Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to enjoy nicotine or other substances without the harmful effects of smoking. In fact, over 9 million American adults used e-cigarettes in 2020. However, for those who are new to vaping, it can be a bit overwhelming.
There are a lot of different types of vapes and e-liquids to choose from, and it can be hard to know where to start. In this vaping for beginners guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to vape. Read on to learn the ins and outs of vaping.
Choose Your Device
First things first, is selecting the right device. The two main types of vape devices are vape mods and e-cigarettes. Vape mods are a lot larger, and they are also more powerful with customizable features. E-cigarettes are a lot simpler and they are also smaller.
There are plenty of features to choose from if you want a vaporizer that is a bit more technical. Some vape devices allow you to change the temperature in your vaporizer. There are also some devices that have a digital display full of features that you can opt from.
Some devices are a lot more simple if you want something that works well but does not have a bunch of confusing customizable options. There are even disposable vapes where you do not have any features to deal with you simply discard the vape when you are done with it. These are one of the most convenient options because you never have to worry about filling or maintaining the pen, it is ready to use and then throw away when done.
When you are choosing your device you have to also think about your budget. How much are you willing to spend? Please keep in mind that you always get what you pay for so, if you opt for a more expensive device it is probably better quality.
E-Liquid
The next step is choosing your e-liquid. This is the liquid that is vaporized when you vape. There are plenty of flavors to choose from and also many nicotine strengths.
If you prefer a higher amount of nicotine you can opt for 12 mg to 60 mg and this is best with lower power. For medium nicotine you will need to opt for 6 mg to 12 mg, and it is best with either low or medium power. Lower nicotine amounts are between 0 mg to 6 mg and best when used with higher power.
There are also e-liquids that do not contain any nicotine if you prefer no nicotine. In the event that you don’t know what the right nicotine level is for you, you can evaluate the bracket you think you would appreciate more. There are even extra high levels of nicotine available if you need that you can feel faster and they are a more intense experience.
After you choose your e-liquid flavor and nicotine level make sure that the device you chose will work correctly with the level of nicotine you chose.
Prime Your Coil
Depending on your vape device you might need to prime your coil before you even start vaping. This will ensure that the coil is saturated with the right amount of e-liquid. If the coil is not saturated enough it will lead to dry hits and other issues.
The easiest way to prime your coil is to add a few drops of e-liquid directly on the coil. Just make sure you do not over saturate the coil because it will cause flooding among other issues.
Settings
For a vaporizer that is more advanced and techy, you will need to also adjust your settings before you start to inhale and vape. Adjusting the settings can vary, but for the most part you will adjust the settings like this:
First, turn on the pen and press the power button or click it multiple times until it turns on. Next, check the display screen to see what the current settings are. Then, use the buttons to adjust the settings.
You might have to click a certain button to adjust the wattage and a different button to adjust the temperature. If you are not 100% sure about how to adjust the settings for your model, you can refer to the user manual that the pen came with. Make sure you follow the recommended wattage and temperature to not accidentally burn out your pen.
Inhale and Enjoy
Once your device is set up, it’s time to start vaping. Inhaling a pen does not have to be complicated, you have to simply press the button on your device and inhale. Make sure you take slow, steady puffs to get the most out of your vaping experience, so you don’t end up with a rush of nicotine that doesn’t feel right and to avoid dealing with a cough attack.
There are two types of inhalation techniques you can become familiar with. The best technique depends on the vape that you want to use. The two common inhalation techniques include direct-lung and mouth-to-lung:
Direct Lung
If you have a larger vape with low resistance coils and lower nicotine amounts, direct lung inhaling is the most ideal. When you take a drag on one of these devices you will usually feel like you are sucking air through a milkshake straw.
A direct lung inhale will make the most amount of vapor and it will almost feel like taking a hit out of a bong. The main difference from a bong hit is that it is smoother and easier on the lungs because you normally do this with either no nicotine or very low amounts of nicotine.
First, you have to quickly draw the vapor right to your lungs and then exhale the vape you inhale almost immediately after. If the device you are using has an adjustable airflow, the amount of nicotine is the easiest way to gauge how to inhale it.
A good rule of thumb is 6 mg for direct lung inhales.
Mouth-to-Lung
This inhale works best with smaller vapes that have high resistance coils with higher nicotine levels. When you take a drag no matter how big or small the device is, this will feel like you are sucking air through a coffee straw.
Mouth-to-lung draws will make low vapor and will feel more like you are smoking. This draw should be tight and give the type of hit to the throat that many smokers crave.
First you will slowly draw the vapor into your mouth for a few seconds and hold the vape in your mouth for a second or two. Then, you will open your mouth and breathe the vapor into your lungs but not swallow it. Last, you will exhale after the vapor is in your lungs.
Cigar Puff
This is not technically a type of inhale, but there are some users that opt to not inhale to the lungs and instead puff on the vape like it’s a cigar. You can use the cigar puff technique with either high powered or low powered devices.
Although it might sound like you are not getting nicotine with a cigar puff you are consuming the nicotine because it is still getting absorbed into your mucus membranes. There are people that actually prefer the cigar puff and say that inhaling directly into the lungs is not even necessary.
Maintain Your Device
If you want your device to have a long lifespan you need to maintain it. Take the time to clean it on a regular basis to avoid gunk from accumulating. You can use a microfiber cloth or a cotton swab to help clean the outside of the device.
Do not forget to clean the mouthpiece and the tank regularly as well. You can use either a cleaning solution or warm water to clean these parts. Also, pay attention to the small parts and replace them as needed.
Sometimes you will have to replace the coil to ensure that you are getting the best vape experience possible. The coil is the part of the pen that heats up and vaporizes the e-liquid.
After some time this coil will wear out and will affect the quality of your vaping experience. Usually you have to replace your coil every few weeks to make sure that your device functions properly.
Something else you have to think about is charging the battery correctly. You never want to overcharge your battery, so make sure you unplug it from the charger once the battery is fully charged. Also, make sure you use the charger that came with your device because this charger was meant to be used with that specific vape pen.
Once in a while check your mouthpiece and tank for any leaks. A leak will affect the quality of your vaping experience, so you need to catch them before they get worse.
Last but not least, make sure you store your vape pen correctly. This will ensure that your vape pen functions to the best of its ability. You never want to put your pen in direct sunlight or leave it in a hot car, instead keep it in a dry and cool location.
What and Where Do You Want to Vape?
Something that you need to take into consideration is what exactly you want to vape. We spoke about vaping e-liquids above, but you also have the option of vaping concentrates or dry herbs.
If you opt to vape dry herbs you need to choose a device that is specifically designed for dry herb vaping. You will need to use a grinder to grind your dry herbs into a very fine consistency. This is going to ensure that you vaporize evenly and it will give you a better flavor.
When vaping dry herbs you will need to use a tool to pack your ground dry herbs into the vaporizer’s chamber. Keep in mind that you do not want to over-pack the chamber because it will affect the vapor’s quality. Depending on the dry herb you need to vaporize, it will vaporize at different temperatures.
Make sure you read the instructions for your specific model to make sure you choose the best temperature for the herbs you are vaping. Normally you will use between 350-400°F when vaping dry herbs. Once you set your temperature you will wait for the vaporizer to heat up to the desired temperature, which can take a few minutes depending on the type of vaporizer you are using.
After it is heated up, you will inhale from the mouthpiece to draw the vapor into your lungs. Then you will take slow and steady puffs, which will help you get the most out of your dry herb vaping experience.
You also have to decide where you are planning on vaping. Do you want to vape in the privacy of your home or are you planning on vaping while you are out and about? There are some vaporizers that have a sleek and inconspicuous design and there are others that are less discreet.
Now You Know How to Vape
Now that you learned everything there is to know about how to vape, this can be a great alternative to smoking. Follow our tips above, and you can get started with vaping and enjoy all the benefits vaping has to offer. Please do not forget to maintain your device so that it can last as long as possible.
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