Things I wish I knew when I started

[Bradder]

I would have to agree about a few extra attys. I have three dedicated to specific vapes. Yes, they could be completely cleaned, ionized, nuked, torched, whatever, but it is much easier to just dedicate. Also, having a few attys allow you to quickly change out flavors for a pure new hit - especially handy for starting and goign through samples.

 

[redryder1]

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.

I agree, when i leave the house in the mornig, i pack enuff batteries and carts and even juice to choke a horse..No way am i going back to analogs!

 

[Zal42]

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

Thanks for the heads-up! Clove is going to be in my next batch of new flavors. I'll get a new atomizer at the same time, now.

I do clean mine, and I woudl define fiddly as

Yes, it is. And my routine is very close to that!

 

[Darktor]

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.

I second that!

 

[Sorrid]

Go Variable voltage right from the start and save yourself a lot of time/effort/grief and most of all money. The Ego/510 and 808 kits are a great place to start but once you start looking at mods just go directly to VV and be happy and keep your cash.

 

[Big Sheepherder]

This industry has not yet risen to level of art, and some of the foregoing stuff about the need to respect the subltety of flavors, etc., is really quite humorous. Nevertheless, one could envision a day of touring a Vaping Valley somewhere nice. Hey, I'll write a new book on vapes like the one I wrote on wines called, "Send it back!"

 

[Bradder]

Not sure anyone here has spoken of subtlety - but a strong menthol, coffee, clove, etc. can nail the taste/aroma of an atty for quite some time after the cart is removed.

 

[PKZap27]

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!

I did the same thing.

 

[Zal42]

Go Variable voltage right from the start and save yourself a lot of time/effort/grief and most of all money. The Ego/510 and 808 kits are a great place to start but once you start looking at mods just go directly to VV and be happy and keep your cash.

I dunno. I'm using a stock eGo and have been very, very happy with it. At this point, I'm not considering mods of any sort, as I don't feel that I'm lacking anything in my experience. Perhaps that will change someday, perhaps not, but either way I've not wasted any money. In fact, I've saved quite a lot of it!

 

[Sorrid]

I dunno. I'm using a stock eGo and have been very, very happy with it. At this point, I'm not considering mods of any sort, as I don't feel that I'm lacking anything in my experience. Perhaps that will change someday, perhaps not, but either way I've not wasted any money. In fact, I've saved quite a lot of it!

That is most excellent. I jumped to mods pretty quickly looking for something "better" than my first Ego. On the other hand my father is perfectly content using the ego and 2.0 ohm cartos. But for those that do start looking at mods, heed my advice and you'll be a happy camper...errrr...vaperer!

 

[Rosa]

Go Variable voltage right from the start and save yourself a lot of time/effort/grief and most of all money. The Ego/510 and 808 kits are a great place to start but once you start looking at mods just go directly to VV and be happy and keep your cash.

Seems so daunting. I don't even know what a "volt" is or how to use it for the best results.

also don't know what a "ohm" is or what a "mah" is... I just know what I like.

 

[AttyPops]

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

Smart ........lol. 2nd "I don't clean my $7.00 atty... nah nah NA nah nah" post.

For the rest of us mere mortals that are not blessed by the Atty-Gods, we at least rinse em out with water. But, in the end, it's not that "fiddly". Rinse followed by a "warm burn" to evaporate the water.

As for hints.... It's snow storm time here..... Anyone think about what happens if the power fails? AND you're snowed in? So I 2nd having at least one backup on hand. Spare charger is nice too.

 

[Sorrid]

Seems so daunting. I don't even know what a "volt" is or how to use it for the best results.

also don't know what a "ohm" is or what a "mah" is... I just know what I like.

Once you start researching mods(if ever) you'll find out what variable voltage is quickly. It is simply a term used to describe a mod that has the ability to change the voltage to the atomizer/cartomizer that is used on it. This gives you the advantage of being able to change the level of heat applied to find the perfect spot for your favorite atty/juice combination. A juice that has no flavor at 3.7v might be fantastic at 4.5v Or one that taste burnt at 6v might like 5v or 4v instead.

 

[AttyPops]

Seems so daunting. I don't even know what a "volt" is or how to use it for the best results.

also don't know what a "ohm" is or what a "mah" is... I just know what I like.

Ya know... That's what I keep trying to point out... vaping is experiential, more than anything else. I'm thinking about a vari-volt mod... it just has an up and down button (or a dial) and a colored light. The light changes from cooler colors to warmer colors as you adjust it. You don't know what voltage it is, nor do you care. You just know the experience, and associate it with a color of the LED.

So I agree... we get a little hung up on volts/amps/ohms sometimes. The math helps, if you care to know it. But it certainly isn't necessary and is even a bit daunting to people... kind of puts em off e-cigs sometimes.

 

[edietn]

Great point about power outages.... I live in an old house, in an old neighborhood, and we have power outages like crazy. I never thought about it until I just read your post. Another reason why I am actually glad that I purchased a 510, then purchased a mega 510 battery, then purchased a 510 Riva. Because I had two starter kits, the 510 and the Riva 510, plus the additional mega 510 battery, I now have two chargers, and am able to constantly have 4 additional charged batteries...... Whenever one dies, I immediately put it on a charger so that I don't end up with a bunch of dead batteries. But this is a great reason for a car charger.

Thanks to the internet and this forum, I can't say there is really anything that I wish I knew before I started, but I can say that I am still trying to figure out my perfect nicotine level. For instance, today was a rough day, and I feel extremely stressed. Since I got home from work I've been vaping constant at 12 mg. and wonder whether its just not enough. I even picked up my one last virginia slims and lit it. I took two hits and put it out. I am amazed at how much like an ashtray it tasted!!!

 

[Ardeagold]

Smart ........lol. 2nd "I don't clean my $7.00 atty... nah nah NA nah nah" post.

For the rest of us mere mortals that are not blessed by the Atty-Gods, we at least rinse em out with water. But, in the end, it's not that "fiddly". Rinse followed by a "warm burn" to evaporate the water.

As for hints.... It's snow storm time here..... Anyone think about what happens if the power fails? AND you're snowed in? So I 2nd having at least one backup on hand. Spare charger is nice too.

That's what cars and USB adapters/car chargers are for! ;-) (My SUV has six of them I think. LOL And all except the main cig lighter can be turned on (to charge/run something) without turning on the vehicle! Woot!)

Of course you'd better keep that vehicle cleaned off...or in a garage! hahaha

 

[Rosa]

Smart ........lol. 2nd "I don't clean my $7.00 atty... nah nah NA nah nah" post.

For the rest of us mere mortals that are not blessed by the Atty-Gods, we at least rinse em out with water. But, in the end, it's not that "fiddly". Rinse followed by a "warm burn" to evaporate the water.

As for hints.... It's snow storm time here..... Anyone think about what happens if the power fails? AND you're snowed in? So I 2nd having at least one backup on hand. Spare charger is nice too.

pfft... I can't tell you how many times I've read this: "I don't know what's wrong with my atty, I clean it all the time but....."

To be honest, I think it's not good to clean them -- seems to me like more die than way than any other way (except maybe using gunky juice in them).



so there!

 

[PKZap27]

If you find a decent juice that has been getting you by while searching for something better, order enough of that juice so as not to run out while waiting for other orders of samples. I'm going to have to hit up the kiosk at the mall again for a juice that has been getting me by.

Search for a good vendor as close to you as possible. Fortunately I found one and now I get overnight shipping (USPS) without paying for it.

When you tryout a new PV, realize that each different PV or setup you try takes a different technique to get the best hit. In other words don't give up on it right away.

I've also read on the ECF that if you don't like some of the flavor samples of juice (e-liquid) you get at first, go back and try them later as they may appeal to you further down the road of your vaping journey.

IMHO reading through the ECF forum is the best thing you can do as a newbie. READ READ READ... Educating yourself is key.

 

[Stosh]

... we get a little hung up on volts/amps/ohms sometimes. The math helps, if you care to know it. But it certainly isn't necessary and is even a bit daunting to people... kind of puts em off e-cigs sometimes.

The numbers help, if you don't get hung up on the math. I've tried 3.2v, 3.7v, &5v, I like 3.7 - tried attys and cartos from 1.5 to 3.5 ohms,
I like 2.0 -2.5, - tried all kinds of juice I like 50/50 VG-PG at 25-28mg. If I need equipment or juice, if the numbers match, kaching, ya got a sale!!

 

[merriweather]

No, no atomizer trouble. More because some flavors (I'm looking at you, Atomic Cinnacide) really need to be segregated from subtler juices.

Ive heard nothing but raavvesss about that stuff! I think I need to try it. How do you tell your atomizers apart from each other, have you labeled them somehow?
I also like fussing, thats why I want to get into DIY, its like your own little science experiments that you get to perfect and enjoy. Good luck with your diy-ing when you start it up! You should make another "Wish I knew when I started DIY.." thread if you learn some neat stuff.