Things I wish I knew when I started

[Zal42]

I've been vaping for a couple of weeks now, and thought that I'd list the things I wish I'd known when I was a rank beginner, rather than just a beginner.

1) vaping is similar to, but different from smoking. Long, slow drags are good.

2) Don't try to vape "a cigarette's worth" at a time. I find that I go with three or four drags at a time, not 10 or 12.

3) To save big bucks, fill your own carts.

4) Even if you don't DIY juice (I don't, yet), purchase some potent unflavored high-nic (60mg) juice as well as some VG. VG can be had from most drugstores. This way, you can adjust the nic levels of juices that you buy. This is a real help at the start when you're finding the nic level that works for you, and a real help later when you can't get your favorite juice at your preferred nic level. Warning: high-nic juice can be dangerous, but safely handled. Read this here.

5) Buy extra atomizers.

6) There's a ton of good advice here about maintaining your equipment. Unless you are the type that enjoys it, don't sweat this stuff that much. This isn't rocket science, and you don't really have to get all fiddly with everything.

7) Try juices even when they don't sound like something you like. You'll like vape flavors that you don't like in foods/scents and vice versa.

 

[Tol]

all very true!

 

[Stosh]

4) Even if you don't DIY juice (I don't, yet), purchase some potent unflavored high-nic (60mg) juice as well as some VG. VG can be had from most drugstores. This way, you can adjust the nic levels of juices that you buy. This is a real help at the start when you're finding the nic level that works for you, and a real help later when you can't get your favorite juice at your preferred nic level..

Be careful if you're dealing with 60mg juice, getting it on your skin, you will absorb a LOT of nic.
When I started I limited myself to 30-36mg (I was able to vape it straight up) to adjust levels.

As a noob, I tended to have a lot of leaks, drips, wiping up, spilling, syringe problems,
OH heck, I'm a klutz. Juice tended to get everywhere, and on me!

Your other observations are spot on!!

 

[Zal42]

Yes, that's an excellent point. I'll amend my post.

 

[Rosa]

Yes, all true.

Here's another one: don't spend weeks and months researching which e-cig to buy, you won't know what you want until you start vaping anyway. Just buy something (that the forum members seem to mostly agree is good) and start - research later.

 

[Tol]

Also....

BUY A SYRINGE! (and some flexible tips) Don't feel you don't need one or that you are some sort of H junkie for having it. I put off buying one myself and regretted it when I needed one to fill some cartos I wanted to try out.

 

[DC2]

Here's another one: don't spend weeks and months researching which e-cig to buy, you won't know what you want until you start vaping anyway. Just buy something (that the forum members seem to mostly agree is good) and start - research later.

This is the best advice of all.

 

[player30]

Great advice for beginners! Thanks for posting.

 

[VprNomi]

+1
You can research forever & still not get it perfect the first time because you may just find that what you thought you wanted in theory, you actually don't in practice. There are also newer, better innovations coming out all the time (this is still a very new market). If you wait too long, you'll never start!

Yes, all true.

Here's another one: don't spend weeks and months researching which e-cig to buy, you won't know what you want until you start vaping anyway. Just buy something (that the forum members seem to mostly agree is good) and start - research later.

 

[caffeinated]

I'll add one to the list: Purchase a backup device right away, and keep it with you. If your e-cig dies, you don't want to end up reverting to analogs for your nicotine fix until you can find a way to get back to vaping.

 

[Hoppyy]

I'll add one to the list: Purchase a backup device right away, and keep it with you. If your e-cig dies, you don't want to end up reverting to analogs for your nicotine fix until you can find a way to get back to vaping.

+1 on that one

 

[merriweather]

5) Buy extra atomizers.

6) There's a ton of good advice here about maintaining your equipment. Unless you are the type that enjoys it, don't sweat this stuff that much. This isn't rocket science, and you don't really have to get all fiddly with everything.

7) Try juices even when they don't sound like something you like. You'll like vape flavors that you don't like in foods/scents and vice versa.

#5- Why do you suggest this? At only a few weeks of vaping, are you having any atomizer troubles, or is it so you can freely swap between flavors? I just have two, thats why I ask.

#6- Define fiddly? Would this apply to my eGo, or more so custom ecigs? Are you also talking about atomizer cleaning?

#7- So true! Hahaha

 

[Rosa]

My response in bold:

#5- Why do you suggest this? At only a few weeks of vaping, are you having any atomizer troubles, or is it so you can freely swap between flavors? I just have two, thats why I ask.

Atomizers can be unpredictable. Sometimes they last a year, sometimes they last a week. The last thing you need is to have your only two atomizers die on you within the same couple of days mysteriously - it happens! So best to have a few extra.

#6- Define fiddly? Would this apply to my eGo, or more so custom ecigs? Are you also talking about atomizer cleaning?

I interpreted it as atomizer cleaning -- some people swear that you have to do these cleaning procedures every week without fail; and make sure you have 90% isopropyl alcohol on hand at all times, and invest in cotton swabs...etc, etc, etc. Honestly, I've never cleaned an atomizer before, never plan on it! I blow mine out if it gets soupy and that's about it. I mean, they cost $7, why would I spend my weekend maintaining them? Cigarettes cost me $5 a pack - I could buy a brand new atty every week and still be ahead of the game.

#7- So true! Hahaha

 

[Jennie O]

Or in my case my first Ecig will now become my backup. And join a forum...you'll end up "researching" your way into the poor house! LOL My new E-go kit and some juices are on their way and I already researched my way into purchasing an additional T atomizer and carts to go with it!

 

[Zal42]

#5- Why do you suggest this? At only a few weeks of vaping, are you having any atomizer troubles, or is it so you can freely swap between flavors? I just have two, thats why I ask.

No, no atomizer trouble. More because some flavors (I'm looking at you, Atomic Cinnacide) really need to be segregated from subtler juices. Plus, an atomizer can die without warning, and you don't want to be left high and dry. I have three, one for strong flavors, one for everything else, and one for backup. My starter kit came with one, but I wanted a second one the minute I vaped anything after cinnamon.

#6- Define fiddly? Would this apply to my eGo, or more so custom ecigs? Are you also talking about atomizer cleaning?

I use an eGo, and that's the entirety of my experience. My point here is that between the various elaborate atty cleaning procedures, cart mods, etc., things can seem far more involved and complicated than they have to be, and it can be very intimidating.

But it can be very simple. For example, atty cleaning: it's certainly possible (and many people do) to never clean an atty ever, and just replace them more often. Or clean them thoroughly and replace them less often. Or something in between. What is right for you depends on how much you like to fiddle with the equipment and how much you're willing to spend on attys.

It's entirely possible, and I think probably desirable, for a newbie to go simple -- don't worry about fiddling unless it's fun. You'll learn after some experience whether or not you want to get more involved. Me, personally, I like to fiddle with my equipment. So to speak.

 

[ScottinSoCal]

I'll add one to the list: Purchase a backup device right away, and keep it with you. If your e-cig dies, you don't want to end up reverting to analogs for your nicotine fix until you can find a way to get back to vaping.

Amen. My last cigarette wouldn't have been lit, if it hadn't been for dead batteries.

 

[Rosa]

...some flavors (I'm looking at you, Atomic Cinnacide) really need to be segregated from subtler juices.

Again, so true! And never - I repeat NEVER - put clove into an atomizer unless you are willing to sacrifice that atomizer to clove flavor forevermore.

 

[ScottinSoCal]

#5- Why do you suggest this? At only a few weeks of vaping, are you having any atomizer troubles, or is it so you can freely swap between flavors? I just have two, thats why I ask.

I don't even use atomizers, and I have four of them - just in case. I also have three boxes of XL cartomizers (unopened), a MAP tank (and two more on the way) and a syringe mod. Just in case.

#6- Define fiddly? Would this apply to my eGo, or more so custom ecigs? Are you also talking about atomizer cleaning?

I do clean mine, and I woudl define fiddly as:
- Disassembling all the cartos, flushing them out, then putting all the bits into alcohol to soak
- After an overnight soak, put them in the ultrasonic cleaner for a cleaning cycle
- Take them out, spread them on a paper towel, blow out the alcohol, and leave them to dry
- After they've dried, reassemble them, removing any old flavor labels that may not apply
- Sort them into their respective bins in the case where I keep all this stuff

That's fiddly. And I may not even need to do it, but I'm a fiddly kind of guy, so I don't mind.

 

[Rosa]

I do clean mine, and I woudl define fiddly as:
- Disassembling all the cartos, flushing them out, then putting all the bits into alcohol to soak
- After an overnight soak, put them in the ultrasonic cleaner for a cleaning cycle
- Take them out, spread them on a paper towel, blow out the alcohol, and leave them to dry
- After they've dried, reassemble them, removing any old flavor labels that may not apply
- Sort them into their respective bins in the case where I keep all this stuff

That's fiddly. And I may not even need to do it, but I'm a fiddly kind of guy, so I don't mind.

LOL! Here's my cleaning routine:

- take atomizer off battery
- blow out into a tissue or left-over fast-food restaurant napkin
- drop into the container where I keep my e-cig stuff

 

[lo thatch]

I've been vaping for a couple of weeks now, and thought that I'd list the things I wish I'd known when I was a rank beginner, rather than just a beginner.

1) Vaping is similar to, but different from smoking. Long, slow drags are good.

2) Don't try to vape "a cigarette's worth" at a time. I find that I go with three or four drags at a time, not 10 or 12.

3) To save big bucks, fill your own carts.

4) Even if you don't DIY juice (I don't, yet), purchase some potent unflavored high-nic (60mg) juice as well as some VG. VG can be had from most drugstores. This way, you can adjust the nic levels of juices that you buy. This is a real help at the start when you're finding the nic level that works for you, and a real help later when you can't get your favorite juice at your preferred nic level. Warning: high-nic juice can be dangerous, but safely handled. Read this here.

5) Buy extra atomizers.

6) There's a ton of good advice here about maintaining your equipment. Unless you are the type that enjoys it, don't sweat this stuff that much. This isn't rocket science, and you don't really have to get all fiddly with everything.

7) Try juices even when they don't sound like something you like. You'll like vape flavors that you don't like in foods/scents and vice versa.[/QUOTE

If I had read this the first time I found the forum I would still be on analogs. My comments are as follows.
1. Start reading the forum but don't expect to understand 80% of what you read.
2. It is beneficial to go to the vendors forum and look over the various types of vape equipment on the different sites and then come back for the reviews here and on Youtube.
3. Order something that appeals to you. My budget was the last thing I was interested in....yes, I am guilty of wanting something that looks like a cigarette and is easy to use. I choose the BloogMaxxFusion based on this critieria. I also bought some extra batteries based on info here.
4. Each vaper will quickly learn what works for them. I like to sit and vape 6mg. at the computer and 11mg. other times. That works for me but it might not work for you. Experiment.
5. Don't worry about juices....they are for later in vaping experience. I got totally turned off reading about them and thinking I might have to become a chemist!
6. Vaping is fun....lots to learn, lots to try out and lots of good introductory info for a basic start. Look for sales and coupon codes!
7. If I can do this anyone can!