Ordered kits, do I need eliquid to start?

[CrunchyGeek]

My husband and I have been smoking for 15+ years and are determined to quit, so today I ordered our first kits (volt kits for both of us). Included are 5 prefilled cartos each, and I also got 10 blank cartos but figured I would order some juice later. Now I'm wondering if I should get some samples of juice so they arrive within a few days of our kits. I have no idea how long the prefilled cartos will last us, but my husband is a 1+ PAD smoker (reds) and I'm a 1/2 PAD Marlboro menthol lights kind of girl. Also, should I try sticking with menthol/mint flavors or branch out to other stuff right away? I'm tired of failing at quitting smoking, and this feels like it's pretty much my last resort (the "usual" methods of quitting were an abysmal failure).

Thanks!

 

[ctourtelot]

I would get some juice on order. The cartos that generally come with those kits are about equal to maybe 5-10 cigarettes so you'll go through the initial 5 each pretty quickly. Even if they do last you longer than that, it would suck to have to go back to smoking while you waited on more liquid.

There are plenty of reputable vendors that sell sample packs so you can try several flavors in small quantities until you find what you each like before buying larger bottles.

Good luck and congrats!

 

[Ladypixel]

I'd strongly advise ordering some juice samples now, because while most prefills last for a day or so, you may or may not like the prefilled carto's flavor. I'd also advise getting more than one flavor, but I wouldn't get more than a 6-10ml bottle of each flavor. Taste buds vary significantly... what I like, my husband doesn't, or so we've noticed (I'm a big fan of creamy or caramel-like vapes, as well as one strong tobacco-and-bourbon flavor, and he tends to opt for lighter tobacco options and mixes of a little of this juice, a little of that one to build a flavor he likes).

If he's a reds-type person, you might want to look into getting a sample of a 'western' type blend, which is typically a Marlboro-ish flavor. It's a good thing to have something to fall back on that's cigarette-like for when you're craving one, but it tastes a bit cleaner than smoke (it's hard to describe that, but there you have it!). If you're more of a menthol fan, what I'd actually advise is looking for 'ice' flavors -- pick a flavor-type that you think you might like, but one that has a coolness/minty-mentholy taste to it. That way you have something slightly different from a menthol, but something that still has the cooling aspect you're familiar with.

I would've expected to be a bigger fan of fruit flavors, but so far, I haven't found one that actually strikes my fancy, and so I'm staying with caramelly-tobaccoish-nutty stuff. It's all trial and error, though.

One last thing: pick a few vendors, order a couple-few samples from each. Everyone's juices are a bit different, and while there's thousands of flavor options available, you might find that while the flavor sounds great, you just don't like their juice. It happens. Be prepared to end up with a few random flavors floating around that neither of you are big fans of, but at the same time, you can always try mixing those flavors with other stuff to make it more palatable (for me, adding a drop or two of "red hots" or cinnamon-candy flavor to some of the tobacco flavors I don't like straight makes a world of difference).

 

[mostlyclassics]

Welcome to the party, CrunchGeek! We're all pulling for both you and your husband. You've found the right place to get all your questions about vaping, hardware and e-liquids answered.

Excellent choice for first kits, by the way! But those cartos won't last you guys all that long, so best to order some e-liquids Real Soon Now.

Most budding vapers think that the tobacco/cigarette-type flavors will be most like actual cigarettes. They aren't: they can't be, simply because there's nothing burning in an e-cigarette. Many of them are interesting and complex flavors in their own right and quite enjoyable as such. I particularly like most of the "555" or "535" concoctions (quite hazel-nutty, with undertones of unsmoked cigarette tobacco) and Liberty Flights' "Turkish & USA Blend" (interesting and complex, but not at all like a smoldering Camel). I really encourage you to investigate the various fruit, mint, menthol-type and other flavors.

As to where to find interesting e-liquids, I'd recommend checking out the 5 ml. samplers offered by many different vendors. I'd also recommend you stick with ECF-approved vendors for the time being. You'll find those by clicking on the "Forum Suppliers" tab in the banner. Many of them also bundle their little sampler bottles for extra savings. And nearly all vendors let you specify the nicotine concentration. For you two, I'd suggest somewhere between 18 mg./ml. (for you) and 24 mg./ml. (for your husband).

Also, since vaping is fundamentally so different from smoking cigarettes, don't beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon occasionally while adapting to vaping. You'll probably find out soon enough that vaping is a lot more satisfying and downright tasty than smoking analogs.

Good luck!

 

[Hitmetwice]

It may take a week or two for a juice order to arrive so ordering soon is a good plan so you won;t run out and start puffing the cigs more. Fresh made e-liquid also needs some time to steep sometimes, to give optimal flavour. I'd recommend a handful of diff. sample sizes from a couple diff. vendors. They are all a little different.

Try some diff. nic. contents and PG/VG ratios. Watch and read juice reviews. Even though I smoked for 40 yrs.
I discovered that the tobacco flavs. are the ones I like the least.

Order flavs you like to eat/drink and again, keep your sizes small in the beginning (3-10mil.), until you both find
your preferences.

Cheers Hitmetwice

Edit....Should have added, if you like menthol? To get some menthol crystals to add to juices you're not particularly fond of. They are cheap and a little goes a long way.
You just need to crush a crystal up, add to juice and soak the bottle in hot water
for a while, shaking it up occasionally. Don't add too much to start though, you can
always add more, can't take it out. Start small, don't do the whole bottle if you can
help it. A few spare 5-10mil. empty bots. may be a good idea too.

 

[rem700]

Yes to what has already been said
18-24mg of nic
3-10ml sample size juices
Finding a juice you like is one of the hardest parts and one you like this month you may not like next month and visa versa as your taste buds come back to life.
Good luck and ask questions everyone here will try and help and good luck.

Oh and just to add Copper Creek ejuice is located over in the appx Oxford Wi area and offers severl different sample packs and was voted #1 flavor House Blend and like number #2 ejuice in a informal poll here on ECF for 2011.

 

[chainsaw316]

If you order blanks then always order juice. I like the pre-filled cartos to try a flavor out and if I like it I order the juice...if not then I pass the carts on to friends.

I don't order from alot of different companies and I'm sorry if this sounds like an advertisment but Halo actually has a good deal with juice sample packs...7 flavors for 25 bucks.

 

[CrunchyGeek]

Thanks for the quick responses! I decided to get a few sample packs from Vixen Vapors (tobacco for hubby, and "joe's" mix for myself so I can try a range of flavors). It's a good thing I did, because it said a 3-5 business day delivery for priority mail, and our kits will be here by Friday or Saturday.

It's going to be a change not being able to just run to the corner to buy a pack of smokes. I'm sure there are shops in the area that sell e-cig supplies around here, I just wouldn't even know where to start looking!

 

[xhaler]

Hi, and congrats to you both! You can do this, but you will need some patience. I recommend sticking to high nic liquid until you wean off analogs. And as for flavors..I think you (as the menthol smoker) will have an easier time if you stick to the menthol liquid to start...and then start to experiment. For straight tobacco flavor...i think it's probably harder to find the right "flavor". I'm 2+ months in on vaping and am just now starting to experiment with flavors. I stuck to menthol and 24mg nic to start, to get over the hump of quitting. I have since dropped my nic level to 18mg and I have no desire to go back to analogs at all and now want to sample some of the flavors of my new hobby (not habit) of vaping.

Good luck!

 

[chainsaw316]

I know that feeling. None of the smoke shops by me carry any of this stuff so I just order from the net and every time I'm in a 7-11 I fight the urge to buy smokes. Its tough for the first few months but its worth it and my wallet is fuller because of it.

 

[Ladypixel]

I'll be honest -- in southern California where I'm at, while there are shops that sell e-cig supplies, they tend to be either massively overpriced ($120 for an eGo starter kit?!) or sell the worst, cheapest stuff I've seen (it took 5 minutes for the $10 bottle of juice I got at one store to hit a trashcan). There are exceptions to this rule, but they're very few and far-between. Now, that said, there -are- good shops out there. Look around the ECF forums for your area, and also talk to other vapers from your area (many of whom you can find on here) for recommendations of good, local sources for stuff.

I regularly order juice from 2 vendors right now, and have gotten some samples from a couple others. It may take some experimentation to find out whose juices you're most partial to. I've read some good stuff about Vixen Vapors, but over time, consider trying other places out too.

I will echo the above person who said that tobacco juices do not taste like burning cigarettes -- they taste, as I said in my last post, "cleaner". It's really hard to explain that further, but the best comparison I can give is that they taste like a good non-burning tobacco smells. Some people love them. Some people hate them. It's all a matter of what your tastes are.

 

[Darkstarncw]

Hi, and congrats to you both! You can do this, but you will need some patience. I recommend sticking to high nic liquid until you wean off analogs. And as for flavors..I think you (as the menthol smoker) will have an easier time if you stick to the menthol liquid to start...and then start to experiment. For straight tobacco flavor...i think it's probably harder to find the right "flavor". I'm 2+ months in on vaping and am just now starting to experiment with flavors. I stuck to menthol and 24mg nic to start, to get over the hump of quitting. I have since dropped my nic level to 18mg and I have no desire to go back to analogs at all and now want to sample some of the flavors of my new hobby (not habit) of vaping.

Good luck!

I think the 24 mg nicotine can be a bit too much if you're not careful. I spend a lot of time at a desk with a passthrough and I end up consuming far more nicotine than I did with analogs. The experience of vaping for me is so enjoyable that I rip through a carto while watching a movie. If you find yourself vaping nonstop you may want to go with a lower nicotine dose.

 

[CrunchyGeek]

I'm definitely going to try different venders. For this first "batch" I was looking for a place that had sample packs with a variety available, that didn't cost an arm and a leg, and didn't lock me in to 36mg (which I saw a few do). If vaping is anything like any other alternative nicotine delivery system I've tried, I know I can't handle a huge dose. I learned that lesson the hard way with my last attempt with the patch. It was most unpleasant.

I looked in the area specific threads here on local vapers, and they seemed pretty dead. How should I go about finding vapers in the northern Illinois/southern Wisconsin area? (I'm halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee).

 

[rem700]

VaporSearchUSA map of various vendors by state dont know about Wi but we have a local vendor with what amounts to a juice bar with sample bottles to well sample while in the store.

 

[Darkstarncw]

I just ordered a bunch of stuff from BluemistVaping , they have really good prices and I've seen a lot of good reviews.

 

[Ladypixel]

I'd start by posting something on the area-specific threads for your area... they tend to be dead until someone new comes on or until there's something area-specific to talk about (a new vendor, for instance). Ask the folks there if there's any vaper meets in your area. Also, check Facebook, of all things -- I stumbled across info on Facebook for a vaper meet that happened in my area last weekend, went over there, and learned loads of helpful stuff (plus got to try some of those fancy mods... well, the ones that my drip-tip fit on, that is). There are other vaper-related forums out there, too -- while I tend to spend most of my time here (because this forum is REALLY active and has tons and tons of information), there's places like RightToVape.com and vapersforum.com as well. It may be that people in your area are more active on one of the other forums.

 

[Strigoi]

I just ordered a bunch of stuff from BluemistVaping , they have really good prices and I've seen a lot of good reviews.

I've ordered from them several times and highly recommend them. They have great liquid and get orders out very quickly. Every time I've ordered liquid from them I've gotten a shipping notification the next morning.

I've got 3 PVs going right now and all have liquid from BMV in them.

 

[rem700]

Some sort of vapefest in Rosemont/Chicago Il the end of March. Main

Assume halfway Chi/Mil Rockford Waukegan

 

[Bb177]

I also will say BMV has been my favorite liquid so far, RAWR should be here in a day or so, and I've heard good things about them. FYI. Hypermint is awesome its like eating fresh minty goodness I even add it to other flavors like lime,and pineapple.

 

[mostlyclassics]

It's going to be a change not being able to just run to the corner to buy a pack of smokes. I'm sure there are shops in the area that sell e-cig supplies around here, I just wouldn't even know where to start looking!

The internet is where you'll find the best of everything: quality, selection and prices. You'll learn very quickly to shop "ahead" by at least a week.

One important matter which hasn't been discussed is the need for backups. This hardware (cartos, batteries, chargers, etc.) does fail -- it's just a fact of life with vaping. So, be sure to acquire at least a spare charger (yes, I know you have two already), extra batteries, a couple or three boxes of spare cartos, and lots of extra e-liquids.