technique tips for utter newbies

[stillalive]

Okay, so I'm finally figuring out the best way to vape (for me, with this newbie ecig!). I don't know if I'm just denser than average or if my not having smoked before is the issue, but either way I thought I'd post some tips that made vaping wonderful instead of a semi-frustrating way to get nicotine in my system.

A common complaint I've been seeing on here is headaches/lungaches from trying to suck air in when vaping. I was also really frustrated over not getting more than a faint hint of flavor when vaping my PG juice. Aside from getting a fancier vaporizer, here's what worked with my automatic 302/801:

inhaling is hard
Don't pull with your lungs. To get the vapor started, suck on it like it's a straw (I have to do this or my auto battery doesn't light!) and fill your mouth with vapor, then inhale into your lungs while continuing to "take a drag" on the atomizer.

no flavor
When you're releasing your vapor, blow at least some of it out of your nose. You don't have to vape all of it out of your nose(though that can be really cool looking!), and you might not even have to do it for some flavors-- i.e. a PG menthol was totally strong enough without nose-vaping ( ). But for subtle VG flavors like vaperite's praline pecan and boysenberry, it really makes all the difference in the world!

Oh!

these flavors are making me sick
I've been alternating dripping (being VERY careful of my poor accidental auto batts, of course), and I've noticed if I vape anything "sugary" for too long I get a headache. So far the tea/spice-related flavors seem to be best. When you make that first e-liquid order, go with a few basics! as awesome as the gourmet flavors are, they quickly get old. The simpler, milder flavors can be really handy.

Any other tips for utter newbies facing common newb problems?

 

[robocig]

(Haha, just realized this is more general than technique, but still stuff I wish I knew! Oh well.)

Interesting tips! I would also recommend picking up a bottle of good tobacco or vanilla (or menthol) e-liquid for topping off cartos and cartridges. They're very basic flavors, but really nice to have around when you want to cut or extend a juice. (Also, don't assume because you like to taste something that you'll want to vape it! It's a very different experience.)

Also on liquid: As a rule of thumb, the fancier the packaging, the less happy I am with the product. Yeah, fancy bottles look nice, but the stuff that's mixed by hand? It really beats it by leaps and bounds.

Pick up a passthrough and a wall adapter (and a USB extension cable) if you find yourself hanging out in one place a lot while you're vaping. Yeah, you can run them through a USB port (on a desktop), but I worry about frying the port and the adapter gives you much more versatility.

I also highly recommend getting a PCC if you're using a smaller battery- it really makes all the difference if you can charge on the go when you're not using your e-cig.

 

[dormouse]

I recommend not getting auto batteries and not vaping if you didn't smoke.

 

[MickeyRat]

Also on liquid: As a rule of thumb, the fancier the packaging, the less happy I am with the product. Yeah, fancy bottles look nice, but the stuff that's mixed by hand? It really beats it by leaps and bounds.

Some of the best are labeled by hand with a ball point pen. Tasty Vapor does that I know.

 

[stillalive]

I recommend not getting auto batteries and not vaping if you didn't smoke.

I'm the "troll" with otherwise untreatable depression and ADD, but thanks...

 

[dormouse]

Sorry but I can't remember everyone's name here. Consider using manual batteries. And be aware that saying stuff like "since I never smoked" causes extreme friction here. If you don't point that out then you will fit in here nicely. Really - I for one am super paranoid about non-smokers taking up vaping somehow causing backlash for those of us who need e-cigarettes to stay off analogs.