I am on my 2nd attempt to reduce my smoking addiction by using e-cigs. I HAVE reduced the smokes, but not as much as I had hoped. I think (hope) the problem is that my liquids are 2 yrs old. They are dark when I buy them, but also continue to get darker and thicker as I vape. I was hoping the clearomizers would make this a bit easier. I can't get the damned things apart to clean them well (remember, dark liquids). I am using Tornado 650maH bats, and they are perfect for me. I just ordered some Boba's Bounty (I want some NLV Bounty Hunter, but I can't stalk the site to see when he has some available...sigh) and a few more clearomizers....I really hope I get the right combo of things to come together to help me quit. Being a 2 PAD smoker, I have reduced by half...not bad, but not my goal. (I just reread that...it rambles, sorry...lol)
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Onna - don't give up! Reducing from 2 PAD to 1 is FANTASTIC! It is such an accomplishment. First you need to stop, take a breath and realize that. Give yourself the credit you deserve! Now, I do have to say that finding your perfect setup and juices can be a long process. But it is totally doable! You must hang in there and keep trying new things till you find your sweet spot. YOU CAN DO IT!! 
Please keep us posted with your progress....and if you need anything, just PM me and I'll be happy to help!
Please keep us posted with your progress....and if you need anything, just PM me and I'll be happy to help!
Congrats on the reduction, every bit helps. Hopefully you'll get some new juice as I think at 2 years old it's probably at the end of it's life unless stored in perfect conditions. You could try to thin it with some pg or water (only a drop or so at a time) it may help. Let us know how it goes!
Congrats on reducing your smokes by 1/2!!!!!!!
Keep at it and I think new juice will be a big help. I try all sorts of juices to keep my interest up, DIY and ready made, it really helps! Keep up the good work bnrk
Keep at it and I think new juice will be a big help. I try all sorts of juices to keep my interest up, DIY and ready made, it really helps! Keep up the good work bnrk
+1 to what AutumnWolf said. Cutting your consumption in half is a big deal. Pat yourself on the back for that one.
It could be that you need to up your nic strength. When I first started I thought 18 would do it for me but found it just wasn't enough. I am vaping 24 and for most of the time it is perfect but have some 30 on hand for those times that 24 just isn't enough.
Hang in there. I am sure you will find what works perfect for you and come on in here and vent when you need to.
It could be that you need to up your nic strength. When I first started I thought 18 would do it for me but found it just wasn't enough. I am vaping 24 and for most of the time it is perfect but have some 30 on hand for those times that 24 just isn't enough.
Hang in there. I am sure you will find what works perfect for you and come on in here and vent when you need to.
OnnaB, congratulations on cutting back. You are on your way to complete cessation of tobacco.
Dark juices present a problem to most methods of vaping. Anything that uses a cottony filler like polyfill or uses wicks will just not soak up thick or dark liquids as well as those liquids that are relatively clear and free of sediments. Anything you can't see light through probably has suspended solids. Those solids will stop up the pores in your media.
The long term solution is to find some juices you like that are clear and thinner. That usually means a high PG content, but it can also come with high VG juices that are properly thinned with water or alcohol (PGA, pure grain alcohol). You can add some clear alcohol that you obtain from a liquor store. Everclear is one brand. If you know someone who has a bottle, an ounce would go a long way in e-juice. The other method is to add a little water. just a touch at a time is all it needs, a tiny percentage.
A dripper atty is another solution. You can get by with thick juices if you drip 2 to 3 drops at a time and then vape. They are easy to clean and provide the best flavor available. You can drip with a standard atty that came in your starter kit. Just remove the cartridge and drip 3 drops on the woven mesh bridge you see when you look down into the atty barrel. Put the cart back on without the filler inside and vape. Add 2 drops when the taste starts to fade. You will generally get about a cigarette worth on 6 or 8 drops added a couple at the time.
Start asking around ECF about clear juices that approximate the juices you like. I think you'll find there are lighter alternatives for everything you enjoy and those will be much more friendly to your hardware.
Dark juices present a problem to most methods of vaping. Anything that uses a cottony filler like polyfill or uses wicks will just not soak up thick or dark liquids as well as those liquids that are relatively clear and free of sediments. Anything you can't see light through probably has suspended solids. Those solids will stop up the pores in your media.
The long term solution is to find some juices you like that are clear and thinner. That usually means a high PG content, but it can also come with high VG juices that are properly thinned with water or alcohol (PGA, pure grain alcohol). You can add some clear alcohol that you obtain from a liquor store. Everclear is one brand. If you know someone who has a bottle, an ounce would go a long way in e-juice. The other method is to add a little water. just a touch at a time is all it needs, a tiny percentage.
A dripper atty is another solution. You can get by with thick juices if you drip 2 to 3 drops at a time and then vape. They are easy to clean and provide the best flavor available. You can drip with a standard atty that came in your starter kit. Just remove the cartridge and drip 3 drops on the woven mesh bridge you see when you look down into the atty barrel. Put the cart back on without the filler inside and vape. Add 2 drops when the taste starts to fade. You will generally get about a cigarette worth on 6 or 8 drops added a couple at the time.
Start asking around ECF about clear juices that approximate the juices you like. I think you'll find there are lighter alternatives for everything you enjoy and those will be much more friendly to your hardware.
BTW OnnaB, I cut my smoking down from 40 to 50 a day to 6 or 8 the first week I starting vaping. That was two years ago. I hesitated on dropping the last few for the last two years because I kind of enjoyed a cigarette with coffee in the morning and after each meal. I told myself that I would quit one day, but dreaded the withdrawal. I would frequently smoke up to 1/2 pack a lot of days.
3 weeks ago tomorrow, I stopped them all. I expected something to happen ... withdrawal symptoms, whatever. What I found was that life went on, I didn't want a cigarette, and it didn't bother me for my wife to smoke sitting right next to me at the table! It was a non-event. Still, after almost 3 weeks I can smell burning tobacco and not even want one. Right now, my wife and I just finished supper and she is smoking at the table while I type this post. Nothing ... not even an urge!
What I found out was that I could have quit those last few any time I wanted as long as I had my PV to provide some nic. Celebrate the ones you don't smoke, go for a while and get used to the routine, and then cut out those last ones. If you have to, cut it in steps. Smoke only half the amount for a while, stabilize at that point, and half it again until you get to 1 or 2. Then drop them all.
Hang in there. Find a good PV and some good juice, stock up on what you like and never let yourself run out of either.
3 weeks ago tomorrow, I stopped them all. I expected something to happen ... withdrawal symptoms, whatever. What I found was that life went on, I didn't want a cigarette, and it didn't bother me for my wife to smoke sitting right next to me at the table! It was a non-event. Still, after almost 3 weeks I can smell burning tobacco and not even want one. Right now, my wife and I just finished supper and she is smoking at the table while I type this post. Nothing ... not even an urge!
What I found out was that I could have quit those last few any time I wanted as long as I had my PV to provide some nic. Celebrate the ones you don't smoke, go for a while and get used to the routine, and then cut out those last ones. If you have to, cut it in steps. Smoke only half the amount for a while, stabilize at that point, and half it again until you get to 1 or 2. Then drop them all.
Hang in there. Find a good PV and some good juice, stock up on what you like and never let yourself run out of either.
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Thank to you all! I guess the 2 biggest probs are, 1) Not having the money to try lots of juices...even in sample sizes. 2) I REALLY wish there were more brick and mortar stores. I hate paying shipping, but REALLY hate waiting days to get my stuff...lol. Thanks for the kind, encouraging words! I shall continue to go forward...and working at it!
My current juices are TV Mint Choc. Chip and TV Dulce le Leche(sp?) and I just ordered BB from SmokTek. These are all dark...sigh. I have tried fruity and some are okay, but they crack the clearomizers. I don't want the newer clearomizers because the long wicks don't dry well unless I take them apart...and I haven't had success with that (and I'm afraid to break them). Sooooo...any suggestions on clearer juices?? Um, currently using 36mg....
Just as a caveat, I have not yet tried the new chocolate at Ms T's Bakery, but supposedly, it's clearer and won't clog cartos as fast. It's available on a few different chocolate juices, including my fav chocolate juice, Chocolate Coconut Bar, which does clog up a carto fast in the old version, so I'm looking forward to trying the new one with my fingers crossed.
I guess the important points is: Keep Vaping! Eventually, the ecigs will take away the tobacco cigs. It might take a while, but you can cut it down in stages and not have physical withdrawal. If you have to smoke and vape concurrently, then so be it. No one here will think less of you for doing that. We all have been there and understand completely. ECF is a technical support group, a mental support group, and you can consider us as online friends. ECF is like an online family for vapers.
You might also consider getting something like a 3-hole bridgeless atty to drip sometimes. Those things REALLY burn through the juice and the result is huge clouds with loads of flavor AND nicotine. I've even gotten a buzz off my 12 mg/mL juice before using one. It's a good way to get a nice dose of nic into your system fast. Also, don't beat yourself up if it takes you some time to make the transition completely. Some people are able to stop smoking all at once, but for some (like myself), it can take a few months. You're doing great! Keep it up (and maybe buy some new juices?)!
Edit: Where are you located? If you are in the US, I'd be happy to send you some juices.
Edit: Where are you located? If you are in the US, I'd be happy to send you some juices.
Good luck with it! I have yet to fully quit yet but have reduced it dramatically. Also a 2pad smoker. Smoked 4 (cigs, not packs. LOL) yesterday. 2 this morning and have run out. Usually I go crazy without a pack on me but I'm just vaping right now and ok. Quitting is harder than anything else I have tried in my life. I've done patches, gum, etc and always have gone back to smoking. Vaping seems to be the best method I've tried so far. Besides, with all the cash I've spent on it so far, I can't afford to both vape and smoke...
You may also try EC Blends. They have a giant selection and a lot of clear juices, and sample sizes starting at only $2.50. They have a coupon code 10020 that will save another 20%, so that gets your samples down to $2.
frequent, I don't think I want to drip. I like the less is more approach. Clearomizers work for that...for now.
Tina, thanks...I will have to look them up.
Ohai, I LOVE Ms. T's Mint Chocolate Chip Cappuccino...I'll look into the new mix when I can afford it. Thanks everyone!!
Tina, thanks...I will have to look them up.
Ohai, I LOVE Ms. T's Mint Chocolate Chip Cappuccino...I'll look into the new mix when I can afford it. Thanks everyone!!
"Cigarette consumption down by half! Details at 11!" This IS a big deal, and great progress. Rejoice in all your victories, great or small. Congrats to you. 
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