If you’re thinking of making the transition from smoking to vaping or have already done so, congratulations. While it’s not completely risk-free, vaping is still a much safer alternative to smoking when buying from reliable sources. Vaping can also be a great way to save money and is much more convenient than smoking. However, one of the things you’ll be surprised by when you first get into vaping is how complex it can get. There are many other surprises when you start – some better than others. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should know before you start vaping.
Start with the Right Device
The most important thing is to make sure that you do your homework on the different types of devices out there. Choosing a device that is too complicated and powerful at the beginning is a mistake for many reasons. Firstly, you might not even know if you like vaping, and second, you don’t know what type of vaper you are yet. All of this will need to be considered before you even think about buying a device.
For instance, if you’re looking for something discreet that you’ll be able to use on the go, then you can go with a cigalike system or a pen device. You could also opt for a pod system. Note that pods don’t have to be bought pre-filled; there are pod systems out there that you can refill with your own juice. These are a great option for people who want something simple and don’t want to deal with the hassle of changing coils. This will be addressed later.
You then have your classic mod devices. These are the boxes you see with an eJuice tank on top, though they also come in a pen shape. These are the most complex of the bunch. They’re also the most powerful, and if your goal was to create some of those big clouds you see in YouTube videos, they’re the only way to go.
So, before you decide, make sure that you research the pros and cons of each of these options, and consider going with a starter kit at first. You will then start to get a sense of what your vaping style is and choose a model accordingly.
Things Can Go Wrong
You will need to get familiar with some of the brands on the market because you don’t want to end up with a dud – unfortunately there are many useless devices out there. But, even with the best brands, some things can and probably will go wrong.
One of the most common issues is with tanks leaking. Another common issue is spitback when hot eJuice shoots out of the mouthpiece. This is why you need to learn how to troubleshoot common vaping problems first so you’ll be ready and not panic. Most issues can be fixed rather easily, and some will be more recurrent with certain manufacturers. This is why it’s so important that you research companies first and don’t pick one simply because it’s the most popular.
Coils, Coils, and More Coils
This is the one that usually surprises people the most about vaping. If you’re going to buy any mod device, be prepared to buy coils, and lots of them.
Vaping can be a bit high maintenance, especially when you go for more sophisticated models. Coils are the part inside the tank that wicks up the vape juice and heats it through conduction. These are meant to be thrown away after a certain amount of time.
You also never know how long your coils might last. Things like the quality, consistency, and ingredients in a vape juice could influence it. The company that makes the coil also makes a difference. Some people also make mistakes that shorten the life of their coils, like vaping at too high of a temperature or repeatedly taking dry hits.
How often will you need to buy coils? It depends, but it is generally recommended that you switch your coil head at least every two weeks. However, frequent vapers will need to switch them much more often. Coils can cost anywhere from £2 to £5 on average, so the cost can easily add up. This is why you need to factor this in when evaluating the real cost of vaping.
Hopefully this guide has prepared you for the world of vaping and clarified a few things for you. However, before you make your first purchase, try to learn as much about vape machines, juices, and vaping in general.