My First E-Cig.... oh dear...

[Kate]

When I first started esmoking I couldn't stand the taste for long and it irritated my throat. I ended up mixing the squeezed cartridge juice with my own vegetable glycerine and flavourings. You can make really yummy flavours of your own if you can be bothered.

The burning taste is a bit of a worry. Look into the atomiser chamber and if there are any fibres on the wire of the heater remove them with tweezers, you don't want to be burning fibres. Check that your atomiser is neither too dry or too wet. The gurgling might mean it's flooded. I've found with some devices that this can cause it to cook the eliquid and it can taste a bit burned.

Janty's RY4 flavour sometimes gets recommended for those trying to get a tobacco taste. All flavours are subjective, you just have to find those you are happy with by experience. I find that vanilla, cherry, etc are not very strong tastes except with Johnsons Creek which apparently has good tastes.

Keep trying different techniques and flavours, it takes a while to get used to esmoking. Some of us think esmoking is a far better experience than smoking. It's a matter of getting it how you like it.

 

[brunette]

thanks Kate!

Presumably if I take the cartridge to peices and wash the sponge I can re-fill it with a flavoured e-liquid? I have a load of "tobacco" cartridges (extra free kindly supplied by Smokester) but can't see that I will use them as they are so foul tasting.. I think its going to have to be a flavour or nothing! Are there any low nicotine cartridges/liquids that you can get in small quantities to try?

 

[Denni]

Most flavours other than vanilla seem to come in high strength only.

The Virginia isn't as pronounced as rolling tobacco, but then I don't think I'm getting the taste yet as I didn't have any dry cartridges, so I'm 'topping up' the regulars as I go.

Kate is right, the burning taste isn't normal and probably due to atomiser problems. The super mini draws much less so may reduce burnt taste but also delivers less nicotine per drag.

Kit: thanks for the advice. I didn't get enough vapour to begin with and now I guess I'm probably overdoing it (and I always rest the cig near-vertical which may keep the atomiser too moist).

 

[Kate]

You can wash the sponge or you could squeeze out the juice with a syringe http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/2269-easy-way-empty-cart.html
Syringe - Westons Internet Home Health - Online Catalogue - Home Health - Medical

If you squeeze your cartridges you could dilute the juice with vegetable glycerine BP GRADE VEGETABLE GLYCERINE 200ml £3.00 FREE P&P on eBay, also, Homeopathic Herbal Remedies, Natural Alternative Therapies, Health Beauty (end time 11-Sep-08 10:09:27 BST)

... and flavourings - http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/1137-flavoring-shops.html

That way you get the nic from the cartridges diluted and the taste isn't too strong.

OR just buy ready made eliquid for refilling your cartridges. Most sellers stock low nicotine options. Smokester from ecigs.co.uk - Electronic Cigarette | Free Yourself... | e-cigs Liquid will have sample packs of Johnson Creek eliquid later this week I think. Janty eliquid has a good reputation and some popular tastes and also comes in low nic. JANTY LIQUID JANTY LIQUID Wiked eliquid from Pillbox comes in 'low' but 11mg is usually medium to others - eBay.co.uk Shop - ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE QUIT EASILY: TOTALLY-WICKED 11MG E.LIQUID: TOTALLY WICKED E.SMOKING LIQUID 20ML.CIGAR MED 11MG

 

[katink]

All e-devices get primed at the factory. Both for testing-purposes, and to avoid that the new owner will immediately try out the cig... and immediately burn the heating-coil along with that, because of heating a totally dry heatingcoil (doing that is always a good way to murder an e-cig right then and there...).

Different factories use different testing-/priming-fluid; and being all handwork, the amount of fluid is inconsistent, ranging from not enough to just about drowning the atomizer. And the taste of this testing-fluid ranges widely... some use one of their regular tastes; some seem to have special testing-fluid, not a sold taste. All testing-fluids will usualy be 0 mg nicotine though.

The above means, that when you unpack the e-cig for the first time, it does have (a lot down to a bit, whatever) testing-fluid in the atomizer. Some testing-fluids are lovely; some are just gross... and some cigs will need an own priming plus well-topped up new cartridge almost immediately, to not get a burnt coil; while others need a coastguard-treatment first, to save the atomizer from drowning, before doing anything else with it... And all that have their own special fluid, will taste weird until the last of that fluid has left the atomizer.

What I do myself with new e-cigs as first action, is try to bring them all into the same 'beginning-circumstances' - this so I know from there on what is happening, and if things don't go right, then what is wrong and needs to be adjusted. Just going off smoking with a new cig will always give you a puzzle, as soon as something doesn't seem right, as to what isn't right...
To get them into 'same-circumstances' I start off with blowing any excess liquid out (roll up a piece of absorbant paper, shove or put it against the wire-mesh over the heating-coil; then - without battery attached - blow through the atomizer from the end where the battery gets screwed on/in) (this doesn't work with cigars; but you can roll up paper, put it against coil, then put it away upside down for a while to let any liquid be pulled into the paper).

Only after this treatment I prime the new device myself with my own liquid... then gently start smoking it... no vapour then means either no contact between battery and atomizer, try screwing it in more or a bit less until it does make contact; not enough primer yet, try putting on a few more drops - but if it is allready gurgling it won't have too little, instead it will be too much, so blow it clean some more then repeat; or too much primer, especially if it is gurgling - in that case blow it through again as before, then smoke gently without yet putting on anymore drops of your own (it can take some time before excess fluid really starts giving smoke.. be patient and keep trying if this is the case even after blowing out whatever you could).

Smoke the device (gently...) until there is no billowing smoke anymore (but don't go on until there is no smoke at all left... then it gets too dry) - and at that point put on your first new cartridge...

If all goes well, then off you go on your first real e-vaping experience in the way it should be (just the taste of the testing-liquid, what is still left of it, might linger on for a bit yet - it will disappear though, after which the true taste you put in will come through fully).

Hope this helps a bit... it's not the whole story, but it should get you on your way with a new cig, I hope.

 

[brunette]

Hi Katink - when you refer to using your own liquid - presumably you mean your e-juice or liquid which is used to refill cartridges? Am I right in thinking that you put this directly into the atomizer when "priming"?

Thanks

Also, thanks Kate, helpful info - i am now trying to decide what liquid to chose as making it sounds a bit complex!!

 

[Kate]

Lol, just you wait Brunette, once you get the taste for esmoking you'll be into all sorts of weird tastes and gadgets just like the rest of us. Making your own liquid is like making yourself a real cooked meal instead of a microwave meal, it takes a bit of time and effort but it's a treat.

I think Katink means to drip a couple of drops of eliquid (the sort you use to refill cartridges) straight onto your atomiser coil to prime.

 

[brunette]

Thanks Kate... I'm already spending a frightening amount of time on the phenomena of "e-smoking", even if i'm not actually smoking the e-cig!! I've ordered some e-liquids and will "prime" my cig when they arrive in the homes that it improves the flavour!

Thanks again Kate, and to you for your advice Katink

 

[katink]

Correct brunette... 'my own liquid' in that sentence meant 'the liquid I have in my own home'... whatever it's make...
Though it might be better to not use JC-liquid for this, as yet, while their own site does warn not to use this liquid directly on the atomizer... also understand, that this procedure is for new e-devices straight from factory... after having it working well, it might be wiser to top off your carts regularly, rather then dripping straight onto atomizer (better keep the last practice to those times such as new, or after thourough washing-cycle, and such...)

 

[Kit]

Syringe - Westons Internet Home Health - Online Catalogue - Home Health - Medical
Good links kate especially liked this one(Westons Internet Home Healthhave)have you ordered of them before..and do you know where there based..in there contact us page is does not say..

 

[brunette]

Thanks Katink - i've ordered some liquid to do just that!

In the meantime i've had a play (just can't leave it alone!). As it turns out I had some flavourings in my cupboard which have the same ingredients as Kate mentioned. I have therefore cleaned out the atomiser using Katink's technique, squeezed out the cartridge and added some peppermint flavouring to the mix before replacing the cartridge.

Unfortunately i'm still getting the gurgle even though i pretty much blew the atomiser dry before dabbing a small amount on the coil to avoid burning it out. Its like the cartridges are too runny or something. Also the flavour is still foul!! I'm fairly sure that it is the cartridges rather than any fluid left in the atomiser thats the problem having opened a new cartridge and got the same smell off of it. I can only hope that my new flavour carts and my e-liquids will arrive nice and quick and hopefully solve my e-smoking traumas!! Fingers crossed!!

 

[Kate]

Hi Kit, I have ordered off Westons, they're based in the UK. I bought a syringe off them and had no troubles. I think it's possible to get syringes off ebay too. For squeezing cartridge cores any size from 10ml - 50ml is best. The hard thing to find is syringes with needles without having to buy a pack of a hundred. Ecig.com in China sells those for about 50p but that's not very cost effective unless buying other stuff ... and it's ecig.com ... customer service zero etc.

Here's another link someone might find handy, it's a UK based supplier that sells dropper bottles - Beta Pipette Drop Bottles At Herbalists London - Baldwins

 

[Kit]

Nice one i thankyouuuuuuu!

 

[Kate]

You're welcome.

What I should have said about the syringes with needles is that they're what you use with one of the refilling techniques. You don't need the needle for squeezing cartridges, just for refilling. Syringe the juice into the bottom of the cartridge until it rises through the filler to the top.

 

[bob]

Im new to this e smoking, but was so inpresed with it i have opend my own site on bebo and put links to this forum etc .... I use the mini & the super mini and have been trying them out for 3 weeks now.....Any way i would love it if some of ou guys could log on to my bebo site and leave some feed back and even take part in my polls to let others know what you think....Hope the forum addmin dont mind me posting the forum as a link .....Pleas goto bebo and search for me by tying in ecig ....Many thanks guys.....Hope to get some uk members.

 

[Kit]

You're welcome.

What I should have said about the syringes with needles is that they're what you use with one of the refilling techniques. You don't need the needle for squeezing cartridges, just for refilling. Syringe the juice into the bottom of the cartridge until it rises through the filler to the top.

thanks kate.. put ive been filling with syringes for a while now.. the reason i wanted the link was coming back from manchester on the train last week..the syringe must have fallen out of my rucksack..
i don't know where.. but i could imagine the other passengers labeling me a smack head who witnessed its departure.lol

 

[leaford]

What's bebo?

 

[Kit]

What's bebo?

Bebo is a social media network where friends share their lives and explore entertainment.

www.bebo.com

 

[bob]

goto bebo forward slash ecig to leave posts ....Pls let me know what you think folks

 

[brunette]

lol Kit (re: smackhead joke...) You can get an empty seringe from your local chemist - just say you need to it administer medicine!!