E-cigarette Guide

In this post, you will get all the information you need to get started with vaping. You will receive thorough and factual information about e-cigarettes and e-juice, from how to change coils to all the terms used in the e-cigarette industry.

There has been a lot of talk in the media about whether e-cigarettes are safe to use or not, and as we have seen, some unfortunate incidents have occurred abroad. Inspired by these unfortunate incidents, we at cigge felt that people need information about e-cigarettes, which is why this ultimate e-cig guide was created so that you as a vaper can get as much information as possible to improve your vaping experience.

We are all new at some point, and if you want to learn more about e-cigarettes and e-juice, you will find below the ultimate e-cig guide on how to treat your e-cigarette and how to handle your battery in the safest way, and much more!

Basic Parts of an E-cigarette

There are many different components in an e-cigarette, and it's worth knowing what each component does. In an e-cigarette, there are components that work together to produce vapor.

Battery (Mod) – The Unit That Powers the Device

The battery, also called a mod, is the unit you hold in your hand. The mod is the component that delivers power to the "tank," which we will discuss later in this post. There are different versions of mods; some mods require external batteries to power them, while others have built-in batteries. Mods with built-in batteries usually have shorter battery life than those using external batteries. Mods with built-in batteries are charged via a USB cable, while external batteries are usually charged via an external charger to ensure even charging.

If you use a USB cable to charge external batteries, the batteries often charge unevenly, which can have consequences for your mod. We strongly recommend that you use an external charger for your batteries so they can have the longest possible lifespan.

There is a term called "married batteries," which means that if you have purchased two batteries and install them in your mod, these batteries are "married." When you have two married batteries and you replace one of them, your mod will not be able to deliver the most efficient power it should. Therefore, we recommend that if you are going to replace your batteries with new ones, buy two instead of replacing just one.

Tank – The Liquid Container in Your E-cigarette

There are several different sizes of liquid containers, depending on which e-cigarette you have. For example, you can buy a larger glass and install it in your tank for greater juice capacity. Many vapers prefer to have a larger glass installed on their tank to avoid having to refill with e-juice all the time. Some e-cigarettes have a built-in tank system; with these e-cigarettes, you cannot use a larger glass, but there is the option to buy a replacement glass separately if your current glass breaks.

It is the tank's job to "vaporize" the e-juice in the liquid container. The tank receives power through a 510 connector located in the connection between the mod and the tank. The tank works together with the mod and a coil inside the tank; you will get more information about coils below.

The liquid containers on e-cigarettes usually have an airflow that you can adjust. As a user, you decide the airflow yourself. This is especially important on MTL (Mouth to Lung) tanks. MTL tanks provide an authentic feeling of smoking regular cigarettes and are recommended for vapers who have recently quit smoking regular cigarettes, as MTL tanks give that "draw" you experience from cigarettes.

It is important to maintain your liquid container with regular cleaning to ensure the best flavor experience. If you change the flavor of the e-juice and the old flavor remains in the tank, the taste can be misleading and not deliver its full potential, and you might not like the new e-juice.

Coils – The Component That Vaporizes the E-juice

The coil, also called the atomizer, is the component that vaporizes the e-juice in the liquid container. If you are a new vaper, it can feel like a jungle when talking about coils, but it's easy to understand once you give it time. The coil inside the liquid container contains different wires that heat up when you press the fire button on your e-cigarette. With the help of cotton inside the coil, the e-juice in the cotton is vaporized and produces a cloud of flavored vapor.

The cotton in the coil has an absorbent capacity and absorbs the e-juice from the liquid container. It is very important not to start vaping immediately after installing a new coil in your tank, as you need to give the cotton a chance to absorb as much e-juice as possible. It is recommended to wait about 10-15 minutes after inserting a new coil and filling e-juice in your liquid container.

The cotton in the coil can easily burn if you don't "prime" the coil before use. "Prime" is the term for moistening the cotton in the coil before using the e-cigarette, to avoid burning the cotton. If the cotton unfortunately burns, you will get a burnt taste in your mouth, and you should avoid this at all costs because if the cotton is burnt, the vapor will be directly harmful!

A coil doesn't last forever, and a coil's lifespan varies depending on how much you puff on your e-cigarette. We usually recommend that you replace your coil after 2 weeks or if you notice a significant reduction in flavor production. We can also recommend that you keep your liquid container about 90% full, as the coil in the liquid container loves to bathe in flavorful e-juice, and your coil will have a longer lifespan because of it.

Changing the coil on an e-cigarette can seem complicated if you are new to e-cigarettes, but here you will get general information on how to change the coil. It is usually the same method, but it can vary depending on which e-cigarette you have.

To change the coil, you must unscrew the base of your tank to access the coil. If you have e-juice left in your liquid container, it is recommended that you pour out the e-juice before continuing. Once you have unscrewed the base, it's time to unscrew the glass on the tank. There are usually O-rings that seal; be careful with these as they are important to put back in place when you screw everything together again. If you don't put the O-rings back in place, there is a high risk that your liquid container will leak.

There are different coils and different methods. Some coils require you to screw the coil into a thread. There is also a smart "Pull N Plug" method that some tanks have; with this method, you only need to unscrew the tank and then pull out the coil and plug in the new one. With this method, you don't need to screw in the coil.

Drip Tips – The Mouthpiece on Your E-cigarette

The mouthpiece, or drip tip as it's called, is the component you suck on to vaporize the e-juice. There are hundreds of different versions of drip tips, but the most well-known terms when talking about drip tips are their threads. There are two common drip tip threads: 510 thread and 810 thread. A 510 thread is the most common drip tip and is smaller than an 810 thread. These mouthpieces provide a normal vaping experience, while an 810 drip tip has a larger intake, allowing for greater vapor intake. It's a matter of taste, and you have to try to see which suits you best. However, we recommend that new vapers start with a 510 drip tip.

There are lots of different colors and shapes of drip tips and different materials. The most advanced drip tips have the property of dissipating heat as they are made of high-quality material. We can recommend these drip tips for vapers who have intensive vaping sessions.

When talking about the quality of drip tips, you can look for a few things yourself if you are looking for a new drip tip. A good drip tip has two or more O-rings that seal the mouthpiece in the liquid container. The more O-rings a drip tip has, the better sealed it will be. If you buy a drip tip with only one O-ring, there is a risk that it will fall off very easily. There are also good drip tips with anti-spitback spirals. These spirals sit inside the drip tip and prevent your liquid container from spitting up e-juice through the drip tip, resulting in e-juice in your mouth. If that ever happens, rinse your mouth with water.

What Types of E-cigarettes Are There?

There are different e-cigarettes with different sizes and models, but there are well-known terms that identify them and create an understanding for the reader. We will list three well-known terms for e-cigarettes that will help you understand the different models of e-cigarettes on the market.

Box Mods

Box mods are robust e-cigarettes that resemble a box, hence the name "Box Mods." Box mods are usually powerful e-cigarettes that can deliver more power because they usually have a larger chip that can handle more watts and thus more vapor. There are different sizes of box mods that can vary from small to large and fit differently in the hand.

The latest manufactured box mods with the latest technology have an ergonomic design created to give the user a comfortable premium feel. Box mods fit comfortably in the hand, and you will usually have no problem reaching the fire button with your fingers.

Vape Pens – Pen-shaped E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes shaped like a pen are called vape pens and resemble a pen. These e-cigarettes are smaller in size than box mods but are usually longer. Vape pens usually deliver less power than box mods. However, vape pens have an advantage that box mods don't have: vape pens can easily be put in your pocket when you're on the go and not using your e-cigarette anymore.

Even though vape pens deliver less power, they are very attractive among vapers around the world. Vape pens are simpler e-cigarettes where all systems are built into what is called an AIO (All in One). With a built-in tank system, the method of vaping is very convenient and requires no major experience to understand the e-cigarette. You usually cannot adjust the wattage yourself; the experience is driven solely by how much battery you have left in your e-cigarette. The more battery the vape pen has, the better power you will experience.

Cig-A-Like – E-cigarettes That Look Like Cigarettes

Then we have the oldest model of e-cigarettes. This type of e-cigarette resembles a regular cigarette in appearance but doesn't work the same way. This type of e-cigarette usually delivers low power but resembles smoking a regular cigarette as both the appearance and the feel can mirror regular cigarettes.

Cig-A-Likes are not as popular today as they were a few years ago. The reason they are no longer so popular is that technology has advanced, and cigarette users who want to quit smoking prefer to use a vape pen rather than a Cig-A-Like because it delivers more power and satisfies better.

How to Clean Your E-cigarette the Best Way

There are several different methods when cleaning your e-cigarette. The reason we recommend that you regularly clean your e-cigarette is that if you clean your e-cigarette, it will maintain its high quality, and you can continue to puff on it without problems.

To maintain high quality and give you the best vaping experience, it is important to clean your e-cig components. You can easily unscrew all parts of your liquid container for cleaning. Once you have removed all parts, you can rinse all parts of the tank with warm water. Note that you cannot clean the coil.

If you want to make your e-cigarette extra clean, you can use a cotton swab to reach all the hard-to-reach parts of your tank. Make sure to scrub properly. After rinsing your e-cig parts, it is important to immediately dry the parts with either a towel or regular paper. After drying them, you can also let the parts air dry to ensure they are completely dry before use.

Battery Handling – How to Do It the Best Way

When handling your external batteries, it is important to be careful and handle them in the best way. Below you will find a list of things you can do to improve the safety around your batteries.

Battery Case – To Protect Your Battery

When you want to store your old batteries or if you just need to put them away for a while, we strongly recommend that you store your batteries in a battery case. This small plastic case will store your battery safely.

Battery Wrap – The Protection Around Your Battery

If you take a look at your external battery, you will notice that there is plastic around the battery. This protection is very important to keep intact and without any damage. If it has surface damage, we strongly recommend that you either replace your battery or buy a new battery wrap. You can easily apply a new battery wrap with a hairdryer.

A battery wrap is not expensive at all, and it is very important that you use a battery wrap on your external battery. If you don't, your battery will have direct contact and can either short-circuit or, in the worst case, vent.

Avoid Your Battery Coming into Contact with Other Objects

It is very important that your battery does not come into contact with other objects, especially metal. If your battery happens to come into contact with metal, it can short-circuit and break. If you are transporting your battery, it is strongly recommended that you use either a battery case or a battery silicone case to protect your battery from coming into contact with other objects that could damage the battery.

Don't Buy Cheap Low-Quality Batteries

We strongly recommend that you don't buy batteries from shady sites just because they are cheap. It's better to spend a little extra money on buying batteries from well-known retailers that only sell high-quality batteries made for e-cigarettes.

List of Things Not to Do with Your External Battery

• Carry the battery loose in your pocket
• Let the battery come into contact with metal objects
• Charge the battery in an external charger not designed for that type of battery
• Expose the battery to high heat
• Modify your battery

It is very important that you handle your battery safely. If you don't handle your battery properly, serious accidents can occur.

Charging via the USB Port

Some mods have the option to charge via the USB port using a cable included in the package. We recommend that you don't charge via the USB port but instead charge your external batteries with an external charger. If you frequently charge via the USB port, there is a risk that your e-cigarette may break. However, don't be afraid to charge via the USB port if you don't have the option to use an external charger.

RDA, RTA, GTA? What Is That?

There are several different tanks with different features and functions. Just as previously mentioned that there are different e-cigarettes, there are different tanks. You may have come across these terms when scrolling around on different e-cigarette sites. Here you will get thorough information about what RDA, RTA, and GTA are. These terms are about an advanced tank with different building techniques that enable a different form of vaping.

RDA – Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer

An RDA tank stands for Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer and is an advanced tank that is perfect for vapers who like technology and building their own coils. You will get more information later in the post about what to consider when building your own coils, etc. Back to RDA tanks: it's a fun and innovative way to vape. An RDA tank produces more vapor and flavor than a regular traditional tank.

However, an RDA tank doesn't have a real liquid container; instead, you "drip" the e-juice directly onto the coil and cotton. It may seem very advanced and complicated, but if you give it some patience, the RDA technique is a fantastically fun branch of vaping once you get the hang of it.

With RDA tanks, you can build your own coils or buy pre-made coils. However, you need to install them yourself in the build deck of the RDA tank with specially made cotton that absorbs the e-juice and vaporizes when you fire your mod.

RTA – Rebuildable Tank Atomizer

An RTA tank is basically like an RDA tank, but it's a closed tank system. You build your own coils from scratch and then fill the liquid container. The size of RTA tanks can vary depending on glass size. Below you can see a comprehensive image of what an RTA tank looks like.

What Is GTA?

GTA is very similar to an RTA tank, but what differs is that the tank system is not at the bottom of the liquid container but in the middle, with wicks that extend down to the bottom of the tank to absorb e-juice.

Both RTA and RDA tanks are an innovative and very fun way to discover new ways to vape. It's both incredibly fun and interesting but can also be patience-requiring as it involves a lot of technique.

What to Consider When Creating Your Own Coils for RDA/RTA

There are quite a few different tool kits you can buy when building and working with your coils. The tool kits include all the tools you need to get started with building.

If you use a regulated mod, the recommendation is ~ 0.2ohm and up, depending on whether you vape DL or MTL.

If you use a mechanical mod, ~0.15ohm is a good starting point. We don't recommend anyone to stress their batteries with lower ohm.

Starting with regular round wire and a coil jig is a good starting point too. You can start with 24g Kanthal A1 or 24g Ni80 wire. You can wrap the wire using a coil jig around 3mm (inner diameter). The more wraps you make with your wire, the higher ohm (resistance) you get.

There are great tools online that help you if you want to start using other wires than regular round wire, e.g., Clapton, Fused Clapton, Prebuilt Aliens, etc.

We can recommend using Wire Wizard by Steam-engine, where you fill in what is on the roll of wire you have bought, i.e., the material the wire has and what wires it consists of. Remember that everything is calculated on one coil, so if you are going to use "dual coil," you should divide the ohm (resistance) that the tool shows. Ohm can differ from the calculated one before you have pulsed it in and the coil glows from the inside out.

When placing your coils in your RTA/RDA tank, it is important that only the "legs" from the coils are in the post holes. The coil must not touch the posts or the chamber/cap.

Wicking Your Coils with Cotton

Wicking your coils with cotton is important, and the better you wick your cotton, the better vaping experience you will have. When you wick your coil, we recommend using Cotton Bacon. Take out the cotton and take a piece with as much as you think you need. Grab the middle of the cotton and pull apart so you get 2 identical pieces. The innermost pieces you "twist" together and thread through the coil so you have equal amounts of cotton on each side. Then cut off equal amounts on both sides. Then take tweezers and push the cotton down into your RDA/RTA tank.

There can be many questions about e-liquid, and below you will get information about what an e-liquid contains and much more.

E-juice, E-liquid – What Is It Actually Called?

There are many terms when talking about the liquid you vaporize in an electronic cigarette. The most well-known terms are e-liquid and e-juice. You can decide which term you think sounds best.

Below you will get thorough information about e-juice, what an e-juice contains, and what we recommend for new vapers.

When you're new as a vaper, it can feel like a jungle when trying to understand everything. If you're trying to understand all the terms about e-cig, you will find some new things to think about below.

What Is E-liquid?

E-liquid can be experienced as a thick flowing liquid that contains ingredients and in some cases nicotine. If the e-liquid contains a lot of vegetable glycerin, the liquid can be perceived as even thicker, but more about VG and PG later. It is the e-liquid that is vaporized inside your liquid container with the help of the coil. It is the coil's main task to vaporize the e-liquid, and it is recommended to have a strong coil if you want to vape an e-liquid that contains a lot of VG. You can think of it as the more VG an e-liquid has, the stronger coil you need.

But What Is Vegetable Glycerin?

Vegetable glycerin may sound scary, but it is actually a very common product found in products such as hand cream, baked goods, food, toothpaste, food products, and many more. Vegetable glycerin is abbreviated as (VG), and what vegetable glycerin does in the e-liquid is to bring out a sweeter taste and reduce the "throat hit." You can also say that vegetable glycerin produces larger vapor production.

If you're thinking about mixing your own e-liquid, we can tip you that vegetable glycerin can make the flavors in your newly mixed e-liquid take longer to develop. Usually, it takes 1-2 weeks for the right flavor to emerge.

Is It Only VG in an E-liquid?

The answer is no. Vegetable glycerin is mixed with the ingredient propylene glycol, which has the abbreviation (PG). This substance may also sound scary, but it is also a product found in common medicines and food additives.

Propylene glycol is the ingredient in the e-liquid that brings out the flavor better and creates a "throat hit." If you have previously been a cigarette smoker and want that "throat hit," we recommend that you buy an e-liquid that contains a lot of PG.

PG absorbs water in the body, which can lead to irritation in the throat or body. If you are allergic to PG, we strongly recommend that you vape an e-liquid without PG.

We also recommend that you as a vaper drink plenty of water when vaping, as the ingredients can make you feel dehydrated, especially in the mouth.

Which VG/PG Blend Is Best?

When talking about VG/PG blends, the taste is different for everyone. You have to try and see which VG/PG blend suits you best. However, we have some recommendations:

VG70 / PG30 Blend

A blend of VG70 and PG30 is a good blend to start with if you haven't vaped before. We would say this blend is the most normal and gentlest blend for you who are new. It can feel overwhelming if you as a new vaper puff on a VG/PG blend that contains a lot of PG, as it can cause irritation in the throat.

VG50 / PG50 – For Those Who Have Been Smokers

With a blend of VG50 & PG50, we can recommend this blend for those who have previously been smokers. This blend brings out the "throat hit" you get from smoking a regular cigarette, which is why we recommend this blend for those looking for something stronger. The problem that arises if you as a retired smoker puff on a 70/30 blend is that you may not feel "satisfied" and eventually get tired of vaping. Therefore, we recommend that you go for a "stronger" blend.

If you don't feel satisfied with any of the blends, you can try increasing the nicotine strength of your e-liquid, and you will get a stronger vaping experience.

Nicotine in Your E-liquid

There are different nicotine strengths you can choose for your e-liquid. There are pre-mixed e-liquids that contain nicotine. There are nicotine strengths such as 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, and 18mg. You can choose what suits you best. However, we recommend that if you have previously been a heavy smoker, you start with 12mg and then gradually go down the nicotine ladder if your goal is to become nicotine-free. If you think 12mg is too much, you can start with 6mg. If you have been a lighter smoker, 6mg or 3mg is a suitable choice.

Shortfills – E-liquids Without Nicotine

Then there are e-liquids called shortfills. These liquids are e-liquids without nicotine but have room to add nicotine. Shortfills usually come in a 60ml bottle but are only filled to 50ml so there is room for you as a vaper to add nicotine yourself. You as a vaper have the option to buy nicotine in a 10ml bottle and then pour it into your shortfill e-liquid. This method is called Shake N Vape and has become very popular lately, as retailers are prohibited from selling e-liquids over 10ml that contain nicotine. This method allows you to buy a larger amount of e-liquid with nicotine.

Nicshots – How Do I Mix?

The Shake N Vape method is very simple. You just need to pour the nicshot into your shortfill bottle and shake it around. Then you just vape as usual.

Flavored E-liquid

There are hundreds of different e-liquids with different flavors. You can find your favorite flavors for your e-liquid, e.g., if you like dessert, candy, or fruit flavor, there are lots of fantastic e-liquids!

We strongly recommend that you keep your liquid container clean, especially if you change the flavor of your e-liquid. If you don't clean your liquid container when you change flavor, you may get a misleading taste of the new e-liquid and you may not like it at all. It is a common phenomenon that if you don't have a clean liquid container, you may get an incorrect flavor experience.

Quality E-liquid

When buying e-liquid, we strongly recommend that you buy quality e-liquid. It's worth spending a little extra money on e-liquid to ensure you buy high-quality e-liquid.

If you are new as a vaper, a high-quality e-liquid will make all the difference for you. If you buy a lower-quality e-liquid, your vaping experience may be bad, and you may feel it's not for you. Just as we recommend that you buy e-cig batteries from well-known retailers, the same applies to e-liquid.

Mixing Your Own E-liquid

Mixing your own e-liquid is a fun way to create your own favorite flavor. Just like cooking, there are no rules on what you can mix. You can experiment yourself and see how raspberry and tobacco taste. There is nothing stopping you, and you can use your imagination in a creative way. However, there are a few things to consider when mixing your own e-liquid.

What Do I Need to Mix My Own E-liquid?

There are a few things you must have to create your own e-liquid. To start mixing your own e-liquid, you need base ingredients. You need base liquid. There are several different pre-mixed base liquids with different VG/PG blends so that you as a vaper can vary your vaping. Once you have decided which base liquid you want, you will need flavors, and this is where the fun comes.

There are several hundred different flavors for those who want to mix their own e-liquid. You can choose how your e-liquid should taste. Once you have decided which base liquid and flavors you want, it's time to take a look at mixing accessories that make it much easier for you who are going to mix your own e-liquid.

Mixing Accessories for Mixing Your Own E-liquid

There are several different mixing accessories you can buy when mixing your own e-liquid. You can find different dosing syringes that help tailor your blend. There are different dosing syringes such as 1ml, 3ml, 5ml, and 10ml. You can decide which syringe is best for your mixing.

Empty bottles are also available in different sizes. With empty bottles, you can pour in the finished e-liquid and put them for storage.

Usually, you have to let the e-liquid you recently mixed sit for storage so that the e-liquid can absorb all the flavors you have mixed. If you have mixed an e-liquid with a lot of VG, it is recommended that you store the e-liquid for at least 1-2 weeks before you start vaping on it.

Vaping is an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. If you're trying to quit smoking, e-cigarettes are a very effective way to quit. Vaping is much cheaper than tobacco cigarettes and up to 95% healthier. We cannot claim that e-cigarettes are healthy, but it is still an improvement and an aid to quit smoking cigarettes.

We hope this e-cigarette guide has answered your questions. If you have more questions, you can contact us at support@cigge.se. We are here for you and are happy to help!