Hey Guys, I am new to vaping and I've done my research, or at least tried but I am more confused then ever. This probably will be a longer post, trying to explain my situation and experience, I've had with our local vape store. But I do hope that somebody will take the time and read the upcoming novel, and could give me some advice. Much appreciated.
I am a smoker for around 18 years, I quit multiple times and started again. Pretty sure everybody knows that story
Anyways, about a year ago, I had to go to a physical check up and while I've never had any issues in the past, apparently my blood pressure was sky rocketing, and my doctor told me that I should stop smoking.
So I started looking around for alternatives, having tried the chewing gums and patches in the past, but neither would work, I found a lot of topics about vaping. It was very interesting to me, and I wanted to give it at try. I walked in our local smoke store and purchased one of these e-cigarettes. Tried it, but after 2 days of not touching a regular cigarette, I went right back and purchased a couple of packs. I couldn't get used to the taste of the e-cigarettes and it felt like I wasn't getting any nicotine out of it. Funny tho because if we trust the label, they did have 2.4% nic in them, but no matter how hard I tried, it felt like inhaling air lol.
3 months later, I wanted to give it another try, walked back in the store and purchased one of the pen style devices, I was happier with it, because now I could actually purchase e-liquid and I thought, after seeing the huge variety that I couldn't go wrong with that. Boy was I wrong, this was the dumbest thing I've done I think, all the upcoming attempts, lead to more frustration. From having the wrong flavors, all the way to having hot oil in my mouth, leaking tanks etc. Once again I stopped and went right back to cigarettes.
Now again, after having read so much great stories about vaping, I am more then willing to quit cigarettes but this time, I would like something that actually works. I read that you shouldn't buy stuff in smoke stores, were the staff does not even know what they are doing or selling, and should actually go to an vape store.
With that in mind, I searched the area and found a vape store that's actually pretty close. 2 weeks ago, I then decided to just walk in there, and see what the guys suggest. Lets keep in mind, even so I have done my research, most of the time it's sadly sponsored reviews, that don't help me at all. Sure I can get hyped about it, but I don't think it's doing anything good for me. Also since it's a lot of information, and I am not a very technical person, some of the stuff is like a foreign language to me.
Anyways, I walked in the vape store, and explained my story. Sure enough, first thing he pointed out to me was the Smok Alien 220W starter kit. But since I was going to purchase two devices that day, and I didn't thought that I would need such high wattage, nor wanted to spend $350 I asked him to show me some other kits. Next thing he pulled out was the Smok AL85 kit, and again I thought after having read some of the reviews that this might be more for the intermediate user then an actual beginner.
The store is full of vaping devices, but he didn't wanted to show me anything else, saying that if I am serious then this is my only option. And that I should invest in some more expensive devices with higher wattage, now or in the near future. I thought alright he does have a point here, but as I asked him how to use these things, all he told me was to read the instructions because it's that simple. I felt like an idiot already, having asked that question, and decided to let it slide and just look up some tutorials later on.
Next thing was the e-liquid, and of course I did not have any idea what I should purchase, he showed me all kind of vanilla custard flavors, and I told him that I am not a huge fan of them. He then went on telling me that when people want to quit smoking, this would be the only flavor that gives somewhat satisfaction. But since he pressured me already on the mods, and I still think I should have looked at the wide range of devices that were laying in the store, I didn't wanted to just go with that vanilla vape.
I then asked if he could show me some other flavors, and despite that he wasn't happy, he did let me smell some fruity ones, some menthol, plain tobacco, dessert ones etc. I couldn't try them, therefore I had to go with the smell of them, and decided to go with Naked 100 - Naked Unicorn (70VG/30PG).
He primed the coil for me, filled the tank and set a wattage, letting me try it right after. It was set at 40W, but he told me that the coil he installed is best used at 55-65W. However I felt that the vape was very warm for me at the 40W, giving me a somewhat burning in my throat. Of course I did cough as well, and he told me that this is normal and I should try direct lung hits. I think that is what it's called, sorry still learning the terms :/
He then told me, that I can't go under the 40W and that most vapers even go much higher, and that I should try upping the wattage every day for a bit, and would get used to it after a couple of days. I then went home, did what he says, and ended up with hot liquid in my mouth, followed by the tank leaking just a couple hours after the purchase. Went back, he told me I burned the coil, even so I haven't changed the wattage or anything, it was set to the 40 he pre set, apparently I didn't do it correctly. All explanations he gave me, pointed more or less to user error. Fine no problem, I went back home, installed the other coil that comes with the kit, and it was a difference between night and day.
First of all, I would have appreciated it, if the person installed that coil prior to the other one, since I can use it between 20-50W but best at 30-40. However I do keep it at 21W right now, for me since I am still getting used to the direct lung hits, it doesn't make me cough for the next 5 hrs lol.
I also purchased another liquid, Naked 100 - Green Blast, and sadly all these bottles come at 60ml, and at a price of $28 this isn't real cheap. Now I am not looking for cheap, but till I found actually a flavor I might like or can enjoy for more then a day, I would rather purchase smaller bottles.
But here's where my confusion comes in, the first day with the new coil was much better then prior, I could taste the flavor, and the 3mg nic were just fine, so it seems. However after not having touched a cigarette for around 2 weeks now and only vaping, I all the sudden can not taste the flavor anymore. I also feel I want a cigarette even more then I did prior. And after a couple of hours of vaping everyday, I feel I have something stuck in my throat. It's kinda like a sore throat. I do drink a lot of water but that didn't do the trick.
My question is this, do you guys think, that with an more beginner friendly device I would have better chances of quitting, or at least enjoying it more, till I get used to it. Or should I stick with my Smok AL85 and just look for a more kind of flavor tank, since I am not trying to get a job at the next bruce springsteen gig as a fog machine. If so, can somebody maybe point me in the right direction, before I purchase something again, that isn't really what I want to begin with.
I feel all this hype about the beast tank and cloud chasing, is very overwhelming and nothing I should be focusing on as a beginner. Maybe I am just doing the whole thing wrong, but after having spend $250, I am more determent then ever. Would hate seeing it go to waste, but right now I am at a point, were I don't know what I am supposed to do. And sadly the vape store isn't a huge help or giving me any explanations/options to chose from. They still try to sell me the TFV12 tank/coil? I have no idea if that would be a better option, but at the moment it looks more like, they trying to sell the products for the sake of selling it, instead of maybe just listening.
Thx for reading my story, and sorry for the ultra long post, but I thought it would help understanding my frustration a bit better.
I am a smoker for around 18 years, I quit multiple times and started again. Pretty sure everybody knows that story
Anyways, about a year ago, I had to go to a physical check up and while I've never had any issues in the past, apparently my blood pressure was sky rocketing, and my doctor told me that I should stop smoking. So I started looking around for alternatives, having tried the chewing gums and patches in the past, but neither would work, I found a lot of topics about vaping. It was very interesting to me, and I wanted to give it at try. I walked in our local smoke store and purchased one of these e-cigarettes. Tried it, but after 2 days of not touching a regular cigarette, I went right back and purchased a couple of packs. I couldn't get used to the taste of the e-cigarettes and it felt like I wasn't getting any nicotine out of it. Funny tho because if we trust the label, they did have 2.4% nic in them, but no matter how hard I tried, it felt like inhaling air lol.
3 months later, I wanted to give it another try, walked back in the store and purchased one of the pen style devices, I was happier with it, because now I could actually purchase e-liquid and I thought, after seeing the huge variety that I couldn't go wrong with that. Boy was I wrong, this was the dumbest thing I've done I think, all the upcoming attempts, lead to more frustration. From having the wrong flavors, all the way to having hot oil in my mouth, leaking tanks etc. Once again I stopped and went right back to cigarettes.
Now again, after having read so much great stories about vaping, I am more then willing to quit cigarettes but this time, I would like something that actually works. I read that you shouldn't buy stuff in smoke stores, were the staff does not even know what they are doing or selling, and should actually go to an vape store.
With that in mind, I searched the area and found a vape store that's actually pretty close. 2 weeks ago, I then decided to just walk in there, and see what the guys suggest. Lets keep in mind, even so I have done my research, most of the time it's sadly sponsored reviews, that don't help me at all. Sure I can get hyped about it, but I don't think it's doing anything good for me. Also since it's a lot of information, and I am not a very technical person, some of the stuff is like a foreign language to me.
Anyways, I walked in the vape store, and explained my story. Sure enough, first thing he pointed out to me was the Smok Alien 220W starter kit. But since I was going to purchase two devices that day, and I didn't thought that I would need such high wattage, nor wanted to spend $350 I asked him to show me some other kits. Next thing he pulled out was the Smok AL85 kit, and again I thought after having read some of the reviews that this might be more for the intermediate user then an actual beginner.
The store is full of vaping devices, but he didn't wanted to show me anything else, saying that if I am serious then this is my only option. And that I should invest in some more expensive devices with higher wattage, now or in the near future. I thought alright he does have a point here, but as I asked him how to use these things, all he told me was to read the instructions because it's that simple. I felt like an idiot already, having asked that question, and decided to let it slide and just look up some tutorials later on.
Next thing was the e-liquid, and of course I did not have any idea what I should purchase, he showed me all kind of vanilla custard flavors, and I told him that I am not a huge fan of them. He then went on telling me that when people want to quit smoking, this would be the only flavor that gives somewhat satisfaction. But since he pressured me already on the mods, and I still think I should have looked at the wide range of devices that were laying in the store, I didn't wanted to just go with that vanilla vape.
I then asked if he could show me some other flavors, and despite that he wasn't happy, he did let me smell some fruity ones, some menthol, plain tobacco, dessert ones etc. I couldn't try them, therefore I had to go with the smell of them, and decided to go with Naked 100 - Naked Unicorn (70VG/30PG).
He primed the coil for me, filled the tank and set a wattage, letting me try it right after. It was set at 40W, but he told me that the coil he installed is best used at 55-65W. However I felt that the vape was very warm for me at the 40W, giving me a somewhat burning in my throat. Of course I did cough as well, and he told me that this is normal and I should try direct lung hits. I think that is what it's called, sorry still learning the terms :/
He then told me, that I can't go under the 40W and that most vapers even go much higher, and that I should try upping the wattage every day for a bit, and would get used to it after a couple of days. I then went home, did what he says, and ended up with hot liquid in my mouth, followed by the tank leaking just a couple hours after the purchase. Went back, he told me I burned the coil, even so I haven't changed the wattage or anything, it was set to the 40 he pre set, apparently I didn't do it correctly. All explanations he gave me, pointed more or less to user error. Fine no problem, I went back home, installed the other coil that comes with the kit, and it was a difference between night and day.
First of all, I would have appreciated it, if the person installed that coil prior to the other one, since I can use it between 20-50W but best at 30-40. However I do keep it at 21W right now, for me since I am still getting used to the direct lung hits, it doesn't make me cough for the next 5 hrs lol.
I also purchased another liquid, Naked 100 - Green Blast, and sadly all these bottles come at 60ml, and at a price of $28 this isn't real cheap. Now I am not looking for cheap, but till I found actually a flavor I might like or can enjoy for more then a day, I would rather purchase smaller bottles.
But here's where my confusion comes in, the first day with the new coil was much better then prior, I could taste the flavor, and the 3mg nic were just fine, so it seems. However after not having touched a cigarette for around 2 weeks now and only vaping, I all the sudden can not taste the flavor anymore. I also feel I want a cigarette even more then I did prior. And after a couple of hours of vaping everyday, I feel I have something stuck in my throat. It's kinda like a sore throat. I do drink a lot of water but that didn't do the trick.
My question is this, do you guys think, that with an more beginner friendly device I would have better chances of quitting, or at least enjoying it more, till I get used to it. Or should I stick with my Smok AL85 and just look for a more kind of flavor tank, since I am not trying to get a job at the next bruce springsteen gig as a fog machine. If so, can somebody maybe point me in the right direction, before I purchase something again, that isn't really what I want to begin with.
I feel all this hype about the beast tank and cloud chasing, is very overwhelming and nothing I should be focusing on as a beginner. Maybe I am just doing the whole thing wrong, but after having spend $250, I am more determent then ever. Would hate seeing it go to waste, but right now I am at a point, were I don't know what I am supposed to do. And sadly the vape store isn't a huge help or giving me any explanations/options to chose from. They still try to sell me the TFV12 tank/coil? I have no idea if that would be a better option, but at the moment it looks more like, they trying to sell the products for the sake of selling it, instead of maybe just listening.
Thx for reading my story, and sorry for the ultra long post, but I thought it would help understanding my frustration a bit better.
Don't feel forced to buy one specific thing, one of the benefits of vaping is all the options out there. Of course, that is also very overwhelming. To decide what flavors you might like, what I did when I first started was thinking what flavors I liked best, not vape juices, but flavor in general. I personally really like the taste of fruit, so I bought some cherry e juice from my local shop, my buddy works there so maybe I am just a little overzealous when it comes to shitty retail at vape shops, but what flavors do you really enjoy? Apple pie, fruit, ice cream, cupcakes, tobacco? Just a word of advice, steer clear of pumpkin pie e juices, nasty stuff.
