Beginner’s Guide: Your First E-Cigarette Made Simple
Welcome to the world of vaping! In this guide, we’ll explain the key differences between devices to make choosing your first vape a little easier.
Table of contents
1. Foreword
“An avid smoker who keeps reading about the health risks of smoking will, in most cases, give up - reading.”
- Winston Churchill
A good few years have passed since then. Today, you don’t necessarily have to stop reading, because the market is constantly developing less harmful alternatives and tools - for us, and with one clear goal: to make quitting smoking easier. One alternative that has become more and more popular, has held its place on the market since day one and is now firmly established, is the electronic vape device. New e-cigarettes are constantly being launched, usually with small improvements. They come in every shape and colour - which brings us to the point of this guide: to show you the differences, the pros and cons, and the basics you need to find your way around this completely new world more easily.
My recommendation? Take your time and read through the guide at your own pace - I promise that, by the end, the fog around this world will have lifted quite a bit.
2. E-cigarettes - how do they work?
E-liquid, cotton, wire and power: pretty much every vape device is built around these four things. Split into a mod and a tank, the two parts do the following:
2.1 How do the devices differ?
Basically, we split devices into “fixed-output” and “adjustable”.
Fixed-output
The device has either a single button or no button at all (draw-activated sensor).
Fixed-output devices are plug-and-play: you can use them without making any special settings. In terms of handling, they’re the easiest devices to use.
Adjustable
The device has a display, a fire button and plus/minus buttons.
With adjustable devices, you must match the selected power to the coil you’re using. In return, you get more flexibility when it comes to vapour production, temperature, flavour intensity and nicotine intake (if your e-liquid contains nicotine).
2.2 What does vaping feel like? - MTL & DL explained
In general, we also categorise devices as Mouth-to-Lung or Direct-Lung. Both types are available as fixed-output and adjustable versions.
The difference is pretty easy to explain. In short: MTL feels similar to drawing on a tobacco cigarette. DL feels more like a shisha.
TIP - MTL isn’t automatically the right choice for every smoker. If you have the chance to visit a vape shop, it can really help. In our stores, you can try out selected devices on site and get honest, expert advice.
MTL - Mouth to Lung or traditional vaping
Many smokers like to draw the smoke into their mouth first and only then inhale it into the lungs. Thanks to the very tight, restrictive airflow through the tank, your mouth doesn’t instantly fill with vapour. Instead, you can take a slow mouth puff, similar to a real cigarette, and then inhale the vapour into your lungs.
Alongside the tighter draw, MTL tanks generally use coils with a much higher electrical resistance. That can be an advantage, because power consumption and vapour production are usually fairly low - meaning the battery lasts relatively long for the size of the device, and you won’t stand out in public with huge clouds. If long battery life and low e-liquid consumption matter to you, MTL is an excellent option.
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The advantages
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The drawbacks
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DL - Direct Lung or sub-ohm vaping
As the name suggests, DL devices are designed for inhaling directly into the lungs.
They’re especially known for the much more open airflow in the tank. They’re not really designed for comfortable mouth puffs; instead, you inhale straight into your lungs. In general, coils for DL tanks have a lower electrical resistance, which means power consumption and e-liquid consumption are considerably higher than with MTL. One benefit many vapers love is the more intense flavour you get from higher power, more airflow and denser vapour.
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The advantages
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The drawbacks
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3. First-time setup
3.1 Preparation
First of all, unpack your device and ideally lay out all the accessories that came with it. Your batteries and e-liquid should also be within easy reach.
With just a few exceptions, you’ll find the following items in the box:
- the mod
- the tank
- spare coils
- O-rings
- charging cable
Now separate the tank from the mod, unless it was already delivered that way. This is possible with 90 % of all devices. If your device doesn’t allow this, simply leave it assembled.
3.2 Tank
You’ll find instructions on how to unscrew the tank and insert the coil in the included user manual. If there’s already a coil inside the tank, take it apart anyway and have a close look at the installed coil - because with adjustable devices, it’s important to remember the wattage range the coil is designed for. Usually, the tank included in the kit already has a coil installed. If not, install it now.
IMPORTANT - with an adjustable device, you should never exceed the coil’s maximum wattage. Otherwise the heating wire will start to glow and the cotton inside the coil will burn.
With fixed-output devices, this isn’t strictly necessary because they set themselves correctly. Still, it’s useful to know, because the resistance and wattage range help you tell the coils apart.
TIP - you’ll find out exactly how coils differ in section 5.3
3.3 Mod
If your mod has built-in batteries, make sure it’s switched off. If it uses external batteries, insert them into the device and make sure it’s switched off as well. The correct battery orientation is always marked on or inside the device.
Most devices can be switched on and off with five quick clicks on the fire button. If you’re not sure, check the user manual. TIP - if the display or button lights up when you press it, the device is on. If nothing happens, it’s off. |
3.4 Setting it up
Once the coil is in the right place and the mod is switched off, you can screw the tank and mod together. Open the tank -> fill it with e-liquid.
IMPORTANT - after filling, wait five minutes so the cotton inside the coil can fully soak up the e-liquid. If you don’t, it will burn on your very first puff - which means you’ll have to replace the brand-new coil, otherwise you’ll be stuck with a constant burnt taste that makes vaping unpleasant.
After five minutes, switch on your device and first set it to the minimum wattage you read on the coil earlier.
TIP - if you can only adjust degrees Celsius when you switch it on, you’re in the wrong mode. You need wattage mode, also called VW or Power mode depending on the manufacturer. You’ll find out how to change it in the included user manual.
IMPORTANT - if you’re not using your device, it should ALWAYS be switched off. If something accidentally presses the fire button and you’re not drawing on the device, the heating wire won’t be cooled and your coil will burn.
Congratulations! You’ve just successfully set up your first device.
4. What should you know about nicotine?
Because this is a bigger topic, we’ll split it into the following sections:
4.1 The addictive factor: nicotine
Unsurprisingly, most people name nicotine as one of the main reasons they can’t get away from tobacco cigarettes.
From many years of experience, we can say that this is only truly the case for a small minority. For most smokers, the biggest addictive factors are keeping their hands busy, filling time, the social side of a shared smoke break and a whole range of rituals, such as coffee and a cigarette in the morning or the obligatory smoke after a meal.
So why do most people still start with nicotine?
Nicotine can create a scratchy sensation in the throat, also called a throat hit or simply a hit, which feels closer to the familiar sensation of a tobacco cigarette than vaping without nicotine. Fortunately, nicotine is one of the lesser evils - so in that sense it can definitely help, and we recommend it at the start for that reason. Of course, it works similarly here as it does in cigarettes, but all the additives normally added to tobacco are completely absent, making its harmfulness comparable to the caffeine in a cup of coffee.
4.2 What should you watch out for?
Lots of vapour = lots of nicotine, regardless of the concentration in the e-liquid
Less vapour = less nicotine, regardless of the concentration in the e-liquid
From that, we can take the following:
MTL
MTL devices are better suited to higher nicotine strengths because they produce comparatively little vapour.
For beginners who want to start with an MTL device, we recommend 6 - 12 mg nicotine.
DL
DL devices are better suited to lower nicotine strengths because they produce a lot to a very large amount of vapour.
For beginners who want to start with a DL device, we recommend 3 - 6 mg nicotine.
4.3 Why isn’t every e-liquid available in every strength?
At the moment, e-liquids here in Switzerland are subject to the same laws as in the EU. The European tobacco products regulation TPD2 states that nicotine-containing e-liquids may only be sold in bottles of up to 10 millilitres.
For this reason, e-liquids larger than 10ml, known as shortfills, can only be mixed with nicotine under the following conditions.
Shortfill - What is it?
A shortfill e-liquid is an e-liquid that needs to be topped up with base (flavourless e-liquid) so you can vape the finished mix at the flavour intensity intended by the manufacturer. Most e-cigarette shops offer ready-made shots so you can reach your desired nicotine strength without doing any calculations. Shortfill e-liquids can also be topped up with standard e-liquid bases.
Shortfill - With nicotine?
Because ready-made nicotine shots are limited to 20 mg/ml nicotine, shortfills can often only be boosted from 0mg to 3mg or 6mg nicotine/ml using these ready-made shots. However, you are allowed to order stronger nicotine bases from abroad (max. 150ml per order).
Which nicotine base?
We recommend ordering a 100 mg/ml base dissolved in 100 % PG. This lets you mix almost any e-liquid to almost any strength without diluting it too much.
It also makes sense to buy half a litre of neutral base, because you usually use less than 10ml / 20ml of the 100 mg/ml base and otherwise won’t reach the amount recommended by the manufacturer.
5. Frequently asked questions
5.1 When should I replace the coil?
It’s actually pretty simple - as long as the vapour still tastes good to you, leave the coil in.
- if it starts to taste burnt, it’s time to replace the coil
- if your tank leaks or e-liquid spits up when you inhale, it’s time to replace the coil
- if your vape just doesn’t taste right anymore, it’s time to replace the coil
5.2 What exactly happens when I change the wattage on the device?
By adjusting the wattage, you control the power sent from the battery to the heating wire inside the coil when you press the button. Increase the power and you get more vapour - lower it and you get less. The same applies to nicotine delivery, provided your e-liquid contains nicotine.
This means adjustable devices let you fine-tune your vaping experience more individually than fixed-output devices. However, you should always make sure never to exceed a coil’s maximum wattage.
TIP - it’s worth experimenting, because changing the wattage also changes flavour intensity, nicotine intake and the temperature and density of the vapour.
5.3 What’s the difference between the various coils?
When you take a close look at different coils, you’ll notice they differ mainly in two ways: their resistance, marked in ohms (Ω), and their recommended wattage range, stated in watts (W).
When it comes to resistance (Ω) in vaping, there’s one simple sentence to remember.
“Less is more.”
In other words, the lower the resistance of the wire in the coil, the more power is needed to run it.
More power usually also means more vapour.
Higher resistance - self-explanatory: less vapour and less power.
Examples:
MTL - Aspire Nautilus 1.8 Ω replacement coil - 7W to 14W power
DL - Uwell Valyrian 0.15 Ω replacement coil - 95W to 120W power
5.4 Can my tank leak?
Basically, yes. If you take a closer look at your tank with the coil inside, you’ll see that it’s really only the cotton stopping the e-liquid from running out of the tank. Unfortunately, now and then you might get a coil with too little cotton, or cotton that’s too thin. This is mainly because coils are produced in large quantities, so quality can’t be guaranteed 100%. That said, you can’t really generalise, because every model behaves differently, regardless of brand.
The first thing to try is replacing the coil. If that doesn’t help, the next step is to take a closer look at the O-rings and replace them if necessary.
It can also leak under the following conditions:
- larger pressure differences, e.g. on a plane or on the ski slopes
- you forgot to switch off the device and burned the cotton
- the e-liquid is too thin for the tank you’re using and flows in too quickly
5.5 Handling batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are used not only in e-cigarettes, but also in laptops, mobile phones, watches and many other electronic devices. In general, lithium-ion batteries are considered safe when handled properly. However, damage, electrical faults and heat exposure can create risks.
What do you absolutely need to watch out for?
If the battery is damaged, gaseous or liquid substances may leak out, which can be highly irritating, flammable or even toxic. If the battery shows this kind of damage, it should be disposed of properly and immediately at a collection point. Repeatedly inserting and removing batteries from mods can cause the protective wrap at both ends of the battery to tear. In that case, the battery should be rewrapped immediately with new heat-shrink tubing (available in our shop) or replaced completely.
An electrical fault, such as a short circuit caused by unprotected (mechanical) mods, can lead to overheating and fire. Caution is required here too: mechanical mods should only be used with proper knowledge and experience. Our guide to mechanical vaping
Direct sunlight can cause the battery to overheat. Batteries and mods should never be left in the car in warm outdoor temperatures or exposed to sunlight for long periods.
Batteries should never be carried loose and unprotected in your trouser pocket, handbag, etc., as in the worst case a short circuit can be caused by other metal objects such as keys or coins. Here too, we recommend carrying batteries only in suitable protective cases (silicone case, battery case). These are also available in our shop.
5.6 Different e-liquids
As you’ve probably noticed, there are e-liquids everywhere. But apart from flavour, how do they differ?
E-liquids usually consist of a small amount of flavouring, propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). We can safely set the flavourings aside for now - what mainly matters is PG and VG.
Vegetable glycerine (VG)
In terms of consistency, VG is comparable to syrup or oil. It is mainly responsible for vapour density - and is rather thick.
Propylene glycol (PG)
Propylene glycol acts as a flavour carrier and preservative in e-liquids. Thanks to its water-like consistency, it is much thinner than VG.
When choosing e-liquids, you should pay attention to the viscosity - meaning the VG/PG ratio - depending on your device.
The usual mixing ratios for ready-made e-liquids are:
- 100VG - suitable for DL tanks only
- 80VG / 20PG - suitable for DL tanks only
- 70VG / 30PG - more for DL, works moderately well in MTL tanks
- 60VG / 40PG - works for DL & MTL
- 50VG / 50PG - works for DL & is perfect for MTL
- 30VG / 70PG - recommended for MTL only
Flavourings
The flavourings used for e-liquids usually come from the food industry - meaning they are considered safe for oral use from a toxicological point of view. Can we go into more detail?
Yes. But we’ll do that in a future post dedicated entirely to e-liquids and their ingredients.
6. Glossary
MTL - Mouth to Lung / traditional mouth-to-lung vaping - cigarette-like draw
DL - Direct Lung / sub-ohm - draw similar to a shisha
Coil - wire and cotton in one unit. This is where the magic happens!
Liquid - a fluid with or without flavour, optionally with nicotine, that is vaporised by the device
PG - Propylene glycol
VG - Vegetable glycerine
Nicotine shot - 10ml bottle of neutral e-liquid, with or without nicotine. Used to add nicotine to larger nicotine-free bottles.
About me - After three years of vaping and more than two years as a sales advisor in the Zurich and Horgen stores, it was time for a change of scenery. Somehow, I ended up in the endless depths of the Dampfi office. There, among other things, I discovered an unexpected love of writing and will be bringing you plenty more informative, pointless, funny, helpful and silly posts in the future. Wishes, suggestions and feedback are very welcome and can be sent to [email protected].
