{"id":320,"date":"2012-02-18T15:07:59","date_gmt":"2012-02-18T15:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tasteyourjuice.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=320"},"modified":"2020-03-28T11:51:43","modified_gmt":"2020-03-28T15:51:43","slug":"new-to-vaping","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteyourjuice.com\/wordpress\/new-to-vaping","title":{"rendered":"GETTING STARTED"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last Updated: 3\/28\/20<\/strong><\/p>\n

INTRODUCTION<\/h2>\n

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!<\/p>\n

Where do I start?\u00a0 What voltage, what wattage, what device, what the hell is an Ohm and why should I care? If you\u2019re looking for information on terms (Ohms, Attys, Cartos, Volts, Etc), you might first want to have a look at the Vaper’s Glossary<\/a>\u00a0section. \u00a0 I also have a video called the Beginners Guide to E-Cigs and E-Cig Tech, <\/a>and I have plans of revisiting that video to make it more current.\u00a0 If you\u2019re looking for a suggestion on what to buy, you\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n

If you’re just getting started, you may be overwhelmed by the number of forums, Facebook groups, shops, online retailers, starter kits, etc, etc, etc!!\u00a0 I know, it’s crazy!<\/p>\n

Or maybe you\u2019ve come across the \u201cguys in the mall\u201d and have concerns about what you\u2019re really buying and how much you should be spending.\u00a0 Maybe you’ve tried a vape shop and they instantly want to sell you a 200W mod, direct lung sub-ohm tank, and 3mg e-liquid.<\/p>\n

Let me try to help.<\/p>\n

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FIRST, WHAT IS VAPING AND WHY IS IT CALLED THAT?<\/h2>\n

Vaping is the current preferred term used by people who use electronic cigarettes. In vaping, electronic cigarette liquid (also known as e-liquid or “juice”) is vaporized (thus the term “vaping”) by some type of heating element. Power is supplied to the heating element by a battery.<\/p>\n

The resulting vapor is taken into the lungs and exhaled much like the smoke of a regular cigarette.<\/p>\n

Remember, “vaping” is a verb.\u00a0 This verb can be applied to vaping nicotine products, but can also be applied to CDB and THC products.\u00a0 This site is designed for smoking cessation and when the term vaping is used, it is used to indicate nicotine vaping.<\/p>\n

If you don’t smoke, DO NOT VAPE! Why create a new habit for yourself? But if you do smoke, vaping may allow you to continue to enjoy your habit but with a much reduced risk to your health.<\/p>\n

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IS IT SAFE?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a good question. It\u2019s an important question. The answer I can give you is a very confident, \u201cI DON\u2019T KNOW!\u201d One of the reasons I say in all my reviews as well as the disclaimer of this website to \u201cUse any electronic cigarette product at your own risk\u201d.<\/p>\n

Before I became an electronic cigarette user, I did a lot of research, read a lot of articles, and came to my own informed decision. The decision was to make the switch because, based on what I\u2019d read, it was a far safer alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes.<\/p>\n

As I said in the \u201cAbout Me\u201d section,<\/p>\n

Months after I started vaping, I noticed a few things. First, EVERYTHING tasted better! In my case, not necessarily a good thing :-). So my sense of taste along with my sense of smell improved. Second, I didn\u2019t become winded as quickly as before. I could work in the yard or around the house without gasping for air. Finally, after a night out of heavy smoking, that first deep breath of the morning would hurt. I think many of you current and\/or ex-smokers know what I\u2019m talking about. Since vaping, NO MORE!! I could take that first deep breath of the day without any pain.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s something else that happened.\u00a0 I was always susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections.\u00a0 I was good for at least 2 per year.\u00a0 Since I have been vaping, I haven\u2019t had one.\u00a0 Not a single once since 2009.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I have never had a single issue or adverse affect from vaping.<\/p>\n

As more and more people move to vaping, more and more data will become available. For both short and long term exposure.<\/p>\n

For more information on the safety of electronic cigarettes including articles and videos, check out my Is Vaping Safe<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

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OK, I’M INTERESTED. WHAT SHOULD I BUY?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re just starting out, you want to get something that will give you an excellent vaping experience without breaking the bank. \u00a0This is the most important thing you can do for yourself.\u00a0 It will give you the best possible chance for success. \u00a0You will want a setup that will provide you with good power, good vape time, and good performance in VTF (Vapor, Throat Hit, & Flavor).<\/p>\n

In my opinion you also need something that closely emulates the experience you get from your cigarette which is why I recommend a mouth to lung (MTL) device over a restricted direct lung (RDL) or direct lung (DL) device.<\/p>\n

Electronic cigarettes come in all shapes & sizes.\u00a0 Here are a few suggestions to get your started. \u00a0Remember that tastes and opinions vary<\/strong>. \u00a0I can only speak to my experience and what has worked best for me.<\/p>\n

Your first decision is what kind of device to you want to start out with.<\/p>\n

Check out the My Top Now!<\/a> page for some ideas and suggestions on hardware.<\/p>\n

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A LITTLE ON MTL VS. RDL VS. DL<\/h2>\n

Maybe you’re heard about the three main styles of vaping, MTL, DL, and RDL.\u00a0 Let’s talk about them a bit because they’re important.<\/p>\n

The first is mouth to lung or MTL.\u00a0 The second is direct lung or DL and the third is restricted direct lung or RDL.<\/p>\n

MTL is how 99% of the world smokes their cigarettes.\u00a0 You can think of MTL as a two step process.\u00a0 You first pull the smoke into your mouth from the cigarette.\u00a0 Muscles in the mouth are used to do this.\u00a0 You then stop your draw and take the smoke into your lungs taking additional air in through the mouth or nose.\u00a0 The lungs take over from the mouth at this point.\u00a0 When you take the smoke from your mouth into your lungs, you experience a “throat hit”.\u00a0 More on that later.\u00a0 There is a resistance or tightness to the draw when pulling or dragging from a cigarette.<\/p>\n

Although I just described MTL from a cigarette perspective, it’s the same for vaping.<\/p>\n

DL is different.\u00a0 Where MTL is a two step process, DL is a single step process.\u00a0 DL means you’re pulling vapor directly into your lungs from the electronic cigarette.\u00a0 Mouth muscles are not used, only your lungs.\u00a0 \u00a0With DL there is little to no resistance when pulling vapor from the device.<\/p>\n

You can think of RDL as being somewhere between MTL and DL.\u00a0 There is more resistance then DL vaping, but less resistance then MTL vaping.\u00a0 Some will RDL using the two step process as described in MTL vaping, or the single step process described in DL vaping, or a combination starting with a mouth draw followed by a lung draw.<\/p>\n

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WHAT ABOUT THE E-LIQUID?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Believe it or not, it\u2019s going to be a lot easier for me to recommend devices than it will be to recommend q-liquid.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 TASTE IS SUBJECTIVE!!\u00a0 Taste, along with other variables associated with the juice make it difficult to suggest juice, ESPECIALLY if you\u2019re just starting out.<\/p>\n

When I first wrote this page, it was far easier navigating the world of e-liquid than it is today.\u00a0 In today’s liquids you’re going to come across a wide variety of liquid in PG\/VG ratios, sweeteners, and nicotine types.<\/p>\n

I can tell you that when I started, I vaped an 18mg (freebase), 100% PG liquid, and my primary flavors were tobacco which quickly changed to watermelon, peach, and chocolate.<\/p>\n

Yes, I did start with a tobacco flavor and I think those flavors are important when it comes to transitioning from cigarettes to e-cigarettes.\u00a0 I tried (unsuccessfully) to find a juice that tasted JUST LIKE a Marb light.\u00a0 I did find something , well, similar that helped me transition.\u00a0 Then I discovered flavors which have been imperative in keeping me off the cigarettes to date.<\/p>\n

At this point, something JUST LIKE a Marb light is the LAST thing I\u2019d want to vape!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m now down to a 12mg, I prefer a 50\/50 PG\/VG blend, and I vape LOTS of different flavors.<\/p>\n

PG (Propylene Glycol)<\/strong> and VG (Vegetable Glycerin)<\/strong> are the two base ingredients in electronic cigarette e-liquid or \u201cjuice\u201d, along with nicotine (optional), flavorings, and sweeteners (if part of the recipe for that liquid).<\/p>\n

It is generally believed that PG provides more throat hit (that feeling you get in the back of your throat when you take a drag of a real cigarette) and carries flavor better.\u00a0 VG produces more vapor.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had 100% PG that has poor throat hit and good vapor and 100% VG that has terrific throat hit and flavor so I\u2019ll let you validate that belief on your own.<\/p>\n

To me, the VG added to the PG provides a \u201csmoother\u201d vape which is why I prefer it. \u00a0Also, people have been known to be sensitive or allergic to PG requiring less of it or none at all in their juice in order to continue vaping.\u00a0 Again, something you\u2019re going to need to find out on your own. \u00a0\u00a0The best I can do is tell you to watch some reviews, take a look at different liquid vendor\u2019s websites, and try some different liquids.<\/p>\n

No doubt you’ve heard of “salt nicotine” at this point as well.\u00a0 There are two nicotine types you will find in nicotine e-liquids; “freebase” and “salt”.\u00a0 Salt nicotine is treated with an acid to reduce the throat hit harshness of the vape allowing you to use a higher nicotine level without a harsh throat hit.\u00a0 If you’re looking for something very smooth, look into a salt nic product.\u00a0 If you require a throat hit, as I do, stick with a freebase nicotine product.<\/p>\n

You can also take a look at my top juice recommendations, <\/a>although this is pretty old at this point.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A LITTLE ABOUT THROAT HIT<\/h2>\n

Again, throat hit is the sensation you get in the back of the throat as you take your mouthful of vapor down into your lungs as you would take your mouthful of smoke into your lungs from a cigarette.<\/p>\n

It can be defined as a “thump” or “irritation”.<\/p>\n

For some, throat hit is not important.\u00a0 \u00a0For me, it’s imperative.\u00a0 It more closely simulates the sensation I received from my cigarettes and I enjoy the sensation only now from my vape.\u00a0 It also makes me feel like I’m vaping something as apposed to air.\u00a0 People who smoke Marb Reds and try a Marb Ultralight will understand what I’m talking about.<\/p>\n

This is why I still enjoy 12mg e-liquid using “freebase” nicotine, and I do not enjoy the sensation I receive from “salt” nicotine.\u00a0 For me, vaping salt, even at 50mg is like vaping (or smoking) air.\u00a0 For others, this type of liquid has proven successful in allowing them to transition from cigarettes to vaping.<\/p>\n

This is why I can only suggest, and it’s up to you to find your path in vaping.<\/p>\n

I heard from people when they first start vaping, they cough. This cough instantly turns them off and they look for ways to avoid the cough by lowering their power, lowering their nicotine level, taking smaller hits, vaping higher VG liquids, trying salt nic, or worst case, they give up on vaping and continue to smoke.<\/p>\n

Before you give up because you coughed, I want you to consider something.<\/p>\n

When you tried your first cigarette, what did you do?\u00a0 Did you take that first inhale and say, “oh wow, that’s so smooth and delicious!”?\u00a0 No, you probably coughed, hacked, choked, and then went back for your second drag, then your second cigarette, then your second pack, and then… you were a smoker.<\/p>\n

So please, give your vape, a FAR SAFER alternative to getting you nicotine every much a chance as you gave your cigarette.\u00a0 Believe me, the coughing will go away.<\/p>\n

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BEWARE OF “STARTER KITS”!!<\/h2>\n

So you’re a smoker and you want to get started with vaping.\u00a0 You go to a site and see a “starter kit” section or kits labeled as “starter kits”.\u00a0 Those MUST be for you because you’re getting started right?\u00a0 WRONG!!<\/p>\n

Unfortunately there are a LOT of kits that are labeled as “starter kits”.\u00a0 This is because they will typically have everything you need to vape.\u00a0 A device, a tank, and some coils.\u00a0 The problem is that they may not support the style of vaping you need to successfully transition off of cigarettes.\u00a0 They may be overly complicated for a beginner.\u00a0 They may not support the MTL style of vaping which I feel is important for transitioning.\u00a0 They may have more power than you will ever need or use.<\/p>\n

So it’s important to know what you are buying before you buy it.\u00a0 Ask questions.\u00a0 Do research, and remember, I’m always available to help as well.<\/p>\n

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CONCLUSION<\/h2>\n

What about variable wattage?
\nWhat about tanks?
\nWhat about mods?
\nWhat about rebuildables?
\nWhat about temperature control?<\/p>\n

WOAH!\u00a0 SLOW DOWN THERE KILLER!<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

This is the Getting Started section. You have to start somewhere.<\/p>\n

Once we successfully get you transitioned, there is an entire world of vaping products, devices, tanks, liquids, pods, rebuildables, accessories and more for you to explore should you want to.<\/p>\n

Or, you can just continue to use and enjoy what worked for you to get you off the cigarettes.<\/p>\n

Vaping can simply be a thing you do to not smoke anymore.\u00a0 This makes vaping easy and cheaper than smoking.<\/p>\n

Vaping can also become a hobby with hundreds if not thousands of devices to buy, collect, build, use and enjoy.<\/p>\n

It’s all up to you!<\/p>\n

I hope you found some of this information helpful. \u00a0Always feel free to ask me a question.\u00a0 No question is beneath me or \u201cdumb\u201d.\u00a0 We all started somewhere!<\/p>\n

Thank you and Happy Vaping!<\/p>\n

Pbusardo<\/em><\/p>\n

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