SHORT BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO VAPING
What Is Vaping?
Vaping is a less harmful alternative to smoking that has been designed for adult smokers looking to quit or cut down. Unlike cigarette smoke, e-liquid vapour does not contain any of the harm-causing carcinogens or tar that are linked to multiple diseases including cancer and strokes. Instead, vaping offers a convenient way to satisfy a nicotine craving without resorting to cigarettes and has helped thousands of people across the world stop smoking.
What Is A Vape Kit & How Do They Work?
A vape kit is made up of three main components:
1. A battery unit - provides power
2. A tank or pod - holds e-liquid
3. A coil - heating element found in a tank or pod
When you activate your vape kit the power from the battery is used to heat the coil, the coil then vapourises the e-liquid. Once the vapour is created it is inhaled via the mouthpiece.
What Is E-Liquid?
E-liquids are made up of four main ingredients, these are VG (Vegetable Glycerine), PG (Propylene Glycol), flavourings, and usually nicotine - though you can get e-liquids that do not contain nicotine.
VG and PG are commonly used in both food and pharmaceutical products and are considered extremely safe. In e-liquid, they are used as the ‘base ingredients’ and comprise the major part of e-liquid. They have two main roles. Firstly, they create the visible vapour you see, which emulates ’smoke’; secondly, they ‘carry’ both the flavour and nicotine in the vapour.
VG and PG do have some different properties though. PG is a thinner liquid, produces less vapour but more of a throat hit. VG, on the other hand, is thicker and produces more vapour but less of a throat hit. So, e-liquid manufacturers will use different amounts of each depending on the type of kit the liquid is intended for and to support different vaping styles.
What Are The Different Styles Of Vaping?
The term ‘vaping style’ refers to the way you use a vape kit, particularly how you inhale. There are two main vaping styles: Mouth To Lung (MTL) and Direct To Lung (DTL).
MTL vaping is where you inhale vapour into your mouth and then breathe it into your lungs before exhaling. This vaping style is very similar to how most people smoke a cigarette and MTL kits will create a small amount of vapour to accommodate this style. MTL kits are often the first type of kit you’ll use and are generally very simple, requiring little maintenance.
DTL vaping describes a style where you inhale vapour directly into your lungs without holding it in your mouth first. This style is not generally how most people would smoke a cigarette, but some do. DTL kits create a lot more vapour than MTL kits, so they can support a DTL inhale.
Apart from this increased vapour production, these kits often feature advanced modes. These modes allow you to customise the kit’s performance to suit you. Common options include Variable Wattage (controls power output) and Temperature Control (sets a max temperature). These modes require a bit of practice to get used to and the learning curve often means they’re not always the ideal choice for a beginner.
Getting Started
Getting started with vaping is very easy, it mainly comes down to picking the right combination of e-liquid and kit. These are generally purchased separately, however, if you’re looking for everything all in one place we offer a range of bundle kits that contain both.
Choosing A Vape Kit
There’s a large range of vape kits to choose from, offering options for every vaping style and budget. They can be split into two wider categories: prefilled and refillable. Prefilled vape kits arrive filled with e-liquid and are recognised as the simpler option. Refillable kits give you the opportunity of pairing your kit with an e-liquid of your choice, at the same time they require a bit more maintenance.
When Should I Replace My Coil Or Pod?
When you notice a deterioration in flavour or a drop in vapour production it’s time to change your coil or pod depending on your kit. Pods tend to last around 5 - 10 refills, coils will last one to two weeks depending on how heavily they’re used.
Choosing An E-Liquid
Once you’ve picked your kit it’s time to choose your e-liquid. If you’ve gone for a prefilled kit most of the work has been done for you and you’ll only have to select a flavour and nicotine strength (which we’ll cover below). For refillable kits, there’s a little more thought involved. But, don’t worry, it’s not hard!
Which VG/PG Ratio Works Best With My Vape Kit?
MTL kits have a lower power output and will have to be used with a thinner e-liquid that contains 50% PG or more as they require less power to be vapourised. These e-liquids also create less vapour for the perfect MTL vape. As a starting point, a lot of vapers go for a 50/50 e-liquid, but you can experiment with PG levels to find what’s right for you. The more PG in a liquid the less vapour it produces, it will also deliver a stronger throat hit.
If you’ve gone for a DTL or sub ohm kit, you’ll need an e-liquid with a higher VG content as they produce more vapour, also e-liquids that contain too much PG can be harsh on the throat. A 70% VG e-liquid is a good option to start with.
What Nicotine Strength E-Liquid Is Best For Me?
The best nicotine strength will be based on how many cigarettes you smoke or used to smoke. The table below offers a good starting point, but everyone is different. If your cravings aren’t satisfied try a higher strength. You may need to go down to a lower strength if you start suffering from headaches or experience nausea. It’s always important to experiment and find what’s right for you.
What Are The Different Types Of Nicotine In E-Liquid?
Nicotine type can be just as important as strength. Freebase nicotine is the standard nicotine used in e-liquid. Unless it states otherwise if an e-liquid contains nicotine you can assume its freebase. It creates a noticeable throat hit that’s similar to a cigarette. The higher the strength, the stronger the hit.
But, a lot of vapers want to experience a smooth throat hit, it is for this reason that nic salt e-liquids have grown in popularity. Not only smoother, nic salts are also absorbed faster to quickly satisfy cravings. Finally, there are hybrid nicotine e-liquids that offer the best of both worlds. You’ll experience a throat hit that’s slightly stronger than a standard salt nic but still offers faster absorption.
What’s The Best E-Liquid Flavour?
There are lots of flavours to choose from, with 3000 options at Blackstone Labs, picking the right one can greatly improve your chances of success with vaping.
When it comes to flavour there are two schools of thought. The first is that vapers will go for blends that taste familiar, with Fruits , tobacco and menthol e-liquids remaining a popular choice as they replicate a cigarette. Alternatively, a lot of vapers have experienced more success by picking something completely different to a cigarette and gravitate towards fruit or dessert flavours
