Vaping Devices
E-cig devices The CE4 Kit is the cheapest vaping device you can get and is the perfect choice if you
12th April 2021
Ultimate Guide to E-liquid & Vaping
Table of Contents
What is vaping?
Vaping in a modern world is in basic terms a new way of smoking and has increased in popularity in the past few years, so what is vaping I hear you ask.
Vaping devices can vary in shape, size and colour. Devices produce an aerosol by product from heating up a liquid that sometimes consists of flavourings and other chemicals that make vaping seem less harsh (initially at least) than smoking. This liquid delivers nicotine, marijuana, or other drugs to the user via a mouthpiece that is inhaled into the lungs then expelled via the mouth or nose. The CDC has some great facts and tips that can be found here.
Is Vaping Safe?
There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to vaping and many people believe that vaping is just as bad as bad as smoking, but that isn’t the case, the UK has one of the worlds strictest regulations when it comes to vaping and even then about 1/3 of all smokers in UK believe that vaping is just as dangerous as smoking which is not the case. Some of the myths that many people believe are:
- Swapping one addiction for another
- Harmful Chemicals
- Gate way to smoking
- Long-term effects
- Exploding devices
just to name a few and the reason for a lot of these myths is the media outlets publishing content without scientific evidence backing it up, that is not to say that there is no risk to vaping as there still is but it is much much lower than smoking cigarettes, as even though some of the chemicals that are in cigarettes can be found in some e-liquid it is in much smaller quantities.
There is a great video created by the public heath of England that demonstrates just how bad smoking can be opposed to vaping: Smokefree ‘Health Harms’ – Impact of smoking vs vaping demonstration
Scientists say that the best thing a person can do is quit smoking, but that is not easy and many people find it difficult to quit in one step as Nicotine is highly addictive, however it is mainly other chemicals in tobacco smoke that cause health problems and around 200 people in the UK die everyday due to smoking cigarettes and 1 in 2 long term smokers die of smoking-related illness if they do not quit, and using a licensed vaping product containing nicotine is an effective way of reducing the harm from tobacco. And because you can reduce the amount of nicotine delivered it can help smokers quit for good. About 52% of smokers want to quit and many people try to do it without support. Smokers who attend local stop smoking services are three times as likely to quit.
Vaping is definitely the future of smoking and the UK wants to be smoke free by 2030
There is a fantastic documentary from the Yorkshire Cancer Research that is worth a watch if you are thinking of switching from cigarettes to e-cigs but want to know more about weather or not they are safe and how they compare to traditional cigarettes.
*All our products abide by all the UK laws and regulations to vaping*
E-cig devices
CE4 Kit
The CE4 Kit is the cheapest device you can get and is the perfect choice if you are new to vaping. This e-cig is better used with 50/50 PG/VG e-liquids that produces less vapour.
Mod & Tank
The Mod & Tank are the most effective way to vape and come with many advantages such as improved battery life over the pen and CE4, more power and are designed for both low and high VG e-liquids, however these are more for the experience vaper and come at a higher cost than the pen and CE4 models.
Vape Pen
Nowadays the vape pen has become the default e-cig and as a result has sort of replaced the CE4 Kit and is probably the most common device that you see people vaping with. The vape pen is slightly bigger than the CE4 as well as still being inexpensive. It has been much improved over the CE4 models with a bigger and better coil to give you a more enhanced flavour and bigger hit and is suitable with e-liquids that have a higher VG content.
Drip Tip
This is the part you inhale from
Tank
This is where the e-liquid is stored
Coil
The coil is used to heat up the e-liquid you can have a look here for how to change your coil (this may vary depending on the device you have)
Battery / Regulated Mod
This is the part of the device that is used to power the coil, the battery capacity is often referred to as milliamps per hour (mAh) and the power of your device is shown as Watts (W) or Volts (V)
These are the basic components that make up an e-cig, now let’s have a look at the type of devices you can use, there are many different types of vaping devices and no matter if your and experienced vaper or just starting there is a device for you.
Use and Awareness of E-Cigs
In recent years the popularity of vaping has shot up in a recent study it shows that
In both 2019 and 2018, 94% of smokers and 93% of the general population had heard of e-cigarettes. This contrasts with 2012, when 49% of adults responding to the same question were aware of e-cigarettes.
Since 2012, the number of e-cigarette users grew from around 700,000 to 3.6 million in 2019. The rate of increase was highest in the first three years of e-cigarettes becoming widely available, with slower growth in recent years. However, by 2020 this changed, with the first decline in e-cigarette use.
The vast majority of new e-cig users are ex smokers with around 2 million that use e-cigs with the rest of the users there are around 1.2 Million current smokers and about 100,000 who are new smokers.
This shows that since 2012 there has been a massive increase in the amount of people vaping and that the vast majority of smokers have at least heard of e-cigs. However in the past year there has been a decline in e-cig use.
What is e-liquid?
You may have seen this word floating around when looking at vaping and wondering what it means, the term e-liquid is used to describe the type of liquid that is used inside vaping devices that creates the vapour you inhale and exhale.
The coil is used to heat the e-liquid and turn it into a vapour, depending on the vaping kit you have and your own temperature preference e-liquid is heated to anything between 90°C and 200°C turning it into the vapour you inhale. It comes with many flavours, strengths and ingredients.
E-liquid Ingredients
- Nicotine (but not always!)
- Propylene glycol (PG) or Vegetable Glycerine (VG) – or a mix of both
- Food-grade flavouring
Let’s dive deep into each ingredient.
Let’s start off with the ingredient that people are the most familiar with especially if they are transitioning from cigarettes to e-liquid
Nicotine
There is a bit of misconception when it comes to nicotine in e-liquid as many people believe that it is dangerous but that is not the case, however nicotine is very addictive and if you are used to smoking or a heavy smoker then you can develop an intense craving, these cravings do not last long (around 20 seconds or so) but for some this short amount of time can feel like a lifetime when your brain is craving a nicotine fix.
Why is nicotine so addictive?
Whether consuming nicotine from traditional cigarettes or modern vaping it leads the release of a chemical called dopamine in the brain. As with many medications dopamine prompts the brain to repeat the same behaviour (such as using tobacco) over and over.
Different strength nicotine in e-liquid
Believe it or not you can vape without nicotine for the just for pleasure vaping experience that many people enjoy and known as 0mg nicotine, some of our products are 0mg which can be viewed here.
There are other options of varying strengths of nicotine:
- 3mg nicotine – this is the lowest nicotine level you can get (unless you mix it yourself with 0mg to dilute it), this is often the best option if you are on the final stage of quitting and have cut out almost all of you nicotine intake or if you are a light smoker that only smokes a few cigarettes a day.
- 6mg nicotine – this is the next strength up from 3mg, this will still give you that nicotine hit and would be similar to Ultra Low/Ultra-Light cigarettes. This nicotine strength is for those who are getting through around 10 a day and of course depends on the strength you are used to.
- 12mg nicotine – This is the perfect strength if you are an average smoker who gets through about a pack a day. It is a good starting point to get you used to vaping and is enough to keep the cravings away.
- 18 -20mg nicotine – This is the highest nicotine level you can get and is for people who get through a serious amount of cigarettes a day, because this is such a high strength not all vaping devices support this high level of nicotine.You can learn more about nicotine here:
Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerine(VG)
Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) are used to make e-liquid for e-cigarettes. If the e-liquid is made from a reputable manufacturer PG and VG are mixed so you can get the benefits of both.
What is Propylene Glycol (PG)?
Let’s put the scientific spectacles on for a minute, in scientific terms PG is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH₃CHCH₂OH.
It is both colourless and odourless with a low viscosity, meaning it is a thinner e-liquid, the opposite of VG e-liquid which is a thicker liquid and is often used in food production (as a preservative).
It carries the flavour of your e-liquid which gives you the hit you would expect from traditional cigarettes.
Why is PG used in e-liquids??
- It is in a thinner liquid, it is easier to handle when it comes to filling and re-filling.
- Because PG is thinner, using a PG e-liquid means less build-up and gunk on the coil of your vaping kit making it last longer.
- It absorbs heat much faster too meaning you can start vaping quicker once your vape is switched on and ready to go.
- Tasteless and odourless, it doesn’t interfere with the flavour of your e-liquid.
- They also produce a less dense vapour so your clouds won’t be that big!
What is Vegetable Glycerine (VG)?
Vegetable Glycerine is an all-natural liquid that is extracted from plant oil and goes by the chemical formula C3H8O3.
As opposed to PG, VG is a much thicker and sometimes sweeter liquid. VG is what creates the big vapour clouds that you see when people are vaping.
Why is VG used in vaping liquid?
- Because it is a thicker liquid, you can produce impressive clouds!
- Easier on the throat, it delivers less of a flavour hit.
- It contains flavour and sweetness of its own making the final product sweeter, although many people say that the overall flavour is ‘duller’.
- There are some downsides to VG e-liquid, one of which is the gunk that can accumulate on the coil. It also needs more power to reach optimal temperature before you can start vaping.
*Note: PG based e-liquids carry a very small risk of allergic reaction.*
Mixing PG & VG
Many manufactures tend mix PG and VG for example our Tropical Mango is a high VG e-liquid. The VG percentage is more than half of the total content, this means that it requires a high powered sub ohm style device to be vaped optimally.
Sub ohm vaping is when the coil you’re using is rated at an ohm rating under 1.0 Ohms. Sub Ohm vaping produces more vapour, more clouds and in-turn more flavour from your e-liquid. together the reason being is that it gives the user the best of both worlds and there are a few different ratios you can go with:
These are the main ratios
These are the three main ingredients found in most e-liquids however there can be a lot more ingredients depending mainly on the flavour you choose.
Flavours
There are thousands of e-liquid flavours out there and everyone’s palate is different but there will most likely there be a flavour out there that you love. One of our most popular flavours is the Yum Yum Pineapple with its fruity, sweet and tropical taste. Other popular types of flavours, some of these are
- Fruity
- Dessert
- Drink
Just to name a few and each one of these comes with hundreds of flavours
What are Nic Shots?
Nic Shots are in essence are the exact same form of nicotine that you would find in tobacco. It may be addictive but nicotine on its own carries far fewer toxins and nasties found in tobacco itself.
A few things to note about Nic Shots:
- Nic Shots is the natural state of nicotine.
- When you purchase Nic Shots, you add it to your chosen vaping liquid.
- It has a better absorption rate meaning you get a stronger hit of nicotine that lasts longer.
Reasons why people opt to use Nic Shots
As well as a better nicotine hit, Nic Shots are a better option for people who don’t vape regularly as they give a longer-lasting nicotine hit. They can be an effective ‘nicotine replacement’ option for people who smoke more than one cigarette a day.
Some users say that Nic Shots offer a smoother vape that is also more flavoursome. Nic Shots are compatible with many mods and vapes, making them a cost-effective option too.
If you require a higher nicotine strength then Nic Shots are the way to go.
*Note: Too much nicotine can make you feel unwell and nauseated*
Using Nic Shots
Using a Nic Shot is extremely straightforward, the only thing you need to ensure is the Nic Shot mix is the same as the E Liquid you’re using it with. For example, if your Shortfill is made from 70% VG and 30% PG, your Nic Shot should also be made with the same ratio. We stock 70/30 Nic Shots, 50/50 Nic Shots, 70/30 Nic Salt Shots and 50/50 Nic Salt Shots so you can always match the perfect shot with your perfect mix.
Shortfills
When shopping around for e-liquid you may have come across something called shortfills but are not sure what it entails exactly.
We are here to break it down for you.
Shortfill E-liquids are larger e-liquid bottles of 0mg nicotine free vape with extra space in the bottle to add Nic shots. The name shortfill means exactly what it says on the tin, they are bottles that have space at the top to add your Nic shot hens the name shortfill. Our shortfill bottles are 120ml Short fill bottles with 20ml available capacity left over for nicotine shots.
- Remove the cap and nib from your chosen non-nicotine based shortfill. A pair of non-slip gloves and/or a small tool lever the nib off will help with this.
- Remove the cap and tamper seal from the nicotine shot. Slowly squeeze the contents of your bottle into your non-nicotine based shortfill, being careful to ensure no spillages occur. Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly with warm water if any spillages do occur.
- Once the nicotine shot has been fully decanted into your non-nicotine shortfill, replace the nib, removing any temporary silicone seals that were present, ensuring that it makes a solid seal.
- Replace cap, and hand shake the bottle thoroughly for five to ten minutes to ensure the full mixture of both your shortfill and nicotine strength.
- Come in a larger bottle than normal (the regular e-liquid bottle in the UK is 10ml)
- Does not contain any nicotine (they are 0mg e-liquids, aka nicotine-free)
How to mix a shortfill e-liquid:
Ensure you add your chosen Nic Shot to a 0mg, non-nicotine based e-liquid.
MTL and DTL vaping
Mouth to Lung (MTL)
This is achieved by using less airflow on the atomiser and drawing the vapour into your mouth with your cheeks before inhaling into your lungs, replicating the effect of smoking.
- Best vaping style for new comers
- Produces less vapour and smell
- Can be done with a basic kit
- Ability to vape higher nicotine content or Nic salts
- MTL tanks use less e-liquid
Lung Inhale (DTL)
This is achieved by using more airflow (usually in the larger atomisers with wider drip tips) and using your lungs to draw the vapour whilst inhaling directly into the lungs.
- Best for experienced vapers
- Feels less like smoking a cigarette
- Epic cloud production
- More advanced kit required
- Some e-liquids are blended to present their flavours better when DTL vaping
- DTL vaping uses more e-liquid
Making the Switch?
Are you considering switching from traditional cigarettes to e-cigs then we have a few tips for you that could make the switch easier.
Depending how much you smoke will depend on how easy for you to move over to vaping, the best way to make the switch is generally to swap gradually rather than do what’s called a cold turkey (meaning you stop smoking altogether), this has the lowest success rate of around 5% of people that try this method do not succeed. Of course this is can differ from person to person, some people can move to vaping quickly and others it can take some time.
It might be best that if you want to move away from cigarettes all together then choosing a flavour that doesn’t resemble the taste of tobacco maybe an option for you, but some people like to stick with tobacco flavour, menthol is also a good starting flavour and when you start getting used to vaping you can try more exotic flavours.
Things to make notes of if you are moving from smoking to vaping
- There is an e-cigarette for pretty much anyone. When you first start vaping you may not have or know the ideal e-cig until you try it. Not all smokers use the same brand of cigarettes, and this analogy carries over to e-cigs. Not all e-cigs are suited to all vapers. It may take a few different e-cigs to find the right one for you.
- The first few times you vape you will most likely cough this is completely normal when you are first starting out as vaping is different from smoking and generally feels thicker than inhaling smoke. There is no need to worry as this should pass within the first few days.
- Aside for coughing you may also experience a dry mouth and nose when first starting out, this is also completely normal as it can take time for your body to adjust and the best option is to have some water with you when you start vaping which should ease the dry nose and mouth.
- It can take time to get used to something new especially if you have been doing it for years. Some people can more straight to vaping while others will cut down over time.
- Vape like a vaper, not a smoker. If you are new to vaping then this can be confusing at first, unlike cigarettes where you can puff harder and get more smoke this is not the case with an e-cig as it needs time to produce vapour so take slow and steady puffs to allow your vaping device to produce vapour.
- Since you can take you e-cig anywhere with you it can be tempting to keep taking a draw when you feel like it and if you have a higher nicotine level then it may cause side effects. What are the side effects of vaping too much nicotine? Some mild side effects are similar to smoking too much, and that pass just as quickly: typically a headache, mild nausea, or dizziness. If you experience and of these side effects while vaping stop and wait for these to pass. If this happens every time you vape, the chances are your nicotine strength is too high.
How to use e-cigs and e-liquid
How to use a Vape Pen
You can have a look at our pervious section here to understand the parts of a vape pen, there may be some difference between vape pens as some are made slightly different.
Accessories for your vape pen
Like with any device these days, there are certain accessories that are a must and people like to make their e-cig their own like you would with a mobile phone for example. While your vape pen is easily portable, it is also very fragile, particularly if you are using pre-filled cartridges. From replacement parts, batteries, carry cases, and chargers just to name a few.
How to load a cartridge into you vape pen
There are two main ways to load your chamber the first is to collect a small amount from the container with the dab tool or dabber and place it into the chamber. And the second is you can opt for pre-filled oil cartridges that are easy to replace. Simply unscrew the empty and screw on the new on.
How to use the vape pen button
Simply press the button and inhale while keeping the button pressed. There are some vape pens that are specifically used for cannabis oils which we also sell here, and these may not have the button, so in this case all you need to do is inhale (known as “auto draw”. Small sips are generally the way to go, so avoid inhaling as hard and as deep as you can.
Depending on the vape pen you use these settings may differ so always read the instructions that come with your vape pen.
- Turn on: 5 clicks
- Adjust the heat: 3 clicks
- Inhale: press and hold
- Turn off: 5 clicks
Vape pen users have their preferences when it comes to models with activation buttons or “auto draw” (meaning they’re activated simply by inhaling on the mouthpiece). The advantage of activation buttons is that they offer more control over temperature. The button heats the chamber as you hold it down, so be sure to hold the button down as you’re taking your hit.
Keep it charged
Like with your phone if you use it a lot when you are out it is a good idea to keep it charged, the best time to do this is a night when you are asleep as it will be charged by the time you get up. It might be worthwhile also to get a carry case for your e-cig if you take it with you as most cases will be able to house all your accessories. A battery bank may also be a good option as well as a spare battery if you find yourself somewhere that doesn’t have a power outlet.
Disposable e-cigs
If you are traveling and don’t want to deal with the hassle of a non-disposable e-cigs then there you can pick up a disposable one or single-use e-cig, these are mainly one time use vape pens so when you have used up all the liquid you can just dispose of it, which makes it great for travelling.
How to refill your Mod & Tank e-cig
How to use e-cigs and e-liquid
As with smoking there are rules and regulations when it comes to vaping in public and you’ll need to be aware that there’s such a thing as vaping etiquette. So when you’re out and about and want to vape, think of others and vape wisely. Then you’ll be all set to enjoy your vape gear and the exciting e-liquids, exploring great new flavours along the way.
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