So much conflicting information!

[Thepinfamily]

Welcome to ECF, im new here also. I started with ecigs 36 days ago and havent smoked an analog since the day I bought my Blu. It was an easy transition. I started with Blu and it got my foot in the door so I will always be thankful, but I wouldn't recommend it. After finding this site ive come to realize there are much better options. Ive recently switched to an ego and I love it. Its like night and day. I smoked about 1 1/2 packs a day and the Blu cartridges would almost last a day it i got a good one. They are very inconsistent.
I read a 6 part article on this site that was extremely helpful and had lots of info on the questions your asking. Its called wonderful world of vaping. Its on this page.
The ECF Library
I did see this bit of info today but im not sure how accurate it is. It comes from a site I bought some juice from so take it with a grain of salt
: How does the cost of E-Cigarettes compare to that of smoking?

A: Here is the average breakdown.

2 Drops = 1 Cigarette
28 Drops = 1 mL
10 mL = 280 Drops = 140 Cigarettes
140 Cigarettes = 7 Packs
7 Packs of Cigarettes = About $49.00
10 mL Bottle = $4.50
Savings of $44.50
30 mL = 840 Drops = 420 Cigarettes
420 Cigarettes = 21 Packs
21 Packs of Cigarettes = About $147.00
30 mL Bottle = $10.00
Savings of $137.00
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[palmtreevans]

A few members have mentioned this and I whole heartedly agree, how much you smoke now has little correlation to how much you will vape. I was a PAD smoker for years and was down to about 5 cigs a day when I switched to vaping and even though I hardly smoked any cigs I sit at my desk and vape ALL. DAY. LONG. and do the same when I get home. I'm going through 2-3 mL per day.

 

[Dansauls]

I'm a heavy vapor but then again I was also a 3 pad smoker.......

I use about 4ml of juice a day, so lets say 30ml a week (I think that's on the high side) or roughly $10 to $15 of eJuice depending on where you buy your eJuice. While using Analogs I was spending close to $100 per week.
I physicaly feel better and I have a "cost avoidance" cause I spend the $$$ on other stuff now (vape gear) I'm not saving it.

 

[MorpheusPA]

I was a really heavy smoker at 2 1/2 packs per day, and I'm a really heavy vaper at about 4-6 ml per day depending.

For the first few weeks I barely removed the vaporizer from my mouth. Others find that this doesn't happen to them.

Your mileage is going to vary a great deal from mine. Mom was a moderate smoker, she's a light vaper and goes through 1 ml of liquid per day or so, no more.

 

[Enuo]

I don't have anything to add but I need posts and this is a useful thread, so thank you to the posters!

 

[DC2]

May I ask, how is the way we receive nicotine while vaping different from smoking?

The difference is in the way the nicotine is delivered, via smoke versus via vaper.
This causes a whole bunch of things which lead to different amounts of nicotine absorbed, and at different speeds.

If you want to dig deeper into it than that, it starts getting complicated, and I suggest some light reading...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ette-vs-e-cigarette-nicotine-equivalency.html
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...312547-nicotine-absorption-contradiction.html

Also check out these Google results regarding smoke+ammonia=crack nicotine...
https://www.google.com/search?btnG=1&pws=0&q=smoke+ammonia+crack+nicotine

 

[Baditude]

May I ask, how is the way we receive nicotine while vaping different from smoking?

I'm no expert, but from the readings that I have done, the molecules that carry nicotine in vapor differ in size than the molecules that carry nicotine in tobacco smoke.

I have also read that because of the above "fact", most of the nicotine in vapor is absorbed in the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and nose...and not so much in the lungs. Based upon this information, one needs not to inhale the vapor into their lungs to get their dose of nicotine. Merely sucking the vapor into the mouth, much like sucking on a milkshake, and holding it there for a couple of seconds should absorb most of the nicotine. Proceed to either inhale into the lungs, or alternately exhale through the nose and mouth.

An interesting side note, our nose assists our damaged tastes buds to "taste" our e-liquid flavors. You can best understand this by recalling how food can taste bland when we have a heavy head cold. Food normally has flavor molecules released into the air which our nose collects and sends to the brain. When congested, the nose can not register how a food smells, nor contribute it's normal part in the tasting process. So, when exhaling your e-liquid, give your tongue an assist by exhaling some vapor through your nose.

 

[akatina]

I have also read that because of the above "fact", most of the nicotine in vapor is absorbed in the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and nose...and not so much in the lungs. Based upon this information, one needs not to inhale the vapor into their lungs to get their dose of nicotine. Merely sucking the vapor into the mouth, much like sucking on a milkshake, and holding it there for a couple of seconds should absorb most of the nicotine. Proceed to either inhale into the lungs, or alternately exhale through the nose and mouth.

I've gotten to the point where I almost "chew" my vape. It's a weird combo of drag/slurping in the vape, billowing my cheeks (like a pipe smoker), swishing (like a wine tasting), and chewing. Looks idiotic, tastes divine

 

[DanFromRioRancho]

Agreed and understood, but I need to go slow........settle on the delivery system, learn to vape properly, try a variety of manufacturers and flavors, learn proper maintenance, then (if still in the game) learn to refill from bulk, then learn DIY. That's just me (sigh).

 

[CreamSteam]

My experience is that you can't really now for sure until you start vaping. The fact of the matter is that first of all the quality of your equipment will effect so much on the amount/strength of liquid you will need. My first e-cig was a t-910 cig and I vaped 18mg juice on it about somewhere around 3ml per day. I wasn't satisfied at all and was not getting the amount of vapor and experience I had imagined so only couple of days after I bought VV lavatube 4 (Lambo) and some cartos and the difference was like a night and day. I took my juice down to 12mg and got a much more satisfying vape but still not quite what I had imagined. Also, I didnt have a tank so when I went outside I had to take my crappy t-910's along and was sucking them like no tomorrow. The vape was better but I felt I still wasn't quite there...

After a week or so I ran out of juice and went to see old friend of mine who had been vaping for a few years now and he gave my a provari and his self made VW box mode and tanks filled with a 6mg juice to test on. I took a couple of hits and I was stunned. The difference in experience struck me so hard I was dumb founded for the rest of the night. Not only that, even I took only few buffs every 10 mins or so, much less than I had until then, the nic hit me so hard I really felt like I was drugged. I didn't get nic sic because obviously 6mg juice is not that strong but we figured that because of using so low quality devices and set ups for vaping, even with a 18mg juice, my tolerance had dropped down so much that the relatively low level nic hit me like a ten ton truck. I might add, it hit me a very pleasant way too. This was the first time in more than 20 years of smoking I really experienced and fundamentally understood why nicotine is actually a stimulant...

So what I am trying to say here that you can't follow on averages when it comes to switching from analog cigarettes to vaping. You just have to try yourself and even spend some money on trial and error to get where you want to be and whats best for you. Myself, it's been around 3 months for me and I mostly vape with hybrids, wrapping my own coils and wicks. I still enjoy cartos in a tank every now and then as I do think they are not bad of a vape at all and in fact can give you a very satisfying experience. they're just very different, even when using the same juice. I am pretty much happy with 6mg - 8mg juice vaping between 3ml to 4ml a day. But as already said, that's just me.

Whatever you do I suggest you buy a decent machine for your first device (at least an ego if you can't bear the bigger and a bit glumsier looking VV or VW devices with switchable batteries such as lavatube or Vamo for example) to save you some cash as I don't know anyone who has sticked with those cigarette looking little devices after starting vaping. They simply suck big time and really is a unnecessary first step to take.

 

[Tanti]

I smoked between 20 and 25 analogs a day, between my SO and I we spent upwards of 400.00 a month.
I vape about 3 ml a day at 24mg/ml some days its a bit more, some days a bit less. I havent settled on that perfect flavor yet so im still doing small bottles.
Equating analogs to how much juice you will use its very hard to do. I dont think there is anyway of totally working that out.

 

[love_leigh]

Agreed and understood, but I need to go slow........settle on the delivery system, learn to vape properly, try a variety of manufacturers and flavors, learn proper maintenance, then (if still in the game) learn to refill from bulk, then learn DIY. That's just me (sigh).

Welcome to ECF!! Try not to feel overwhelmed, it's information overload sometimes. I just hit 4 months smoke free (only vaping - no other nicotine replacement) and I started out with the Ego-C batteries (2 of em), clearomizers (3 of those) and a bottle of menthol (since i was a pack a day menthol smoker). That set up cost me around $70 and was quite satisfying and very simple to use. The only cost incurred for the first three months (minus starter kit) was $12 a month for 30ml bottle of menthol juice.

Good luck, and congrats on taking the initiative to get off the smokes!!!

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Agreed and understood, but I need to go slow........settle on the delivery system, learn to vape properly, try a variety of manufacturers and flavors, learn proper maintenance, then (if still in the game) learn to refill from bulk, then learn DIY. That's just me (sigh).

throw all that out...the only thing that really matters is "refilling from bulk" if there's one thing a new vaper needs to learn its how to refill from bottled juice..this is where all the money savings are...forget the rest...just learn to refill from a bottle...most set up are very low maintenance...and it's relatively easy to find a passable vape juice...not that you are going to love it, but it will get you by until you find some really badass knocks your socks off juice

so to reiterate.......focus on refilling your cartomizers or clearomizers

 

[YKruss]

I wouldn't suggest DIY for someone who is new to vaping. Period! My 2¢

Originally Posted by YKruss

Better yet - $1.20 - $1.50 per 30 ml for DIY juice

Unless it's unflavored, that's what I use. It's a matter of a simple dilution.
(and you might be right it's not that exciting for someone/many who just started to use unflavored but I like it, no need for experimenting and saves money)

 

[DanFromRioRancho]

Many thanks to all for the warm welcome and good advice, it's greatly appreciated!

 

[DanFromRioRancho]

Also meant to say "wish me luck". I'm aware that I'll be making mistakes, and those mistakes will cost me as will the learning curve. I've been through a process that feels quite similar to this when I decided to enter the world of making proper espresso at home. I just want to try to mitigate the killer mistakes that could push me away from vaping before I give it a proper trial, and try to minimize buyer's remorse. Again, thanks to all!

Dan

 

[flintlock62]

Flavoring has nothing to do with it. I still recommend reading the DIY stickies before attempting anything. I'm no one's keeper, they can do what ever they want.

Unless it's unflavored, that's what I use. It's a matter of a simple dilution.
(and you might be right it's not that exciting for someone/many who just started to use unflavored but I like it, no need for experimenting and saves money)

 

[cactus71]

Jeez were practically neighbors DanFromRioRancho... I'm a West-Sider - good to have you on ECF. I can probably bet you've already gone to Route 66 Vapors? Great custom juice.

 

[flintlock62]

Good luck, Dan! A couple of good places that aren't too expensive to buy juices is Mt. Baker, and ECBlend. RAWR has great tasting juices, but cost more. Without going back through the thread, if you were a PAD smoker then maybe you should start with either 24 mg, or 18 mg juice. See how that satisfies you. See how different juices taste, and what you like best. Tobacco, maybe, candy, or fruit and citrus. There are many different flavors and nicotine strengths. Don't worry about how much you vape to start off. You will know when your cravings are satisfied.

Going against others who insist DIY, find out what you like, and learn how to vape. It took me 3 months to attempt DIY, and then I read everything in the DIY stickies, twice. I didn't stick my neck out and try to make my own right off the bat. I think it's a bad idea, no matter what others think. Of course, there are those who agree with me too.

Also meant to say "wish me luck". I'm aware that I'll be making mistakes, and those mistakes will cost me as will the learning curve. I've been through a process that feels quite similar to this when I decided to enter the world of making proper espresso at home. I just want to try to mitigate the killer mistakes that could push me away from vaping before I give it a proper trial, and try to minimize buyer's remorse. Again, thanks to all!

Dan

 

[DanFromRioRancho]

Jeez were practically neighbors DanFromRioRancho... I'm a West-Sider - good to have you on ECF. I can probably bet you've already gone to Route 66 Vapors? Great custom juice.

Actually, that was going to be one of my follow-up questions in a day or two -- Anyone from the Albuquerque area that can give a recommendation for local shops? Many thanks, Cactus71, you made my day! Any other shops in the area for either juice or hardware?