Newbie needs advice please.

[starbright]

Hi everyone,
I quit smoking 10 weeks ago. Had a lot of problems at first, now I'm using Virgin Vapor VG. I have an eleaf iStick 30w. Will a subtank mini work ok with this battery and with the VG juice.

With the last month I'm using an Aspire K1 but I'm not getting much satisfaction when I draw, actually I can find a metallic taste from it. Is this normal? I change the coils weekly.

I know I wont get the same kick I got from the cigarettes but can anyone tell me how to get close to it please. I'm not worried about clouds just want to satisfy the cravings.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Hi @starbrite. A Subtank Mini will work well with that iStick and juice (I have quite a few subtanks and love them). There will be a huge difference between the K1 and the Subtank.

If you are a mouth to lung vaper I would suggest changing the drip tip (mouthpiece) on the Subtank to a standard 510 drip tip (I use cheap plastic ones) from the wide bore that comes with the tank. I also choke down on the airflow and am able to mouth to lung hit with the .5 ohm coils.

I would also suggest you make certain you are getting the V2 of the Subtank, as the build deck RBA is much nicer than the ones on the original Subtank Mini. It has larger wick holes. If you get one in black or white you're assured of it being a V2 but there are still some version 1 in silver still being sold. Plus the V2 comes with a .5 and 1.5 ohm Vertical coils. "Vertical" is the keyword here as the old version subtanks came with .5 and 1.2 OCC coils.

You should also be aware that moving to the Subtanks from the K1 will consume twice as much juice, more flavor, and more nicotine ingested. Most people cut their nicotine level in half or more when they move into the subtanks. If you have a lot of juice now, you can buy the same flavor in a zero nic, and "equally" mix it with what you have and it will cut the nicotine level in half.

100%VG is very thick. Should you have any issues with it not wicking as well as you need, you can add a few drops of distilled water (99 cents a gallon everywhere) to thin it out. I would recommend, if you need to do this, take a small amount (10 ml) of your juice and try it in a separate bottle rather than adding to a large bottle of juice.

Good luck in your vape journey.

 

[starbright]

Thank you so much for all the information. You have explained everything in great detail, answered so many questions for me. I'm truly grateful for the time you took to write this.

 

[AzPlumber]

If you are having a hard time with cravings a bit higher strength nicotine may be needed. Lots of us around here successfully quit smoking using only 6 to 8 watts but with a much higher nicotine level than is the norm now.

 

[dcfluegel]

howdy! and welcome!

 

[IMFire3605]

I believe your e-liquid will work well with the Subtank as I believe they thin their liquids down with distilled water, not alcohol or PG

 

[cigarbabe]

I'm not a fan of 100% VG jooz as I find it to be more congesting than using a 50/50 blend.
Also some tanks don't wick well using high VG jooz.
I prefer gennies over anything sub ohm as I find it gives better flavor and big clouds if that is your raison d'etre.
I love the Kabuki tanks from House of Hybrids or a Kanger Aspire. They use the same coils at 1.6 ohms
or higher if you prefer.
I've been vaping more than 5 years and I still use 24mg whether dripping or using a tank.

If you'd like links to the tanks I suggested just shoot me a pm!
Welcome to ECF and congrats on making the switch!
C.B.

 

[starbright]

If you are having a hard time with cravings a bit higher strength nicotine may be needed. Lots of us around here successfully quit smoking using only 6 to 8 watts but with a much higher nicotine level than is the norm now.

I'm using 18mg at the moment but have decided to bring it down to 15mg as I'm having headaches, I thought it might be from the nicotine.

 

[starbright]

I believe your e-liquid will work well with the Subtank as I believe they thin their liquids down with distilled water, not alcohol or PG

The one I got has alcohol in it.

 

[cigarbabe]

I'm using 18mg at the moment but have decided to bring it down to 15mg as I'm having headaches, I thought it might be from the nicotine.

That is likely because you're using a sub ohm tank.
Try a different tank like the Aspire using a 1.6 ohm coil using 18 and you'll see a big difference.
Sub ohm tanks tend to magnify the effect of the nicotine by using extremely low ohms and higher wattage.
Try 10 watts with a 1.6 or 1.8 ohm coil.
I think you'll like it much better!
I do!
I don't use any jooz that has added water or uses alcohol to cut the viscosity.
I'm familiar with Virgin's jooz.
C.B.

 

[starbright]

That is likely because you're using a sub ohm tank.
Try a different tank like the Aspire using a 1.6 ohm coil using 18 and you'll see a big difference.
Sub ohm tanks tend to magnify the effect of the nicotine by using extremely low ohms and higher wattage.
Try 10 watts with a 1.6 or 1.8 ohm coil.
I think you'll like it much better!
I do!
I don't use any jooz that has added water or uses alcohol to cut the viscosity.
I'm familiar with Virgin's jooz.
C.B.

I'm so sorry but I dont understand what you say ' Sub ohm tanks' and ' 1.6 or 1.8 ohm coil.

All this is new to me
I can only tell you what I have. At present I have an Eleaf iStick 30w with an Aspire K1 but I was thinking of getting a Subtank Mini. I'm interested in learning whatever I can

 

[AzPlumber]

I'm using 18mg at the moment but have decided to bring it down to 15mg as I'm having headaches, I thought it might be from the nicotine.

The one I got has alcohol in it.

Is also possible the alcohol is causing the headaches

 

[BreilaRose]

I love my Subtank Mini...now.

When I first bought it, it was great. It was different from the EMOW I was using, but in a good way. The first 1.2 ohm coil (the one that came with it, a horizontal coil) worked wonderfully.

So I bought a pack of 5. I got the new vertical coils, which everyone says is way better.

The first two leaked awfully. The vape was great, but I tired quickly of the constant wiping up of juice and cleaning out the airholes.

I tried the RBA with the pre-mounted coil and that solved all of my issues with leaking and became my first foray into sub-ohm vaping. WAY more than what I thought I wanted, but it was kind of cool to chuck clouds at the same time, .

Last night I built my first coil, .9 ohm. No leaking, great vapor and flavor. I'm happy.

It was a process, and not one I intended to take on, but I'm happy in the end.

 

[starbright]

I have a new problem, I've been using virgin vapor VG with a few weeks (I cant use PG)and excuse me for saying but I'm full of horrendous gas, I have a dizzy head and sleepy. Has anyone else had this problem and how did they get round it. I have to take medication from my Dr for it. I have to get it sorted or give up vaping. I don't want to go back to smoking.

 

[skullblade789]

First welcome to the family.
Second: Your headaches could come from some of the chemicals in the juices. I had the same problem with over the counter juices from tobacco shops. I will make a suggestion here: go to a vape store and try something with out these chemicals (Acetyl Propionyl and Diacetyl.) This can be the cause of your GERD issues.
I had the same symptoms and switched to mountain oak vapors for a bit. My stomach issues went away quickly and I enjoyed vaping that much better. I do not believe it is the PG that is causing your particular issue, but the extra chemicals in that particular juice. Also try lowering your nic level even more to about a 06 mg to see if that does not help with your issues. I lowered my nic and did not have stomach issues after that as well.
Third: The stomach issues can be caused by the with drawl of nicotine normally getting into the system. I had the same issues at the start. It will take some time to get your body used to no or less nicotine. It sucks for the first 5 months, but it does get better.
Fourth: The 30W and kanger sub mini is a great place to start. I currently have 3 kanger subminis that I rotate with my 30W.
Fifth: Do not worry about lingo just yet. You will get there. With the Kangers this is what you need to know. You are probably using the replacement OOC coils. See pic below. Those coils come in .5 Ohm and 1.2 Ohm. I would recommend just beginning to use the 1.2 Ohm coil. The 1.2 Ohm is a bit cooler, but will be good for my next suggestion. .5 Ohm can be on the warmer side of things, nothing wrong with that. For beginners it can be rough though.
Sixth: If you are looking for throat hit, add menthol to your mix. Mountain oak will add menthol to your mix to make it a little throaty. If you like tobacco flavors they have a pretty good selection. I do recommend a good steep on those juices. Steeping: 2 processes: 1.) open the cap slightly and let it breathe, so the chemicals can gel together better for a better flavor, usually in a dark warm place. I put mine in a coffee can in the bottom of my closet. This process can take 2 days or up to one month in some cases. 2.) leave the cap on and place in a dark warm place. After steeping do not for get to SHAKE the heck out of the liquids to get that liquid just right. A 50/50 mix is usually where people start. I would look for a tobacco flavor of some kind then venture out to other flavors. Just to get the same sensation your were always looking for from the cigarettes. Mountain Oak Vapor has a coffee/tobacco flavor (Americano and Sunday Morning) that is in my rotation at all times.
Seventh: be patient. Your flavor and setup will come to you and you will find the right setup. It just takes time. Experiment with different liquids and balances and you will find the right one.

Good Luck to you.

 

[skullblade789]

Oh and remember the sweeter the juice you are using and the more VG, the more you will have to replace your coils. The common problem is that it will gunk up your coils faster giving you a spitting, gurgling, and sometimes ingestion of liquids which will definitely give you stomach issues. I know, I can speak truthfully from that aspect of vaping. Once you are more familiar with your tank you can even start to use the RBA portion of your Kanger. It is really simple to to do and the RBA from Kanger is an excellent starting platform. So do not throw those away. Most local vape shops if worth a damn will show you how to do those so you can save money of those coils. I like the sweeter juices and was spending $30 on coils every 2 weeks. Now I spend about $10 dollars a month on RBA supplies. I can get it lower by online shopping, but never get around to doing so.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

I have a new problem, I've been using virgin vapor VG with a few weeks (I cant use PG)and excuse me for saying but I'm full of horrendous gas, I have a dizzy head and sleepy. Has anyone else had this problem and how did they get round it. I have to take medication from my Dr for it. I have to get it sorted or give up vaping. I don't want to go back to smoking.

It could be a combinations of things. Dizzyness is often a sign of too much nicotine. Sleepiness is a possible side effect of quitting the cigs. As to the gas, I read a couple threads and it does seem to calm down after a while. Your stomach is not as active as it was with cigs, be sure and stay hydrated. https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/threads/does-vapimg-give-you-gas.443179/ There might be more in the next link as well.

See possible symptoms when switching to vape from cigs:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...hen-quitting-tobacco-changing-ecigarette.html

12. Sleepiness
Some quitters report sleepiness as a side effect of quitting. Prof Molimard attributes this to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) - see: Glycemia, Stimulation, and suggests that smokers self-titrate to increase their blood sugar, as smoking (probably due to nicotine) raises blood sugar levels (and therefore improves alertness). Cessation lowers blood sugar levels, which might be countered by glucose tablets and/or nicotine consumption.

Good luck, I feel you'll be fine.

 

[starbright]

Thank you both for all the information. I've printed what you suggested so that I can reread it again and take it all in. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I truly appreciate it.

 

[cigarbabe]

Starbright can I ask why you think you can't use PG?
One reason people don't like PG is because it can give you more of a throat hit unlike VG which gives you none.
Using a high degree of VG is in my opinion not safe at higher wattages.
Not doubting you but curious as to why for this reason, I see many many people say that "they cannot use PG or "I'm allergic to PG".
I do see a ton of people here who read that PG can cause a "reaction" like dry skin or other issues and they take that to mean the person is "allergic."
I'll apologize in advance if I have offended you which is not my intent.
I'm sorry!
In response to the tanks your using most folks lower their nicotine when using the kind of tank you want to purchase {subtank mini}.
I'm thinking lowering your nicotine down just a couple of milligrams will likely solve your problem along with substantially lowering the wattage.
I tend to use lower than 15W {with 24mg} even when dripping unless I'm using dual coils at a .2 which I don't recommend anyone use especially a new vaper it's not safe.....
I wish you the best vaping experience and hope your issues get resolved quickly!
Just ask if you need more help!
C.B.

 

[Tan]

Hello and welcome to ECF .....