Are you curious about vaping but not sure where to start? As a beginner, the world of vaping can seem overwhelming with all the different devices, e-liquids, and terminology.
But don’t worry – in this guide, I’ll break it all down for you step-by-step so you can start vaping with confidence.
What is Vaping?
First, let’s cover the basics. Vaping involves inhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or similar device. Unlike traditional cigarettes that burn tobacco, vapes heat up a liquid (called e-juice or e-liquid) to create an inhalable aerosol. The e-liquid usually contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavorings.
People vape for many reasons – as an alternative to smoking, to get their nicotine fix, or simply for the enjoyable flavors and experience. Vaping is considered less harmful than smoking since it doesn’t involve combustion or produce tar.
Types of Vaping Devices
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is what type of vaping device to use. Here are the main categories:
- Cigalikes: These look similar to cigarettes and are small, light, and easy to use. They are a good introduction to vaping but have limited battery life and vapor production.
- Vape Pens: Pen-style devices are larger than cigalikes and have a “pen” like shape. They have better performance and longer battery life. Some have refillable tanks while others use pre-filled cartridges.
- Mods: Mods are the most advanced and customizable vapes. They have powerful batteries, adjustable settings, and can produce massive vapor clouds. However, they require more knowledge to use properly.
- Pod Systems: These are compact devices that are easy to use like cigalikes but with the performance more similar to pens. They use disposable pods filled with e-liquid.
I recommend starting with a simple device like a pod system or pen, then you can upgrade later as you get more experienced with vaping.
Choosing an E-Liquid
E-liquids come in countless flavors, but they also have different nicotine strengths. Most range from 0mg (no nicotine) to 18+mg.
If you’re switching from cigarettes, you’ll want to choose a nicotine level that matches your current intake to satisfy cravings.
Here is a general guideline for choosing nicotine strength:
Cigarettes Per Day | Nicotine Strength |
1-5 | 3-6 mg |
6-10 | 6-12 mg |
11-20 | 12-18 mg |
21-30 | 18-24 mg |
31+ | 24+ mg |
In terms of flavors, e-liquids come in tobacco, menthol, fruit, dessert, beverage, and more. It’s fun to experiment with different ones to find your favorites. If you want a huge selection of premium e-juice brands, you can buy vapes online from myCigara.
How to Vape
Once you have your device and e-liquid, it’s time to start vaping. While the specifics may vary based on your particular vape, the basic steps are:
- Fill the tank or pod with e-liquid (if applicable).
- Turn on the device by pressing the power button rapidly 5 times.
- If your device has adjustable settings, set them to the recommended levels.
- Press and hold the button while inhaling from the mouthpiece. Start with small puffs.
- Exhale the vapor.
Monitor your e-liquid levels and recharge your battery as needed. With practice, you’ll get comfortable with the process and can experiment with inhaling techniques like mouth-to-lung and direct-lung.
Vaping Safety & Etiquette
Be sure to use your devices safely and follow proper vaping etiquette:
- Read the instruction manual for your device
- Don’t leave batteries charging unattended
- Keep vapes and e-liquid away from children and pets
- Don’t vape in places where smoking is prohibited
- Ask others if they mind before vaping around them
- Don’t blow clouds in people’s faces
Conclusion
Vaping can be a fun and satisfying alternative to smoking. By choosing the right device and e-liquid, learning proper technique, and following safety guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your vape to the fullest.
The key is taking the time to learn and not being afraid to experiment. Always buy quality gear and e-juice from reputable retailers. Enjoy your vaping journey!