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Welcome to E-Cig 101!
Tardy again?? Well it's OK, here at E-Cig 101 there is no homework, no mid-terms or thesis to write and best of all no outrageous tuition fees! You can even vape or pop a beer in class if you like. E-Cigs are basically pretty simple & a lot of fun and we think that learning about them should be too!
E-Cig 101 covers the basic information about E-Cigs in general and newer technologies in particular. The devices have changed tremendously since the days of the 510 & 901!
What is an Electronic Cigarette?
The E-Cig was first developed in 2003 by a Chinese firm, SBT. An Electronic Cigarette (E-Cig) is a device that uses electricity to vaporize a liquid (E-Liquid or Juice) to create a vapor that is inhaled similiar to smoke from a cigarette. Unlike a traditional cigarette nothing is burned and there are no ashes or cigarette butts to deal with.
Here's the components of a modern
Advanced Device Kit.
Although both create a vapor by bringing liquid in to contact with an electrically charged coil that is where the similarities end. The Battery (also referred to as a Mod, Box Mod. Personal Vaporizer or PV) - A modern battery is much larger & more powerful and the power is adjustable. A typical battery can supply from 5 watts to upwards of 200 depending on the model and most are also capable of coil temperature control when using a compatible coil, Nickel or NI, Titanium or TI and Stainless Steel or SS. When using the temperature control feature the user sets a desired coil temperature and the battery automatically controls the power to achieve and maintain it. As for capacity, the old 510 batteries had a storage capacity of 180 mAh (milliamp hours) while a Mod battery will typically feature a capacity of 2000 to 5000 mAh. Keep in mind though that these devices use much more power & they also go through liquid more quickly. An important distinction with Mod batteries is whether they use an internal power cell(s) (permanent) or external (removable) batteries, i.e. 18650. The internal mods have the advantages of increased convenience as nothing has to be disassembled to recharge them and they can be used while they are charging, they also are generally smaller in size & lighter. With an external Mod the batteries in most cases are removed for charging (although many can be charged using a built in USB port). One key advantage to the removable batteries is that when the batteries no longer charge properly you simply replace the batteries and not the entire Box Mod. The Tank (also referred to a Tank Atomizer, Subohm Tank or Subtank) - In the illustration above components 2-5 comprise the tank. Tanks are available in a wide range of liquid capacities, coil types, metal the coil is made of and also how they are filled with liquid. Most of the newer tanks allow you to fill easily without removal from the battery or any disassembly. Coils made of Nickel (NI), Titanium (TI) & Stainless Steel (SS) are capable of temperature control. We feature these components in our Advanced Device Components category.
What is E-Liquid?
E-Liquid or "juice" is mostly comprised of three basic ingredients:
1) Propylene Glycol (PG) and/or Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
PG and VG are common compounds used in many household & food products such as toothpaste & shampoos. It is also commonly found in food colorings & mixes. It is used in these applications for the same purpose as it used in E-Liquid, to suspend or keep the other ingredients mixed and properly distributed. In E-Liquid the PG keeps the nicotine & flavorings suspended in the liquid. Propylene Glycol is categorized by the FDA as "GRAS", which stands for Generally Regarded as Safe for inhalation.
VG is a thicker, sweeter liquid than PG. VG produces more vapor than PG. Most liquids are a blend of both PG & VG.
We Offer Two E-Liquid Blends for Most of Our American Made Flavored E-Liquids:
The blend Is the ratio of VG (Vegetable Glycerin) to PG (Propylene Glycol), flavoring/flavoring Carriers (generally PG or Alcohol) & nicotine
(excluding 0mg strength)
Standard
Blend
is 50% VG & 50% PG, flavoring/flavoring carriers & nicotine (excluding 0mg Strength) -
We Recommend This Blend For Most
Users
Max VG is approximately 60%-75% VG (varies by flavor depending on how much flavoring/carrier is
used) with the balance being flavoring/flavoring carriers & nicotine
(excluding 0mg strength). Max VG is not available for cinnamon based flavors as it will not mix properly with pure VG.
Max VG Is thicker & will produce the most vapor but may not wick (flow freely to the heating coil) properly
in all devices.
Max VG also does NOT deliver as much flavor as the standard blend - Max VG DOES contain extra flavoring to compensate but still does not provide as much flavor/flavor accuracy as the standard blend. This is the nature of VG & Is true For ALL high VG liquids.
2) Nicotine
The nicotine in E-Liquid is derived from tobacco. The strength of the nicotine in any given juice is measured in milligrams (mg) per milliliter (ml) and E-liquids are made in a variety of strengths from 36mg all the way down to nicotine free (no nicotine or 0mg). Generally:
36 mg = Extra High/comparable to Non-Filter Cigarettes
24 mg = High/comparable to Full Flavored Filtered Cigarettes
12 mg = Medium/comparable to Medium or Light Cigarettes
6 mg = Low/comparable to Light Cigarettes
3mg = Extra Low/comparable to Ultra Light Cigarettes
0mg = Zero Nicotine
We also offer a new type of liquid that is made with nicotine salt instead of traditional freebase nicotine. For more information please see our Nicotine Salt E-Liquids & Pod Systems Page.
Important!: Advanced devices using higher powered batteries (higher than 20 watts) & subohm (coil resistance of less than 1 ohm) atomizing devices will produce more vapor & deliver the nicotine much more efficiently. We highly recommend using liquid with a maximum strength of 12mg with these devices. Most users of these devices find that 0-6mg is optimal.
3) Flavoring Flavoring is added to give the juice its taste. E-liquid is available in a dizzying array of flavors from the standard USA Mix (similar to the big domestic brands) and menthol to chocolate, coffee and every fruit flavor imaginable. But this list just scratches the surface, juice is concocted and sold in just about every flavor you can think of...and some you wouldn't, or might not want to! (kung-pao chicken, anyone?). All of the E-Liquids that we sell are comprised of VG, PG, natural & artificial flavorings and nicotine (except for the 0mg-no nicotine strength). There is no water or other components added to the liquid.
All of the liquids that we sell are 100% Diacetyl free.
Please note that some flavorings such as cinnamon & some citrus flavorings are NOT compatible with plastic tanks. For these flavors we recommend use of a glass tank only.
See Our Complete Line of E-Liquid!
What We Like & Don't Like About E-Cigs
We really like the exciting new technologies of Electronic Cigarettes & are amazed at the advancements in vaping over the last eight years.
It is important to note that e-cigs & personal vaporizers are NOT approved (or classified) by the FDA, nor does the FDA approve of them as a tobacco cessation/quit smoking devices and we make no claims regarding health issues.
However, there is no doubt on a few points. E-Cigs are significantly less expensive than "analogs" and they offer a range of flavors and varieties that tobacco cigarettes will never come close to. And they do not generate the odor, the messy ashes or butts that "analogs" do.
Are they for everyone? Simply...NO. The major drawback of E-Cigs is convenience. Truth is that E-Cigs require a bit of care, maintenance and are more work than simply lighting up a cigarette and throwing away the butt.
Are E-Cigarettes for you? Well there is only one way to know for sure, try one for yourself & see!
We hope that you have found E-Cig 101 to be informative, impartial and most of all fun! For more information please see our E-Cig FAQ page.
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