For rookie vapers, there’s much to consider, especially if you’re approaching the e-cig world as a long-time smoker. Perhaps the most important immediate decision to make, though, is which kind of e-cig to purchase to start off your vaping adventure. This, yes, does require some decision-making. It’s likely you’ll want to kick-off with a relatively simple device (no doubt bought from the likes of an e cig shop London), in which case it might be a good idea to plump for a vape pen.
What vape pen style should you choose?
To be precise, vape pens are pen-like, thin tubes that essentially resemble fancy-looking fountain pens. You’ll find they’re available in an array of colours and styles and come complete with easy-to-use options and features; that’s to say you can buy small, discreet ones as well as boldly coloured efforts and bigger, very potent ones. In contrast, cigarette-style e-cig devices – otherwise known as ‘cigalikes’ – are usually thinner and all-round smaller in size than vape pens, but they are brilliantly portable and just as easy to use. They’re small in size (usually smaller and more discreet than vape pens), easily portable, and easy to use. Moreover, because many of them are specifically designed to resemble conventional cigarettes – in order to help simulate that unmistakable ‘cigarette experience’ – they’re reliable for easing would-be-ex-smokers into a smooth transition away from ciggies and on to vaping.
What makes up a vape pen?
Both vape pens and cigalikes are relatively simple devices to get the hang of, largely due to the fact they only feature a few constituent parts:
Tank/ cartridge – if it’s a refillable device, a vape pen/ cigalike will feature a tank, while if it’s a single-use device it’ll feature a cartridge; these equivalent parts are what hold the e-liquid, tanks being manufactured from polycarbonate plastic, glass or stainless steel and the first two offering the advantage of transparency so the level of fluid can be observed inside
Atomiser – a small but all-important part in that it operates as the device’s heating element so the e-liquid can be heated and converted into vapour to be inhaled
Battery – both vape pens and cigalikes are powered by batteries, small yet perfectly formed and mighty lithium ion-toting power-sources that are rechargeable and, depending on their sizes, may be capable of lasting all day long
Battery charger – any decent vape pen or cigalike worth buying should come as part of a kit that also comprises a charger for its installable batteries, which can be screwed on to the end of the device and featuring an indicator to alert the user when the battery’s fully (re)charged; e-cig battery chargers may come in the form of a USB, car-based or wall socket-compatible chargers.
How do you use a vape pen?
Finally, the following outlines how exactly a new vaper should go about using their vape pen or cigalike to deliver exactly the vape hit experience they’re after:
- First up, be sure your device is correctly charged before you get going; if you’re using it for the very first time, make sure you charge as soon as you remove it from its box so there’s no delay to your e-cig use
- If your device is a vaper pen featuring a refillable tank then, naturally, fill it up with e-liquid, but don’t do so all the way to the very top; instead fill up to the marker that indicates a full e-fluid load
- Put together the different parts that up the device; exactly which parts that’ll be, as mentioned above, will depend on exactly the device you own; in general terms, though, you’ll have to screw in the battery, put in the tank and fit in the mouthpiece so you can inhale the vapour the device produces
- Now, you’re properly ready to get going so, if your device is button-activated, press its firing button – be aware, though, that you may have to push it more than once to fire the vape pen/ cigalike depending on the device’s in-built safety precautions (read the instructions so you know what’s expected of you here)
- Alternatively, you might find that your device is mouth-activated instead of button-activated; this means you’ll only be required to place its mouthpiece between your lips and the vape e-cig will automatically begin working, its atomiser heating the e-liquid in the tank and transforming it into vapour for you to inhale
- And, when it comes to inhaling, remember not to suck too hard to enjoy a good hit; your best bet is to aim for a slow, steady, gentle draw is best and there’s no need to hold in the vapour either – just breathe easily and you should receive exactly the satisfying hit you’re aiming for.
