Need Help - New to Vaping and to ECF

[skeletorva]

Hi folks,
I'm only 35 and I'm a 21 year smoker. I just started vaping around 3 months ago. Also, I just registered with ECF today. From what I've seen, so far, this community is awesome.

I started with a free sample offer from optimacigs.com. It was neat, but I wasn't convinced.

I did some research with electroniccigaretteconsumerreviews.com. They lead me to GreenSmoke.com.

Green Smoke is a nice product. They're less expensive than cigarettes. They have some pretty nice flavors, albeit very few of them.

Upon returning to ECCR again, last week, I found https://www.apolloecigs.com/default.asp. This showed me my first clearomizer and a more genuine vaping experience, rather than simple e-cigs. I really like the full sized battery, the nice, see-through tank, the variety of flavors, but there's something odd about their e-juices.

Just last night, I found this article at Inside the world of vapers, the subculture that might save smokers' lives | Digital Trends. Here, I found these forums and a few very nice vendors for what appears to be the true vaping community.

I'd really like to delve deeper into vapirism. (Did I just invent a new word?) I wonder if anyone can make some recommendations for me. The Green Smoke flavors are ok, not quite as tasty as the Apollo e-juice. I've shown my wife the 2 flavors I purchased from Apollo, Cappucino and Almond Joyee. She says they taste like burnt coffee and Almond Joy, exactly. But when I vape on them, I get a salty-sweet, peanut buttery flavor. It almost tastes like Nutter Butter, to me. I wonder if there is some chemical that I can taste that she can't. For example, grapefruit is unbearably sour to me, but it's very sweet to her. Also, I'm allergic to peanuts, but haven't had any reaction to the e-juice. Apollo says that they use a PG/VG 60/40 ratio. I don't know what Green Smoke uses, they're not very helpful that way.

Is there some chemical that Apollo uses that makes it taste strange to only me? Are my taste buds simply incompatible with that particular PG/VG ratio?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
skeletorva

 

[skeletorva]

I forgot to include the equipment I'm using. It's Apollo's Superior Ego CE4 kit. Also, I think the voltage may be too high for the e-juice they sell with it.

 

[Caridwen]

Welcome to the forum skeletorva, great to have you here! That really was a great article.

I'm sure some of the members will be along to help you.

 

[Demiurgous]

Have you quit analogs completely? Those can distort flavor. If you have quit completely, was it recently? If not, dehydration and frequent vaping can distort flavor.

But taste is also subjective.

 

[Baditude]

The eGo batteries are an excellent starter's gear setup. Clearomizers are the typical starter juice delivery device to use on top of the eGo batteries.

There are other options of delivery devices to put on your batteries that may provide you with a different and perhaps improved vaping experience. You can find descriptions and video links to the more common ones in this article I made for beginning vapors:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...k-what-primer-juice-delivery-attachments.html

__

Finding a couple of great juice flavors can be even more important, and sometimes more difficult, than finding the right gear. Since taste preferences vary so much from one person to the next its extremely difficult to make recommendations. It's pretty much a hit or miss proposition. Try as many different flavors from different manufacturers as you can until you find some keepers.

The best way to do this is to purchase sampler packs from vendors that offer them. This way you can sample small quantities of multiple flavors without spending a lot of money (and possibly wasting that money) on juices that you don't care for. Once you have found flavors that you like, you can then purchase more in a larger quantity.

Try to find out if there are any local vape shops within driving distance of your home. Many of these have e-liquid taste stations or e-juice bars to sample flavors prior to purchase.

There's a juice sub-forum here to get ideas on which vendors to investigate as a potential supplier for you: General E-Liquid Discussion

My favorite vendor seems to specialize in fruit flavors. No sampler packs yet, but they do offer smaller individual bottles. Dripeez: https://natural-eliquid.com/store/index.php

Two other vendors that I purchase from do offer sampler packs:

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

Vaperite: Home

Good luck and welcome to ECF!

 

[murphyramone]

I have not used any juices from the companys you mentioned so i can not help you there. I have had a problem with muted and blah tasting flavors to. I recently made an order to ecblendflavors and i think that they are the most spot on flavors that i have came across yet. They even put a note on the invoice letting me know what flavors would be better if they steeped. Give them a try.

 

[BuGlen]

I have not used any juices from the companys you mentioned so i can not help you there. I have had a problem with muted and blah tasting flavors to. I recently made an order to ecblendflavors and i think that they are the most spot on flavors that i have came across yet. They even put a note on the invoice letting me know what flavors would be better if they steeped. Give them a try.

I agree with the recommend for ECBlend. Not because they're the best e-liquid in town (they're not), but they are good, and they're inexpensive, and they have a huge variety of flavors and options. It's a good place to go and sample different flavors to figure out what works for your taste buds.

 

[Old-Nick]

Just my 2 cents: I live 5 miles from a Totally Wicked shop, bought my wife a Tornado Twister kit with a Dual Coil Tank and an 18mg Menthol juice. Got her hooked on it and off the analogs. She now has Boston cream pie as her alternate vape, and I have Tiger blood. To me it tastes of burnt orange (but not burnt, as in not vaping correctly) and I am partial to flavors away from the tobacco-based ones. I was lucky enough to be paid forward with a similar kit (fixed voltage, small cartridges for juice) and I took to it right away. Others where I work have mixed success.
I've been analog-free for a few months now and I notice the benefits.
Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[skeletorva]

Thanks to all of you for your helpful and welcoming comments and advice, especially Baditude.

My last analog was on the night of 13 May, 2013.

I think I'll be staying away from the Apollo products from now on, since its performance seems to be quickly depleting.

Baditude, based on your comments, but mostly your beginner's guide, I think I'd like to try the following set up.

ProVape-1 Base Kit V2.1 - ProVape Electronic Cigarette Battery Mod
Avid Vaper's AMP Tank 5 ml w/ 2.0ohm CS bridgeless 510 atomizer - AMP Tank - Avid Vaper

From what I understand, this should allow me to use pre-filled standard 510 cartomizers, as well as e-juice from juice vendors to put directly into the tank. Please, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Katya]

Hi skeletorva and welcome to ECF!

I usually recommend this kit to new vapers:

http://www.myvaporstore.com/Vision_Spinner_Joye_Ego_C_Twist_Combo_p/vvs-c.htm

It's reasonably priced, good quality and has all the good stuff (I'm using those batteries and heads myself), and fully customizable. I suggest you get one Spiiner battery (or a Spinner and an eGo) and a T3 and an eVod--plus some extra coils that do not come with the kit.

Taste is very subjective, so I rarely recommend juices to newcomers, but I suggest that you get some samples first from popular juice vendors and see what you like. Mt. Baker Vapors, Backwoods Brew, Nhaler, Rawr Vapor, Halo are poplar. I also recommend that your read some reviews and look for juices that are mild tasting and contain at leat 20 or 30% VG--VG softens the harshness of pure PG.

 

[skeletorva]

Thank you, Katya. That was going to be my next question. If VG soften the harshness, what are the positive attributes of PG

Also, how do you clean out your tank, or clearomizer to switch flavors? Currently, I'm using the ego CE4.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

The Apollo eGo fires at 3.3 volts.
Juice Components
Flavoring usually about 15%- could be higher or lower depending on the flavor used.
PG enhances flavor, TH and lung hit- water like - many of us believe PG to be a throat irritant.
VG= vapor and can mute flavor- thick
Nicotine- TH, lung hit and our need for nicotine. The MOST important ingredient in regards to TH and lung hit.
Standards in the industry are 80/ 20 or 70/ 30 PG/ VG.

Also, how do you clean out your tank, or clearomizer to switch flavors? Currently, I'm using the ego CE4.

We generally use a number of tanks with different flavors in them. We also use an atomizer/ atty to test new juices- far easier to clean.
To clean the tank simply run warm water in it and shake. Problem is it's near impossible to dry the wicks out before refilling. There are now rebuildble clearos available- last a long time and the head (coil+ wick can be easily cleaned and/ or replaced.

 

[vplizajane]

hello!! i am also completely new to the VAST world of vaping - i really had no idea how involved this all could get when i first bought my first basic blu starter kit about a month ago!! i'm still working out some things trying to get my "ideal" setup (next up - ego style battery ... more research needs to be done on my part there!!) ... but i have already tried a number of eliquids and i second/third/&c the recommendations for the halo juices as well as mt baker vapor - i just got in an expedited order from mt. baker including several flavours, my favourites including their "bananas gone nuts", "key lime," and "blue ice" ... i'm still smoking the occassional analogue, however, so my preferences are likely still toward "stronger" flavours. tried the mt. baker "american tobacco" and not a HUGE fan, but i do think it will be better after some steeping ... still looking for that "wow!!" tobacco flavour. not a fan of any of the vapor4life stuff i have tried. i liked the flavour of the johnson creek juice that came in the tobacco-flavoured cartomisers with the blu starter kit, but the refills have been a big letdown. my greatest wish would be to have unlimited funds to try many, many more eliquids!! oh, and i also have only been using vg/h20 blends RECENTLY due to some "side effects" i chalked up to pg ... i will probably give the vg/pg blends another go in the future, however. best of luck to you!!

 

[pingpongcomputer]

I highly recommend Indigo Vapor juice. I didn't think I would find something I really liked until I tried their "Captain Oohrah" and "Indigo RY." Both flavors are tobacco based, but with added flavors/sweetness. All the Indigo juices are 50/50 pg/vg. I'm not an Indigo shill, I just really like their juice. Velvet Cloud Vapors in SF makes some good all VG juice, I really like their "Catherine the Grape" it works great in the Kanger Protank, and never feels harsh. I tried out some premium juice from a place called Five Pawns and didn't like it much, but one of my friends thinks it's the best.

 

[Rusty S.]

Hello!

I use an Apollo Superior Ego battery and a Kanger T2 Tank. Lately I've been vaping MadVapes Unflavored with a splash of Purple People Eater from Two Peas in A Pod.

I've enjoyed Two Peas' flavors, even undiluted. Their best ones IMHO are Orange Dreamsicle, Purple People Eater and Very Blueberry. They've never let me down - I always enjoy them.

The reason I dilute is because the lowest nic I can get is 12mg. Aside from that, they're lovely.

 

[Demiurgous]

My last analog was on the night of 13 May, 2013.

That can play a huge part of it. Your taste buds will adjust over the next month or so. Doesn't mean you'll like those flavors, but understand your tastebuds are a bit off due to the smoking.

I usually recommend this kit to new vapers:

http://www.myvaporstore.com/Vision_Spinner_Joye_Ego_C_Twist_Combo_p/vvs-c.htm

Sage advice!

 

[Mountain_Rain96]

Just wanted to welcome you.

 

[skeletorva]

That can play a huge part of it. Your taste buds will adjust over the next month or so. Doesn't mean you'll like those flavors, but understand your tastebuds are a bit off due to the smoking.

I usually recommend this kit to new vapers:

http://www.myvaporstore.com/Vision_Spinner_Joye_Ego_C_Twist_Combo_p/vvs-c.htm

Sage advice!

That one that you linked looks exactly like the one I'm using. I don't think I like it. Also, the quality seems to be deteriorating on both of the two that I have. I'm getting very little vapor and it's starting to taste burnt.

Ego electronic cigarette

 

[Katya]

Thank you, Katya. That was going to be my next question. If VG soften the harshness, what are the positive attributes of PG

Also, how do you clean out your tank, or clearomizer to switch flavors? Currently, I'm using the ego CE4.

PG icreases TH and flavor and is less viscous than VG; VG increases vapor production and mutes (or softens) flavoring. Most common ratio is 80/20 or 70/30 PG/VG. I think it provides the best balance.

Here's a good read:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/177551-pg-vg-peg.html#post2977320

I'm not a fan of C4 clearomizers to begin with myself, besides, they don't come with changeable coils, which means you have to buy a new clearo every time the coil gets bad. With changeable coil models, you just replace the coils unit--and keep the rest. Much easier to use and cheaper in the long run.

 

[Katya]

That one that you linked looks exactly like the one I'm using. I don't think I like it. Also, the quality seems to be deteriorating on both of the two that I have. I'm getting very little vapor and it's starting to taste burnt.

Ego electronic cigarette

The batteries in MVS kit suggested are variable voltage--which is a game changer as far as small batteries go--because you can adjust the voltage to your liking and achieve your preferred wattage with just about any atomizer you're using.

The clearomizers that come with the kit are the changeable-coil kind like this T3: