New to Vaping?
Vaping…some may believe that this industry was just a new trend that has sprung up over night. Well, that’s false. Vaping has been around for many years, as far as five decades ago (the 1960s to be exact). Although, it’s nothing compared to what we have available today. They were more of a tabletop kind, not something you could easily carry around with you like today. The inventor, Hon Lik, was a Chinese pharmacist who took inspiration from the death of his father. Who tragically lost his life to smoking-related cancer. The device he created was called the Ruyan, which loosely translates to ‘Like Smoke’. It was actually very popular, and it slowly made it’s way to the United States around the mid-2000s. Now, you can find vaping equipment, eliquids and other various products just about anywhere you look. Gas stations, Pharmacies, Malls and obviously Vape Shops. Vaping has grown so much since its humble beginning. Offering a selection of different types of mods – including styles such as disposables, pen-style mods, box-style mods, and mechanical mods, with each having a wide variety of styles and options available. With that being said, it’s hard and sometimes confusing for people interested or new to vaping to find where they should start. With all these options available, many find themselves stuck or just plain fed-up and quit in the midst of their search. We wanted to include some basic ideas and information to get you to the next step or at least answer some of the questions you may have.
If you feel we missed something don’t hesitate to comment or send us an email. We’d love to hear your feedback and answer any questions you may have!
What is Vaping? “Vaping” is the word for the act of using an electronic cigarette; ‘vape’ is the verb form of ‘vapor’, which is what electronic cigarette produces.
What is an Electronic Cigarette? Electronic cigarettes or a ‘vape’ are most often comprised of the following components: a battery, an atomizer, a storage container for the containment of eliquid, and a mouthpiece. They vary in complexity, from discreet devices with no external controls, to larger devices which provide extensive control systems for users with greater experience levels. There are 4 different types of electronic cigarettes on the market today: Disposables/Ciga-likes, eGoTypes/Pen-Style mods, Mods and Mechanical mods. Disposables: these devices are typically either all-in-one units that are thrown away as a whole as soon as the battery dies, or replaceable units that allow you to recharge the battery but swap out the small cartridge tip, which contains the juice, wick, and heating element. Pen-Style Mods: made up of the same main components but are typically much larger than a standard cigarette or disposable e-cig. They usually feature swappable components, allowing you to change the tank, heating coil, and tip of the unit for further customization. Mods: allow you to customize the vaping experience with the tank, coil, and other hardware of your choosing. Even larger than the previous two styles, mods contain an internal battery or external battery and often a significant amount of additional wiring and circuitry. This is usually due to the fact that mods often feature built-in displays that show the temperature, wattage, and other important information. Mechanical Mods: As the name implies, mechanical mods are built with no additional circuitry aside from the connections that heat the coil. When the user flips the switch, the power from the battery is delivered to the coil in an unregulated state, meaning that there’s no limiting or tweaking that takes place prior to the electricity doing its work.
What is Eliquid? Eliquid is a solution composed of the following compounds: Propylene Glycol(PG), a non-toxic food grade vaporizing agent. A common ingredient found in many everyday foods and over the counter medications.; Vegetable Glycerin(VG), a second non-toxic food grade vaporizing agent. A common ingredient in many food products and pharmaceutical goods.; Nicotine; and lastly, food-grade flavoring. Eliquids come in various nicotine strengths and PG/VG blends offering a large variety to many different types of vapers. A ‘No PG‘ blend of eliquid is most commonly for those who have a PG allergy and can’t vape an eliquid with PG. A ‘50PG/50VG‘ Blend is mainly for those who have a smaller pen style mods or single/dual coil tanks, where their wattage is low. This juice is typically thinner and easier for smaller vapes to vaporize the eliquid to get the best flavor. A ‘High VG‘ blend is mainly used for higher wattage mods and sub-ohm tanks/rebuildable atomizers/rebuildable tank atomizers. This eliquid is usually a bit thicker than the other two blends offering a bigger cloud and makes it less likely to leak from a tank when vaporized at a higher wattage.
How does a vaping device work? Most devices come with the same basic elements. (Each will vary slightly depending on the style of device you decide on). There is a tank, or sometimes a cartridge, which is or can be filled with an eliquid. Then you will have a heating coil or sometimes called an atomizer. Lastly, you’ll have a battery. The battery powers the heating coil, which in turn heats the e-liquid in the tank. This creates the vapor you inhale. The exhale produces a cloud of vapor.
Ok, what strength of nicotine should I start with then? Great question! This ties back into the type of vape you are looking at. If you are going to be using/or are using a single/dual coil tank then you will need a higher nicotine strength. The reason being is that with the lower wattage these tanks run at, the nicotine isn’t delivered to the body as fast. Making it tricky for people new to vaping to get the nicotine craving they want. So you would be looking at a range of anywhere from 24 mg to 18mg. If you are a previous smoker, looking to use your vape (single/dual coil tanks) to help you quit, here are some general numbers to help you know what milligram strength of nicotine you would be looking for. If you used to smoke a pack a day we suggest 20mg. If you smoked about a half a pack a day try 16mg, and if you smoked less than that a day try a 12mg. But if you are an either starting out with a sub-ohm or converting from a single/dual coil tank, these numbers will be different. The sub-ohm tanks make the nicotine delivery faster and easier than their smaller counterparts. So you would want to try a lower nicotine level. If you smoked a pack a day, we suggest 10mg. If you smoked a half a pack a day, try doing 8mg. If you smoked less than that a day, 6mg is a good starting point. Now, we would like to point out that these numbers are general. You may or may not need to go higher or lower than that. It’s all dependent on the individual. Also, don’t be afraid to ask anyone who works at a vape shop what they would suggest. We are always more than happy to help. With that being said, we must say this product is NOT A CESSATION DEVICE, this is an alternative method. We have used it to quit but that does not mean that is the sole purpose of the devices that we sell. The FDA has not approved the use of e-cigarettes or electronic vaporizers as a tool to quit smoking.
Well, ok. But you are saying some terms I don’t understand. Can you explain some of those? Sure we can! Here are some of the common terms used in the industry and their definitions (alphabetical order):
510: A type of connection (threading) which is currently the most popular connection type.
18650/26650/21700 etc: Battery types used by mods. The number indicates their size dimensions rather than any technical detail.
Advocacy: For the vaping industry this is a huge effort. Many organizations have gathered and worked together to help protect your vaping rights in state and federal government. They working mainly off of individual (like you) and vape shop donations. They work hard to learn what’s going on in the government, who they need to be contacting, educating and informing the public & government about vaping and the industry and they the ones who are our voice. Please consider joining an advocacy group today. Some of the bigger organizations include VTA (Vapor Technology Association, Pennsylvania Smoke Free Association, CASAA (Consumer Advocated for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association), AMA (American Vaping Association) and SFATA (Smoke Free Alternatives Trade Association). You can visit their websites to learn more about these wonderful organizations and contribute whatever you can.
Air Flow/Air Flow Control: A way to control the air intake on an atomizer/clearomizer. Helps to increase vapor production and cool the vapor.
All Day Vape: An Eliquid flavor that can be vaped all day, continuously.
Amperage (Amps): The flow of energy along a circuit.
Analog (s)/Combustibles: A regular tobacco cigarette.
Atomizer (Atty): One of the most important parts of a vape. It vaporizes the eliquid. An atomizer typically consists of an outter body, then a coil inside. One end of the coil will be attached to a negative side, while the other is attached to a positive side, to complete the circuit. When power is applied to the atomizer, the coil will heat, thus vaporizing the e-liquid. The atomizers job is to produce the vapor.
Battery: Batteries can be in-built to your device and charged with a USB cable or are removable and rechargeable. Battery requirements can vary but the most common type used in devices to date is the 18650. It is important to check the user manual for your device to see exactly what type of battery is required for the best performance and safety. Protected Battery: A battery that has a computer chip that protects the battery and breaks the circuit in the battery from completing if the voltage goes too high or too low, the current goes too high or the cell temperature rises too high. Unprotected Battery: Any lithium-based battery that has no protection for the overcharging or other situations that can cause thermal runaway.
Blends: The ratio of PG and VG in an eliquid. There are 3 common ratios used in the industry. 50PG/50VG, High VG, and No PG. There are some who have an allergy to PG, so the creation of No PG is for them. High VG: An e-liquid that has a higher percentage of Vegetable Glycerin. High VG e-liquid is commonly used with sub-ohm clearomizers and rebuildable atomizers. The Vegetable Glycerin ingredient is known to help create a larger vapor production.
Bottom Coil: A coil and wicking material located in the bottom part of an atomizing device. Bottom coils wick better than any other coil type because they are in the bottom of the tank. Most common coil setup.
Cartridge: A capsule full of eliquid that was used in earlier models of cig-a-likes and in some currently produced e-cigs. It usually attaches onto an atomizing element.
Cartomizer: A combination of an eliquid containing cartridge and an atomizer in one piece.
Cig-a-like: The smallest e-cigs which resemble analogs.
Clearomizer: An atomizer that is designed around a clear tank, containing the eliquid and an atomizer in the center with wicks extending into the tank or contained within a tube. The clearomizer is made with different materials and utilizes replacement coils offered in various resistances. The clearomizer became highly popular due to its ability to store e-liquid, eliminating the need to drip.
Clone: A ‘clone’ is a counterfeit product. Be sure to do your own research before buying any products from shops/online to make sure you are buying a legitimate product.
Coil Head/Atomizer Head: The part of an atomizing device containing the heating coil and wicking material.
Coil: Wire wrapped up into a coil. The coil, when attached to a positive and negative post, heats up and vaporizes the e-liquid. Clearomizers have coils but has a body around them. With a Rebuildable Atomizer, the user builds the coil and inserts it into the posts, the coil being exposed inside of the atomizer. Deck: The bottom of an atomizer where the positive and negative posts connect with your mod.
Drip Tip: A drip tip is a mouthpiece on your tank (clearomizer) which you inhale the vapor from. Drip tips can be customized and come in a variety of sizes, textures, styles, and performance.
Dripper: An RDA is also commonly referred to as a Dripper – because depending on your RDA of choice, you will have to re-drip the liquid quite frequently. Usually used by advanced vapers who know how to operate and maintain one.
Dripping: This is the method of vaping by adding a few drops of e-liquid directly into the atomizer chamber instead of using a cartridge. This is the method that gives the best vapor quantity and flavor quality.
Dry Hit: Dry Hits occur when there is not enough e-liquid left in the tank (clearomizer) or the e-juice has not had time to soak into the wick (usually organic cotton), if just re-filled. Dry Hits can damage your coils and reduce their lifespan, so it is important to make sure that you have liquid before hitting the power button.
Dual Coil: In dual coil configurations, an e-cigarette’s battery evenly distributes electricity to two coils, which simultaneously heat up the eLiquid and turn it to vapor. Produces a stronger, warmer and higher volume of vapor production because of the greater surface area of contact area between the eliquid and coils. Since two coils heat up eliquid faster than one, a general rule is a dual coil can deliver the same amount of vapor in less time than a single coil. Dual coils do drain your battery faster and burn through eliquid faster than a single coil.
E-Cigarette: A device that was invented to allow users to receive nicotine through an inhaled vapor. The electronic cigarette can carry different appearances, shapes, and sizes.
Eliquid/E-juice: The liquid that is used with electronic cigarettes to vaporize. An e-liquid makes up four ingredients — Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, Flavoring, and Nicotine.
Flavor Ghosting: When you taste the previous flavor you were vaping after switching e-juice. Flooding: When too much e-liquid is on the coil and doesn’t allow the coil to breathe. When there is too much e-liquid on the coil, it is essentially flooded.
Gaskets: Any ring of resilient material, used at a joint to prevent leakage.
Hit/Draw: To inhale from an electronic cigarette.
Lung Hit: The act of inhaling vapor directly into the lungs, bypassing the mouth. Users commonly lower nicotine strength when lung hitting to reduce throat hit since the nicotine provides a harsh hit.
mAh: Milliamps per hour, a measure of a battery’s capacity in terms of its output in milliamps vs time. 1,000 milliamps = 1 amp. A rating for battery power storage capacity. For example, a 1,600 mAh battery is rated to deliver 1.6 amps for an hour. This figure has no relation to the burst (or ‘pulse’) power output, which can be 10, 20 or 30 amps for a battery rated around 1,600 mAh.
Mechanical Mods: A mechanical mod simply delivers power from a battery to your atomizer (tank) without any electronic regulations. Because of this, mechanical mods are losing popularity due to the lack of safety features. The rise in production of regulated devices with a chipset has allowed vapers to experience sub-ohm vaping without the need to use a Mech Mod. However, mechanical mods are still favored amongst some members of the vaping community as DIY/customizable mods or collectibles.
Mods: A Mod is an advanced e-cigarette. Short for ‘modification’ and originally used to describe custom builds. Today a Mod can refer to any vaping device that is not a cig-a-like and is available in a variety of builds. A majority of mods allow you to modify the settings like wattage, voltage, temperature control, and other functions.
Mouth to Lung Hit: To inhale vapor into the mouth first, then continuing by pulling the vapor further to reach the lungs.
Nicotine (Nic): The substance found within traditional and electronic cigarettes that creates a pleasant sensation. An alkaloid found in tobacco and other plans of the nightshade family. It is available in various strengths, but also optional as some e liquids have the option of no nicotine. Nicotine Level: The designated amount of nicotine per cartridge. The nicotine level is the amount of nicotine present in a cartridge or bottle of e-liquid. It is usually measured in mg/ml.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy: is a medically-approved way to take nicotine by means other than tobacco. It is used to help with quitting smoking or stopping chewing tobacco. These methods include but not limited to patches, gum, lozenges, nasal sprays, or inhalers.
Ohm: The standard unit of electrical resistance. A lower number indicates lower resistance and therefore faster heating.
O-Ring: A rubberized ring that you may find on parts of your tank, it allows for safe and easy screwing and unscrewing, especially if it’s glass to metal. The term can also be used to describe a vape trick in which the vaper blows a ring of vapor (similar to a traditional smoke ring).
Pass-Through: A device that plugs directly into the USB port of a computer or charge and allows the user to vape without having to worry about battery life.
Pen Style Mod: One of many styles of electronic cigarettes available, resembles a ballpoint pen.
PG/Propylene Glycol: This is one of the key ingredients in your E-Liquid. PG is a thinner liquid that creates a throat hit and carries a lot of flavor (whilst VG/Vegetable Glycerine creates the vapor). Ratios in E-Liquids vary from 50/50 percentages to higher PG or higher VG.
Prime: The act of preparing a wick to vape, usually done by adding a few drops and soaking the wick in e-juice or taking a few pulls without heating the coil.
RBA (Re-Buildable Atomizer): An RBA allows you to customize and create your own atomizer and coil for your tank (clearomizer). It is for experienced users who know how to build coils and wicks with a choice of materials to create a particular vaping experience.
RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer): An RDA is also commonly referred to as a Dripper. They were the original way people were able to sub-ohm. These are usually smaller devices than tanks that attach to a mod. They contain a deck where coils are built and attached using a screwdriver and wicked with cotton. User drip a small amount of eliquid directly on the coils and wick before every few hits.
RDTA (Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomizer): Despite its name, this is no dripper (RDA), its more of an RTA with a bigger build deck. That means you get the best of both worlds: You can build awesome advanced coils, while you still get a tank to hold the e-juice.
RTA (Rebuildable Tank Atomizer): These are for people who want to build coils but do not want to drip. RTA’s are essentially clearomizers that require the user to build the actual coil(s) inside. This gives them the freedom to create a coil that will give them the exact type of vape they want. Essentially this and the previously discussed are similar and you will find the terminology to be interchangeable in some cases.
Regulated Mods: A regulated mod is a type of e-cig battery that has a circuit board to regulate the current. Usually regulated mods will have a function to change the Voltage (V) and the Wattage (W) and are considered the safer option for vapers than mechanical mods, which are unregulated.
Resistance: The measurement of ohms that allows you to calculate the right amount of voltage to apply to get the best wattage necessary. It comes in two common different variations; low and standard.
Single Coil: In single coil configuration, an e-cigarette’s battery exclusively directs all power to one coil, heating up the eLiquid. Made to be run at a lower wattage and for smaller pen-styles and mods. Single coils offer a good flavor intensity while consuming less battery power than a dual coil. They have a lower density of vapor production than a dual setup.
Steeping: The act of letting e-liquid sit for a period of time. By letting the e-liquid sit, it allows the ingredients in the e-liquid to process and fuse together. Some mixologists will mix e-liquid and let it go through the process in order to achieve an intended flavor. The time frame for steeping can vary for each recipe used to make certain flavors. There is no set exact time where the liquid must steep. Some recommend two weeks. At the same time, there is also such thing as over steeping and flavor molecules change so much that it may ruin an intended flavor blend.
Sub-Ohm: The resistance of the atomizer being below 1.0 – If you want to produce big, thick clouds then you should consider a sub-ohm tank set up. You will need a battery/mod that is capable of firing a sub-ohm tank. Similar to RTA’s except that the coils are disposable and pre-made. This is a great option for people who are new to the whole sub-ohm thing but do not want to start building their own coils. The big advantages of using a sub-ohm tank are that you get a huge vapor production, more intense flavor, and a warmer vape. Most sub-ohm tanks do have adjustable airflow options so that you can have a cooler/warmer hit and a tighter/looser draw.
Tank: A container that is used to store e-liquid. Tanks are used with rebuildable tank atomizers and clearomziers.
Temperature Control (AKA Temp Control, TC): Temperature Control refers to Regulated Mods that use a Chipset capable of performing a Temperature Control mode. You need a TC Mod to use Coils made with certain material wire coils like Nickel (Ni200) and Titanium (Ti). Stainless Steel (SS) can also be used with Temp Control, but unlike the Nickel and Titanium, SS coils can be used in the normal Variable Wattage/Power mode too.
Thermal Runaway: A very rare, but serious occurrence. Thermal Runaway is a chain reaction that results in the fire and bursting of a rechargeable lithium-based battery. This happens from a couple of different possibilities: overcharging, short-circuiting, stacking batteries, physical damage to the battery and other malfunctions with a device. It’s important to understand how to use your batteries and mods effectively. Always read handling/directions before use.
Tobacco Harm Reduction: Is a public health strategy to lower the health risks to individuals and wider society associated with using tobacco products. It is an example of the concept of harm reduction, a strategy for dealing with the abuse of other drugs. Tobacco smoking is widely acknowledged as a leading cause of illness and death, and preventing smoking is vital to public health.
Top Coil: A coil and wicking material located in the upper part of the atomizing device. Top coils produce warmer, harsher vapor but have weaker wicking. These are not as common as Bottom Coils.
Throat Hit: The feeling received in the back of the throat hit when inhaling the vapor. The term stems from the harshness felt. Propylene Glycol and Nicotine are both ingredients that are known to cause the throat hit. The more nicotine in the e-liquid, the more throat hit felt.
Unregulated Mods: A term usually attributed to mechanical mods because there is no circuit board in them to regulate the current. It is important to do your own research on Ohm’s law and batteries for your own safety when using unregulated vaping devices.
Vape: Describes the act of using an electronic cigarette. A tobacco cigarette user is considered as someone who will “smoke” since the tobacco produces smoke. An electronic cigarette user is considered as someone who will “vape” since the electronic cigarette produces vapor.
Vape Tongue: A common problem among many vapers when they vape too much of one flavor, and their taste buds become desensitized to the flavor.
Vaper: Someone who vapes using an electronic cigarette. A smoker is someone who smokes. A vaper is someone who vapes.
Vapor Production: The act of producing vapor. An increase in vapor production is the most sought out perk to vaping. It is known that a higher percentage of Vegetable Glycerin, a high voltage/wattage, a lower resistance, and an increase in airflow will help produce more vapor.
Vapor/Clouds: The atomization of e-liquid, which results in a fog. It is commonly accepted to be exhaled as water vapor (steam). This is the main visible factor in vaping that simulates the act of smoking for those who use vaping as an alternative to smoking.
Venting: When a battery is charged and discharged, water contained in the electrolyte is decomposed, generating hydrogen and oxygen gases. These gases are vented out of the battery through the exhaust vent tube to prevent potentially damaging high-pressure gas accumulation. It’s important to get your batteries re-wrapped when you notice any signs of wear or tear to keep yourself safe when using your mods.
VG/Vegetable Glycerin: An alternative to Propylene Glycol, and is often used as the majority base in e-liquid. Vegetable Glycerin comes from the production of palm or coconut oils and is suitable to be used in sweeteners and in skin care products.
Voltage: The amount of kinetic energy, which for our purposes, when paired with resistance creates wattage.
Wattage: Watts or Wattage refers to the output. The higher the watts the more powerful vape you will receive, but remember your final wattage is configured by the volts and ohms.
Well/Drip Well: The surface area on the base of an atomizer. The drip well is used so that if more than enough e-liquid is dripped, the excess e-liquid will sit into the Drip Well, eliminating any leakage from the atomizer.
Wick/Cotton: Re-wick is often referred to when you have to replace the wick or the cotton in a tank (atomizer). The wick absorbs the liquid. Cotton is the material most commonly used to wick coils.
Here was just a funny term we wanted to share at the end to make you laugh:
Vooping: To vape while on the toilet doing a #2. (We all know at least one person who does this.)
If you would like to read more about the history of vaping, visit this link from CASSA: http://casaa.org/historical-timeline-of-electronic-cigarettes/
If you would like a more in-depth description about vaping devices, visit this link from CASSA: https://casaa.org/electronic-cigarettes/
If would like to become a member of an advocacy group, visit these links: Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association, Vapor Technology Association, Pennsylvania Vape Association, American Vape Association, and Smoke Free Alternatives Trade Association.
