How to Vape: Tips for First Time Vapers

• What is vaping?
• What do you need to vape?
• How to vape and how long should I vape?

How to vape? How long should you inhale when vaping? Do you even inhale when vaping? Common questions asked by most new vapers, especially if you are transitioning from traditional cigarette smoking.

With the increasing popularity of vaping since being introduced to the U.S. since 2007 along came new users. Along with those new vapers came a wave of questions. From simply wondering how vaping works to the more experienced questions like how to modify a vape mod.

But, You’re in luck!  As experienced vape enthusiasts, we’re here to help answer your questions on how to vape. A crucial first step in the process when coming from cigarettes. As vape drawing is much different.

Let’s get to it.

What is vaping

What is VAPE? A simple vape definition can be described as listed below.

The act of vaping is produced by an e cigarette or similar vaping device. Aerosol, not smoke, is then created and inhaled.

Many times the term “vape smoke” is used but this term is incorrect. You may also hear “water vapor” used to describe the result of vaping. Close, but still not right. 

An aerosol is emitted from the act of vaping. It consists of fine particles that contain the vape ingredients being used.

Vaping is unlike cigarette tobacco smoke because no smoke is emitted when the vape juice is heated. Thus possibly reducing the number of chemicals involved due to the combustion process of smoking cigarettes. And one, if not the only reason that vaping was invented for.

So now that we’ve been introduced to what is vaping let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. 

How to vape

What do you need to vape?

First things first. Gathering materials to start vaping.

Not much is needed to get going right away, but there are some important things to consider when you start vaping.

Vape Device / e-Cigarette

Before you start vaping you are going to need the proper tools, such as a vape device and vape juice. Doing some research online you can find a huge amount of options out there.

We recommend spending some time looking at different product reviews and reviews from users to be sure you are buying a high-quality product to prevent injury.

From sleek vape devices like vape pens that can plug directly into a USB drive. To larger vape mods, sometimes referred to as mechanical mods, that allow for more power and customization. There are differences between each. Two major differences between vape mods and vape pens are size and strength.

Selecting one can depend on vaping habits, as well as a preference of possibly carrying a device on a necklace to customizing a vape mod to complete in a vape cloud competition.

Choosing the right vape pen or mod can sometimes be a daunting task. Vape technology and vape manufacturers are constantly improving their products and staying up to date can be mind-boggling. 

Most of the newer technology vape mods and e cigs coming out have digital indicators. These will let you know when your vape pen or e cigarette are charged, or how much vape battery life it has left. Pretty neat!

As long as you stay clear from a knock-off brand and stick with well known, high-quality products,  you should be golden.

Vape Juice

Next, we will need vape juice, sometimes also referred to as e juice or e liquid.

Much like looking for a device, sticking with high quality, well-known e liquid manufacturer is always a safe bet. 

A manufacturer with a stringent process put in place to ensure its customer safety, and who also uses and tests their vape juice ingredients is the only way to go.

Once you have sourced your vape brand. Determine which nicotine strength is right for you. Some calculators exist online to help guide you if you’re crossing over to vaping from cigarette smoking. Speaking to an experienced local vape shop can also be a great resource for nicotine strength recommendations.

Selecting a vape juice flavor of your choice is all we have left to do. 

This is based on your preference. Some like it sweet, some like it savory. And with the popularity of vaping, it’s guaranteed that a vape flavor exists just for you.

One thing to consider is if you will need for the vape coils in your device soak with the vape juice before hitting it. Soaking your vape coils with vape liquid before you hit the vape can prevent what is called in the vape community a “dry hit”. 

A dry hit is when there is not enough liquid on the cotton coils and you end up burning some of the wicking when you try to hit the vape. A dry hit tastes awful. Avoid a vape dry hit whenever possible.

If you have a closed pod system or a cig-a-like, you can usually start vaping relatively quickly since there are no added components or vape tanks to fill. Or buttons. 

Also worth noting...

Depending on where you are at in your journey to quit smoking cigarettes, regular vape juice may not be enough to satisfy your nicotine cravings. If this is the case, possibly look into vaping Nic Salts instead of vape juice.

Nic salts typically deliver more nicotine per vape hit. This will allow you to vape less while also getting enough nicotine to curb your craving.

How to vape?

Learning how to smoke took some getting used to, and learning how to vape will also.

Because vaping isn’t the same as a cigarette, and doesn’t burn away like a cigarette, you might find yourself feeling like your vaping more than when you smoke. This can cause nicotine headaches.

Nicotine headaches are caused when you are vaping way too much. 

This overdose of nicotine can happen as the body absorbs nicotine differently with vaping than with cigarettes. Cigarettes burning out can also be an indicator of when to stop smoking, something that vaping does not have.

If you find the need to continue to vape and think you may be overdoing it on the nicotine intake, you may want to consider using a nicotine-free vape juice. If you want to learn more about nicotine-free vape juice, consider reading our previous blog on the topic. 

Each hit of your vape should be slow and steady. With the hit lasting around 4-6 seconds depending on your preference. Although, the length of the hit may vary from device to device and vape wattage being used.

How long should I vape then?

It depends on a couple of different things. 

For example, do you have a Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) device or a Direct-to-Lung (DTL) device?

A general rule around the vaping community is that if you needed typically 5 minutes of cigarette smoking in the past, you may need to vape for about 10 minutes to get the same nicotine satisfaction.

Often times one way to judge if you need another vape hit is by taking a bit of a break between hits, and asking yourself, “Do I feel I need a cigarette right now?”. If the answer is no, then possibly put the vape pen down for now.

Coming into vaping from cigarettes takes a little bit of time to get used to. And with each new vape device you buy, or vape juice brand you decide to try, your hit will be different.

Inhaling vaping longer, holding in vape smoke, or taking bigger hits from your vape comes with the experience of knowing how to vape and also knowing your vape device and e liquid of your choice.

Next steps

Your vaping techniques will become second nature with continued use. Soon you won’t be thinking about this general information and will have found your own personal vaping method.

After trying out a couple of different e juice brands and vape mods or e cigarettes you will find what works for you. The options for each is growing, and with the popularity of vaping will continue to expand. Some of this information may not be relevant to new technology coming out in the future.

But! You can count on us to help vape users, new and old, looking to transfer from cigarettes to vaping. We truly believe that vaping can be an alternative and a viable smoking cessation method to quit smoking.

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