Another De-Lurking

[LimeFox]

Greetings,

I am a 20+ year pack+ per day smoker, looking to quit via vaping. About a month ago, I tried researching vaping online, got totally overwhelmed and waltzed myself to a local B&M vape shop and said, "sell me your preferred startup kit, show me how to use it, and send me on my way." And they did.

After reading online reivews of my purchase (yes, after the fact), I think I lucked out in getting a decent rig. I have the Aspire BDC Clearomizer (pyrex tank) and the Vision Spinner battery.

There have been some bumps in the road. The local B&M shop's e-juice had an unpleasant aftertaste that took some while to pin down. Turns out if the e-juice isn't 100% VG, I don't like it. I'm currently sampling a number of Virgin Vapor flavors.

Which brings me to my thanks to this forum -- there are three threads that have been an enormous help to me:


http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...discussion/304212-top-5-vendors-e-liquid.html (very helpful in narrowing the enormous field of vendors)

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ssion/474456-best-gourmet-ejuice-vendors.html (very helpful when I realized I needed 100% VG)

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ussion/519685-natural-tobaccos-part-deux.html (Mr. LimeFox is a tobacco fiend and I read this thread for him. He's currently vaping Mountain Oak's Apache)

 

[Chili Three Way]

Welcome to vaping LimeFox. I hope you find it as enjoyable as many of us have.

You are lucky to have a B&M shop in your area, not to mention one that has knowledgeable sales people. I have heard some horror stories about some of the tobacco shops that have started selling e-cig gear. The sales staffs seem to know nothing at all about the products they sell and all too often sell crap to new vapers. I think I would stick with this one if I were you. They seem truly interested in their customer's experience.

Happy vaping!

 

[daleron]

Welcome to ECF LimeFox

 

[Speedquest32]

Welcome to vaping LimeFox. I hope you find it as enjoyable as many of us have.

You are lucky to have a B&M shop in your area, not to mention one that has knowledgeable sales people. I have heard some horror stories about some of the tobacco shops that have started selling e-cig gear. The sales staffs seem to know nothing at all about the products they sell and all too often sell crap to new vapers. I think I would stick with this one if I were you. They seem truly interested in their customer's experience.

Happy vaping!

Very true! I went to 2 of the local B&M vape shops last week... (In the same day... )Looking for replacement cartos for my tank, when I asked for them I got a puzzled look followed by yeah sure. They both then reached me a T3S clearomizer! It's truly sad when someone who just started vaping 6 weeks ago can tell you more about vaping and the equipment than the B&M vapor stores in their area! One of which was the owner (1 of only 2 employees)at the store! A big thank you to all the helpful people here on the forum! You guys are lifesavers!!

 

[LimeFox]

Thank you for the welcomes.

Chili, we actually have a number of pure vape shops in the area. I picked the one where I got my rig because it was the closest one to my house, lol. I do wish I could continue to give them my business, but they only do PG juice and I just can't hack it.

I've also since learned that their prices for hardware are pretty steep. I don't mind paying more to shop locally, but when I can get the bits and piece for half the cost online... well, I do have to consider my own wallet.

I will always be thankful, though, that they gave me such a good start.

 

[TheReign]

Welcome to the Dee-lurking part of Joining!! It'll get much better now that you can start posting everywhere and asking questions

 

[LimeFox]

Thank you, Reign -- I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Nanny22]

Welcome! Lots of us vape high VG - some by necessity and many by choice. Sounds like you are on the road to some good VG juice vendors. I have had great luck with Johnson Creek, Velvet Cloud Vapors, and Highbrow Vapor to name a few. Many of the other vendors offer customization of your PG/VG ratio now too. I think it is becoming more common as they begin to realize they are missing out on a decent sized market share if they don't offer options.
Good luck, this is a great place to share knowledge!

 

[Gnomeater]

Welcome. It is hard to find 100% VG, since flavor is carried in PG. I would suggest you checkout Mount Baker Vapor. I have had good experiences with them on their max VG.

 

[LimeFox]

Hi Nanny, I've been looking (longingly) at Velvet Cloud Vapors, but they don't seem to have sample sizes, so I think I have to wait until I'm a bit more confident in my ability to select flavors.

I had not checked Johnson Creek or Highbrow Vapor, I'll definitely give them a visit.

 

[LimeFox]

Thank you, Gnomeater, I will definitely check out Mount Baker.

 

[pwheeler]

Welcome to the forum! I am also new here. I never had the option to go to a B&M store as the nearest one is probably close to 100 miles away. I lurked around here since joining last November and read posts daily trying to learn what I could. There's an incredible amount of information I've found out. I ordered my first starter kit online, and that was just from things I learned here and large amounts of reviews. It's great for starters to get me off of analogs. One day, I'll upgrade to something better.

 

[Nanny22]

Hi Nanny, I've been looking (longingly) at Velvet Cloud Vapors, but they don't seem to have sample sizes, so I think I have to wait until I'm a bit more confident in my ability to select flavors.

I had not checked Johnson Creek or Highbrow Vapor, I'll definitely give them a visit.

LimeFox, Johnson Creek is the company that makes the liquid for the Blu ecigs. They have an entire line of 100% VG juice (called Red Oak) and a great reputation. I personally love their "Vanda". It is a very smooth vanilla that is great alone or goes with anything you would like to add to it. Sometimes I add a few drops of peach or mixed berry. Delicious!

Highbrow Vapor is a small family run company that uses all natural and organic in most of their juices. Their Cappucchino Diablo, Caramel Cake, Peach Thymbra, Vanilla Decadence and Hazelnut Creme are some of my favorites. If you go with straight VG from Highbrow you can request that they give you "extra flavor" to make up for the lack of flavor carrying PG. They do this at no extra charge.

You may pay a dollar or two more for some of your juices but I have found that usually translates into juices that have great FLAVOR and that I actually will vape (rather than have collecting dust on a shelf). Not always, but in general this has held true for me.
There is a big learning curve with ejuices -- it takes a while to find what you like. When you add in the fact that you want to go with mostly VG, it reduces your options even further. But then you find your sweet spot and have a handful of favorites and can start just re-ordering what you know you will love.

 

[LimeFox]

Nanny, I am very tempted by Highbrow's Heavenly Macaroon and the Hazelnut Creme -- I really appreciate the "extra flavor" tip and if I order, I'll definitely use that.

I currently have one flavor that I'm comfortable vaping for more than a few minutes (Virgin Vapor's Death by Chocolate), but I know I've got to get a few favorites.

I've done a few sample packs (and tasted juice I've gotten for Mr. LimeFox) and I'm pretty clear that I am not a "tobacco" flavor person (the Mr. definitely is). I figure there is much more to be learned.

 

[Nanny22]

Nanny, I am very tempted by Highbrow's Heavenly Macaroon and the Hazelnut Creme -- I really appreciate the "extra flavor" tip and if I order, I'll definitely use that.

I currently have one flavor that I'm comfortable vaping for more than a few minutes (Virgin Vapor's Death by Chocolate), but I know I've got to get a few favorites.

I've done a few sample packs (and tasted juice I've gotten for Mr. LimeFox) and I'm pretty clear that I am not a "tobacco" flavor person (the Mr. definitely is). I figure there is much more to be learned.

I agree, I can't do the tobacco ones, either -- YET. Everyone here says your tastes will change as time goes by, so maybe somewhere down the road it will be exactly what I am looking for! It's fun to shop for juices when there are so many luscious flavors!

Mmmmm, Macaroon with NO CALORIES! Sounds delicious! I am mighty attracted to juices that taste like my favorite foods, especially the sweets and desserts. The coupon code "HIGHBROW" will get you 10% off

Have fun, glad you are here!

 

[LimeFox]

Oh yes, I think I'm destined to be a dessert vaper, lol.

Thank you for the very warm welcome!

 

[kathi17]

Welcome to the forum! I'm a dessert vaper too.

I still haven't found my favorite flavors yet, but it sure is fun experimenting!

Your B&M made a great suggestion for a starter kit, a good tank and battery, but not too expensive. It will give you something you can really enjoy while you decide on your upgrades! I still love my spinner/Twists!

 

[mare ze dotes]

Your starter kit is much the same as mine, And that was a year ago. Good choice. Mine is still up and running.

As for flavors. It is hard to recommend. My advice is to buy in small amounts till something tickles your fancy. What works for me is when I find a good flav I reorder and then order something new each time when I go back. Bit by Bit I found a big hand ful of stuff that I like. That might help if you have a budget.

 

[LimeFox]

Thank you, kathi and mare!

Mare, I love buying in small amounts... I'm finding I'm surprisingly picky, so sample packs are my current fave, lol.

 

[LimeFox]

Oh Nanny, thank you!

I ordered from Highbrow (with requests for extra flavor) and I'm currently vaping the Cheesecake Torte... I would describe it as creamy graham cracker crust... heavenly!