You might have wondered what this sweet smell and big cloudy smoke is when walking down streets and seeing smokers standing outfront. This most likely is vaping! Vaping is an alternative way of smoking and consuming nicotine.
But what exactly is vaping?
Before figuring out how to turn on a vape let’s learn more about vaping. People who use vaping devices usually refer to vaping as “smoking an electronic cigarette” rather than vaping.
Vaping is a relatively new phenomenon since 2007, that has been growing quickly in popularity, because it is known to be less harmful than smoking. More and more vaping devices are being created, as vaping becomes a mainstream activity.
What Does Vaping Mean?
Vaping is the act of “smoking” an electronic cigarette. It consists of inhaling and exhaling vapor produced with heating liquid by vaping devices such as e-cigarettes, vape pens or box mods.
Vaping is not smoking, it produces aerosols and it doesn’t burn tobacco to create smoke like normal cigarettes do. It is the process of heating e-liquid to generate an aerosol or “vapor” that includes flavorings, nicotine and other chemicals in tiny particles that rapidly dissolve into the air.
E-liquids that are used in these vaporizers contain vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG) and various other ingredients such as flavorings. Read further to learn what that is all about.
The Devices & Juice
To vape you need a vaping device and vaping e-liquid. Vaping devices can come in many shapes, sizes and forms – from cigarettes to vaporizers that look like pens or USB flash drives. Vaping devices (or e-cigarettes) usually consist of a rechargeable lithium battery that powers the device as well as an atomizer that converts a liquid into vapor through the use of heat.
What Different Devices Are There?
There are many vaping devices on the market today. Some of them closely resemble traditional cigarettes while others look completely different, but they all serve one purpose – to vaporize e-liquid into a mist or steam that looks like smoke and has similar properties as smoking a regular cigarette would have.
E-cigarettes can be categorized by their size: mini e-cigarettes (looks exactly like regular cigarettes), mid-size vaping devices (are slightly larger than mini versions) and modding vaping device which is used for producing big clouds of vapor due to its power capacity.
And What About The Juice?
The magic behind vaping is the e-liquids, also called juices. They are heated and converted into vape. Many vaping juices are made up of vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavours and, if wanted, nicotine. However, they may also contain other ingredients depending on the manufacturer or flavor type. Generally speaking though vaping juice can be broken down into four categories:
- Menthols (or minty flavors) – These typically use a high percentage of menthol in order to get that strong sensation when vaping such as peppermint for example.
- Tobacco flavored e-liquids – Vaping tobacco is an excellent way for smokers to wean themselves off their regular cigarettes since it reproduces the taste and experience very closely while offering them various amounts of nicotine.
- Fruity Flavors – These vaping liquids simulate real fruits like apple, strawberry etc., but are artificial. They give a sweet taste and smell.
- Dessert vaping liquids – These vaping e-liquids taste like flavors such as cakes, whipped cream and chocolate.
How Much Does It Cost?
When it comes to buying a vaporizer you will quickly find yourself getting lost between $10 and $300 devices. But what is the difference?
There are usually affordable vaping devices that cost around $30 and are good for beginners. They can satisfy your vaping needs but lack the power of high end vaping machines such as mechanical mods or box mods. There are also easy to handle starter kits for around $50 that give you everything to get started containing a vaporizer, a battery and some e-liquid.
An advanced refillable vape costs between $100 and $200 on average, but if it comes with extras such as a case or interchangeable tanks, expect to pay more. Furthermore, vapes that cost more have additional advanced features such as bigger coils, larger batteries, power meters, and adjustable airflow.
A refillable vape allows you to buy juice in 10ml – 100ml bottles and costs between $10 and $30. But it will last for months and may be simply refilled and mixed together with different tastes and strengths, providing your vaping experience a distinct flair.
