Throwing this out to the vaping wizards....

[AttyPops]

I'm still not sure if she's getting any "clouds" yet. There were several people that suggested adjusting the air-flow and wattage first, but IDK what happened.

Maybe I missed something.

No offense to anyone. I was just trying to deal with "what is there" before changing the equation.

 

[Brewdawg1181]

A lot of great suggestions and info Bob, but when she says this: "I need to quit smoking like, yesterday, so I’ll pay the price."

it's all about the atomizer,

 

[Schlinky]

Really have to agree with this.

Because if someone New posted in the DIY Section about a New Recipe they made and said they were "Unimpressed", the Usual Replies would be to let it Steep a tad Longer and or consider Increasing the Flavoring Percentage. Not to rush out and buy a New set-up.

5% of Capella Green Apple probably Isn't going to Knock the Socks Off most people. Just as many are going to want a Few Drops of a Sweetener in that Mix. Or maybe a Drop of Pineapple or 2 to give it some Zing.

You're not wrong, for where you are now but try to remember back to when it was all jargon and you didn't know your rda from your TC/VW.

There's too many things that could be failing so my advice was to dial things back a bit and minimize confusion.

'Like air' could be anything, it could be a wicking problem, maybe the wick legs aren't long enough, maybe there's not enough wick so it's not touching the coil. Maybe the coil isn't clamped properly, maybe there's an issue with the 510, maybe the wattage isn't high enough. Maybe there's a problem with the juice that the OP isn't experienced enough to even mention.

It's much easier to take a step back, get some simpler gear and at least get going on the vape journey.

 

[jtbje]

Your community here is amazing, but I’m sure you already know that.

I’ve been reading posts and dealing with kids so I’m not MIA, and will respond to everything when I can sit down at my computer.

I’ve already read great suggestions and possible mis-steps on my part. Thank you thank you thank you.

One thing I can say is I’m in the Texas Hill Country, going to Abilene tomorrow but close to San Angelo and Austin as well (1-2 hours to each). I’ll update location in my profile today so it’s accessible.

 

[muth]

But I’m about to go into a vape shop for the first time and don’t want to look like an idiot while asking for what I want without knowing what I want.

Vape shops are usually dedicated to helping smokers make the switch. Don't feel silly, they will probably be happy to help and educate. They will also ask you questions to help you determine what it is you need/want.

 

[Brewdawg1181]

You're not wrong, for where you are now but try to remember back to when it was all jargon and you didn't know your RDA from your TC/VW.

There's too many things that could be failing so my advice was to dial things back a bit and minimize confusion.

'Like air' could be anything, it could be a wicking problem, maybe the wick legs aren't long enough, maybe there's not enough wick so it's not touching the coil. Maybe the coil isn't clamped properly, maybe there's an issue with the 510, maybe the wattage isn't high enough. Maybe there's a problem with the juice that the OP isn't experienced enough to even mention.

It's much easier to take a step back, get some simpler gear and at least get going on the vape journey.

So true. I apologize if I've been coming across as contentious here, but here we have an OP who is an absolute newbie, jumping in to diy AND building to start out. It's not even coming close to satisfying her, and she's desperate to quit. She's going to go to a shop to get something to help right away.

And sorry to any that posted good suggestions (and they are good under other circumstances), but as a total newbie, she's being told to check her coil material, guage and number of wraps/ohms, go to steam engine to calculate the proper coil, adjust airflow, tweak vg/pg content, increase flavor percent, adjust nic level, check the wicking, try a different wicking material, etc. etc. And she really doesn't even know yet what any of that means, or for instance, how changing ohms will affect the vape.

I just don't want her to say "vaping's too hard," and give up. Just seems trying an mtl kit for the price of a few packs of smokes, and a few more bucks on "proven" juice with other nic levels would be a worthwhile investment to get her started. And like @Schlinky said, she doesn't have to throw any of the other stuff away.

 

[zoiDman]

...

There's too many things that could be failing so my advice was to dial things back a bit and minimize confusion.

...

Couldn't Agree with this More.

And if I was doing it, the FIRST thing I would do is to get a Two or Three Retail e-Liquids going that I liked with the Hardware that I Have.

And if that took a couple of Weeks and having to buy a Dozen and a Half different Retail e-Liquids, No Big Deal.

Me again... But I Couldn't Imagine trying to Quit Cigarettes while at the same time Trying to Learn DIY. And depending on my New DIY Mixes to get me where I want to be.

 

[AttyPops]

I vape unflavored mostly, and it has TH and isn't "like air" so it's not about flavoring. That will come in LATER, after she gets her setup working.

And we've already confirmed she has 6 mg/ml juice.

So now we probably have a tech issue of some kind. But IF (big IF) she is getting clouds, THEN it's just too weak. If she's not getting clouds, it could be as simple as air flow adjustment or wattage adjustment. As has been mentioned previously, upping the nic % and the PG will help with TH.

 

[United States]

The best tasting juice in the whole world won't be tastey in a tank that doesn't put out good flavor.

I have never been one to say "yeah, you need new gear". But I know from experience that Kangor stuff was not providing me diddly for flavor. Zenith coils were like discovering the world isn't flat.

Suddenly I could taste the juice I was vaping. Then I could truely decide preferences. Until then I was guessing from trying different samples at vape shops only to be disappointed (again) from my personal gear, which was KangorTech with stainless coils, Japanese cotton and soaked overnight before vaping it.

Nicotine and vg/pg ratios were irrelevant taste-wise until I had obtained a tank system that actually produced a good mouth to lung experience.
Phil got it right with the Zenith.

 

[zoiDman]

The best tasting juice in the whole world won't be tastey in a tank that doesn't put out good flavor.

I have never been one to say "yeah, you need new gear". But I know from experience that Kangor stuff was not providing me diddly for flavor. Zenith coils were like discovering the world isn't flat.

Suddenly I could taste the juice I was vaping. Then I could truely decide preferences. Until then I was guessing from trying different samples at vape shops only to be disappointed (again) from my personal gear, which was KangorTech with stainless coils, Japanese cotton and soaked overnight before vaping it.

Nicotine and vg/pg ratios were irrelevant taste-wise until I had obtained a tank system that actually produced a good mouth to lung experience.
Phil got it right with the Zenith.

Just Curious...

But were you using Drop-In Coil Heads or the Kanger RBA Section?

 

[United States]

Yes.....both

 

[zoiDman]

Yes.....both

Gotcha.

 

[VapeAficianado]

A lot af great suggestions so far. My recommendation is to go with a refillable pod system and 50mg salt nic. Or a Juul pod system you could get at at most gas stations.

 

[Jwaterski]

Haven't seen the OP here in a while, but I agree another tank may be in order, this coming from a subtank user.. I have no idea if other tanks are that much better, but I know everyone has their own preference in tanks, juice, mods, wire, everything.. as much as I enjoy the subtank, I know it's not right for everyone. And even I don't use the drop in coils for the sub, I don't even think they give much flavor! A good build on the RBA on the other hand, that's different.. but there's the rub, you have to have the experience to get a good build in the RBA, and a juice you like, with the right settings on the mod. Damn variables!!

 

[Bolivar]

A lot of great suggestions and info Bob, but when she says this: "I need to quit smoking like, yesterday, so I’ll pay the price."

I agree with a Juul or pod if the OP needs to quit like yesterday. They seem to work for a lot of people just starting out, and they are no fuss, no fiddle. Get something that is high nic and foolproof, and find out it is possible to live without cigarettes and not go nuts. THEN you can fiddle with making juice, building coils and getting an "advanced" vape system dialed in.

You gotta learn to walk before you start running.

 

[jtbje]

When I use the Kanger I get vape, probably comparable to smoking a cigarette, so not a huge cloud but not zero cloud. I think between the older style atomizer, homemade coils, and DIY flavor, I started off on the wrong foot. My father in law is the one who gave me the setup and showed me how to mix the liquid and build the coils, and he has since started using a larger mod with 2 batteries. He said he never could get the right 'throat hit' from the Kanger, but he gave it to me as a starting point to see if I liked it.

I don't live close enough to run to the vape shop conveniently, so I just ordered some supplies online and tried to replicate what I saw him do. As you all can tell, It Did Not Work LOL

I think from reading all of your kind suggestions here I will go in tomorrow and see if they have some coils I can buy, and get some premixed flavors or try some of theirs if they will let me. Hopefully a different flavor and nicotine ratio and non-homemade coils will set me on the right track. If not, and if I'm understanding all of you, a new atomizer or the Innokin (sp?)/Zenith kit would be the next step.

I read through all of your replies, and I've read several vaping stories that are like, oh I just picked up vaping and immediately stopped smoking because it was so much better. Or I dual used but only for a week or so because I liked vaping so much more. This is what I was expecting, and I think I set my expectations too high. I know the experience is different for everyone. I'm going to make these adjustments and try again!

All of that to say, I will be in Abilene, TX tomorrow. Can anyone recommend a really good vape shop to go to?

Thanks for your patience with my responses too, I have 3 boys, ages 9, 7, and 2, so sometimes it takes a minute for me to break free

 

[Letitia]

When I use the Kanger I get vape, probably comparable to smoking a cigarette, so not a huge cloud but not zero cloud. I think between the older style atomizer, homemade coils, and DIY flavor, I started off on the wrong foot. My father in law is the one who gave me the setup and showed me how to mix the liquid and build the coils, and he has since started using a larger mod with 2 batteries. He said he never could get the right 'throat hit' from the Kanger, but he gave it to me as a starting point to see if I liked it.

I don't live close enough to run to the vape shop conveniently, so I just ordered some supplies online and tried to replicate what I saw him do. As you all can tell, It Did Not Work LOL

I think from reading all of your kind suggestions here I will go in tomorrow and see if they have some coils I can buy, and get some premixed flavors or try some of theirs if they will let me. Hopefully a different flavor and nicotine ratio and non-homemade coils will set me on the right track. If not, and if I'm understanding all of you, a new atomizer or the Innokin (sp?)/Zenith kit would be the next step.

I read through all of your replies, and I've read several vaping stories that are like, oh I just picked up vaping and immediately stopped smoking because it was so much better. Or I dual used but only for a week or so because I liked vaping so much more. This is what I was expecting, and I think I set my expectations too high. I know the experience is different for everyone. I'm going to make these adjustments and try again!

All of that to say, I will be in Abilene, TX tomorrow. Can anyone recommend a really good vape shop to go to?

Thanks for your patience with my responses too, I have 3 boys, ages 9, 7, and 2, so sometimes it takes a minute for me to break free

Might help to keep in mind that you absorb the nic through your mucus membranes more than your lungs when vaping. It can help to hold the hit in your mouth for an extra moment and exhale through your nose until you adjust to the vaping style of nic delivery. Still think you should double the nic if you choose a tighter draw tank.

 

[Jwaterski]

Good to see you back!!! Obviously everyone has a different story on what worked for them.. I don't think you jumped in with too high expectations, just jumped in way deeper than most of us did at the start.. Building coils, wicking, mixing juice!!!! That's all pretty advanced!

At the end of the day, remember one thing, vaping can get you off cigs, maybe not as fast or easy as you would like, but it can work.

One other thing, everyone here wants you to succeed, we're trying to help, even if it doesn't seem that way sometimes!

 

[United States]

With a vape device the nicotine absorbs into the lungs slower than the magic coffin nail. So vaping is not quite like smoking.

Others mention pods. I'll say from experience those prefilled kind will supply a huge nic dose but...at the expense of being very harsh to the spongey lungs of a long term smoker. So perhaps stop by a filling station and pick up one to see if that is the case for you. Heck, that might do the trick.

The innokin Kroma/Zenith is not a big seller at most vape shops so those need to be acquired online typically but...
In my state the typical vape ship is run by youngsters who look like puff the magic dragon while vaping. And many "sneak a puff" from a pocket sized pod device like those made by Sourin called "air" which is about the size of a business card or the "drop" that isn't much larger than those paper footballs we made in grade school. Both are refillable. Both can use the high strength nic salt or do ok with lower amounts of nicotine. There are other pod systems available at many shops too but those are popular.

Like others have said, starting out with a higher amount may be best. Many shops have regular e-juice that maxes out at 9 but nic salts that start as low as 24.

If you go to a shop make sure they understand what style drag you prefer. A mouth to lung is a cigarette style. Direct lung is a straight draw like smoking those left handed kind in the cheech and chong movies.

And if possible ask to sample some flavors. Some allow sampling if you pay a buck to join their club (as the feds said no more free samples allowed). Some shops do not. But keep in mind they use nicotine free juice to sample. Say they have a root beer you like but only if it had a bit more flavor...the nicotine seems to accent those tastes. Now if there is a fruity taste you like from sampling but they don't have a nic free nic salt to sample, chances are they have a nic salt version similar to the flavor you liked.

Again, best regards. And in the meantime turn down the watts a bit on your Kangor device as that may provide a little more flavor. That's an old school thing from when devices were not so advanced. Some here vape coils calling for 12-17 watts at 6, or 8 watts. You are using a thin wire so perhaps lowering the watts will lower the temperature enough to provide a tastey vape.

 

[zoiDman]

When I use the Kanger I get vape, probably comparable to smoking a cigarette, so not a huge cloud but not zero cloud. I think between the older style atomizer, homemade coils, and DIY flavor, I started off on the wrong foot. My father in law is the one who gave me the setup and showed me how to mix the liquid and build the coils, and he has since started using a larger mod with 2 batteries. He said he never could get the right 'throat hit' from the Kanger, but he gave it to me as a starting point to see if I liked it.

I don't live close enough to run to the vape shop conveniently, so I just ordered some supplies online and tried to replicate what I saw him do. As you all can tell, It Did Not Work LOL

I think from reading all of your kind suggestions here I will go in tomorrow and see if they have some coils I can buy, and get some premixed flavors or try some of theirs if they will let me. Hopefully a different flavor and nicotine ratio and non-homemade coils will set me on the right track. If not, and if I'm understanding all of you, a new atomizer or the Innokin (sp?)/Zenith kit would be the next step.

I read through all of your replies, and I've read several vaping stories that are like, oh I just picked up vaping and immediately stopped smoking because it was so much better. Or I dual used but only for a week or so because I liked vaping so much more. This is what I was expecting, and I think I set my expectations too high. I know the experience is different for everyone. I'm going to make these adjustments and try again!

All of that to say, I will be in Abilene, TX tomorrow. Can anyone recommend a really good vape shop to go to?

Thanks for your patience with my responses too, I have 3 boys, ages 9, 7, and 2, so sometimes it takes a minute for me to break free

Why don't you get 3 or 4 Bottles of 12mg/ml Pre-Mix Flavored e-Liquid in 80VG ~ 70VG of Flavors you think you might like. Then maybe a Bottle or two of 12mg/ml in 50VG/50PG.

And while you are there, why don't you pick up a Small Spool of 28ga 316 or 316L Stainless Steel Wire.