Musings from a newbie

[ZebopDin]

Well, I finally took the plunge. I've wanted to try the e-cigs for over a year now, but I wanted to do the research and make sure I knew what I was getting into. After turning 40 this month (Ugh!!) I decided that now is the time!! I’ve been a PAD smoker for over 20 years.
After cruising this forum for a week, I decided that the Volt was really my best option. I picked up the Pro with two batteries, 5 cartos and the PCC with all the charging options. (I travel quite a bit and wanted to be prepared). I also made sure that I picked a wide variety of flavors to test.
Well, after nearly a week, I have to say… I’m struggling.
Here’s my issue: Regardless of which flavor I try, they all have the same aftertaste and harsh throat hit. So much so, in fact, that it’s really causing my throat to hurt and I’m beginning to lose my voice. The best thing I can compare it to is stage fog. I don’t know if any of you have had the opportunity to spend considerable amounts of time around fog machines (not dry ice, but fog juice), the taste that it leaves in your mouth is very similar. The flavors are interesting, but they almost seem to just attempt to mask I call “The Fog juice” taste.
Now, I know that many of you have said that it takes some getting used too, and don’t try to inhale like an analog. I’ve tried holding the vapor in my mouth and then slowly inhaling similar to a cigar… doesn’t work for me. In fact, it makes me want to cough.
Bottom line is this: I really WANT to make this work. And I really NEED to get off of the analogs! Is there something I’m missing?
Has anyone else had a similar experience?

 

[Stef64]

What is the PG/VG content of the juice in your cartos? It sounds like you may have a sensitivity to PG (fog juice is PG, btw). If that is the case you should try some juces with a higher VG content and see it that helps.

 

[TheSneakerHoarder]

It_could_be_the_side-effects_of_NOT_smoking_analogs.

I_went_through_that_period_(still_kinda_am)_for_the_first_3_weeks.

Vaping_is_an_adjustment_for_your_body.

 

[dearme]

I definitely agree that it sounds like the PG content is too high for you. You could try 80/20 or 70/30 juice. If you go too much lower you could have trouble with wicking in the cartos. If you already have eliquid, go to the pharmacy or Walmart and buy some VG (usually Humco brand, and the bottle says Glycerin USP, usually by the rubbing alcohol). Add a few drops to your eliquid. It will mute the flavor a little bit and produce more vapor. It will also reduce the TH.

 

[ZebopDin]

The PG vs VG content is something I've considered. I've hunted through the Smokeless Image website and can't seem to find that info listed. It would seem logical to me that VG is potentially smoother, but that's just speculation on my part seeing as how I'm fairly new to this. Their "smooth" sampler pack consists of RY4, Cowboy, Freedom, Desert Joe and 555, all of which, although distinctly different in taste, produce the same sensation. If anyone happens to know the PG/VG content of these flavors, or SI's ejuice in general, I would love to know. Also, any recommendations on juices that may be suitable for someone like me would be much appreciated! I really wanna see this through!!
I don't think it's a side effect of not smoking analogs, simply because, A) I've only been vaping for a few days, and B) I'm not totally off the analogs yet. The harshness of the vaping is too much for me to do it as frequently as I would like or need to.

 

[winfab]

I'd go with 100% VG juice, though it may be a bit difficult to fill carto's.

 

[player30]

Take a look at Kick Bass Vapor. They have a 30/70 pg/vg line, and they have alot of flavor. That would give you an idea if pg is the problem.

Welcome & best wishes for finding the best combo.

 

[dotma]

I looked at the site and it says cartridges but they look more like cartomizers? I dont know. If you can refill them with juice, definitely try VG juices. Alien Visions makes flavors in either 100% VG or 90% VG. I love the Gorilla Juice! Also their strawberry cheesecake is a very mellow flavor, very little throat hit, so you may want to try something like that. Sounds like a PG reaction you are having, and also the nic content can increase TH so maybe you want to try some at a lesser nic concentration. Ms. Ts Bakery is another great juice vendor. She doesnt tell her exact percentage but she uses more VG than PG. I find her juices very mellow on TH also (but i get low nic, about 6 mg). Her French Vanilla, Snickerdoodle, bananas foster coffee, all some of my faves. Good luck!

 

[Charlz]

The first thing that is happening is the pg/vg is drying your mouth out. Just as stage fog is heated and pulls moisture from anything in the immediate area, it's doing that to your mouth and throat. Drink water and juice constantly. I also have Biotene mouth spray near by for days I let my vaping get ahead of me. Hard candy an mints help too. Try not to vape so much after you have brushed in the evening. (I say try....)

You will have to play with your ratios as others have said. High Nic and PG is rough on the throat, VG softens it but can sit heavy in the lungs. For me, too much VG makes me wheezy so I found my center is about 18mg, 75pg/25vg.

 

[ZebopDin]

Yes, they are cartomizers. They can be refilled several times before they go bad. I'll definitely have to do some serious experimenting. Thanks for all the great tips on vendors! Right now my nic content is 12mg. I may have to really do some serious e-juice shopping! I just hate to have to buy juice that will go to waste if I don't like it. But I think trying the higher VG content is definitely the first step! Thanks All!!

 

[scooter9o9]

welcome to the site, I too am a newbie here. I have read about similar problems and although i have not vaped yet i did order my first e liquid from Virgin vapor because of the ingredients they use hoping i dont have those kind of problems. They sold me in the about us section of their web site. I am eager to try them, i cant wait till all my stuff gets here.. Good luck and i hope your throat gets better..

 

[AlB53]

I just got a Volt last week and there ejuice is 100% PG, thats why you got the big TH
got a store down the road for me and they have a 70/30 ejuice which is a lot smoother, give that a try. you can clean your cartos out and drip some new juice it not hard, I did it lol.