Vape-heads? Do You Vape?

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by Hollylane

I'm taking your word for it, and if I get in tonight, and am able to order, I'm ordering the giant bottles of Black and White Cookie, and A Quiet Morning. Wish me luck! I'm watching the clock like a hawk, and I'm refreshing the screen now and then to make sure I don't miss an early opening!!

SUCCESS!!!!!

[uncommondialogue]

What does the rating for VG-PG mean? I have gone to sites for juices and it has options for different numbers for the VG-PG and no idea what this means. Help?

[Loren_Q]

Originally Posted by uncommondialogue

What does the rating for VG-PG mean? I have gone to sites for juices and it has options for different numbers for the VG-PG and no idea what this means. Help?

I think there are posts in this thread with the info, but here's a short sweet version:
PG is propylene glycol, VG is vegetable glycerin.

PG is great for throat hit and a better flavor carrier; VG is great for vapor and is thicker. Some folks can't handle PG so there's also 100% VG juice.

Since I'm more into throat hit and flavor, I use a 60/40 or 70/30 pg/vg mix.

[meridiantoo]

How long does 1 cartomizer last for a manual ecig?

And if you get the nicotine one, how do you decipher what mg. to purchase? They have from 4mg to 36mg. When I researched the nicotine content of my particular brand of cigarette, it was only 1.1. So that means the 4mg would be enough, right? or no?

[meridiantoo]

Okay, so I think I'm ordering this ecig from http://www.vapor4life.com/ (randomly selected site):



My question is, do I need a tip or anything else to go with this? Or just the ecig, charger, cartomizers, battery, and carrying case?

Thanks for your help!

[Loren_Q]

Originally Posted by meridiantoo

How long does 1 cartomizer last for a manual ecig?

And if you get the nicotine one, how do you decipher what mg. to purchase? They have from 4mg to 36mg. When I researched the nicotine content of my particular brand of cigarette, it was only 1.1. So that means the 4mg would be enough, right? or no?

The first question is kinda hard to answer because it depends on how long you draw, how often, etc. When I used pre-filled cartos I would say 1 would last a day. I now use fillable cartos, so I top off as needed and a single carto with a specific flavor lasts 3 to 5 days.

If you're smoking lights, you might want to start out low nic. I vary from 0mg to 12mg. I mostly use 0 and 6/8mg with 1 12mg juice for those times where my brain really seems to need the nic.

This is all my personal experience, YMMV.

[Loren_Q]

Originally Posted by meridiantoo

Okay, so I think I'm ordering this ecig from http://www.vapor4life.com/ (randomly selected site):



My question is, do I need a tip or anything else to go with this? Or just the ecig, charger, cartomizers, battery, and carrying case?

Thanks for your help!

I think any site will have a 'starter kit' with various options. You would need to determine how long you want the battery to last and what you want as a liquid container (tank, carto, clearo, etc).

If there's a vape store near you I would go there. They would have equipment, answers and appropriate recommendations.

You could also go check out the e-cigarette forum or nu-vapor forum, those are dedicated to vaping with a ton of info for newbies.

[daisygirl]

Originally Posted by meridiantoo

Okay, so I think I'm ordering this ecig from http://www.vapor4life.com/ (randomly selected site):



My question is, do I need a tip or anything else to go with this? Or just the ecig, charger, cartomizers, battery, and carrying case?

Thanks for your help!

Vapor4life is a ripoff site. They push their products and charge a lot for what they sell. If you scroll back a page or two you'll see my suggestions for good starter kits and an explanation of all of them for under $20! In the second post, i listed that the automatic kit had dropped down to the price of a manual and then an even better kit for only $24.

As far as nic goes, you'll probably want to start at at *least* 12 mg, even if you smoke lights, the nicotine in an ecig is not as strong as that inhaled in a traditional cig. I smoked normal strength cigs and had to start at 24 mg, but that's just me. I went down to 18 a few months ago (I've been vaping a year as of Feb) and now i vape between 12-18 mg.

If you don't have enough nic to satisfy you, you'll find yourself vaping a lot more often and going through more cartos and juice than you really need to.

If you need any help, I'd be glad to assist - but before you invest at V4L, check out the kits i posted a couple pages back. I wrote an original post, then an update a couple posts later about a really good starter kit that went on sale. I picked that site because I've used their products - I'm not in any way connected to them.

You don't want to go with just a randomly selected site or you may find yourself trapped in a VERY expensive system that would cost you very little otherwise. It's great that they have all the guarantees, etc. But every site will honor manufacturers' warranties and i just hate seeing people order from a rip off place.

GL

-daisy

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by daisygirl

Vapor4life is a ripoff site. They push their products and charge a lot for what they sell. If you scroll back a page or two you'll see my suggestions for good starter kits and an explanation of all of them for under $20! In the second post, i listed that the automatic kit had dropped down to the price of a manual and then an even better kit for only $24.

As far as nic goes, you'll probably want to start at at *least* 12 mg, even if you smoke lights, the nicotine in an ecig is not as strong as that inhaled in a traditional cig. I smoked normal strength cigs and had to start at 24 mg, but that's just me. I went down to 18 a few months ago (I've been vaping a year as of Feb) and now i vape between 12-18 mg.

If you don't have enough nic to satisfy you, you'll find yourself vaping a lot more often and going through more cartos and juice than you really need to.

If you need any help, I'd be glad to assist - but before you invest at V4L, check out the kits i posted a couple pages back. I wrote an original post, then an update a couple posts later about a really good starter kit that went on sale. I picked that site because I've used their products - I'm not in any way connected to them.

You don't want to go with just a randomly selected site or you may find yourself trapped in a VERY expensive system that would cost you very little otherwise. It's great that they have all the guarantees, etc. But every site will honor manufacturers' warranties and i just hate seeing people order from a rip off place.

GL

-daisy

Thank you so much for replying and telling me all this!

I went to your link for the 510x kit, but it is sold out. However, the 510 M Starter Kit is still for sale, so I am looking at that one.

I also visited the Alice in Vapeland site, but it is down until Tuesday night.

I appreciate your help.

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by Loren_Q

I think any site will have a 'starter kit' with various options. You would need to determine how long you want the battery to last and what you want as a liquid container (tank, carto, clearo, etc).

If there's a vape store near you I would go there. They would have equipment, answers and appropriate recommendations.

You could also go check out the e-cigarette forum or nu-vapor forum, those are dedicated to vaping with a ton of info for newbies.

The nu-vapor forum was very helpful. Thank you so much!

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by Medusa

You are going to LOVE that Dragon's Blood from ECBlend but I found that I had to let mine steep for about a week before it was truly melded.

Y'all - I am glad to say that I am 52 days without nicotine of any kind. Jackhammer is almost that long without snus. I have only had a few noticeable cravings and I think they were more of the "habit" cravings than the physical craving.
For example, I was on the phone with June the other night and had an overwhelming urge to go out on the deck and do a deep inhale while we processed. This was more about "my routine" of talking to Juney on the phone and smoking the whole time than an actual physical need for nicotine. I overcame it by talking about it and inhaling some Cinful Pear from HHV.

I am going to make another post about the order I received yesterday from Alice in Vapeland. It was, in short, INSPIRING.

Okay, I am about to purchase my first e-cig and am very excited but also very nervous !

My three questions are:

1) Do you experience withdrawals at all when switching to the e-cig if you have nicotine juice? I will be starting with 24mg.

2) Are cartomizers refillable? Like all of them? No matter what brand/model of e-cig you have (other than disposables)?

3) While I understand the concept of steeping, I don't quite understand what this means? Do I steep every bottle of juice I get? Or only if I mix them? What do I do exactly to steep the liquid?

Thanks for your help!

[daisygirl]

Originally Posted by meridiantoo

Okay, I am about to purchase my first e-cig and am very excited but also very nervous !

My three questions are:

1) Do you experience withdrawals at all when switching to the e-cig if you have nicotine juice? I will be starting with 24mg.

2) Are cartomizers refillable? Like all of them? No matter what brand/model of e-cig you have (other than disposables)?

3) While I understand the concept of steeping, I don't quite understand what this means? Do I steep every bottle of juice I get? Or only if I mix them? What do I do exactly to steep the liquid?

Thanks for your help!

Hi

Q1 - with 24 mg liquid you should be fine. I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms, i just reached for my e-cig when i had the craving (like i would have with a regular cig).

Q2 - Yes, they're all refillable but will eventually gunk up and wear out so try to keep a couple of spares on hand. You may also find it more comfortable vaping if you remove the rubber plug from the mouthpiece and use a drip tip in its place. It doesn't hold more liquid but it's more like having a filter on a ciggie, especially when you get the occasional bit of liquid that comes out of the top (ie if you overfill it) and a drip tip will help keep that out of your mouth (it's icky).

Q3 - Steeping simply allows all the ingredients in an ecig juice or liquid (whatever you want to call it) time to meld. There are some flavors that you can vape instantly and some that take a bit longer - and that's personal preference in most cases. The more complex the flavor, the more time it may need to steep, and almost all tobacco flavored juices need steeping time. You can steep by either leaving your juice in a dark drawer or cupboard, or - if you want to speed up the process - you can run a super hot sink and float your bottles in it. It helps to wrap the bottles with scotch tape or packing tape if you go this route so the label won't wash off on you. When steeping in the dark i try a flavor every week (unless it's one i know from experience needs more time) and if I water bathe it, i run it through 3 sink-fulls of the hottest water i can run until it cools each time.

GL with quitting - you should enjoy vaping much more, you'll be amazed how much your taste buds may change on you in the first couple of months, so unless you're really sold on a flavor - buy less than 15ml at a time of juice/liquid in case your taste buds to a reverse on you and suddenly it doesn't taste as good. There's also a short phase some of us call "mud mouth" where nothing tastes really good and it happens periodically, even if you've been vaping a while

If i can help in any other way, please msg me and let me know!

-daisy

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by daisygirl

Hi

Q1 - with 24 mg liquid you should be fine. I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms, i just reached for my e-cig when i had the craving (like i would have with a regular cig).

Q2 - Yes, they're all refillable but will eventually gunk up and wear out so try to keep a couple of spares on hand. You may also find it more comfortable vaping if you remove the rubber plug from the mouthpiece and use a drip tip in its place. It doesn't hold more liquid but it's more like having a filter on a ciggie, especially when you get the occasional bit of liquid that comes out of the top (ie if you overfill it) and a drip tip will help keep that out of your mouth (it's icky).

Q3 - Steeping simply allows all the ingredients in an ecig juice or liquid (whatever you want to call it) time to meld. There are some flavors that you can vape instantly and some that take a bit longer - and that's personal preference in most cases. The more complex the flavor, the more time it may need to steep, and almost all tobacco flavored juices need steeping time. You can steep by either leaving your juice in a dark drawer or cupboard, or - if you want to speed up the process - you can run a super hot sink and float your bottles in it. It helps to wrap the bottles with scotch tape or packing tape if you go this route so the label won't wash off on you. When steeping in the dark i try a flavor every week (unless it's one i know from experience needs more time) and if I water bathe it, i run it through 3 sink-fulls of the hottest water i can run until it cools each time.

GL with quitting - you should enjoy vaping much more, you'll be amazed how much your taste buds may change on you in the first couple of months, so unless you're really sold on a flavor - buy less than 15ml at a time of juice/liquid in case your taste buds to a reverse on you and suddenly it doesn't taste as good. There's also a short phase some of us call "mud mouth" where nothing tastes really good and it happens periodically, even if you've been vaping a while

If i can help in any other way, please msg me and let me know!

-daisy

Daisy,

Thank you so much for responding to me. I needed this information before I could confidently make my first purchase. I have concluded that I will need about 15 cartomizers and about 1 15ml. bottle of liquid to start. Does this sound about right? I am getting a manual e-cig with a usb charger/wall charger. Will this do, do you think?

I understand about your taste buds changing. I quit smoking for 2 years long ago and my taste buds totally changed. I loved it once they settled down and I got full taste back!

I really appreciate your help with all this. It's new to me and while I can read about it, nothing compares to hearing someone's personal advice and experience.

Meri

[AmazonWoman1]

I love sugar.Does it really help you not want sugar?& is it artificial flavorings or bad stuff used to make it?

[meridiantoo]

The Alice in Vapeland site is down for orders until Wednesday morning, but apparently you can still view their products on the site. So, I was looking around to see what they have to offer and came across some helpful information that I am going to share for anyone following this thread:

This is a list/chart of the different nicotine concentrations and their equivalents for smokers who are trying to quit:


24 mg = Comparable to non-filters
18 mg = Comparable to full-flavored
14 mg = Comparable to mediums
11 mg = Comparable to lights
6 mg = Comparable to ultra-lights
0 mg = Flavorful, but contain no nicotine at all

Ingredients commonly found in e-liquid:

Propylene Glycol (PG) slightly sweet and colorless, produces more flavor and throat hit
Vegetable Glycerin (VG) thicker and sweeter produces more vapor
Flavorings specifically selected for vaping
Distilled Water (DW)
Pure Grain Alcohol (PGA)

I will post more information as I find it.

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by Strappie

Forgive me if anyone posted about this already. I haven't read all pages here.

I'm wondering if anyone has had problems with "Dry Mouth?" I have been vaping for about a yr and half and I have major problems with dry mouth. I've researched it and only find that if people get this, it only lasts about 2 weeks. For me, it's so bad that I can not create any saliva to the point I have a lisp. I have spoke to my local store and they have only heard of this from one other person. For her she knew she was alergic to the propylene glycol and takes that chance for cigarette free life. I haven't spoken to my Doctor yet, that's coming. I also know it's used in toothpaste which would explain why (I think) my mouth is dry after I brush.

I also know when Vaping you are to drink a lot of water! This hasn't helped me with the "Dry Mouth" it has almost made it worse.

I guess what I'm asking is if anyone else has had this issue? It sucks because I went for 4 months without smoking (one wknd I had 4 cigs) but couldn't take the dry mouth any longer.

Does anyone use Liquids with out the Propylene glycol in their liquids. If so where do you get them and can you shoot me the site you get them from.

I am reading this thread closer and coming across posts to respond to...

I am still in the ordering process of my first starter kit, so I have no idea what the dry mouth thing is about, but I'm sure I will find out soon enough.

However, smoking dries my mouth out, so I have tried a dry-mouth mouthwash specifically to lubricate and it helps a lot. One that I use is by Biotene and it works really well. Just a thought.

[daisygirl]

Originally Posted by meridiantoo

Daisy,

Thank you so much for responding to me. I needed this information before I could confidently make my first purchase. I have concluded that I will need about 15 cartomizers and about 1 15ml. bottle of liquid to start. Does this sound about right? I am getting a manual e-cig with a usb charger/wall charger. Will this do, do you think?

I understand about your taste buds changing. I quit smoking for 2 years long ago and my taste buds totally changed. I loved it once they settled down and I got full taste back!

I really appreciate your help with all this. It's new to me and while I can read about it, nothing compares to hearing someone's personal advice and experience.

Meri

I'm glad i can help! You'll want more than one bottle of liquid. Try a few flavors. Each cartomizer can easily hold 1.2 ml of liquid so you'll find yourself needing more than 15ml. There are sites that sell decent inexpensive liquid. The Alice in Vapeland stuff is good - but it's expensive and in the beginning you should start with inexpensive so you can figure out what you like. Mt Baker Vapor is one place to get decent flavors and it's not expensive - i haven't ordered from them for a while but i liked what i got. There's one liquid i highly recommend and that's lily's liquid, sold by bamsbbq on nu-vapor (he takes orders through pm's and referrals) and he makes it all himself. He charges what is the *usual* standard of $.50/ml. When you start paying much more than that you're getting into the more gourmet flavors and in the beginning you'll want to try a bunch so it doesn't hurt to start with a non-gourmet juice maker.

15 cartos will last you a while, especially if you have a handful of flavors, you'll have some back-ups. A manual is the best choice, you get used to pushing the button really quick, it's just going to be a difference in how you inhale because you can't draw on it like you would a ciggie - but you'll figure that out too As long as you get the usb and wall chargers, you should be set to start!

I'm daisygirlie on nu-vapor and i chat there (video chat, then click text chat once you see the list, we're normally there in the evenings) if you want to come learn some stuff, we're all there to help and we love helping new people. Some people will even help with juice, etc. to help you get started so you don't have to pay a fortune for things

Originally Posted by meridiantoo

I am reading this thread closer and coming across posts to respond to...

I am still in the ordering process of my first starter kit, so I have no idea what the dry mouth thing is about, but I'm sure I will find out soon enough.

However, smoking dries my mouth out, so I have tried a dry-mouth mouthwash specifically to lubricate and it helps a lot. One that I use is by Biotene and it works really well. Just a thought.

I agree on the Biotene, i have it too. I started using it after i got my tonsils out 2 months ago (not a fun time for a grown up or a vaper, lol) and i found that it helps when i'm vaping high PG juices, because PG causes dry mouth. If you're having a lot of problems, i'd switch to a lower PG, higher VG or all VG juice. Hopefully Strappie will see this too

-daisy

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by daisygirl

I'm glad i can help! You'll want more than one bottle of liquid. Try a few flavors. Each cartomizer can easily hold 1.2 ml of liquid so you'll find yourself needing more than 15ml. There are sites that sell decent inexpensive liquid. The Alice in Vapeland stuff is good - but it's expensive and in the beginning you should start with inexpensive so you can figure out what you like. Mt Baker Vapor is one place to get decent flavors and it's not expensive - i haven't ordered from them for a while but i liked what i got. There's one liquid i highly recommend and that's lily's liquid, sold by bamsbbq on nu-vapor (he takes orders through pm's and referrals) and he makes it all himself. He charges what is the *usual* standard of $.50/ml. When you start paying much more than that you're getting into the more gourmet flavors and in the beginning you'll want to try a bunch so it doesn't hurt to start with a non-gourmet juice maker.

15 cartos will last you a while, especially if you have a handful of flavors, you'll have some back-ups. A manual is the best choice, you get used to pushing the button really quick, it's just going to be a difference in how you inhale because you can't draw on it like you would a ciggie - but you'll figure that out too As long as you get the usb and wall chargers, you should be set to start!

I'm daisygirlie on nu-vapor and i chat there (video chat, then click text chat once you see the list, we're normally there in the evenings) if you want to come learn some stuff, we're all there to help and we love helping new people. Some people will even help with juice, etc. to help you get started so you don't have to pay a fortune for things


I agree on the Biotene, i have it too. I started using it after i got my tonsils out 2 months ago (not a fun time for a grown up or a vaper, lol) and i found that it helps when i'm vaping high PG juices, because PG causes dry mouth. If you're having a lot of problems, i'd switch to a lower PG, higher VG or all VG juice. Hopefully Strappie will see this too

-daisy

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I am still doing research and learning all I can. I keep reading your older posts also. You've been wonderful, I really appreciate it.

Meri

[meridiantoo]

Daisy,

So, I know you recommended not ordering through vapor4life. And maybe it will end up being a regret, but I wanted the easiest method of starting this. So, I ordered one of their starter kits tonight and 2 - 30ml bottles of liquid with 15 cartomizers. I'm hoping this will be a decent way to get my feet wet and see if it's the answer for me.

Thank you again for all of your help and guidance. I keep reading on the nu-vapor site and researching in general, so I should have a pretty good idea of what I am doing by the time the order arrives.

[Loren_Q]

Originally Posted by meridiantoo

Daisy,

So, I know you recommended not ordering through vapor4life. And maybe it will end up being a regret, but I wanted the easiest method of starting this. So, I ordered one of their starter kits tonight and 2 - 30ml bottles of liquid with 15 cartomizers. I'm hoping this will be a decent way to get my feet wet and see if it's the answer for me.

Thank you again for all of your help and guidance. I keep reading on the nu-vapor site and researching in general, so I should have a pretty good idea of what I am doing by the time the order arrives.

Not to confuse matters even more but what if you don't like the flavor of liquid you picked?

It's hard because you haven't started and don't know where your tastes lie. I get buying a good supply, are you getting 2 different flavors? I know I've had liquids I've just not liked and if that was the only liquid I had... I'd be smoking.

Taste is so very subjective, I'm still test driving a bunch of different flavors/vendors, etc. It took me a couple of months to find my 'all-day-vape'

Good luck.