Vaping Terminology - A Beginner's Guide to Vaping

So you're thinking about vaping and you hear someone say "This eLiquid is about 70/30 and tastes best on a variable voltage device at about 4.2 volts with your RDA built to about .3 ohms. Did you ever wonder what the heck this means? Luckily you came to the right place for all your vape juice needs, eJuices.com

What is Vaping?

Defined by the Oxford dictionary; vaping is act of inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device. By heating the eliquid to create vapor, the user can get a nicotine hit without smoking a traditional cigarette.

Benefits of Vaping

A lot of traditional cigarette smokers have switched over to electronic cigarettes due to the numerous benefits and accoutrements they provide. Since there is no smoke involved with vaping, there isn’t a stench that lingers on your breath, clothes or furniture. Similarly, thanks to the technology and science involved, there is no tar or ash that leaves cigarette burns or tobacco stains. Vaping products have less restrictions in public spaces and can be used in homes and cars with few consequences.

In addition to helping people quit smoking, electronic cigarettes contain fewer chemicals and carcinogens like the ones found in tobacco cigarettes. Thus, making it a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Some studies show that e-cigarettes can be up to 95% safer than tobacco cigarettes and up to 70% less expensive. While a starter kit can cost more than a pack of cigarettes up front, the long term savings of vaping are significant.

Anatomy of an E-cigarette

After e-cigarettes were initially invented, more and more people who were attracted by the potential benefits of the device began experimenting with it. The result is a burgeoning vape industry filled with hundreds of customizable options for each and every unique user. Navigating these different options can be difficult for a new vaper, so we’ve included a brief breakdown of common e-cig parts.

Batteries:

Batteries are the powerhouse behind the e-cigarette: they provide the energy to heat and vaporize the eliquid or ejuice. Batteries are built into smaller e-cigarettes, especially the ones that resemble traditional cigarettes, and are replaceable and rechargeable in bigger more advanced vaping devices. The size of the battery controls the length of time your vape will last, with larger batteries allowing a longer uninterrupted vape. Rechargeable lithium batteries are typically charged by USB wires or outlets.

Atomizer, Coil, and Wick:

Batteries supply power to the atomizer: the part of the e-cigarette that houses the heating coil and and wick. Although in simpler models, the atomizer can be found within the tank itself, advanced vapers can choose from stand-alone atomizers, RDAs, and RBAs, making it important component in the vape device. Since the atomizer contains the coil and wick, it houses the transformation of the eliquid into a vapor.

A wick carries the eliquid from the tank to the coil to be heated. Wicks can be made of cotton, twisted silica cords, ceramic, steel mesh, or eko-wool. Coils are small pieces of resistance wire that resemble springs. The number of wraps and diameter of the coil affects the coil’s resistance (as per Ohm’s law); the resistance determines the amount of electricity necessary to power the e-cigarette and the amount of heat it produces. Most coils are made of Kanthal, NiChrome, and more recently, Nickel.

Cartomizer, Clearomizers, and Tanks:

Cartomizers, clearomizers, and cartridges are considered subsets of the broad category of Tanks, which are any mechanisms that hold ejuices. However, in the vape world, tanks refer specifically to advanced storage containers with special features and capacities.

Cartomizers and clearomizers are both very similar--both unscrew from the main device when you want to refill the tank. Clearomizers have a clear plastic pane that allows you to see the amount of ejuice left in your tank. Additionally, clearomizers use silica wicks to transport eliquids to the coil and are easy to clean and maintain. Cartomizers on the other hand have no plastic pane, use a polyfill substance to transport eliquid, are hard to maintain, and need to be primed before use.

eLiquids

Eliquids, also known as ejuices, are stored in the tanks until they are heated in the atomizer. Unless you buy a disposable e-cigarette, eliquids are sold separately from the vaporizer in small bottles. They come in a variety of different flavors, strengths and types; the main ingredients usually consist of PG, VG, food flavoring, and nicotine.

PG, also known as propylene glycol, is a common additive and preservative in foods and plastics. For vapers, PG provides more of a throat hit than VG eliquids. Although it provides a more intense flavor, PG is thinner and produces less vapor than VG eliquids. However, while the preservative qualities of PG extend juice life, some vapers are sensitive or even allergic to it.

For vapers with PG sensitivity, manufacturers offer VG, or vegetable glycerin, eliquids. VG eliquid is thicker and sweeter than PG, and often makes denser clouds and thicker vapor. Although it is known to affect the taste of the vapor slightly, it is 100% hypoallergenic making it the ideal option for some vapers. Most eliquids use a combination of PG and VG in order to produce a different vape experience.

Additionally, ejuices come with varying nicotine levels: 0mg is no nicotine, 6mg is low density nicotine, 12mg is medium density nicotine, 18mg is high density nicotine, and 24mg is the extremely high density. Any levels higher than that are considered maximum nicotine levels. Moreover, eliquids come in a variety of flavors including sweet, savory, juicy, sour, and more.

Types of E-cigarettes

Cig-a-like:

True to its name, the Cig-a-like resembles a traditional cigarette. It’s sleek and slender construction makes it portable and easy to use. Most disposable e-cigarettes fall under this category. Typically, Cig-a-likes only have two distinct parts: cartridges and a combined atomizer and battery. These are perfect for initial vaping experiences, but soon become expensive to replace.

Vape Pen:

Vape pens are bulkier than cig-a-likes and come in three parts: a combined atomizer and battery, clearomizer, and mouthpiece. Since it is reusable it is extremely cost effective and delivers great performance, style, and taste. These are perfect for intermediate vapers who have a little experience with e-cigarette products and terminology. The best thing is, all the eliquids we carry can be used in just about any vape pen.

Box Mods and APVs:

Box Mods and APVs, or advanced personal vaporizers, contain bigger batteries and coils. This means that they can produce larger amounts of vapor for a longer amount of time. It comes with a standard clearomizer, atomizer, battery, and mouthpiece, and provides an enhanced hit for more experienced vapers. Since these contain more components and customizable pieces, only advanced vapers should consider purchasing box mods and APVs.

Safety

While e-cigarettes are much safer than traditional cigarettes, precautions do need to be taken to ensure a quality vape experience. Make sure to use the charger explicitly created for battery, and remove the battery as soon as it reaches full charge. Keep batteries separated from one another so terminals do not touch each other and short circuit. Finally, check that batteries are rated for the specific coil and keep them out of extreme heat.

Store eliquids in cool, dark places where pets and children cannot reach them. Never ingest or lick the eliquid, and call poison control if the ejuice is on the body for an extended amount of time. Be aware of PG allergies, and make sure to switch to VG if you notice any complications after vaping. As always consult your doctor before and during vaping if you have any concerns.

Additional Vape Terms

Here are a few more terms you may run across on your vape journey.

• Cloud Chasing: The act of exhaling large, voluminous clouds. This sometimes occurs at competitions hosted at vaping events and shops. You can find some of the best eliquids for cloud production on eliquid.com
• Variable Voltage: This feature is available on some vape devices. It allows you to customize how hot the ejuice gets, thereby changing the vape experience with different atomizers and ohm resistances. It’s only available on larger devices, and it drains the battery more.
• Drip Tip: These can be used in place of tank or cartridges. With a drip tip, a few drops of the eliquid are placed directly onto the atomizer without any wicks. This is an advanced skill, and requires some vaping experience.
• RBAs: Also known as rebuildable atomizers. RBAs can taken apart and reassembled--another endeavor taken on by more advanced vapers
• RDAs: Also known as rebuildable dripping atomizer. This is a modified atomizer that is not connected to a tank. Instead the vaper refills by adding a few drops of eliquid directly onto the heating technology. It is more difficult to refill these atomizers, but some believe it delivers a more concentrated taste.