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Beginners Guide to Vaping

If you're switching from smoking to vaping, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice and new terminology in the vaping world. 


We've been in your shoes at the start of our own vaping journey, and we're passing on our collective knowledge in this handy beginner's guide to vaping. 


In this guide, we'll cover vaping and e-liquid, what you need to get started, and some frequently asked questions.


Need a specific question answered? Call us on 01276 65397, and our expert team will be happy to help get you started.


FAQs

What is vaping, and how does it work?

Vaping is a method of nicotine delivery used as an alternative to smoking. It vaporises flavoured e-liquid that contains nicotine (nicotine-free e-liquid is available) so that the user can inhale the vapour instead of combusting tobacco cigarettes and inhaling the smoke.

E-cigarettes typically consist of a battery (or mod) and a pod or a small tank with a replaceable coil inside of it. A cotton wick usually surrounds the heating coil, and the e-liquid goes into the tank, surrounding the coil. The wick will absorb the e-liquid, and when the button on the battery is pressed, an electrical circuit is formed; this heats the coil and vapourises the e-liquid on the wick that is in direct contact with the coil. The user then inhales the vapour from the mouthpiece.

Are e-cigs risk free?

Nothing in life is risk-free, but e-cigarettes have been proven to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking. This statistic is supported by The Royal College of Physicians and Public Health England, among others.

What is e-liquid?

E-liquid has four main ingredients: Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), Flavourings, and Nicotine. The PG and VG comprise the bulk of the e-liquid in various ratios and are also known as diluents. The amount of nicotine in the e-liquid will vary from 0 up to a maximum of 20mg/ml (or 2%). The flavourings are all food-safe flavour concentrates and are the magic that makes the e-liquid taste like strawberries, tobacco, custard or whatever your favourite flavour is.
How much nicotine is in the e-liquid is entirely up to you, but smoking habits and the equipment used will be influencing factors. Generally, if you're starting with a pod kit, we'd recommend a 10-per-day smoker to try a 10mg nic salt e-liquid.

What do I need to start vaping?

All e-cigs work on the same principle - a battery to supply the power, a tank to hold the e-liquid and a coil to vaporise the e-liquid. These parts are all bundled up in our vaping kits.
In addition to the kit, you'll need to buy some e-liquid. We have a wide variety of flavours and strengths, so you can choose an e-liquid that suits you. We offer both 10ml bottles of e-liquid as well as shortfill e-liquids. The 10ml bottles are great when you're starting out, and you're still finding out what flavour profile you like best. The shortfill e-liquids are larger bottles of zero-nicotine e-liquid which are mixed with nic shots to create your desired nicotine strength. Shortfill e-liquids are generally cheaper than 10ml bottles and have become very popular. You can learn more about how shortfills work in our Help & Advice section.
If you're stocking up, consider including replacement pods or coils compatible with your chosen kit to keep your device running.

What are the ongoing costs of vaping?

Vaping can be much cheaper than smoking.
You will need to replace the pod or coil in your tank every 2-4 weeks, depending on the amount used and the e-liquids chosen. Sweeter e-liquids tend to wear out coils faster than those with less sweetener. An average packet of pods is around £8.49 for three pods and coils for a beginner's kit are in the region of £10 for five coils.
As for e-liquid, again, this is entirely dependent on the user's choice, the equipment used and the frequency of vaping. An average starter kit vaper typically uses 10-20ml of e-liquid weekly.

What kind of kits are available?

There are two main styles of vaping: Mouth To Lung (MTL) and Direct To Lung (DTL), otherwise known as sub-ohm vaping. MTL vaping is reminiscent of smoking; you draw the vapour into your mouth and then inhale like you would with a cigarette. Generally, a higher nicotine strength is used in MTL kits to satisfy cravings. DTL vaping is a big and airy draw at much higher power, like a shisha pipe. The vapour is drawn directly into the lungs, like breathing through a straw. Generally, DTL is used at lower nicotine strengths, no higher than 6mg at the most. Check out our blog on the difference between MTL and DTL vaping.
There is no right or wrong way of vaping; it is purely down to personal preference. However, if you're a new vaper switching to vaping from smoking, you may find an MTL kit easiest to pick up as the action is similar.

How long will a kit last?

Your tank itself should last for a very long time. Other than broken glass, the most common fault with tanks is a perished o-ring or seal. Most new kits and tanks will have a little bag of spares should you need to replace one, so keep them somewhere safe.
If correctly looked after, a rechargeable battery has an average life span of about 300 charge cycles before you will start to notice it doesn't hold a charge for as long as it used to. Our team of experts is on hand to help with any maintenance questions you have to maximise the life of your kit.

My kit has arrived; what do I do now?

Read through included instruction leaflet to familiarise yourself with turning the battery on and off, how to charge the battery, how to fill the pod or how to change the coil and how to fill up the tank - these are the main day-to-day tasks you'll find yourself performing. If you're stuck with any of these, you can call or email us, and our team will set you on the right track.


Charge your battery: most batteries will have at least 50% charge so you can use it immediately; just be aware that it won't be at 100% charge straight out of the box. We recommend not leaving your battery charging overnight or unattended. Our most popular starter kit, the Endura T18-X, also has vape whilst charging technology, so you don't have to wait for the battery to finish charging if you need it.


Ensure the coil is secure: If your tank has a pre-installed coil, ensure this is fitted correctly and securely.


Fill tank: You need to fill the tank with e-liquid. As the coil is brand new, you will need to let it sit for 10-15 minutes for the cotton wick to absorb the e-liquid and become fully saturated. This step is vital for every newly fitted coil to avoid instantly burning it out.

Reassemble your kit: Once the tank has been filled and you have waited for the coil to become saturated, you can reassemble your kit, which is ready for use.

How do I maintain my kit?

It is crucial to maintain your kit, and with a few simple tasks, you will be able to get the best from it for a long time.
You will need to replace the coil in your tank roughly every 2-4 weeks, depending on the amount used and the e-liquids chosen. It's time to change your coil if vapour production significantly reduces or you notice a slight burnt taste in the flavour.
Remove your tank before filling or coil changing – this will prevent the tank from being screwed onto the battery too tightly and damaging the connection. It's also an excellent opportunity to take a small piece of tissue and gently wipe the pin on the tank and the battery to remove any residue.
Cleaning your tank is simple, remove the coil, wash the tank in warm soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly. We recommend frequently removing the mouthpiece, also called a drip tip, and cleaning it.
Always turn your battery off before you put it in your bag or pocket to prevent burning out the coil unless it has a lock feature that you have turned on.
Last of all, be gentle! Try not to over-tighten any of the parts that screw together (finger tight is fine) or force the charging cable into the port, and you'll get the most extended life out of your kit.

Why pick Vanilla Vapes?

The Best Vape Warranty

Batteries are considered a consumable item, and most of our competitors will only offer a 30-day warranty on your new kit purchase. We only stock devices with an excellent track record for reliability, allowing us to cover you for 90 days should you run into any problems with your kit.


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We dispatch orders on the same working day for all orders placed before 3 p.m. - if the order is over £10, you can take advantage of free shipping!