Another Noob with questions.

[LoMagick]

About three weeks ago my sister got me a nice ego starter kit. At first I was really enjoying it. I can see this becoming my new habit of choice. Now I'm really just trying to sort through the massive amount of information out there. I'm already down from 2 packs per day to maybe 2 or three cigarettes per day. I tried to go cold turkey but that's just not working at all. I keep slipping up and am trying to figure out what exactly I'm missing.

She told me my dosage(6mg) was too low. So I ordered a few bottles of 12mg ejuice. And absolutely HATED every one of them. I did some more reading and more reading and found out about steeping and aging. Every article or video I saw says something a little different. Tried a few things that didn't help. Then I was thinking maybe it's my equipment, and should get something a little nicer but what?

Been reading on here a bit and thinking maybe it's just the higher nicotine that tastes so horrible?

 

[yuseffuhler]

About three weeks ago my sister got me a nice ego starter kit. At first I was really enjoying it. I can see this becoming my new habit of choice. Now I'm really just trying to sort through the massive amount of information out there. I'm already down from 2 packs per day to maybe 2 or three cigarettes per day. I tried to go cold turkey but that's just not working at all. I keep slipping up and am trying to figure out what exactly I'm missing.

She told me my dosage(6mg) was too low. So I ordered a few bottles of 12mg ejuice. And absolutely HATED every one of them. I did some more reading and more reading and found out about steeping and aging. Every article or video I saw says something a little different. Tried a few things that didn't help. Then I was thinking maybe it's my equipment, and should get something a little nicer but what?

Been reading on here a bit and thinking maybe it's just the higher nicotine that tastes so horrible?

There are so many variables it's not even funny. In general, it's best to figure out what you need to do to get the best vape out of the gear you have though. First, is it very very harsh, or does it just taste bad? I used anywhere from 18 to 24mg when I was using egos. It was noticeable, but still less harsh than cigarettes.

 

[glointhedark]

Give those 12 mg eliquids a little more time to steep. Some flavors take a little more time than others to "come into their own". For me, custards and creamy flavors need a minimum 2 week steep time before I enjoy them.

What pg/vg ratio did you get? Higher vg eliquids may also need a bit more steep time.

You've cut down quite a bit on your smoking. Congratulations. Don't beat yourself up for still having the odd smoke here and there. You are on track to reach your goal, and you will get there.

 

[motordude]

Just find a juice you like and play with the nic levels. The important thing is patience. Rome wasn't built in a day. Any cig that you don't smoke is a step in the right direction. Congratulations on your start of your journey!!!

 

[Yozhik]

About three weeks ago my sister got me a nice ego starter kit. At first I was really enjoying it. I can see this becoming my new habit of choice. Now I'm really just trying to sort through the massive amount of information out there. I'm already down from 2 packs per day to maybe 2 or three cigarettes per day. I tried to go cold turkey but that's just not working at all. I keep slipping up and am trying to figure out what exactly I'm missing.

She told me my dosage(6mg) was too low. So I ordered a few bottles of 12mg ejuice. And absolutely HATED every one of them. I did some more reading and more reading and found out about steeping and aging. Every article or video I saw says something a little different. Tried a few things that didn't help. Then I was thinking maybe it's my equipment, and should get something a little nicer but what?

Been reading on here a bit and thinking maybe it's just the higher nicotine that tastes so horrible?

First off, if you've reduced your cigarette usage by 85%, that in itself is a great accomplishment to be proud of. Congrats on that.

Second, it can take time to find the perfect e-juice and setup. Don't be afraid to go to a few different B&Ms to check out flavors or purchasing e-juice with some different characteristics. With enough experimentation, you'll get there quicker rather than later. I'm a bit impressed that you've been able to cut down so much already with just 6mg, btw. I started off at 18mg.

Finally, be aware that nicotine is not the sole addictive component in cigarettes, but it is the strongest one by far. Thus, as you wean yourself off cigarettes, you will likely find that some of those strange cravings begin to fade away the less you smoke.

 

[Dom]

Congrats on your analog intake. your really saving money now. I had the same problem when i was using the cheep pen types. It wasnt until i got the kanger subtank mini with istick 30w battery until i was really happy and not getting stong cravings. the .6 nic level will be fine with a sub ohm tank. Just do some reading on the subject first to see if thats what you want to get into. See if your local vape shop will let you try one of theirs. Great hits great flavor.

 

[Thrasher]

Finding the perfect setup of equipment and juice takes a bit sometimes.

Also remember its not really the nic but all the other junk keeping you hooked, as you get closer to quitting your mind and body are not going to go 100% willingly.

So far you cut down a lot, and that's what really counts, it does not have to be all or none. Take it slow and find what works for you.

Remember don't focus on how many you still smoke, instead try to reflect on all the ones your not smoking anymore. Any reduction is a good thing..

For me stopping completely didn't happen until I found the right tank with the right level of nic




There is no spoon

 

[dionysuskiss]

Congrats on your analog intake. you are the flavors you r really saving money now. I had the same problem when i was using the cheep pen types. It wasnt until i got the kanger subtank mini with istick 30w battery until i was really happy and not getting stong cravings. the .6 nic level will be fine with a sub ohm tank. Just do some reading on the subject first to see if thats what you want to get into. See if your local vape shop will let you try one of theirs. Great hits great flavor.

This is good advice. It might also help if you get a bottle of unflavored juice. To me, it's as close to the taste of a cigarette as you can get. Much better than tobacco flavors. They tend to be too sweet or tastes more like a cigar. Do the flavors you have taste peppery?

 

[Frenchfry1942]

I pretty much "steep" for 2 weeks. I shake it and then remove the lid for 24 hours. After that, I shake a coup[le of times a day and keep stored in a dark place.

Since ejuice is sitting around for a couple of weeks, I buy in "blocks" and I vape a block at a time. I tend to be vaping a block and another block is in a cabinet in the kitchen, or a dark drawer or shoebox. Each block of ejuice is sufficient to last 2 weeks.

I don't know why, but I haven't found more than 1-3 good flavors from any one vendor. So, when I buy a block, I am actually ordering from several vendors.

I do other things and I try different things as I read about or consider, but generally, that is the jist.

Also, when ordering from vendor "A", I order one that I know I like and another to try out. I figure I have about 20 years to figure it all out.

Hope helps.

 

[LoMagick]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the feedback. I hadn't really thought of it that way. This habit is twenty years old after all.I think the biggest problem is; constant chain-smoking is a completely mindless action. This vaping on the other hand requires a lot more thought.

For one thing I was on ultralights so want something that hits pretty smooth. I went and looked. None of those bottles lists a ratio. Any of you ever deal with Zamplebox? Is their stuff usually decent? Peppery, maybe. That's close. It seems to overpower the actual flavors.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Hi Lomagick. Congrats on your progress. I dual used for 12 days until I hit my stride. At that point I had purchased my first "great" tank, the Aspire Nautilus Mini. But I was still having a little trouble with the "itch" of the cigs. I remedied this by keeping a cheap clearo (tank) of the next higher nic in it. Then when the urge was rough I'd hit it once and then go back to the lower nic. Adjustments usually took me 3 days then I no longer needed the nic. I say usually because I used this same method to lower my nic level down to where I am now, at 3mg and zero.

Backups are the rule of thumb for vapers. After a good period you'll probably have backups to the backups (usually from upgrades.) It really sucks when the battery is charging and you can't vape when you want. I'd recommend getting a small mod like the 30W iStick and the Nautilus Mini before spending any more money on the eGo style batteries. I was a 2 to 3 pack a day smoker and when I got the Nautilus and soon after the mod it was insurance to me I would defeat the cig demon.

Steep is important in fresh mixed juices. When starting out it is difficult to purchase juices and then just let them sit in a dark cool place for 2 weeks waiting. (remember to shake them when ever you can or thing of them)

Good luck in your vape journey.

 

[Broodmance]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the feedback. I hadn't really thought of it that way. This habit is twenty years old after all.I think the biggest problem is; constant chain-smoking is a completely mindless action. This vaping on the other hand requires a lot more thought.

For one thing I was on ultralights so want something that hits pretty smooth. I went and looked. None of those bottles lists a ratio. Any of you ever deal with Zamplebox? Is their stuff usually decent? Peppery, maybe. That's close. It seems to overpower the actual flavors.

Some companies list the pg/vg ratio on the bottle. You may be able to find out online as well. Pepper taste could be from the nicotine. I've never heard of Zamplebox. I recommend going to an actual vape shop where you can try a few flavors in person as well as they can provide additional information.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Check these links for shopping for juices.
DEALS and STEALS - Deals and Steals | E-Cigarette Forum (go to last couple pages)
FORUM SUPPLIERS - ECF Forum Suppliers | E-Cigarette Forum
COUPONS - Stores - ECF E-Cigarette Coupons


Many of the juice companies have sample packs.

 

[EBates]

About three weeks ago my sister got me a nice ego starter kit. At first I was really enjoying it. I can see this becoming my new habit of choice. Now I'm really just trying to sort through the massive amount of information out there. I'm already down from 2 packs per day to maybe 2 or three cigarettes per day. I tried to go cold turkey but that's just not working at all. I keep slipping up and am trying to figure out what exactly I'm missing.

She told me my dosage(6mg) was too low. So I ordered a few bottles of 12mg ejuice. And absolutely HATED every one of them. I did some more reading and more reading and found out about steeping and aging. Every article or video I saw says something a little different. Tried a few things that didn't help. Then I was thinking maybe it's my equipment, and should get something a little nicer but what?

Been reading on here a bit and thinking maybe it's just the higher nicotine that tastes so horrible?

Yozhik beat me to it but for getting started vaping the right gear and the right e-juice are a requirement. If you are trying to find your juice on-line good luck with the easter egg hunt. I would never recommend that to a newbe. Go to a local vape shop and try some different juices. With the exception of some fruit and some tobacco flavors I have never let the name of a juice or the number of stars it has determine my choices.

The horrible taste you mention could be due to your ego tank having a bad atomizer head (coil). If the atomizer is operated without sufficient juice then a very nasty burnt taste and very harsh throat hit will be the result. If you have another atomizer head you could try replacing it.
Good Luck

 

[dionysuskiss]

The pepper taste is the nicotine. You don't taste that in a cigarette because of all the other nasty stuff in there. The lower the nic, the less that taste is present. Like others have said, go to a shop and sample flavors. Most will accommodate you by adding extra flavor, upon request,which also helps with the taste when you first start out at higher nic. Again, I recommend getting a bottle of unflavored as a back up. It really helps me when I crave an analog.

 

[Yozhik]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the feedback. I hadn't really thought of it that way. This habit is twenty years old after all.I think the biggest problem is; constant chain-smoking is a completely mindless action. This vaping on the other hand requires a lot more thought.

For one thing I was on ultralights so want something that hits pretty smooth. I went and looked. None of those bottles lists a ratio. Any of you ever deal with Zamplebox? Is their stuff usually decent? Peppery, maybe. That's close. It seems to overpower the actual flavors.

I use Craft Vapery, not Zamplebox, but the reason I use it is to find additional flavors to broaden my vaping palate. To find some initial good daily vapes, I'd say one might need to be more aggressive. That's why a lot of us recommending going to the local B&Ms to find something you like. Once you have a good sense of your nic levels, that's a good time to go online and start trying out sample packs.

Also, if you're looking for a lighter tobacco flavor, you might want to look for Halo's Tribeca or Torque56 e-liquid and give that a try.

 

[yuseffuhler]

Fun fact. I've spent more on ego batteries and cheap tanks than I have on my current mods. They're pretty over priced and don't give as smooth of a hit compared to the nicer stuff, which isn't that much more expensive, especially when one setup lasts for a year at least.

 

[Grimwald]

Something that folks rarely mention is how your tastes can change. You were a 2 pad smoker. After a few weeks, when your sense of taste and smell starts to come back, you may find that you hate flavors you liked, and like flavors you hated. It can happen rather suddenly. I concur that it can help just to have some unflavored liquid around for those times when you hate everything. It also helps to find a good vape shop with a taste bar where you can sample flavors.

 

[Dom]

This is good advice. It might also help if you get a bottle of unflavored juice. To me, it's as close to the taste of a cigarette as you can get. Much better than tobacco flavors. They tend to be too sweet or tastes more like a cigar. Do the flavors you have taste peppery?

The peppery taste is the nicotine. Thats why i got into sub ohm. less nic better taste.

 

[LoMagick]

Thank you!