The vaping world is exciting, but it might be confusing for a newbie to choose among the multiple vaping devices such as disposable, refillable, convection or conventional. They need to understand the inhaling and proper usage of the device. Besides, a brief knowledge of the components of a vaporizer is essential before delving into the vaping world. A novice will have no idea of how the consumption of e-liquid will interact will their body. In this beginner guide, you'll find everything you need to know for a wonderful first vaping experience.
What Is Vaping And How Does It Work?
Vaping is the act of using an electronic device to inhale vapor. It lets you breathe in nicotine through vapor clouds created by heating e-liquid. The liquid usually has propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), and flavors. Vaping differs from smoking because it doesn't burn tobacco, so there's no tar in the vapor. Many people worldwide claim that vaping has assisted them in switching from smoking.
A step-wise process of a typical vaping device working:
Start by ensuring that the vape device is fully charged or has fresh batteries. If it has a refillable tank, make sure it is filled with the e-liquid of your choice.
Most vapes have a power button. Press it a few times to turn on the device. Some vapes may not have a power button and are activated by inhaling.
If your vape device has adjustable settings such as wattage or temperature, you can set them according to your preference. It's often best for beginners to start with lower settings and gradually increase as desired.
If you're using a vape with replaceable coils, it's recommended to prime the coil before using it. This involves applying a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the coil to saturate it and prevent dry hits.
Depending on the type of vape, you can either inhale directly from the mouthpiece or press and hold the fire button while inhaling. Take slow and steady puffs to allow the vapor to form.
Keep an eye on the battery life indicator (if available) to ensure you have enough power. Also, periodically check the e-liquid level in the tank and refill it as needed to prevent dry hits.
Regularly clean the vape device to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on cleaning and maintenance.
Types of vape devices:
On the basis of e-liquid, refilling, or replacement: Disposable and Reusable vapes
Disposable vape:
Disposable vapes are single-use devices that already have e-juice inside and a charged battery built-in. They usually don't have buttons and are activated by inhaling to create tasty vapor. You do not need to fill or charge a disposable before using it. After removing the device from the package, you can immediately start vaping.
You can use a disposable vape until the battery life or the vape juice runs out, and then you can dispose of the device and bring in a new one. These are the most convenient and simple, beginner-friendly devices on the market.
Reusable Vape
Refillable vapes are devices that can be filled with e-juice multiple times. Unlike disposable vapes, they have a tank or cartridge that can be refilled with your choice of e-liquid. Refillable vapes often have adjustable settings and can be customized to suit individual preferences.
One of the advantages of refillable vapes is the flexibility they offer. Users can experiment with different e-liquid flavors, including fruit, dessert, menthol, and tobacco, and can also choose the desired nicotine concentration, ranging from nicotine-free to high-strength options. This customization allows vapers to tailor their vaping experience to their preferences.
On the basis of the mechanism: Convection and Conduction vapes
Convection Vape
Convection vapes are often favored for their ability to provide even and efficient heating, resulting in a smooth and flavorful vapor. They preserve the taste and aroma of vaporized material since the heating process does not involve direct contact with a heating element. Additionally, it can help prevent the material from overheating, which may lead to a more controlled and enjoyable vaping experience.
Conduction Vape
In a conduction vape, the heat is transferred to the material through direct contact, allowing for rapid and efficient vapor production. They typically have a straightforward design with a heating chamber. Once the device is activated, the heating element heats up and directly vaporizes the material, producing inhalable vapor.
The benefits of conducting vaping include:
- Quick heat-up times.
- Almost instant vapor production.
The ability to precisely control the temperature for a customized vaping experience.
Additionally, conduction vapes are more affordable than convection vapes and are generally easier to clean and maintain.
The Components of Your Vape:
The components of vape include:
Battery
Vape batteries come in different sizes, measured in milli-amp hours (mAh), ranging from 180mAh to 2500mAh. They can either be built-in or replaceable. Disposable vapes have batteries that can only be used once, while reusable vapes use rechargeable batteries that can be used again after charging.
E-liquid Tank
The reservoir chamber is where the e-liquid is stored. The tank comes pre-filled and sealed in disposable vapes, so it can't be used again. Pod vapes have a replaceable tank, while advanced vapers can refill and replace their tanks as needed.
Atomizer Coil
The atomizer coil is the heating element in your vape, also known as the resistance coil. The battery heats this coil when the vape is turned on, which heats the e-liquid to create vapor.
Wicking material
The cotton-wicking material around the atomizer coil carries the e-liquid to the coil. When the e-liquid gets heated, it creates vapor. If there isn't enough e-liquid in your tank, the dry cotton will make your vape taste burnt.
E-liquid
The liquid in your vape tank gets soaked up by a heating material. Many types of vape liquids are available, with many tasty flavors, different amounts of nicotine, and various combinations of PG and VG. You can choose between regular nicotine or nicotine salt liquids.
Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece, also called the drip tip, is a part of the vape device, tank, or pod. It comes in several shapes and sizes to fit different preferences. Many mouthpieces are designed to be comfortable for vaping, with a focus on ergonomics to ensure a pleasant experience.
Charging Point and Charger
Most vapes use a basic USB-C charger, but it's essential to use only the charger that comes with it. Using a different charger can lead to problems like improper charging or overloading the battery, which can be risky. Disposable vapes cannot be recharged.
MTL vs. DTL Vaping
MTL Vaping
If you're new to vaping and looking for your first vape starter kit, you may have heard "MTL Vaping" while shopping. MTL stands for Mouth to Lung vaping. MTL vaping has two steps. First, you take the vapor into your mouth, and then you inhale it into your lungs before exhaling, similar to how you smoke a real cigarette.
DTL Vaping
DTL stands for Direct to Lung, which is a vaping style for experienced users who want to progress from MTL vaping. In DTL vaping, you inhale vapor directly into your lungs instead of holding it in your mouth. It's a step up from MTL vaping, where you first have the vapor in your mouth before exhaling.
Choosing Your First Vape For Beginners
Here are some of the tips for choosing your first vape:
Select From the Types of Vapes
Here are the different kinds of vape devices and their descriptions, so you can figure out which suits you best.
Pod systems are an excellent option for beginners, especially those who prefer vaping e-liquids or nicotine salts. It consists of a battery and replaceable pods that contain the e-liquid. It is compact, simple to use, and requires minimal maintenance. You don't have to worry about adjusting wattage or coil resistance; you simply insert the pod and start vaping. Expect a mouth-to-lung (MTL) inhale experience similar to smoking cigarettes, making them a familiar transition for new vapers.
AIO vape pens are beginner-friendly devices that combine the tank and battery into a single unit. They often have a one-button operation and are easy to use. These pens offer compatibility with other vaping materials like nicotine salts or THC concentrates. It generally has built-in safety features and is designed to provide a hassle-free vaping experience. These vape pens are usually more affordable compared to more advanced vaping devices and can be a great starting point for beginners.
Choose the Best Vape Brands
Fume disposable vapes are popular because they offer various flavors and durable devices. They come in three sizes: Fume Extra, Fume Ultra, and Fume Infinity. Fume is a recommended option for beginners looking for disposable vapes.
Elf Bar earned the top spot as the best disposable vape. Users value its simplicity, durable design, long-lasting battery, amount of vapor produced, and, most importantly, the quality of flavors. These are the qualities that vapers seek when choosing a vape.
Flum Vapes use a battery-powered heating element to turn e-juice into vapor. The brand has different series like Flum Pebble 6000, Flum Float 3000, and Flum Gio 3000, each with its flavors and designs.
What vape juice should new vapers buy?
New vapers should buy vapes with mild flavors, and they should not be too strong. Besides, look for balanced or lowest nicotine strength of up to app 2 %. They should look for e-juices that use high-quality ingredients. This ensures a better vaping experience, reducing the risk of adverse effects.
Propylene glycol (PG) and Vegetable glycerin (VG) are the primary ingredients in e-juice. A balanced PG/VG ratio, such as 50/50 or 60/40, provides a good balance of throat hit, vapor production, and flavor for beginners
Why is vaping better than smoking?
Vaping is better than smoking because it involves vapor instead of smoke that contains harmful tar. Besides, vapes have a variety of flavors to offer.
Conclusion
Beginners can choose between disposable vapes, which are convenient and easy to use, or refillable vapes, which offer customization options. Understanding the components of a vape, such as the battery, tank, coil, and e-liquid, is important for a satisfying vaping experience.