Electronic cigarettes, commonly abbreviated as e-cigarettes or e-cigs, refer to devices designed for inhaling the vapor produced by heating special herbal extracts. E-cigarettes are also known as vaporizers or vape devices.
The modern version of electronic cigarettes was invented in 2003 by a Chinese pharmacist called Hon Lik. Lik visualized a device that could offer a safer, healthier alternative to traditional nicotine delivery systems, such as smoking.
Over the years, however, electronic cigarettes have transitioned from being viewed primarily as smoking cessation aids into a lifestyle. That explains why there are thousands of vapers today who do not necessarily have a history of smoking.
But whether you’re looking to make a smooth transition from cigarette smoking to vaping or simply want to experience the fun of using e-cigs, it’s essential to start by understanding how these devices work. Well, you’re in luck.
In this post, we’ve prepared a definitive guide into using electronic cigarettes.
What Do You Need to Get Started?
To vape, you need an electronic cigarette and vaping materials.
Now, there are different types of electronic cigarettes out there. The kind of e-cig that you choose depends primarily on your experience level, budget needs, and the type of vaping materials you intend to use with the device.
For instance, new vapers are better off with cigalikes.
True to their name, cigalikes are electronic cigarettes designed in the shape of a standard cigarette roll. This design makes them particularly ideal for people seeking to make a seamless transition from smoking to vaping. Cigalikes are also the most simplistic, user-friendly, and affordable e-cigs available.
After using cigalikes for several months, you can experiment with more advanced e-cigs, such as vape pens, vape mods, and box mods. These gadgets come with a range of nifty features, including temperature control and airflow adjustment settings. Depending on the device, it could also feature an LCD screen on which you can monitor specific variables with your e-cig, such as the current vaping temperature and remaining battery charge.
When it comes to vape materials, there are equally numerous options to experiment with.
Most vape materials are available in the form of e-juices, also called e-liquids, vape oils, and vape juices. They’re meant for use with e-cigs that come with liquid cartridges.
Vape juices contain four basic compounds: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavorings, and nicotine. Each vape juice ingredient serves a specific purpose.
For instance, vegetable glycerin enhances vapor production, while propylene glycol boosts flavor production. Nicotine is the main addictive chemical in tobacco, which also happens to be a common ingredient in traditional and electronic cigarettes.
If you’re new to vaping, it will help to pay particular attention to the nicotine potency in your e-juices. Ideally, the specific vape oils you choose will depend on your nicotine potency. Here is a user’s guide to help you choose the right nicotine-strength e-liquid try the new I Love Salts made with synthetic nicotine
In addition to e-juices, vaping materials may also be available as wax concentrates or dry herbs. These materials are suitable for wax pens and dry herb vaporizers, respectively.
How Electronic Cigarettes Work
Standard vaporizers have the following components:
- A vape tank that holds your vape materials in place
- A battery that powers the gadget
- A vape coil that harnesses the electrical energy from the battery into heat energy
- A wick that propagates the heat generated by the coil from the heating chamber to the tank
- A mouthpiece that you suck from to draw heated vapor into your mouth
According to the design of most e-cigarettes, puffing activates the battery. However, some devices come with a button that you press to turn the device on or off.
The battery contains electrical energy. Once activated, the electrical energy is converted into heat energy and channeled from the heating chamber to the vape materials by either conduction or convection method.
Conduction e-cigs vaporize the vape materials using direct heat. This heating method is excellent when vaping dry herbs or wax concentrates. On the other hand, the convection method vaporizes the vape materials indirectly using a forced stream of hot air. This method is ideal when vaping e-liquids.
As the vaping material gets heated, it generates vapor, which fills up the vaporizer. You complete the vaping process by drawing air through your e-cigs mouthpiece.
How To Use E-Cigs
1. Unwrap the package
The first step in using an electronic cigarette is to unwrap the package as soon as you receive it and examine the products.
Start by checking the e-cig to ensure it includes all the attachments.
Next, establish that the ingredients appearing in the vape material’s product label are precisely the same as mentioned on the retailer’s website.
2. Assemble your e-cig
Some vaporizers come preassembled. In that case, this step would be unnecessary.
However, certain e-cigs may be sold in separate parts. You’ll need to assemble the unit to get it to work.
A user’s manual will come in handy here. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the numerous YouTube tutorials out there.
3. Prime the device
Priming an electronic cigarette helps to rid the device of any harmful chemical residues from various industrial processes.
To prime an e-cig, turn the device on before filling the tank with your vaping material. Then, take a few draws from the device. Be sure not to swallow these dry draws.
4. Administer your vaping materials
There’s a slight variance in this step depending on the specific vape materials you prefer.
Wax concentrates and dry herbs can be inhaled almost immediately after administering them. However, the case is a bit different with vape juices.
After filling your vape tank correctly with e-juice, you’ll need to wait for a couple of minutes for the liquid to saturate the wicking material before you can turn the device on.
5. Fire the device and vape away
If everything looks good, turn your e-cig on and wait till there’s a significant amount of vapor in the device. Then, vape by sucking from the mouthpiece.
Summary
E-cigarettes may be safer and healthier than standard cigarettes. But they’re by no means risk-free. So, remember to always vape in moderation.