are expecting it to be like smoke, switching to a flavor that is not supposed to taste like cigarettes might be enough of a change to get you over that hurdle. Try some 12 mg/ml instead of 18. You can always go back to 18 if you need the nicotine, but 12 might help with the throat hit. And definitely pay attention to how you are inhaling, as someone mentioned earlier.

Oh, you might also want to try a bottom coil tank. Maybe an evod, protank, davide, etc...
 

Elizabeth Baldwin

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Feb 2, 2014
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I smoked a pack and a half a day. I loved my marlboros too. I never wanted to quit. Never ever even tried. I noticed the ecigs looked cool. So I ordered a kit. The day I tasted the Vape is the day I quit smoking my 20 year habit. I had my husband try one, he was a 2 pack a day smoker for over 25 years. 2 days later he stopped smoking. We both Vape only now. I enjoy all the delicious flavors and will never pick up a cigarette again. I tried a cig after a couple of weeks into vaping and it made me sick. The taste was just gross after vaping stuff that actually tasted awesome.

I think you just aren't into it. That's the deal here. Most people want to get into it. Most, like me, make it a hobby. Me and my husband build our own coils and are deep into the advanced stuff. I even make my own juice now and it tastes as good if not better than any of the expensive stuff on the market. :p

I suggest you read and study the equipment you have already. Get involved in these forums. But sometimes, some things just aren't for everyone. Good luck. :vapor:
 

Elizabeth Baldwin

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Feb 2, 2014
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I was also not committed to quitting. I was 100% convinced vaping would not work. I wanted to quit, but I'd tried so many times without success and I thought this would be more of the same. I got lucky.

4 year old juice is probably not good. It may have never been good juice and that may be part of your problem. Keep your current ecig. It's probably okay, ans invest in a variety of eliquids. If you have a shop nearby, visit and try the juice bar (not sure if they allow those in canada). If not, order small sample packs and try try try a bunch of flavors. If you are only using tobacco now branch out and try some different flavors. Try some bakery flavors, try fruits, try candy. If part of your problem is that you are expecting it to be like smoke, switching to a flavor that is not supposed to taste like cigarettes might be enough of a change to get you over that hurdle. Try some 12 mg/ml instead of 18. You can always go back to 18 if you need the nicotine, but 12 might help with the throat hit. And definitely pay attention to how you are inhaling, as someone mentioned earlier.

Oh, you might also want to try a bottom coil tank. Maybe an evod, protank, davide, etc...

I totally agree. Getting the taste of a good juice can be the difference. I went out the day my kit came and bought several samples. Out of all the samples I bought only one tasted half way descent. If I had to Vape any of the others I would have grabbed my marlboros back right then. I found these forums and where to get some good juice. Find some tasty juice. Research these forums for ideas of things you might like and read all that companies reviews. Also remember...what tastes good to one may be gross to another because we all have our tastes.
 

EmE247

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Mar 8, 2014
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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.

Main thing is that you NEED to WANT to quit smoking. Don't look at going back to smoking as an option.

I've only been vaping for almost 2 weeks now after kicking a 25 year/pack a day smoking habit. I tried everything to quit including the old cigarette looking ecigs to xantex to the patch to gum to dip to pouches.

You WILL have the urge to smoke real cigarettes, but hopefully with vaping you will have that urge less and less. I still have the urge to smoke a real cig every now and then, but I WANT to quit so I don't even bother to smoke.

Go to a local vape shop and tell them your problems with the hard hits. Try their recommendations and hopefully you will find some juices that aren't as harsh. Ask them to look at your equipment. Have them set it so that the hits aren't as harsh. If necessary, buy a new mod. I bought an eVic and with the # of different settings, you can set it so low that you are hardly hitting it. Take mouth to lung hits instead of straight lung hits. Take smaller drags.

Whatever you do, do your best to WANT to quit. These forums have a lot of great information and a lot of support from past smokers.
 

mar*vel

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Jul 2, 2013
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I see where you're coming from, except I got into vaping long enough to help me quit smoking. I went from a mid-nicotine level and then switched to 0 because my throat started hurting. Now, I don't smoke cigs OR e-cigs at all. I've been trying to get back into vaping, especially since I spent so much money on it and I have a high end mod that I've been waiting for for 8 months heading my way, but I'm just bored of it I guess. Maybe this new mod will help, but maybe it won't. I've tried friends' set-ups that are supposedly amazing, but it's just "meh" for me. I guess I shouldn't complain, but...I am :)
 
Jan 19, 2014
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Moved On
Your profile says that you live in Ottawa. I just googled "ottawa e-cigarette" and found several local vape stores. Including this one, which seems to have many locations:

e-Steam where you can buy Electronic Joyetech Cigarettes in Canada's largest number of Retail stores. - e-Steam, Canada's Largest e-Cigarette Retailer

Go in there, show them the equipment that you've got. If you think your juice may still be good, let them take a look at it (maybe it isn't). Show them how you fill and use your equipment. Then give them a chance to let you experience what they enjoy (i.e. sampling some of their e-liquids, etc.).

Tell them what you've been through ... how much money you've spent, and why you don't want to spend another zillions of dollars on the latest Provari. They'll have an incentive to make you a loyal customer, and to give you an affordable solution. You'll also probably get the chance to try different e-juices, and practice playing with whatever equipment you buy.

It's very intimidating at first, but here are some fairly foodproof things that worked for me:

1) Vivi nova 3s - they fill from the top, you can easily add juice or (if nec'y) a little vegatable glycerin ("VG") to soften the intensity. It's important to get juice containers that are easy to use i.e. that have tips on them for filling. One of the things I like about the vivi is that filing is fairly foolproof. (Sometimes the part with the wick can get a little loose and needs to be tightened. Anyway if they steer you to something else, just keep pushing them to tell you what the failure modes are. Almost none of this equipment is foolproof, but the fix is normally very simple).

2) Vision spinner batteries. Being able to control the voltage is critical. A burnt taste usually means that the liquid is being overheated. Make sure you get a decent charger too, let the people at the store help you select one (shouldn't be more than $10). But a decent battery and a compatible charger are musts.

The problem with trying to learn everything on your own over the 'net is that some things just don't make sense until you actually see them in person. I got lucky in that someone at a store turned me on to the Vivi and the spinners ... after I'd wasted gobs of money on other things (that I won't mention here, in case there are fans - except the JoyeTech 510T starter kit, which everyone knows is *junk* LOL)

Having the desire to quit is certainly important. Not expecting it to happen all at once is clearly helpful. But if the juice is dead, and/or it's getting fried because it's being overheated ... you won't have much chance. The same goes for things like filling the juice w/o spilling it, etc.

Please go to a local vape shop ... I promise you that you won't be sorry!! (ANd yes, you'll pay maybe 10-20% more than over the 'net, but once you know what you want, you can order it. The advice from experienced people is worth it. And I suspect that a store with many locations has good people. Oh, and one more thing - find out when they're busiest. I suggest that you don't go in there during some weird time, because that may be when the least experienced folks are working.)
 

KineticMind

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Mar 2, 2014
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There's a lot of great replies in this thread, and a lot that I can totally relate to.

When I first tried vaping, I absolutely hated it. Then again, knowing what I know now, I'm not sure I'd really consider my first few attempts 'vaping'. My wife picked up one of those Chinese-made disposable eCigs. Hated them with a passion. And, unfortunately, for a long time I associated vaping with those nasty things. I naturally went back to analogs afterwards, as I figured I had vaping figured out and that it just wasn't going to work for me. Very depressing.

A few years later, a buddy at work told me of the success he was having with vaping. Being the skeptic I was, I said "Man, that stuff doesn't work." He shrugged his shoulders and pulled out a Provari and took a big puff from it with a smile and said "Well, it does for me."

I looked at that Provari and the plume of vapor he exhaled with amazement. I never knew vaping could be like that! So I decided I was going to give it another chance. Later that week, I visited a local vape store and paid way too much for my first kit; an eGo Twist kit with two batteries, two bottom coil clearos, charger, and - what I think really changed my mind - a juice that I really enjoyed. Took it home and just couldn't put it down. I smoked my last cigarette that night and haven't had one, or even desired one, since. I was at a pack per day for the last 15 years.

Now I've branched out even further and have a decent collection of mods, tanks, and a whole bunch of juices. I'm still figuring out what I like best, but I'm much more interested in finding that perfect vape now and much more confident that I'll never again put a cancer stick in my mouth. In fact, just being around someone smoking a cigarette makes me feel ill.

Each person is different, but I really believe that once you have made up your mind that you want to quit, and once you find a vaping method that works for you, you're bound for success in quitting. I went from being an outright skeptic to a firm believer overnight, literally.
 

TyPie

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Apr 13, 2013
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Sorry to hear you have been having a hard time.

Bottom line for me: The goal is to get your nicotine fix. Preferably, in an enjoyable manner. At first, vaping did not completely replace the smoking experience, but it DID satisfy the need for nicotine and it sure was close enough. As soon as I understood that the nicotine urge was satisfied and there was a bit of flavor to it, that was it for me. The rest was a little bit of research, reading, visiting this forum (but, of course!), seeing what was available, and this part was certainly interesting and fun for me, which made it easy. If you know that you can enjoy your nic and are confident that there are some flavors out there that you can tolerate (there are hundreds, if not thousands...........), you can quit in a manageable, enjoyable way. You just need to find out a bit more, maybe find a friend & guru.

I have said it before, but I am amazed that quitting cigs was much easier than I ever imagined with ecigs and vaping. Whatever you do, keep trying!
 
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