New here. I could use a little help

[Zeeker]

Hey all. Just got my new eGo T and loving it. I'm new to vaping and trying to quit a pack a day Players Light habit. Trying to figure this thing out, not sure if I'm doing this right. The stuff I'm vamping tastes like a smoke machine. If you've ever played in a band you'll know what I mean "Dry and chalky". I could use some help from the vets or anyone willing. Also I'd like to order some Jokesmoke from Jugheads. I figure I'd start there and sample some other juices as well and try to find the right flavour for me but not sure about the nic level thing. I could use some help on this. Anyway thanks for having me on this great forum and I hope to be smoke free soon.

All the best...

 

[Dana A]

You are gonna have to go threw the awful first stage of vaping which is trying to find the right liquid for your all day vape. It can be a fun time but very frustrating at times. Just don't give up. I am on week 9 and so far only have 2 juices out of maybe 50 tried that I like. Maybe try finding a vapor in your area who would give you some 1 ml samples of juices they already have. I would be happy to do that for a new vapor if I had one in my area.Good luck on your vaping journey and just try and have fun with it.

 

[Zenataos]

Congratulations on making the switch! I do find the vapor "different" than smoke, I've actually come to like it better, as for the flavor tasting like a fog machine ... chances are that's because of the fact that fog machines use glycerine or glycol mixed with water in order to make fog, what you are vaping is probably PG (Propylene Glycol) or VG (Vegetable Glycerine), ie pretty much the same thing as a fog machine.

It will take a few weeks for your tastebuds to come alive again, when I first started I could barely taste the flavorings in the juices I had, I thought something was wrong... turns out it was me. Almost two months later and some of the juices have TOO much flavor , it's going to take some time for your sense of taste to heal.

As for nicotine levels, I'd suggest getting small samples of different nic levels and finding out for yourself what is too much or too little, it varies too much from person to person. If you find yourself craving ciggys really bad even through you are vaping a lot, up the nic level a touch or two... if you are having headaches after a vaping session or generally not feeling well, lower your nic levels.

I started with 24mg juice, which was okay for me, it worked good while I had it, I bought some 18mg juice and found it easier to vape, then when my DIY stuff arrived I made myself some 12mg juice, EVEN BETTER for me, I think this is my sweet spot. I ordered some 36mg juices for my friend (which she LOVES and says it's way better than the 24mg I gave her when she started), anyway, I tried some of this 36mg juice and it damn near blew the back of my head off. WAY too strong for me personally. The weird part is, I was a pack a day+ cigar smoker (and I inhaled), she smoked maybe a half a pack of extra lights / day... 12mg is my sweet spot and 36mg is hers, and she vapes almost as much as I do. Nic levels vary too much from person to person to suggest anything. (*Although I would suggest starting with 24mg or lower and not going to 36 right off the bat*)

The best advice I can give you is STICK with it, there is some fiddling involved in vaping, don't give up, stay strong and you can kick the cigarette habit and get your nicotine through vaping which is MUCH healthier.

Ryan

 

[SoUnique]

Welcome to the forum Zeeker, and good luck with the quitting, e-cig where the way for me to do it.

Sounds like you have the right idea with ordering some samples, it's a great way to find the juices you like without committing a lot of $$$. I really enjoy the JokeSmoke, it's a nice easy vape. You may want to order 2 nic levels, i'd say 18 & 24. Use the 24 for your after diner vape & first thing in the morning, when you need a good nic hit

Drink plenty of water, vaping dehydrates you, that could be why it tastes like a fog machine.

 

[Madagain]

When your first starting I highly recommend menthol liquids even if you didn't like menthol cigs. While your getting your taste back you will find they give you a real definite taste and a heavier throat hit to help you over the hump.

Also as you have probably read on the forums here, make sure you drink alot of water. Keep a glass or bottle next to you all the time and up your intake by at least 50% at least at the start.

On your samples try to order some variety on PG and VG levels as well as nicotine to help you zero in on your future all day vape.

 

[cactusgirl]

Hi Zeeker! Welcome to ECF and congrats on making the switch! I think your first order of business is finding the right level of nic...the higher the nic, the greater the throat hit. For a players light smoker, I'd recommend 18mg nic strength to start. The other thing is that you need to change your perspective in terms of expectations....tastewise. Vaping is not going to 'taste' like smoking did. It does mimic the 'feeling' of smoking quite well though. That said, vaping usually gives a cleaner taste and not the smokey ashy taste (derived from combustion) that you get from a cigarette. You might be best off to sample flavours that you otherwise enjoy in desserts. RY4 is quite popular as it has a tobacco base infused with rich caramel/vanilla undertones. Keep in mind that not all eliquid is equal....the same 'flavour' that you get from one vendor will taste totally different from another vendor ~ that is all part of the journey! Enjoy!

 

[Kevofar]

Ditto couldnt have said it better my self WTG well said cactusgirl

 

[FisherPal]

Welcome to the wonderful and sometimes frustrating world of vaping! I started off with the Ego T as well and loved the ease of use of it. For my taste buds though it muted the flavors too much but the beauty of that system is that it is so dead easy to change it out for for something like cartos if you ever decide to do so.

As has been mentioned, the real challenge isn't so much the hardware you use as finding that elusive OMG! flavor or two. And that part, unfortunately, is purely trial and error. It can be useful to watch people's reviews but you always have to keep in mind that they are speaking from their taste buds and yours might not agree with them. Fortunately we have many vendors who supply sample packs or bottles so you don't have to spend a fortune on juice to try and find the ones that knock your socks off. Just hang in there and know that somewhere out there, it is just waiting for you to find it, .

I also agree that, at least to start with and to keep those nic cravings at bay, 18mg to 24 mg may well be the best way to go. Vaping will never be like smoking but that throat hit is still important to a lot of us. As has already been recommended, try order different samples of juices in different nic levels to test that one out as well. And remember ... every cig not smoked is a victory!

Make yourself at home here on the forum. It's a great place to come for advise, help and a few laughs along the way. Congratulations on making that first, all important decision to purchase that ecig!

 

[Concat]

The Ego-T is probably the worst offender for giving that "dry and chalky" taste you're talking about, imo. The atomizer/cartomizer you use can make as much of a difference as the type of juice. Of course this just complicates things for a noobie.

As for nicotine, 18 mg is the middle ground and I found it was close to that of a real cig. I smoked Player's Light too, by the way. I upped my nic to 24, which is on the high end, but it keeps me away from the smokes. Anyway, I personally think 18mg/mL is the perfect strength for new users (who are smokers).

 

[Rttch]

I also smoked King Size Player's Rich (used to be the Light) and my start to vape wasn't satisfying. It was a hard switch, but after I tried an analog after a week of vaping, I didn't like it anymore. I am one month into vaping now and I am still getting 24mg strength. I'm still trying to find my adv (all day vape) and am hoping that my order from Jugs will be the ticket (as well as my new equipment). Go for the flavours that sound delicious to you as that will probably be the best start to vaping successfully.

 

[enchantedwonder]

What menthol do you vape Madagain?

Welcome Zeeker!!! I was a Newport smoker. I didn't find a chalky nasty test, but man if I didn't fill that carto right, that burnt nasty taste is awful.

I agree with the others, small sample sizes... you can burn through a lot of money quickly trying juices. What are you vaping on?

Great Success!!!

When your first starting I highly recommend menthol liquids even if you didn't like menthol cigs. While your getting your taste back you will find they give you a real definite taste and a heavier throat hit to help you over the hump.

Also as you have probably read on the forums here, make sure you drink alot of water. Keep a glass or bottle next to you all the time and up your intake by at least 50% at least at the start.

On your samples try to order some variety on PG and VG levels as well as nicotine to help you zero in on your future all day vape.

 

[Madagain]

What menthol do you vape Madagain?

I don't vape menthol much any more, I could never smoke more than one or two menthol a day as a smoker either, but when I started vaping I was having real "satisfaction" problems. Menthol helped me over the hump, I found it much more satisfying than all the other flavours I tried. Not better tasting, they just helped kill the urge to light up better than a straight tobacco or other flavour vape.

I do still like menthol on occasion and as luck would have it I have Nport from Aqua Vapor in a stardust carto right now. I bought it in a juice lot from ChellyNelly and it is a pretty good menthol vape. I don't really remember analogs very well any more to be able to cross compare though. Usually now I like a fruit or mint menthol juice, I don't usually buy or mix tobacco juice any more. I find other flavours more appealing.

I mix small batches of licorice menthol on occasion. I have a unreleased lemon lime menthol sample coming from Fuzion Vapor and I have high hopes for it.

Sorry for the rambling answer. =)

 

[Zeeker]

Wow, thanks for all the replies and help. It seems I have a long road ahead of me. I can't thank everyone enough for all the help here. As FisherPal said "every cig not smoked is a victory!"

All the best...

 

[therealcmac]

I second getting yourself some boge cartomizers to try out, they are leaps and bounds better over the ego-t tanks system IMO, and they have a 510 connection so will fit on your ego-t batteries no problem

 

[Mr.Whitecloud]

Welcome to ECF glad you made the switch the ego t is a great system I have 2 that I use for work they are so damned simple and handy.You will notice that e-juice has a different taste,but this will pass in time ,It took me a good solid week or two to get used to the flavor(s).Keep things simple to start out don't get frustrated,got questions just ask we are all here to help welcome to a better life enjoy cheers.

 

[farmer_bric]

Congrats on the first step, and the right one! I have been off analogs for 121 days now, and am still experimenting.

It definitely takes a while to get used to vaping, and all the parameters (VG vs PG, atomizers, cartomizers, VV, tons of flavours) can be confusing. Best to approach it as a fun adventure I too started with the ego-T for it's convenience, but have moved on to cartomizers for the vapour production. One of the frustrating parts of vaping is the lack of "stores" where you can just go in and get THE STUFF. I finally found my ADV, and dammit all, Jug'z ran out of it and is having problems getting the flavouring

Be that as it may, you have made the right choice and it only gets better. I have found the ECF a great place for advice and answers to any of your questions.