Introductory guide to buying your first Electronic Cigarette

Welcome to the world of electronic cigarettes! This guide will cover a few of the things you might want to look for when purchasing your first device and liquid, as well as what each part does and how choose the device that's a right fit for you.

Devices come in all shapes and sizes and choosing one for the first time can be an overwhelming experience - what do you need, will these two piece work together, what nicotine strength should I get? This guide should give you a few pointers for a new device. To get started you'll need e-liquid, a battery, a tank / cartomizer, and a coil. The following information is provided to allow you to make a better decision when choosing a device.

Vape Device History

In 2003, a Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik developed the first Electronic Cigarette, Ruyan to the Asian and Middle East markets. In 2007, the US allowed the importation of e-cigarettes, but the first Vape Devices to North America became popular only in 2009.  Here is a pic of one of the 1st Vape Devices to North America, it is 3-part design (rechargeable Battery, Atomizer, and Cartomizer):

The Vaping market has come a long way from when we started out in 2009, then know as Electronic-Cigz.com.  E-Cigz was one of the pioneers in this new Vaping industry, and came out with some of the first Vape products to the Canadian/US/Global market with Kits including the Ultra M401 PowerPal / PowerPal M401 PCC Kits, and then the PowerPal Disposable Vape. The very first Vape Devices like the Ultra M401 were very small, they had tiny rechargeable Batteries (180mAh), and the refillable Cartomizer only held about 0.1ml of E-Liquid!!  Pre-filled Cartomizers also became popular for users that didn't want the fuss of refilling e-liquid. Here is a pic of the E-Cigz PowerPal Ultra M601 PCC Kit from 2009 (Back in the day was - $84.99 with 10ml bottle of Crystal E-Liquid ????:)
 

The next generation of Vape devices had a larger Batteries (called eGo), and a new generation of tanks called Clearomizers (1st Gen of 1-piece design contained the wicking material, an e-liquid chamber, and an atomizer coil within a single clear component). Along with the small eGo type Vape's, larger mechanical Mod Vape Devices (coined from Vape Devices that were originally modified from Battery Flashlight's), with much larger 18650 batteries, and 510 Vape Tanks started to become available as some Vapers were looking for longer battery-life, bigger nic hits (throat-hit), and big clouds bro!!  Here is a pic of the Silver Bullet from 2010:

In 2017 JUUL, a US based company revolutionized the Vape Market with a new small rechargeable device, that looked sleek like a USB-drive, and used pre-filled high strength nicotine flavored Pods. These 'sexy' devices, were marketed and popularized by some celebrities , suddenly the Vape market exploded (especially younger users).  JUUL was one of the pioneers of using Salt Nicotine in much higher strengths than before (up to 59mg).  Other pre-filled salt nic Vape devices soon came to market such as Imperial Tobacco's VUSE (Vype) ePod, and the Canadian STLTH devices.  Shortly after this, Salt Nic Disposable devices soon became popular in the market as well.

Vape E-Liquid History

The first Vape E-Liquids available were all Freebase Nicotine, available in small 10ml, 15ml plastic bottles in Strengths of 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24mg.  Again, E-Cigz was a vape pioneer and developed the US-made E-Liquid line of Crystal E-Liquid, in green Glass Bottles with silver Drippers.  Back in the day, Crystal E-Liquid was $7.49 for a 10ml Bottle! Here is a pic of a video review of Crystal E-Liquid's RY4 15ml back in Aug 2010:

As the Vape market evolved into larger devices, E-Liquid started to become available in larger bottles, first 30ml bottles, then later, 60ml and larger. E-Liquid has 4 main components; PG (Propylene Glycol), VG (Vegetable Glycerin), Flavoring, and Nicotine. The majority of E-Liquid sold has a ratio of 50% PG, 50% VG, but some E-Liquids started to become available in a ratio of 30% PG, 70% VG (High VG E-Liquid).  High VG E-Liquid is a thicker liquid, and has a denser vape smoke that hangs in the air longer than 50/50 liquid.  Vapers using large Mod type vapes began to make High VG liquid popular in 2015, with huge clouds, and even Vape Cloud competitons. Typically, big Mod type devices, with large Tanks were designed for heavy High VG liquid, and the smaller Vape devices were designed to be used with thinner 50/50 E-Liquid.  In 2017 JUUL popularized a newer type of E-Liquid with Salt Nicotine rather than Freebase Nicotine.  Salt Nic has a much lower Ph level, enabling Vapers to use much higher strengths of Nicotine without the harsh throat-hit of high strength Freebase Nicotine.  Salt Nic became very popular in 2020 in pre-filled pod devices like the JUUL, STLTH, and VYPE ePod, with 20mg, 35mg, and 50mg strength flavored Pods.  Disposable devices that use Salt Nic like the ALLO, Ghost XL, and PuffBar exploded onto the market as well with many different Flavor choices, and sizes (also usually in 20mg, 35mg, or 50mg).

Vape Device Type

The Vaping market has come full circle again in 2020-2021. There are now three main types of Vape devices available; Disposable Vapes (like ALLO, PuffBar, and Ghost), Pre-Filled Pod Vapes (like JUUL, VUSE, and STLTH), and Refillable Pod/Mod Vapes (like the SMOK NovoX, and Uwell Caliburn G.  

Disposable Vapes (like the PuffBar, ALLO, and GhostXL) are the easiest to use, there is no recharging, or filling - just open, use, throw away.  PuffBar was the first widely available Disposable, but now there are many brands to choose from.  Disposable Vapes use Nic Salt E-Liquid, mostly available in very high strengths of 20mg, 35mg, or 50mg.  These devices are available in a variety of sizes from 1.1ml to 6ml of e-liquid, and have lots of Flavors to choose from.

Pre-Filled Vapes (like the JUUL, VUSE, and STLTH) have a Rechargeable Battery, and use pre-filled Pods.  These also use Nic Salt E-Liquid in high strengths of 20mg, 35mg, or 50mg, and have a wider variety of Flavored Pods available than Disposables.  These devices are usually more economical than using throw-away Disposable Vapes, but you still are disposing of the pre-filled Pods after use.

Refillable Pod Kits are the most expensive Vape Devices to initially purchase, but are much more economical for long-term use.  The Batteries are rechargeable, larger than Pre-Filled devices, with much longer battery-life (usually enough for full-day use). The Pod Tanks hold much more liquid than Disposables, and the variety in Flavours, and Strengths is countless.  These devices usually are designed for use with either Freebase, or Nic Salt E-Liquid. With a Refillable Pod device, you will also have to make a choice of Strength, and Flavour E-Liquid to purchase.

What Size?

As a new user, you have many different options, and we can help you find the one that will suit your preferences.  Salt Nic devices are excellent for people looking to completly quit smoking cigarettes, and are having a difficult time with nicotine reduction.  Disposable, and Pre-filled devices are a good choice for people who want to see if Vaping will work for them at a low cost, or those who want a no fuss device.  Refillable Pod devices are an excellent choice for those looking for a long-term investment, and more economical choice.

Choosing the right battery is important since it'll dictate your battery life and the amount of power that will be provided to the coil. There are a number of things you should know about when choosing a battery; firstly, the battery type.

Almost all types of Vape device these days are available in a wide choice of Sizes. Disposable devices have batteries that are smaller, and are typically designed to last only for a day or two of usage, before disposing.  Pre-filled devices have rechargeable batteries, and pre-filled pods. Refiilable devices usually have much larger batteries, with variable power buttons, and larger liquid capacity.  Some larger refillable devices use removable 18650 batteries, just like the OG Mods. These 'Mods' are larger, more powerful, and typically more expensive than smaller vapes, but they can fire more powerful coils which allows greater vapor production, flavour, and more nicotine delivery. They also feature a display with battery life, running power, and the coil's resistance.  Refillable Vape devices give uesers the most choices and flexiblity with many options of types of Coil resistance, Tank sizes, longer battery-life, and the ability to use either Freebase, or Salt Nic E-Liquid. 

When purchasing a battery, the maximum Watts (W) is an indicator of how much power the device is able to put out. The higher the number, the more powerful the device is. 

The length of battery life is dictated by mAh, or Milliamp hours. The higher the number, the longer the battery will last between charges. That said, the higher the number gets the bigger the device is likely to be. If you want a device to be as small as possible, keep in mind that you will be charging it often!

For certain box mods, a seperate, external battery may be required (and is becoming standard practice over internal, non-removable batteries where the whole device would need to be replaced when the batteries finally die) though most box mods allow the battery to be charged in the device, eliminating the need for an external charger as well.

Batteries are usually rated for 500 charging cycles - as with any battery, your phone, laptop, or anything else with a rechargable cell, they will eventually hold less and less of a charge until they become effectively unusable. This is completely normal, and is a limitation of battery technology.

Pods and Tanks

Pre-filled Pods come in a variety of Flavors, and different nicotine strengths. Most pre-filled pods are typically between 0.7ml - 2ml of liquid. They are usually available in 2% (20mg), 3.5% (35mg), or 5% (50mg) nic slat strengths. Each company have varying amounts of Flavour Pod options. One Pre-filled Pod of 50mg strength is about the equal of 1-2 packs of cigarettes, depending on the size.

Refillable Tanks/Pods come in a much larger variety of choices.  Some are designed for use with either Salt Nic, and/or Freebase E-Liquid. They can range in liquid capacity of 2ml - 5ml.  Most are also available in different Coil, or Pod Resistances, giving users more choices for their preferred Vaping style.  E-Liquid choices for these type of Refillable devices is countless, with hundreds of E-Liquid companies, and Flavour/Strength choices.

E-Liquid

E-liquid comes in many flavours, sizes, strengths, and concentrations of PG and VG, but they all contain the same basic ingredients.

PG - Propylene Glycol (found in coffee-based drinks, liquid sweeteners, ice cream, whipped dairy products and soda), is a viscous, colorless liquid, which is nearly odorless but possesses a faintly sweet taste. This is known as a very safe compound and so is the perfect candidate to use in e-liquid. It helps to carry the flavour and keep everything mixed together, similar to an emulsifier. Some people have an intolerance to PG, though this is quite rare. It is a thin colourless and odourless liquid, similar in viscosity to water.

VG - Vegetable Glycerine. Found in coffee, ice cream, shampoo, and many many other things. (You've likely consumed some today without realising it!) VG is another compound found in e-liquid that is known to be safe. This is a thicker liquid, with a much greater viscosity than PG or water but is still a colourless, odourless liquid. Because of its thickness, e-liquid with a higher concentration of VG is best suited for larger devices that have been designed to use High VG E-Liquid. It gives move visible vapor and a smoother feeling on the throat, but has been know to cause Vapers Tongue to some users (inability to taste the same Flavour over continuos usage).

Flavouring - Different companies will use different flavourings for their liquids, but most are synthetic. Organic / Natural flavourings are available, though somewhat rare. Avoid flavouring that is intended for food use, as it may not be safe for inhalation. Similarly, do not ingest flavouring that is not intended for inhalation. It may seem like common sense, but some cheaper liquids use flavourings that are not suitable or not intended for inhalation. Be sure to buy E-Liquid only from trusted Vape E-Liquid companies.

Nicotine - Liquid is available in Freebase Strengths of; 0mg, 3mg, 6mg, and 12mg.  The higher the concentration of nicotine, the harsher the liquid will be on your throat. So, if you enjoy the hit on your throat that a cigarette gives, then go for a Freebase liquid with higher nicotine. The reverse is true if you would like to have a smoother vape, with less nicotine giving a smoother feeling, or you can choose Salt Nic E-Liquid. Salt Nic E-Liquid is usually available in Strengths of; 10mg, 20mg, 35mg, and 50mg.  Although the nicotine strengths are much higher than Freebase options, the lower Ph-level of Salt Nic does not produce the same harsh throat-hit.

 Over time, nicotine may start to turn your liquid brown; this is completely normal and doesn't alter the liquid aside from its colour. This is simply the oxidation of nicotine when in the presense of oxygen and sunlight, and it is recommended that you keep your liquid somewhere cool and dark to keep it as fresh as possible.

For further reading, check out our FAQ page for more information on how to maintain and care for your device, and for a little more information on electronic cigarettes.

If you still have any questions, feel free to contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as we're able.