The world of vaping and e-cigarettes can often confuse newcomers, especially when it comes to choosing the right vape to begin your journey with. This means choosing a device and e liquid that perfectly matches your way of life, preferences, and objectives – ensuring that you experience greater pleasure and fulfilment from vaping compared to smoking regular cigarettes.
This simple goal isn’t always easy for newer vapers, especially considering the enormous variety of vaping products that make it such a diverse and exciting hobby to explore. With this short guide, we’ll introduce you to the most basic vaping concepts that will help you identify the best vape for your needs; one that opens up a world of flavour and satisfaction while introducing you to a safer alternative free from the toxic harms and expense of smoking cigarettes.
Types of Vape Devices
Vaping and e-cigarettes may have been around for a fraction of the time that tobacco has, but in the space of a couple of decades the variety of e-cigarette devices and e-liquids, not to mention manufacturers and vape brands, has exploded far beyond the simple cig-a-likes available at the birth of vaping.
Fortunately, most vape kits can be broken down into a few simple categories.
- Cig-a-Likes: With the same look and feel of traditional cigarettes, Cig-a-Likes are compact, user-friendly, and ideal for those transitioning from smoking to vaping.
- Vape Pens: Slightly larger than Cig-a-Likes, a classic Vape Pen style kit offers enhanced battery life and e-liquid capacity, making them a popular choice for those seeking a balance of convenience and performance.
- Starter Kits: Designed for beginners, a vape starter kit provides all the necessary components in one package, offering an easy entry into vaping with simple operation and little maintenance.
- Pod Kits: Pod Kits feature replaceable or refillable pods instead of tanks, offering a hassle-free vaping experience with compact design and intuitive features.
- Disposable Vapes: The ultimate in vaping convenience, Disposable Vapes come pre-filled with e-liquid and a charged battery, ready for immediate use with no maintenance. They’re ideal for discreet, on-the-go vaping and make a great introduction to vaping for curious smokers.
- Advanced Vape Kits: Advanced Vape Kits offer many ways for users to customize their vaping experience, including variable wattage, temperature control modes, and rebuildable components for a tailored vaping experience. You’ll often see these referred to as high-powered ‘Sub-Ohm’ vapes devices due their larger batteries and low-resistance coils.
What to consider when choosing a Vape Kit
When choosing a vape, your budget is a key factor. Vaping can be more cost-effective than smoking in the long run, but initial costs vary widely. Cig-a-likes and disposable vapes are generally cheaper upfront but can be expensive in the long term. Advanced kits are a larger initial investment with potential savings over time through refillable e-liquids and replaceable parts like vape tanks.
Maintenance is crucial for a reliable vape experience. Regular cleaning of the tank, replacing coils, and ensuring battery health are essential, especially for advanced models. Starter kits and pod systems demand the least maintenance, making them ideal for beginners.
Finally, consider portability and convenience. If you’re always on the move, compact devices like pod kits or disposables might suit you best. For home use, larger, more feature-rich devices could provide a more satisfying experience.
What E-Liquid Should you Choose?
A vape kit is only ever as good as the vape juice you use with it, which is why it is important to identify the different types of vape liquid available. E-liquid is the liquid that is contained in your device’s ‘pod’ or ‘vape tank’. By activating an electric current from the vape kit’s battery to a metal coil, the liquid is vapourised into a flavoursome mist that you inhale.
An e-liquid comprises of four primary ingredients: Flavourings, Nicotine, PG (Propylene Glycol), and VG (Vegetable Glycerin).
Of these, the ingredients that that most affect the vape sensation are PG and VG.
PG (Propylene Glycol)
Propylene Glycol (PG) is a thin, odourless liquid used in e-liquids to carry flavour more effectively and to provide a stronger throat hit, similar to the sensation of smoking. It is known for its excellent ability to produce a clear, pure taste, making it a popular choice in e-liquids for its flavour-enhancing properties.
VG (Vegetable Glycerin)
Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a thicker, naturally sweet liquid used in e-liquids to create large, dense vapour clouds. VG produces a smoother throat hit compared to PG and is favoured by those who enjoy direct-to-lung vaping or who are sensitive to PG. Its viscosity lends to a fuller mouthfeel in when you vape.
The most common forms of e-liquid are:
- Classic High-PG: Ideal for those who prefer a stronger throat hit and clearer flavour, Classic High-PG 10ml e liquids are known for their higher propylene glycol content, making them well-suited for smaller, less powerful devices.
- Sub-Ohm/High-VG: Designed for cloud chasers, Sub-Ohm or High-VG e-liquids have a higher vegetable glycerin content, producing denser vapor and a smoother throat hit, perfect for powerful, direct-to-lung vape kits.
- Nicotine Salts: Providing a smoother nicotine hit at higher strengths, nic salt e liquid is ideal for those seeking a more intense nicotine experience with less harshness than traditional freebase nicotine and are suitable for low-powered devices and pod systems.
- 50/50 E-liquid: Offering a balanced experience, 50VG/50PG e-liquids provide a mix of decent vapor production and flavour clarity, compatible with a wide range of vaping devices.
- Shortfills: Shortfills are larger bottles of nicotine-free e-liquid, with space to add nicotine shots if desired. Traditionally high-VG for sub-ohm vaping, Shortfills now also come in 50VG/50PG varieties, allowing for use with various kits.
When you start vaping, it’s helpful to understand the variety of devices available, from user-friendly Cig-a-Likes and disposables to more Advanced vape kits, and the importance of choosing the right e-liquid.
Remember, your choice should align with your budget, tolerance for maintenance, and lifestyle needs. We encourage you to deepen your research and visit your local vape shop for personalised advice and hands-on experience, or find the best deals on vapes online.
Remember to vape responsibly and above all, enjoy a safer, more flavoursome and super-satisfying alternative to smoking!