Have you decided to stop smoking and switch to vaping? If so, there are likely a few things you'd like to know and bits of kit you need to buy before you can get going.
Switching from smoking to vaping can seem confusing at first, as cigarettes are swapped for E-Liquid, but here we will share the basics to get you started on your journey to quitting tobacco.
What Vape Should A Beginner Use?
To vape, you’ll need a device that vaporises E-Liquid into the vapour you inhale and exhale. There are several types of devices on the market, from cheap and cheerful disposables to mod kits that are more of an investment for custom vaping. So which should you start with as a beginner?
Pod Vapes For Beginners
Pod vapes are one of the best choices for those new to vaping. They offer convenience and ease of use, as they are pre-filled with E-Liquid and don’t require you to change coils or wicks. Usually, all you need to do is slot in a cartridge of E-Liquid and inhale to vape, so you don’t need to worry about fiddly buttons or vape kit maintenance.
You can get closed pod vapes, where you just dispose of the E-Liquid cartridge and replace it with a new one when you have vaped it all. Alternatively, open pod vapes have a refillable cartridge that can last a few refills.
Our recommended pod vape, the nzo vape starter kit, offers both closed pre-filled E-Liquid pod cartridges filled with RED Liquids vape juice and a refillable pod option. The pods come with silicone covers so you can switch between flavours without having to empty the tank first.
Disposable Vapes For Beginners
An increasingly popular option for beginners to vaping is disposable vapes. They are pre-filled and ready to vape - you don’t need to charge it, refill it, press any buttons or change any parts.
Brands such as Elf Bar, Geek Bar, Elux and nzo novo all offer simple vapes with delicious flavours that are ideal for those switching to vaping.
Disposables are particularly good for social smokers and those who travel or go to festivals, as you can just buy one to enjoy for the evening or weekend and then dispose of it when you are finished.
Vape Pens For Beginners
Vape pens are a vaping device comprising four essential parts, a mouthpiece, an E-Liquid tank, a coil heating element and a battery. When a button is pushed, the battery causes the coil to heat the E-Liquid, turning it into a vapour. The vapour then gets drawn through the mouthpiece when you inhale.
Vape pens have long been recommended for beginners, as they provide mouth-to-lung vaping experiences similar to smoking, with more control over the E-Liquid and coils used.
However, a pen device will require you to manually change coils and wicks, and refill tanks of E-Liquid, which can be a bit fiddly and confusing for a beginner, which is why simpler kits like pods and disposables are increasingly preferred.
What is a Coil?
The coil is a vital element of the vape, which helps to heat and vaporise the E-Liquid. The coil also features a wick that draws the E-Liquid to the coil.
On average, coils need to be replaced in your vape every couple of weeks. This advice is dependent on usage, though, so someone who rarely vapes could go a month or more, whereas someone who constantly puffs may need to change it after a few days!
As such, it's always a good idea to have a few extra coils to hand for when it needs changing. It's good practice to routinely change the coil every couple of weeks to get the most out of your device and keep it running smoothly. You'll also need to change it if you hear a gurgling noise or the vape gives off a burnt taste.
Finding the Right Vape Kit for You
Your very first vape device might not be an exact fit for you forever. Luckily, there are many different vaping devices out there, as well as kits that can be customised and adapted to suit your needs and experience. You'll probably discover different mods or tanks that appeal to you as you learn more about what you want from your vape.
How to Choose the Right E-Liquid
The next step when starting to vape is to choose an E-Liquid. The most significant consideration when picking an E-Liquid is strength. If you're switching to vaping from smoking, this usually depends on how many cigarettes you smoke a day.
As a guide, we recommend:
- Light smokers (1-5 cigarettes a day) - 6mg/ml.
- Light/Moderate smokers (5-15 cigarettes a day) - 10mg/ml.
- Moderate/Heavy smokers (15-20 cigarettes a day) - 14mg/ml.
- Heavy smokers (20+ cigarettes a day) - 18mg/ml.
0mg E-Liquid
There are also nicotine-free 0mg E-Liquids that provide a flavoured vapour, which can be chosen instead if you would like to replicate an act similar to smoking without intaking any nicotine.
0mg E-Liquids with a high level of vegetable glycerin (VG) are often used for cloud-chasing, the act of blowing massive vapour clouds.
Shortfills
Shortfills are bottles of 0mg E-liquid that aren't filled, allowing you to add a Nic shot booster and control the amount of nicotine vaped. Shortfills can also offer a more varied flavour selection or make more significant clouds for those looking for a more exciting vaping experience!
What Flavour E-Liquid Should I Choose?
Once you've selected the strength of E-Liquid you want, you can explore and experiment with the different flavours on offer. There's something for everyone, from familiar flavours for smokers like tobacco and menthol E-Liquid to more inventive options, like sweets, desserts and drinks!
Here at RED Box Vape, we have everything you need to get started with vaping, from vape kits to a vast range of E-Liquids.
Check out our range, or get in touch with our expert team, who will be happy to assist you in finding the perfect vape experience for you to start with on your journey to quitting smoking! Many team members have had personal experiences with using vaping to help quit smoking and understand the challenges this transition can present.