Thought I'd start a "vaping Myths" thread and see if we can kick em around for fun. These are NOT the media propaganda myths. More like hardware/usage stuff. And... they are debatable and subject to opinion. Some of this came up in threads lately. So it kind of coalesced into this thread. I hope you won't take it as too presumptuous, but rather more of a discussion thread. Oh, and if I may suggest, and for the sake of others reading it, please try not to quote the whole OP when replying... it's long and it'll fill their browser window too fast 
Feel free to sub-quote of course!!!!!!!
Distilled Water
Myth: You have to use distilled water to clean your stuff or thin e-juice
Truth: I use hot tap water for cleaning... reg tap water for thinning. You'd have to clean your atty 2 times a day for 6 months or more to build up enough mineral deposits to amount to squat. Atties just don't last that long at my 5v vaping level anyway. Distilled or no. I only clean them every other day anyway (but I blow them out once or twice per day).
91% Isopropyl alcohol
Myth: OMG! Don't clean your atty with that! It will kill you.
Fact: It evaporates away cleanly. Even if you don't get all of it out, it won't hurt a bit...not the greatest taste, but meh. I blow out, sometimes rinse, then "warm burn" the atty after using ISO (to dry it out) and don't have any issues.
Notes: Don't use "rubbing alcohol" unless you read the label. Some have oils, fragrance and other stuff. Some use that term for Isopropyl alcohol, so read the label!!! It should say something like "Ingredients: Isopropyl Alcohol, distilled water" and THAT'S IT! 91% or higher. It can remove paint from chipped atties. Then again, so will Everclear.
Vodka is better for cleaning - Everclear, etc.
Myth: Best to use drinkable alcohol
Fact: Probably doesn't matter much. If it makes you feel better, OK. A lot more expense for no gain. Better to save the $$ for the good stuff and drink it. Use water or ISO (see above) to clean atties. In fact, even Everclear probably has some water and/or sugars left in it. I'm pretty sure regular Vodka does.
Alcohol notes: That's for cleaning... not adding to e-juice! Only the drinkable stuff to mix in DIY.
XXX method is the ONLY way to clean an atty
Fact: Lotsa ways.. do what works for you. The E-juice has more to do with keeping an atty working than does the cleaning method.
I only use the clearest juice on the planet - from JimsKitchenTableEJuiceShop He's the BEST!
Opinion: None of this stuff is regulated. Clear stuff kills ya too if it's bad. E-juice does turn colors over time. Clearer is probably better, but who knows. I do know darker juices often have sugars or other such gunk and do seem to clog atties faster on average. Go with a reputable vendor. I try to use USA sourced stuff, since the quality control is more stringent (or so I'm told).
Ohms, Amps, Volts...Oh mAh! (you have to know electronics to vape)
Myth: Only electricians and Electronics Engineers understand this stuff. I'll never get it.
Fact: Mostly, you get it over time. It's just a learning curve. So was driving. So was the cell phone. So was computer use. You have to absorb a bit for a while 1st. There's not really much that you MUST know, as long as you know what works for you...you're set. Finding out what that is takes experimentation.
Passthroughs will kill my computer
Fact: Probably not. The ones with a battery just trickle charge from the USB and will work on most computers. That said...WHY? Why chew up a USB port? Why not get a < $10.00 wall-wart? It's the 5 volt no-battery PT's that need a lot of current (since they don't have a battery). Those are the ones that you definitely want a wall wart for (2.0 amp or more).
LR atties will kill my e-cig
Opinions: Depends on your e-cig. Depends on the atty/carto. Depends on your vaping style. Depends on your luck. There's lots of posts on this. Basically, I'd stay at 2.0 ohm or higher with eGo type batteries. 510's actually work but why bother (too crappy of a duration). True 3.7 volt stuff might work too, but that's a bit hot, so 2.0 ohm again. Anyway.. It may, or may not, kill it. LR means < 2.8 ohms. 2.0 is probably fine. 2.5 too. 1.5 IDK... stresses the electronics by drawing too many amps (electrons per second). Devices vary. Real tough to say. The general rule for me would be if 2.0 ohms or higher worked for me, that's what I'd use.
Always Steep e-juice with the cap off
Myth: You should steep with the cap off
Opinion: 1) It shouldn't be perfume-like anyway. 2) But, maybe that's just the way some flavors start. If that's true, you should be steeping in a wide mouth something-or-other to maximize surface area and get it over with in a day. Then cap it. 3) But... OK, so perfume-like juice aside, just shake it up. Give it a warm-water soak + shake if you wish. But it shouldn't be left open. I loved the thread about "Waiter! Waiter! There's a fly in my e-juice!" Safer closed. Less spills. Now as to duration... that a whole can of worms.
LEDs... We don't need no stink'n LEDs... uses up all our battery anyway
Myth: stated above.
Opinion: LED's are good safety measures. Either for "power is active" or "atty is active". BONUS: Also doubles as a mini flashlight when finding a keyhole in the dark. 1 battery can probably power that LED for years. lol. Try it. Take the atty off and push the button. See if it lights. Hold it down like you would when you vape it. Count em. Keep counting........... let me know what you come up with. Dare Ya. The rest of the electronics probably use more power than the LED. If you cut the LED wires... I bet you'd get maybe 1 more puff... tops... for the whole charge.
You have to have a "big battery" e-cig, you'll grow into it
Opinion: Probably true. lol. But not always. There are some people that have a stack of kr808 batteries and chargers and like it that way. PITA as far as I'm concerned. But that's me, not them.
Never Smoked or used nic... Gee... I should vape. Let me go on this forum and ask.....
Fact: You can always ask. Fact: It's a free country. Fact: You're over 18.
Opinion: Better to avoid it. Idiot. What did you think we'd say? Sheesh! Probably better than cigs tho.
DIY e-juice is too complicated
Opinion: No, but it's often not as good. Sometimes it's better! It is less expensive. It is easy. It is fun. It gives you options. You know (mostly) what is in the juice. Or at least you know more than just some vendor's recipe name. I think it is a great way to start vaping, in fact. Although you need some pre-mixed flavors to have along side your DIY stuff for starters. You can do both. It's good to have supplies around anyway. If you're a menthol vaper, it cures a lot of sin with crappy juice too. You can tweak flavors, or PG/VG ratios too. Cutting nic level for nighttime is easy. So is mixing two pre-mixed flavors to get a 3rd so you aren't bored (small bottles in case you hate it.. or mix by dripping into the atty).
Don't Drip and Drive
Opinion: lol. I do it. Carefully. PITA. Then again, so are cartos, IMHO. I did buy some cartos for driving. I hate cartos. Taste like filler to me. Use em sometimes. Mostly, I cheat. I like stop signs and red lights more now.
Digital Smoker, Smoking an E-Cig, Ect.
Fact: Vaping is not smoking. It is inhaling. They have that in common. I haven't smoked in almost a year. I'm not a digital smoker. Nor do I smoke my e-cigs. There is no carbon monoxide. No ash. It's a condensate. Legally it's not smoking. Medically it's not smoking. Scientifically it's not smoking. Figure it out people (vendors in particular). Fog off the water early in the morning looks like smoke... but it isn't. Some may say that "it's a smokey morning" but most would say "foggy". So we need different terms for different things. "Vaping" is it, until we find something better. Calling me a smoker, or "digital smoker" is offensive and partially negates the last year's worth of effort. Take a hike.
I have to quit smoking to use e-cigs
Fact: No you don't. You may, in time. If you wish to quit, and don't do it on day 1, that's ok. It can take time. Think of it as harm reduction. Every cig you avoid is a win.
XXXXX is the best e-cig
There is no "best" e-cig. You have to find out what works for you.
One cart is worth XXX cigs
One charge will last XXX hours
"High nic" is 18 mg
You get 2 batteries, 2 atties, AND a CHARGER! (for $300.00)
Fact: They sell them. Buyer beware. Frigg'n rip-off type vendors.
Heck, I didn't even go into cart mods and "carto of the month club". You can tell I was bored.
Anyone else have "Myths"?
Feel free to sub-quote of course!!!!!!!Distilled Water
Myth: You have to use distilled water to clean your stuff or thin e-juice
Truth: I use hot tap water for cleaning... reg tap water for thinning. You'd have to clean your atty 2 times a day for 6 months or more to build up enough mineral deposits to amount to squat. Atties just don't last that long at my 5v vaping level anyway. Distilled or no. I only clean them every other day anyway (but I blow them out once or twice per day).
91% Isopropyl alcohol
Myth: OMG! Don't clean your atty with that! It will kill you.
Fact: It evaporates away cleanly. Even if you don't get all of it out, it won't hurt a bit...not the greatest taste, but meh. I blow out, sometimes rinse, then "warm burn" the atty after using ISO (to dry it out) and don't have any issues.
Notes: Don't use "rubbing alcohol" unless you read the label. Some have oils, fragrance and other stuff. Some use that term for Isopropyl alcohol, so read the label!!! It should say something like "Ingredients: Isopropyl Alcohol, distilled water" and THAT'S IT! 91% or higher. It can remove paint from chipped atties. Then again, so will Everclear.
Vodka is better for cleaning - Everclear, etc.
Myth: Best to use drinkable alcohol
Fact: Probably doesn't matter much. If it makes you feel better, OK. A lot more expense for no gain. Better to save the $$ for the good stuff and drink it. Use water or ISO (see above) to clean atties. In fact, even Everclear probably has some water and/or sugars left in it. I'm pretty sure regular Vodka does.
Alcohol notes: That's for cleaning... not adding to e-juice! Only the drinkable stuff to mix in DIY.
XXX method is the ONLY way to clean an atty
Fact: Lotsa ways.. do what works for you. The E-juice has more to do with keeping an atty working than does the cleaning method.
I only use the clearest juice on the planet - from JimsKitchenTableEJuiceShop He's the BEST!
Opinion: None of this stuff is regulated. Clear stuff kills ya too if it's bad. E-juice does turn colors over time. Clearer is probably better, but who knows. I do know darker juices often have sugars or other such gunk and do seem to clog atties faster on average. Go with a reputable vendor. I try to use USA sourced stuff, since the quality control is more stringent (or so I'm told).
Ohms, Amps, Volts...Oh mAh! (you have to know electronics to vape)
Myth: Only electricians and Electronics Engineers understand this stuff. I'll never get it.
Fact: Mostly, you get it over time. It's just a learning curve. So was driving. So was the cell phone. So was computer use. You have to absorb a bit for a while 1st. There's not really much that you MUST know, as long as you know what works for you...you're set. Finding out what that is takes experimentation.
Passthroughs will kill my computer
Fact: Probably not. The ones with a battery just trickle charge from the USB and will work on most computers. That said...WHY? Why chew up a USB port? Why not get a < $10.00 wall-wart? It's the 5 volt no-battery PT's that need a lot of current (since they don't have a battery). Those are the ones that you definitely want a wall wart for (2.0 amp or more).
LR atties will kill my e-cig
Opinions: Depends on your e-cig. Depends on the atty/carto. Depends on your vaping style. Depends on your luck. There's lots of posts on this. Basically, I'd stay at 2.0 ohm or higher with eGo type batteries. 510's actually work but why bother (too crappy of a duration). True 3.7 volt stuff might work too, but that's a bit hot, so 2.0 ohm again. Anyway.. It may, or may not, kill it. LR means < 2.8 ohms. 2.0 is probably fine. 2.5 too. 1.5 IDK... stresses the electronics by drawing too many amps (electrons per second). Devices vary. Real tough to say. The general rule for me would be if 2.0 ohms or higher worked for me, that's what I'd use.
Always Steep e-juice with the cap off
Myth: You should steep with the cap off
Opinion: 1) It shouldn't be perfume-like anyway. 2) But, maybe that's just the way some flavors start. If that's true, you should be steeping in a wide mouth something-or-other to maximize surface area and get it over with in a day. Then cap it. 3) But... OK, so perfume-like juice aside, just shake it up. Give it a warm-water soak + shake if you wish. But it shouldn't be left open. I loved the thread about "Waiter! Waiter! There's a fly in my e-juice!" Safer closed. Less spills. Now as to duration... that a whole can of worms.
LEDs... We don't need no stink'n LEDs... uses up all our battery anyway
Myth: stated above.
Opinion: LED's are good safety measures. Either for "power is active" or "atty is active". BONUS: Also doubles as a mini flashlight when finding a keyhole in the dark. 1 battery can probably power that LED for years. lol. Try it. Take the atty off and push the button. See if it lights. Hold it down like you would when you vape it. Count em. Keep counting........... let me know what you come up with. Dare Ya. The rest of the electronics probably use more power than the LED. If you cut the LED wires... I bet you'd get maybe 1 more puff... tops... for the whole charge.
You have to have a "big battery" e-cig, you'll grow into it
Opinion: Probably true. lol. But not always. There are some people that have a stack of kr808 batteries and chargers and like it that way. PITA as far as I'm concerned. But that's me, not them.
Never Smoked or used nic... Gee... I should vape. Let me go on this forum and ask.....
Fact: You can always ask. Fact: It's a free country. Fact: You're over 18.
Opinion: Better to avoid it. Idiot. What did you think we'd say? Sheesh! Probably better than cigs tho.
DIY e-juice is too complicated
Opinion: No, but it's often not as good. Sometimes it's better! It is less expensive. It is easy. It is fun. It gives you options. You know (mostly) what is in the juice. Or at least you know more than just some vendor's recipe name. I think it is a great way to start vaping, in fact. Although you need some pre-mixed flavors to have along side your DIY stuff for starters. You can do both. It's good to have supplies around anyway. If you're a menthol vaper, it cures a lot of sin with crappy juice too. You can tweak flavors, or PG/VG ratios too. Cutting nic level for nighttime is easy. So is mixing two pre-mixed flavors to get a 3rd so you aren't bored (small bottles in case you hate it.. or mix by dripping into the atty).
Don't Drip and Drive
Opinion: lol. I do it. Carefully. PITA. Then again, so are cartos, IMHO. I did buy some cartos for driving. I hate cartos. Taste like filler to me. Use em sometimes. Mostly, I cheat. I like stop signs and red lights more now.
Digital Smoker, Smoking an E-Cig, Ect.
Fact: Vaping is not smoking. It is inhaling. They have that in common. I haven't smoked in almost a year. I'm not a digital smoker. Nor do I smoke my e-cigs. There is no carbon monoxide. No ash. It's a condensate. Legally it's not smoking. Medically it's not smoking. Scientifically it's not smoking. Figure it out people (vendors in particular). Fog off the water early in the morning looks like smoke... but it isn't. Some may say that "it's a smokey morning" but most would say "foggy". So we need different terms for different things. "Vaping" is it, until we find something better. Calling me a smoker, or "digital smoker" is offensive and partially negates the last year's worth of effort. Take a hike.
I have to quit smoking to use e-cigs
Fact: No you don't. You may, in time. If you wish to quit, and don't do it on day 1, that's ok. It can take time. Think of it as harm reduction. Every cig you avoid is a win.
XXXXX is the best e-cig
There is no "best" e-cig. You have to find out what works for you.
One cart is worth XXX cigs
One charge will last XXX hours
"High nic" is 18 mg
You get 2 batteries, 2 atties, AND a CHARGER! (for $300.00)
Fact: They sell them. Buyer beware. Frigg'n rip-off type vendors.
Heck, I didn't even go into cart mods and "carto of the month club". You can tell I was bored.
Anyone else have "Myths"?
Last edited:
