Healthiest Starter Kit

[hcore]

I'm incredibly new here and have been reading the forums but am quite overwhelmed with the amount of information here (on top of all the abbreviations and terminology)

So I have a relatively simple question, without caring about price or a range of flavors (since candy ones appear unhealthy) what are the healthiest eCigarette options with respect to both the vaporizing device and liquid?

I have noticed that there are more devices with ceramic appearing on the market and am also interested in liquids made with VG over PG.

With respect to liquids, American eliquid Store, seems like a good option to me but I'm still quite open to other recommendations. Especially if there are completely unflavored versions available that contain only Nicotine and the suspension/diluent (VG or Glycerin?)

I do hope this is the correct forum to post in, I noticed a large Health section but none of the subforums seemed appropriate, so if I've chosen the wrong place please point me to the correct area.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rachy_B]

I didn't think there was such a thing as 'healthiest'... I hear to avoid popcorn flavored juice and Chinese juice...also try and buy genuine kits eg joyetech rather than knock-offs...x

 

[hcore]

I didn't think there was such a thing as 'healthiest'... I hear to avoid popcorn flavored juice and Chinese juice...also try and buy genuine kits eg joyetech rather than knock-offs...x

There's certainly no "healthy" smoking but I'd consider ceramic or other non-metallic heating elements to be healthier, and same with the Juice, since PG can contain adulterants from manufacturing I was hoping to find some other liquid options; particularly from suppliers with a high degree of quality control.

 

[ClippinWings]

Cigarette's WILL kill you.

Compared to that, it's all nit-picking, isn't it?

 

[Baditude]

Above is a size comparison of two sizes of "cigarette-size" batteries and three sizes of the "ego-size" batteries along with a cigarette. Second pic is of my advanced personal vaporizers, or mods.
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There are three categories of personal vaporizers, mostly differentiated by the size of batteries that they use. Most beginners feel more comfortable starting with the cigarette-sized batteries, and they will get you inside the door of vaping and you likely will be able to quit smoking with these. However, due to the small size of these "stick batteries" or "cigalikes", they have well-known limitations. Because they will only hold an effective charge for 3-4 hours, three or four of them will be required to last throughout the day. They are also limited to the variety of juice carrying devices that connect to the top of them because of their small size. These have an expected life expectancy of 250 charges.

A good vendor for these is
Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Smokeless Image Electronic Cigarettes - The Future is in your hands. They offer an full line of batteries, juice carrying devices, and two brands of e-liquid. All of their mechanical gear is compatible with each other so there is no worry of will one piece work with another.
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The next category is the mid-sized eGo batteries. These are cigar-sized, and offer an increased usage time of between 6-13 hours or more. A larger variety of juice carrying device can fit on top of these. Some models even offer variable voltage, which allows you to tailor the amount of heat to the heating coils for each individual flavor of juice you may have. Many flavors have a "sweet spot" that can improve their taste by adjusting the heat either higher or lower in voltage. This category of batteries perform much better than the cigarette-sized batteries, and dispite being larger, are still a convenient size for a pocket or purse. These also have an expected life expectancy of 250 charges.

Below is a setup that would work nicely for beginners or advanced users alike:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...365141-need-help-newbie-here.html#post8197330
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The last category are the devices that are essentially battery holders in the shape of a tube or box. These use replaceable, rechargeable batteries. These devices are much larger generally because of the larger batteries they use. Battery duration can be as long as 24 hours or more, and the expected expectancy of these types of batteries is about one year. Instead of carrying multiple devices with you, you only need to carry an extra battery.

So these devices are more for people who are into vaping for the long term. These devices are either fixed voltage, variable voltage, or variable power (wattage). These have a larger initial investment because of better materials and craftmanship, and are much more durable to accidents. You can see the mods that I now use if you click the below link in my sig.
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For juice carrying devices, I made a picture dictionary in this link: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...minology-carto-tank-what-lol.html#post7562212
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Concerning e-liquids, you expressed an interest in all VG liquids. The following juice vendors offer made-to-order juice using all natural and organic flavors. They also offer sampler packs to try their juices so that you don't waste money on larger bottles that you may not care for.

Organically Flavored E-liquid | Virgin Vapor | Electronic Cigarette Organic e-Liquid | Electronic Cigarettes

Vaperite | E Liquid Flavors and Organic E Cigarette Liquid
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I'm sure you will have additional questions. Good luck with your search.

 

[hcore]

Cigarette's WILL kill you.

Compared to that, it's all nit-picking, isn't it?

Not really, harm reduction is harm reduction. Smoking a few cigarettes is healthier than 2 packs a day, eating turkey bacon is healthier than regular bacon, and some exercise is better than no exercise.

Not smoking, not eating any sort of salty meat, and exercising frequently are clearly the best options; but there's different levels of bad.

 

[Bodach]

Heathers Heavenly Vapes, Top Quality Custom E-Liquids makes 100% VG liquids that are AMAZING. Just find something you're interested in that's part of the Purity line.

(just search "Purity" in the search box, and they'll all be listed)

 

[markfm]

You can also buy plain vg with nicotine, no other flavorings. We use it for do it yourself.

For example, pick up some of the 36 mg/ml nicotine base from:
http://www.shop.goodprophets.com/category.sc?categoryId=23

Add a couple of small bottles from the site, plus some 0 nicotine plain pg and/or vg. (you can also buy the plain vg at a rite aid or cvs, it is called glycerine usp skin protectant, near the bandaids; a clear 6 ounce bottle costs about $5, and the ingredients should only have 1 item, glycerine at 99.5%)

Put equal amounts of the 36 mg/ml nicotine base and plain glycerine into a bottle, shake, and you will have 18 mg/ml unflavored eliquid.

Personally, as long as you buy from reputable vendors I wouldn't sweat buying flavored eliquid, which most people find much more enjoyable.

 

[hcore]

Thanks for the general info and liquid options guys! The purity line and explanation of different parts of the ecig were very helpful.

I'm now looking at ceramic cartomizers but any recommendations would be great as well!

 

[markfm]

I forgot to mention people use pg usp grade for eliquid, which is pretty tightly controlled from a manufacturing standpoint (required purity, restrictions on contaminants).

Some people have pg sensitivity, but if they do they probably also have sensitivity to pg in many skin lotions, etc. (my sister is such a person, vapes low or no pg, but likewise can't use Vaseline Intensive Care). Others have vg sensitivity - no magic to it. Some have sensitivity to certain other chemicals, need to use organic flavorings.

On ceramic, I've been happy with classic cartomizers and atomizers, the temperatures aren't high enough to be a problem. If someone wants to use ceramics, fine, but I've seen nothing at all pointing to issues with metal based units.

IkenVape makes some excellent standard cartomizers, and his io6 atomizers are really good.

 

[StormFinch]

PG is used as the base ingredient of inhalation treatments for lung transplant patients, and as markfm stated we use psp grade. That I know of, we are the first individuals to directly inhale vegetable glycerin. Probably only people who work around fog machines full time get more. Six of one half a dozen of another in my book.

 

[hcore]

PG is used as the base ingredient of inhalation treatments for lung transplant patients, and as markfm stated we use psp grade. That I know of, we are the first individuals to directly inhale vegetable glycerin. Probably only people who work around fog machines full time get more. Six of one half a dozen of another in my book.

USP Grade sounds interesting, when you mention "we" are you talking about goodprophets? I see there's a lot of liquids on there (both PG and VG) and was wondering which of them you're referring to. Are all the PG liquids using USP Grade?

Additionally is the VG also USP grade?

 

[StormFinch]

USP Grade sounds interesting, when you mention "we" are you talking about goodprophets? I see there's a lot of liquids on there (both PG and VG) and was wondering which of them you're referring to. Are all the PG liquids using USP Grade?

Additionally is the VG also USP grade?

"We" as in vapers in general. I personally mix my own ejuice, but as far as I know all the suppliers featured on this particular forum mix with USP grade. There are a few Chinese suppliers I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw them, but then they aren't cleared as suppliers here either.

VG comes in two different higher grades, USP and Food Grade. Some of each also have the label Kosher which is just within Jewish dietary law. Again, USP grade is used in e-juices, though I've heard of some individuals mixing with food grade. Food grade is GRAS, Generally Recognized As Safe, but isn't regulated by the FDA... not that I really trust them any farther than I can throw them either.

 

[markfm]

Yes, reputable vendors use usp grade pg and vg. It is easy to obtain, pretty cheap, only about $20/gallon retail, cheaper if you are a vendor buying bulk.

 

[Dashe]

This is an incredibly helpful post. I wonder why I finding this whole concept so confusing...but your post clarified several things for me. Thanks! (referring to post #5)

 

[Baditude]

This is an incredibly helpful post. I wonder why I finding this whole concept so confusing...but your post clarified several things for me. Thanks! (referring to post #5)

What in particular is confusing? Maybe we can further clarify some things for you?

 

[carynjahn]

What is this about candy juices being bad? Did I miss something?

 

[Baditude]

What is this about candy juices being bad? Did I miss something?

Not sure if this what that poster meant, but some flavors are known to have a chemical reaction with a particular plastic called polycarbonate, which is found in some of the older tube cartotanks and most of the clearomizers. These juices can crack or melt this plastic material, or leach chemicals into the juice. Cinnamon flavor is one of the worst offenders.

There's a list of these flavors/juices in this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tanks/219179-lets-make-list-juices-flavors-crack-tanks-ce2s-clearos-33.html#post8158663

 

[carynjahn]

Not sure if this what that poster meant, but some flavors are known to have a chemical reaction with a particular plastic called polycarbonate, which is found in some of the older tube cartotanks and most of the clearomizers. These juices can crack or melt this plastic material, or leach chemicals into the juice. Cinnamon flavor is one of the worst offenders.

There's a list of these flavors/juices in this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tanks/219179-lets-make-list-juices-flavors-crack-tanks-ce2s-clearos-33.html#post8158663

Guess I misunderstood what the op was trying to say. I know all about cinnamon and polycarb. What do you think about the stronger flavors and polypro? I've been told that polypro holds up better, but will eventually do the same thing. I've been using polypro tanks for awhile with lemon and cinnamon flavors with no problems.

 

[Baditude]

Guess I misunderstood what the op was trying to say. I know all about cinnamon and polycarb. What do you think about the stronger flavors and polypro? I've been told that polypro holds up better, but will eventually do the same thing. I've been using polypro tanks for awhile with lemon and cinnamon flavors with no problems.

I still believe pyrex glass is the preferred material for all e-liquid. It is totally inert, meaning that it will have no reaction to any juice or flavor, nor impart any "taste" to the juice. My ECF buddy Zapped has a sensitive taste palate to any kind of plastic, and can taste the plastic in his vape. There's a reason that scientists, medical laboratories, and the food industry use glass over plastic. In addition to this, glass is clear; the alternative to polycarbonate is polypropylene, which is frosted. This is a minor aesthetic issue, but I prefer the clear look in my tanks.

Having said that, I still have and use a few Smoktech polypropylene DCT tanks which were my first tanks. They handle the volatile flavors just fine.