Vaping is still a fast-paced industry leader with vast increases in sales every year. Through advancements in technology and vaping becoming more mainstream, users who are also fans of technology are frequently enjoying the ability to customize and shape their own experiences.
What is Vaping?
Vaping has become a very popular phenomenon over the last ten years. Mass producers of vaporizers have experienced exponential growth in the market since 2007. Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the atomizer (vapor). The umbrella of vaping devices is comprised of electronic cigarettes, vape pens, dry herb vaporizers, and advanced personal vaporizers (MODS)
The Term Vape
not to be confused with water - is used to describe the atomizer being produced. The vapor is produced by electronic cigarettes or similar devices. E-cigarettes do not produce smoke, but rather an aerosol that is comprised of fine particles. The aerosol, or vape, is a flavored nicotine liquid referred to as vape juice or e-juice. It is important to note, however, that not all vapes contain nicotine.
What Are Vaporizers?
The first vaping product created was an electronic cigarette. It was placed on the market in the early 2000s. It is more common to find a vape that consists of a mouthpiece, battery, and cartridge. There are a wide range of vaporizer pens varying in design and power, but they were all designed with one concept in mind. All vaping products are made to hold e-juice. The capacity at which these juices can be held varies by design. Many have been constructed for simplicity, while others are far more complex and best suited for hobbyists.
Their basic functions are to provide the same sensations traditional tobacco cigarettes produce. Vape pens are handheld producers of inhalable vapor. One popular concept behind their invention is that they aid in helping to wean smokers off of tobacco smoke altogether, but at the smokers’ leisure and comfort level.
What Should Be Vaped?
Every vapor user has a different preference, style, and palate. It is important to consider these things when seeking advice before purchasing a vaping device for the first time. To increase the likelihood of a more positive experience, beginners should start with dry herb vaporizers that are mouth to lung, temperature controlled, or mechanical mods. Vaping products are continuously evolving. What may have been useful or available in previous years or even months, may be deemed unsuitable for users now.
How Does A Vape Work?
Vaporizer pens are a technological solution for the ongoing problem users and nonusers may have with tobacco smoke. When the user inhales the aerosol, the liquid inside of the wick becomes heated, creating a vapor that has the appearance of smoke without the offensive odor.
One benefit a user has when using a vape pen is the ability to maintain complete control over how much or how little nicotine he or she receives. When the device is used, the heating component is heated by the battery and changes the contents of the e-liquid into an aerosol.
Vapes operate as one complete system with multiple parts. Beginners, especially, are strongly encouraged to stick to pre-packaged kits that have everything included. This ensures appropriate compatibility and an overall positive experience. The familiar hand to mouth motion a user would perform while using the traditional cigarette is performed with the vape pen. The aerosol is inhaled into the lungs and exhaled out.
The user decides the flavor and amount of nicotine he or she wishes to consume. Basic vaporizers are generally more simplistic in design and economical compared to customized devices. Although there is a specific vaporizer for each substance, it is not recommended to invest in a vape that is solely designed for one type of substance. It is always best to purchase one that is designed for multi-use.
The Source of Power
The levels of power in a vape mod generally determine the level of experience essential for utilization. The vape mod is a battery device. Lithium ion batteries are the most commonly used by consumers. Vape mods are categorized on the basis of how they are equipped and how they perform. They are also available in a wide array of forms and sizes.
Recent construction of mods has enabled a broader range in electronic features and power parameters. The term “mod” is merely an affirmation of the earlier days when consumers vaped with more modified devices for increased power. Today, more advanced models have been designed to be more adjustable for the user. These adjustments can be made in watts or in temperature. Other mods have no adjustability and don’t require technological skills or understanding from the user.
The following list is composed of vapes categorized based on the user’s level of knowledge and ability:
| Lower Power: | No Experience Required: |
| Vape Pods | Small rechargeable |
| Vape Pens | Disposable Electronic Cigarette |
| Electronic Cigarettes | Limited or no adjustable power |
| All-in-ones 9AIO) | Portable |
| Medium Power: | Some Experience Required: |
| AIO's | Knowledge of battery types, safety, and hazard |
| Box Mods | Medium-sized, rechargeable replaceable or built-in battery |
| Tube Mods | Adjustable Power (No more than 100 watts) |
| Pocketable (These are harder to conceal.) |
| High Power: | Must have experience: |
| Box mods | Adjustable power (no more than 200 watts) |
| Mechanical mods | Multiple replaceable batteries (18650, 20700, 21700) are the most commonly used sizes |
| Must have thorough understanding of battery safety practices | |
| Pocketable (usually heavy or bulky) |
The Basis of Vapor
Vapor is produced by a vape tank. The vape tank is a compartment that is electrically linked to the vape mod. It is composed of a heat resistant metal coil and a spongy wick saturated with e-juice. Additionally, nicotine, cannabis essences and cannabis flowers (weed) can all be vaped. Solutions or juices outside of these (cooking oils, syrups, etc.) should not be vaped. The primary ingredients of vape juice are water soluble, and while vape juice feels like oil, it is important to understand that it is not oil.
Aerosols vary like vape mods. They fit into the vape mods they were made for. The following factors are physical makeups of vapor:
Appropriateness or fitting is based on coil resistance. Some coils produce voluminous clouds that are low in resistance (less than 1 ohm). Other coils produce vapor that is high in resistance (at or above 1 ohm). These are often more discreet. Nevertheless, all coils are to be disposed of after prolonged use, regardless of resistance levels or type.
The amount of actual power needed for full functionality is another measure of vapor. Coils don’t necessarily expire; however, vapor and flavor will wane after prolonged usage. This can range from anywhere a few days to several weeks.
Vapor is available in four main categories
The following list is in order from the most simplified vaporizer to the most advanced:
Prefilled
Users who use this method are only allotted a single-use and non-replaceable or disposable coil. This method is available in pods, cartomizers, and cartridges.
Refillable
Users who choose this option are allotted multiple uses, but with non-replaceable or disposable coils. This method is available in pods, cartomizers, and cartridges.
Refillable with Replaceable Coils
Users who select this method are allotted indefinite use. This method is available with sub ohm tanks.
Rebuildable
Users who go with this technique use installed wicks and coils. They also have the benefit of indefinite reuse.
How to Start Vaping
An important key to remember is that simplicity does not mean inferior in the vaping world. Simple vapes are not substandard to advanced devices. They are just less complex.
Step 1: Get a basic vape starter kit. These typically range anywhere from $20 to $60. There are four main categories users can choose from. They are pod vapes, AIO’s, electronic cigarettes, and disposable cigarettes. All vape kits come with instructions that explain the best ways to use the kit.
Step 2: Ensure the vape juice is appropriate for the kit type. Users have the ability to choose the flavor that appeals to them as well as the nicotine level.
Recommended Techniques
When vaping for the first time, it is important to understand that the way the user inhales can make a significant difference in how smooth or unpleasant the experience turns out. Inhaling the wrong way could ultimately lead to coughing, discomfort or an unpleasant rush.
There are two types of inhalation techniques, mouth-to-lung and direct-lung draw. These techniques are believed to enhance comfort and provide a positive experience. Ideally, the recommended technique is contingent on the vape being used.
Mouth to lung hits usually work best when completed with smaller vapes that have high resistance coils. The idea is to keep the air tight. Regardless of size, the user should feel as though he or she is sucking air through a coffee straw when taking a hit from these devices.
The direct lung hit is more appropriate for larger vapes that have low resistance coils. Taking a hit from one of these devices will feel more like sucking air through a milkshake straw.
Final Thoughts
The decision to start vaping is a personal one. It is one of the only decisions the individual can make alone. Many smokers use it as a stepping stone to combat the addiction to smoking. Please note, that while vapes have been known to aid in the cessation process, vapes are not wellness or smoking cessation products. Vaping has both benefits and drawbacks, but the overall act of using a vaping product is considered harm reduction. It has been deemed a safe alternative to smoking.