By Jemma Wolfe
Published On: 02-01-24

A Basic Guide To Vaping

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What’s in a Vape?
  
• What is Nicotine?
  
• What Strength Nicotine E Liquid Do I Need?
• Different Types of Vapes for Beginners
• When Should I Change My Coil?
• How Long Will My Battery Last?
• How Long Will The E-Liquid Last?
• How Do You Start Vaping For Beginners?
• Choose A Vaping Style
• Choose Your Vape Kit
• Choose Your E-Liquid
• Beginner Vapers at myCigara

If you’ve already familiarised yourself with our comprehensive New to Vaping guide, then you’re ready to find out more about how to get started with our Basic Guide to Vaping. If you haven’t, be sure to head straight over there first to understand the essentials every beginner needs to know before reading this guide. If you’re interested in trying out vaping for the first time but are not sure where to start. Fear not, that’s where we come in.

This blog is designed to guide you through the next steps of your quit smoking journey and help you get to grips with vaping for the first time by covering all the basics and answering commonly asked questions. Not only will we be covering the key components of vape kits, how to choose the right vape kit for you and calculate the nicotine strength you need, we’ll also be taking a look at the different types of vape kits out there and how they compare. Let’s jump right in!

What's in a Vape?

Before jumping straight in the deep end and purchasing your first vape kit, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with how they work, and most importantly, what they’re made up of. Every vape kit is different and the components can vary slightly depending on the type of vape kit you choose, but here are the key components found in most vape kits:

E Liquid

You can’t vape without e-liquid, so regardless of which vape kit you choose, it will contain vape juice in some format. E-liquid typically contains a combination of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavourings and nicotine, but the exact ratio of each will depend on your vaping style and preference. For a more comprehensive breakdown of what e-liquid is made of, head over to our blog: What is an E-Liquid?

Tank

A vape tank is the part of your vape kit that holds the e-liquid. This chamber can come in many different sizes depending on your vape kit. The larger your vape tank, the less often you will need to refill it. If you want to find out more about how to fill your tank correctly, head over to our handy Vape Tank Guide.

Coil

Regardless of which type of device you use, you’ll always find a coil housed at the bottom of the tank. Many vape kits arrive with a pre-fitted coil, and others include a removable coil that you will need to manually change regularly. Either way, a vape coil is essential to a vape kit as it heats up the e-liquid to create vapour. Head over to my Vape Coil Beginner’s Guide to find out everything you need to know.

Battery

Every vape kit is powered by a battery, as without a battery, your vape kit wouldn’t be able to produce vapour. The key function of the battery is to send an electrical current which warms up the coil, which in turn heats up the e-liquid to generate vapour.

What Is Nicotine?

Nicotine is an addictive chemical that can be both naturally-occurring or synthesised. Nicotine is naturally found in tobacco leaf, and is the reason why cigarettes are so addictive.

However, in order to reduce the number of smokers and the harmful consequences of smoking cigarettes, nicotine can now be extracted from tobacco leaf, leaving the dangerous chemicals such as tar and carbon monoxide behind. This pure nicotine extract is what’s used in most e-liquids, and while it can still be as addictive as cigarettes, it’s proven to be significantly less harmful.

What Strength Nicotine E Liquid Do I Need?

If you’re making the switch from smoking to vaping, it’s crucial to know how much nicotine is in your e-liquid. Choosing a nicotine strength that’s too high could result in some unpleasant side effects such as nausea and dizziness. Similarly, if your nicotine strength is too low, it may not effectively curb your cravings which may lead you to take up smoking again.

If you’re unsure what strength you need, fear not, we’ve got you covered. Head right over to our nicotine strength converter to calculate the correct nicotine strength for your needs.

Different Types of Vapes for Beginners

No two people are the same, and the same applies to vape kits. Each type of vape kit is designed with a different user in mind. So whether you prioritise portability over power, or aesthetic over performance, there’s a vape kit that’s sure to suit your needs. Most beginners will opt for one of the following types of vape kit:

● Disposables - These are single-use devices that arrive ready-charged and pre-filled with nic salt e-liquid. Not only are they discreet and lightweight, but they’re also the simplest and most user-friendly vape option on the market, making them a great starting point for complete beginners. With no maintenance or setup necessary, they allow you to begin vaping right away.

● Pod Kits - These are pocket-sized vape kits, and much like disposables, they are suitable for beginners. They are available in both pre-filled and refillable options, sporting a handy pod that attaches to your device. Refillable pods give users the freedom to vape with any e-liquid they choose, whereas prefilled pods offer the convenience of arriving ready-filled, but you’ll be limited to the brand’s own flavours.

● Vape Pens - These pen-shaped devices are designed to resemble the look and feel of a real cigarette, making them the perfect vape starter kit for those who are trying to transition from smoking to vaping. They come with a refillable vape tank and replaceable coils and can often support both MTL and DTL vaping depending on the type of coil you use.

When Should I Change My Coil?

How often you need to change your coil will depend on how much you vape. As a general rule of thumb, most coils will require changing after roughly 7-10 days of use. However, if you’re a heavy user, you may notice that your coil will need to be changed sooner, and lighter users will find themselves needing to change their coil less often.

So, how do you know when it’s time to change your coil? Well, there are a handful of tell-tale signs that indicate your coil has reached the end of its life. One of the most noticeable signs is the taste. If the vapour becomes less flavourful or has a slightly burnt taste, it’s definitely time to swap out your coil for a fresh one. Your vape kit may even begin leaking or making unusual gurgling sounds as you inhale, and this is yet another indicator that it’s time to ditch your current coil and grab another.

How Long Will My Battery Last?

Perhaps the only downside of vaping when compared to vaping is that they are battery operated, and therefore require regular recharging and maintenance, unless you’re using a disposable vape. The amount of time your battery will keep you powered until it needs recharging will depend on your specific vape kit.

Typically, the larger the device, the longer the battery life. However, most vape kits will keep you covered for at least a day of vaping. To find out the exact battery life of your vape kit, be sure to check out the user manual that came with your device.

How Long Will The E-Liquid Last?

Once again, the answer to this question will vary from person to person. This is because how often you’ll need to refill your tank is directly linked to your personal consumption. In short, the more you vape, the more e-liquid you will use. The same notion applies to disposables and pod kits too; the more you vape, the sooner you will need to get your hands on a fresh disposable or replace your pod.

How Do You Start Vaping For Beginners?

If you’ve recently made the decision to quit smoking and give vaping a try, congratulations! This isn’t an easy decision to make and you’ll be pleased to know that the hardest part of your journey is over. Now, only three key steps remain: identifying your vaping style, picking out a vape kit and choosing an e-liquid.

Choose A Vaping Style

There are essentially two key different "styles" of vaping; MTL and DTL. The type of kit you need will depend on which style you choose. But, for beginners, the classic mouth-to-lung (MTL) style is typically the ideal place to start. Once you’ve familiarised yourself with MTL vaping, you can begin to explore more advanced styles such as direct-to-lung and sub-ohm vaping.

While MTL vaping, the vapour is inhaled into the mouth first before reaching the lungs. This mimics how you would smoke a cigarette, so it makes inhaling the vapour more comfortable. As a result, beginners typically find the MTL vaping style the most appropriate and natural.

Choose Your Vape Kit

Making the transition to vaping can seem like a big step, especially if you are unfamiliar with the equipment needed. Fortunately, there are many starter kits and vaping tutorials available if you're a total newbie. If you’re just starting vaping for the first time, it’s best to get your hands on a vape starter kit.

Vape starter kits come in many different forms, ranging from disposables to vape pens and pod kits. A beginner vape kit is often simplistic and ultra-easy to use, so you won’t have to worry about fussing around with complicated screens or settings. To see a full breakdown of all starter kits available, all types of vapes then take a look over my How to choose a Vape Guide however if you want to find out which is the best Kit on the market and suited for you and your needs, head over to my Best Vape Starter Kits 2023 review.

Choose Your E-Liquid

Once you’ve settled on a vaping style and got your hands on your vape kit, it’s time to get yourself some e-liquid. The type of e-liquid you need will depend on your vape kit, and our How To Choose An E-Liquid guide can help you choose the right vape juice for your needs. If you’re using a disposable vape, it will already be pre-filled with e-liquid. If you’re using a vape pen, you’ll need to purchase some bottled e-liquid and if you’re using a prefilled pod kit, your e-liquid will come in the form of prefilled pods.

Regardless of which type of e-liquid you choose, it’s important top pick out some flavours that appeal to you, as enjoying your vaping experience will make you far more likely to stick to it. If you’ve never tried vaping before, we recommend giving starter liquids or nic salts a try as these are compatible with most vape starter kits and provide a satisfying experience for beginners. The nicotine strength you choose should be based on your current nicotine intake, to find out how to work out your ideal e-liquid nicotine strength, head over to our Nicotine Strength Calculator.

Beginner Vapers at myCigara

At myCigara, we exist to make the UK smoke-free. We believe that the best way to do that is by offering a reliable, effective alternative to smoking. In recent years, e-cigarettes have been shown to be one of the most effective methods for those seeking to quit smoking for good.

If you want to find out more about what you can expect when transitioning to vaping, head over to our blog: Switching: What to Expect for an in-depth look at possible side effects. Furthermore, if you have any concerns about the safety of vaping and want to find out how it compares to smoking, check out our Is Vaping Safe? guide.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and make the first step on your quit smoking journey today, be sure to head over to our Top 5 Vape Kits to Quit Smoking review, where we rank the very best beginner vape kits and explain how each device could be the key to your success.

If you have any questions or would like further advice, feel free to contact us, or head down to your local myCigara vape store where our friendly expert staff is on hand to help you out. .