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Need Some Help!!

Ok, I have been on and off vaping for about 3 years now. I never fully switched over because every vape I bought, made my throat hurt and it would make me cough. So I only used it on occasion. I finally found one that didn't hurt too bad, it had a really low wattage, like 40 and sometimes it would burn in my throat.
Finally, I randomly bought a SMOK Vape Pen 22. First time I have ever hit a vape that didn't hurt at all. However, I don't feel like it is enough nicotine. I have tried changing flavors but still just feel it's lacking. I realize the vape pen 22 is a cheapo. I don't know if switching to something like the SMOK Stick X8, would do me any better in how the nic hits. I know you aren't supposed to go above a 6mg in the sub ohm tanks. Man, I really want to quit smoking cigarettes.
I don't know if it's because the cloud is warm, or if it's because I finally have a cloud or because this vape is smaller. I don't know why it doesn't hurt my throat.
If anybody has advice on how I can get more nicotine without buying yet another vape that kills my throat, that would be great!!!
 
Well, I bought a 12% but pretty much every website says do not use anything higher than 6% with a sub ohm tank. So I added a little bit of it to my current 6% but that's all.
 

inspects

Squonkamaniac
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Well, I bought a 12% but pretty much every website says do not use anything higher than 6% with a sub ohm tank. So I added a little bit of it to my current 6% but that's all.
Don't worry what vape sites say, use what works for you. I started with 24mg nic, worked just fine. At low wattage I didn't experience anything harsh, tasted just fine. You don't need high wattage for a fantastic vape which can get you off the smokes for good.

Welcome to VU.....:wave:
 

chuckpie85

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Those sites are giving recommendations and as mentioned above use what works for you. I think it's important to point out though the harshness in your throat could be because of the higher nic levels. You may need to try whole tobacco alkaloid juices. Take a look into them I've had friends who couldn't make the switch full time and the alkaloid juices worked.
 
Those sites are giving recommendations and as mentioned above use what works for you. I think it's important to point out though the harshness in your throat could be because of the higher nic levels. You may need to try whole tobacco alkaloid juices. Take a look into them I've had friends who couldn't make the switch full time and the alkaloid juices worked.

I actually use to get the harshness in my throat, even when using 0 nic. That was one thing mentioned to me before. I had no idea why it would do that.
So, you guys using a higher nic, you've done this with the sub ohm tanks and didn't have any issues?
 

chuckpie85

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Yes but you will want to use lower wattages. Higher wattages will get you nic sick in no time.
 

TJN

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I have the alien and colour pro smok mods and both have dodgy USB charging points is this common on these mods?? I now have to take my batteries out to charge them I’ve been pretty gentle with them both but just seems to happen over time
 

ChrisL

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I have the alien and colour pro smok mods and both have dodgy USB charging points is this common on these mods?? I now have to take my batteries out to charge them I’ve been pretty gentle with them both but just seems to happen over time
Highly recommend you purchase an external battery charger. Most usb ports can be pushed in or pulled out if not careful. Good to have a spare pair of high drain batteries so can charge one pair while the other is in the device. Store your batteries in a plastic case for safe keeping until needed.
 

nadalama

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I'm going to sound like a broken record before long, but can you describe how you are drawing on your tank? Are you doing a mouth-to-lung draw (same as you'd smoke a cigarette)? If so, no wonder you're coughing and your throat is burning.

Just being nosey, but how long does the battery last you in that pen? 1650 mAh sounds really short-lived for a sub-ohm device, like maybe half a day.

What kind of cigs do you smoke? Are they regulars or lights? If you're used to lights, 12 mg shouldn't be too far off the mark, but if you smoke full-flavor cigs, 12 isn't going to give you the nicotine your body's accustomed to.

I'd pull that tank off there and get a Nautilus or something, bump my nic up to at least 18mg, and keep the voltage around 4. Just me.
 

Obsidian...

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I actually use to get the harshness in my throat, even when using 0 nic. That was one thing mentioned to me before. I had no idea why it would do that.
So, you guys using a higher nic, you've done this with the sub ohm tanks and didn't have any issues?

So I've read some replies and people are a bit off the mark. There are a couple things that make E-Liquid (juice) "harsh". The first is the amount of PG in the juice. Tanks back before subtanks couldn't handle juice much higher in VG than a 50/50 mix of VG and PG. A lot of juices back then were even 70PG/30VG. PG is what gives you that back of the throat hit, but is also what adds the harshness.

So those old tanks used higher Nic lvls because they were in 70/30 - 50/50 juices and creating a lot less Vapor. As you stated earlier:

Well, I bought a 12% but pretty much every website says do not use anything higher than 6% with a sub ohm tank. So I added a little bit of it to my current 6% but that's all.

The reason behind this is because you are getting much more Vapor and as a result more Nic per hit. Most juice is 30PG/70VG or higher now, especially for subtanks. That doesn't mean you can't go higher in Nic though (especially if you aren't doing Direct to Lung hits). Just make sure that the juice you get is still a high VG juice.

I have a feeling the PG level in the old devices you were using is what caused you to cough.

The only other reason would be Nicotine lvls. This definitely adds harshness and if the Nic is crap it'll add a Peppery taste as well.

Someone mentioned NicSalts and, while they are a good alternative, you need to be careful with them. They need to be used in the correct device and at the correct Wattage. You also want to pay attention to the way they were derived.

But that's about it. PG was probably your problem back in the day and while it takes most people a little while to get used to it. Some just can't tolerate it at all.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 
in my optinon i would say the PG ratio is for the flavour of the liquid, as the VG is for the back of the throat hit, i have a procolor and use 80PG/20VG ratio liquid. i have my (NIC) function set to 450, but also it allows me to get a good flavour with the added kick from my nic level being high.

also i hear you have to keep within a recommended watt use. mine is ment to be 40 - 60 watt, but i use mine at 32watt and use it for 2seconds in use, with a great hit. and it hasnt given me no issues keepin it below the recommended use. such as harshesness,, faults. and it has kept my smok procolor working great. apart from the dodgy bottom with the battery & charging issues
 

SteveS45

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Welcome @sunshinedixie and I hope you enjoy your stay~! A lot of good information and suggestions have already been given and all I can add is from my own personal experience. When I first quit smoking it took about 2 weeks before vaping did not irritate my throat and I believe it to be from the anesthetizing effects of smoking. Hope you join the ranks of former smokers and good luck.
 
some solid answers here..i was like you sunshine and tried various pens n juices then i researched ..soo 1st off with your cough this is caused by a few things like being a current smoker you throat will hurt for 2-3 weeks as your body cleans out the crap from cigarettes and nothing will stop this but you can help it as said above VG is important and needs to be 70-80% i prefer 80 myself and this will smooth your smoke so avoid cheap juice and the nic level will give a throat hit but that is manageable..try not take massive draws 1st thing in morning take a few smaller to prime your throat then build up to bigger draws. as mentioned above a nautilus tank(i used nautilus 2) is a great starting point for a smoker and use the 1.8 coil mouth to lung at 10-14 watt output..10 to start 12 seems sweet spot for me on that coil but you can go lower than recommended as it do not flood with short draws or lower wattage with this it will be easy to decide wether you need 12mg nic or upped to 18mg you will know when your cravings settle and i might add the flavours are great with these coils..then when you are happy try the .7 coil they provide(pre-installed so remember to swap to 1.8) bump battery up to minimum of 18watts open the vents to suit and enjoy even better flavours and nice warm smoke too i would though try to reduce nic as if you change to direct to lungs you will be able to cut down easily.. i was direct to lungs at 12mg then10.5 (i make) then 9mg direct to lungs with .7 coil and i enjoy smoking it instead of thinking i will never get use to vaping
 

PoppaVic

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I will echo some: The PG is an irritant, and some folks are actually allergic to it.

As far as Nicotine levels, I started with a crappy cigalike from a truckstop - from there it was eGo and such - but I was mixing juice at about 36mg. Folks raised all sorta' ruckus, claiming it would kill me. <shrug> Took two years of that and still bumming an occasional smoke to finally switch 100% to vaping. Since then, I went to about 24mg for a year, and then 18 tapering to about 10mg..

This year I started squonking, and I had to drop to 6mg for awhile, but I was still getting headaches - and the latest batch is 3mg.

Meanwhile, I tend to prefer using distilled water about 5-10% with 90% VG. Sometimes I toss in about 3% vodka as well. By preference, I prefer to NOT add PG, as it's often in the flavorings anyway.

Choking and coughing is normal - but it sure beats smoking. And, you have all that crap in your lungs to loosen up and discharge/absorb. Part of that is likely the PG, part is sucking humidity from lung tissues, and part of it is breaking up the tars and glop on the alveoli and other surfaces. Some folks also claim it's an autonomic function against "drowning", but I find that much harder to believe.

MTL vaping is the best start for cig-refugees, imo.. (I actually did a French Inhale - in mouth, out & up thru nose and sinus to lungs).. Nowadays I am mostly doing "restricted-lung" off single and dual coil atty: I can't stand that kayfun-tight-draw anymore.. Hammer a few lung-hits, and dive back into work.

Wattage: you can get by with a 30 or 40w device for a couple years, guaranteed. You can obtain decent devices like 75w or 100w and live down in the 30's & 40's just fine as well. I've a DNA133, and I mostly just use it as a 30w VW device.. I've a Gbox 200 and use it in TC-SS316 mode at about 45w and 450F. I don't chase clouds, but I do produce vapor akin to what my meerschaums used to manage. Works For Me™. Early on, I was semi-satisfied with 10 and 15w, 20w was nicer and 30w is a decent level today. Single cell devices really prefer the under-30w for a day-of-work, so if you are using something like a Pico, carry a spare. Dual devices can do a whole day of 30/40w, (bedtime is charge time).

Good Luck.
 

Obsidian...

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in my optinon i would say the PG ratio is for the flavour of the liquid, as the VG is for the back of the throat hit, i have a procolor and use 80PG/20VG ratio liquid. i have my (NIC) function set to 450, but also it allows me to get a good flavour with the added kick from my nic level being high.

While most flavor concentrates are PG based this isn't always the only PG being used. PG definitely carries flavor better than VG, so adding extra PG can help strengthen the overall flavor (where raising all the flavors percentage is a waste of money, not to mention it would rarely ever work)

That being said VG does the exact opposite of what you stated, it reduces the throat hit. Also I believe you meant 20PG/80VG and by (NIC) you meant your TC (Temperature Control) using Nickel is set at 450°F

A lot of manufacturers like to make their "Max VG" lines in a certain ratio (E.G. 20PG/80VG). Part of that could be for consistency across the line. But it also means that they can have all their bases (IE all the flavor concentrates mixed together, before adding VG, Nic etc) at the same Total %. This makes it simplier when you go to mix the final E-Liquids with them, prevents mistakes and helps protect IP. All bases could be created to be used at 20% = (total PG). In R&D they would be designed with the extra PG/DW throughout the process. So their are a lot of reasons for amounts of PG/VG etc.


As far as Nicotine levels... ...I was mixing juice at about 36mg. Folks raised all sorta' ruckus, claiming it would kill me. <shrug>...

It's been 2+ years since I made 36mg for anyone. I hated when people would put pressure on themselves (or receive it from others) to go lower on Nicotine, especially when they first quit smoking. It's like you just removed 99%+ (100% in my mind) of the cancerous part of your habit so relax. Go down when you are completely ready and know you won't just start smoking again.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 

Obsidian...

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Not all flavors are PG Based, have you heard of VGD or VG Dominant Flavors used to make MAX VG?
Unless they are creating their own extractions they are, or they are alcohol based. Taking a super concentrates and then diluting them with VG, to make a "VG concentrate", doesn't mean they aren't PG based. It just means you'll have to use 2 to 4 times as much of it to get the same level of flavor.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 

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