Vaping Guide for First-Time Users

Go to: [Picking a Vape][Choosing an E-Liquid][Tips for Beginners]
Updated: 26 September 2023

If you’re looking to try vaping for the first time, the sheer amount of products, brands, types of vapes and myriad of information can seem daunting at first. 

Knowing which vapes are the best for beginners and what you should know before buying your first vape are all things first-time vapers wonder.

You’ve likely seen friends or family with certain types of vapes or e-cigs, which are big influences on those searching for their first vape. 

Whether you are looking for more information before making your first purchase, looking for options to quit cigarettes, or simply want more information about vaping etiquette, here is Discount Vape’s comprehensive beginner guide to vaping.

Picking Your First Vape

So, you decided to take the plunge and stop mooching hits off your buddy’s vape. Buying your first vape is no different than your first time doing anything else. You may end up with a product you don’t like or flavors that just don’t fit your tastes. 

However, you’re here which means you want to get the inside scoop on the best juices, brands and products for first timers before you make that purchase. Good choice. 

Knowing which vape will be best for you will depend upon a few factors. How much do you plan on vaping? Have you tried certain brands or products before? Answering a few of these questions will give you a better idea of where to start. 

If you still aren’t sure about which type of vape will be the best bang for your buck starting off, here are the top 4 vape types when starting out;

1. Pod Vapes

**Most Popular**

Quick, convenient and often hassle-free, pod vapes are one of the most popular types of vapes for first-timers. With the rapid rise in popularity of pod systems. These have become one the largest categories on the market. 

Pod vapes feature a rechargeable battery with replaceable cartridges (pods) filled with e-liquid that can either be refillable or single-use. The most popular brands are single-use pod vapes, like JUUL, which are thrown away after they are out of juice.

If you are looking for a vape to start out when vaping, the pod system options may be your first choice. As there is very little learning that needs to be done for use, the plug-and-play nature of these devices makes them a great choice for new vapers. If you think a Pod Vape is for you, check out our Best Pod Vapes shortlist.

2. E-Cigs

**Best for Quitting Tobacco**

As the name suggests, e-cigs were designed to give smokers a better option when quitting cigarettes, with a similar look and feel. While it is in no way a permanent fix, top health studies have concluded that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco. 

Many of today’s e-cigs are reminiscent of the shape, feel and size of traditional cigarettes, meant to provide the same mental stimulation of hitting a real cig. If you are getting into vaping as a way to quit tobacco, these will be your best options. 

3. Refillable Vape Pens

**Most Cost Effective**

Refillable vape pens commonly have long, cylindrical bodies. They can be refilled with more vape juice once you run out. These types of vapes will also come with a battery charger to recharge the vape once it runs low. 

Refillable vape options will be much more cost-effective for beginner vapers, but do require a little more learning and know-how. Since they are not thrown away, you will need to occasionally change out the coils.

If you want to try a refillable vape pen, we recommend the SMOK Vape Pen V2. This device is easy-to-use, performs well, and featured in our Best Vape Pen Starter Kit shortlist.

4. Box Mod Kits

**Best for long-term users**

Box modifiable vapes (box mods) are larger, more powerful forms of vapes that produce the biggest clouds and last longer than any other form of vaporizer. However, as a wise man once said, with great power comes great responsibility.

Because of the larger power source and modifiable parts and systems, box mods will have the biggest learning curve. With so many customizable pieces, you can change everything about your kit to match your specific vaping style and preferences. Knowing how to customize your vape and which brands to buy for each of the pieces can seem tricky at first, but after a few weeks it’s not too hard to get the hang of it. 

The customizable battery of box mod vapes allows you to change how hard or soft you want it to hit, change the power modes with the click of a button and change out vape juice flavors on a whim. These options give you the ultimate control over your vaping experience and are the best choice for those who are looking to vape long-term. 

While the upfront cost of box mod vapes will be higher than other forms on our list, they are more cost-effective over the long term. While you can have the option of customizing with new batteries, coils, mods and more, all you really need is different vape juices and the occasional coil swap to continue vaping with these devices. Our recommendation for best entry-level box mod, is the Geek Vape L200 kit.

With box mods, you have two options when it comes to the feel of the vape inhale, DTL (direct to lung) or MTL (mouth to lung). 

MTL vs. DTL

• MTL (mouth to lung) will be similar to how a cigarette works, where you inhale the vapor into your mouth and then inhale to your lungs. 
• DTL (Direct to lung) allows you to inhale the vapor straight into the lungs as you hit the vape, removing the need for a second inhale after the hit. These variations of vapes will produce the big, iconic clouds that are often associated with box mod kits. 

While DTL vapes are often associated with box mod kits, many new pod vapes are also coming out with this feature in recent years. 

 

Choosing an E-Liquid

After you decide on which type of vape is best for you, it’s now time to pick an e-liquid. As with the numerous variations in vape types, there are a myriad of options when it comes to picking the perfect e-juice. 

An array of flavors, nicotine levels. PG/VS ratios and bottle sizes await you on your exploration of vape juice options, and the sheer multitude of options may seem daunting on your first go-around. 

Don’t worry, here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about picking the perfect vape juice for beginners. 

Deciding on a Flavor

This option will be the trickiest to nail down on your first time buying e-liquid, as the perfect flavor for one vape connoisseur will be completely different for the next. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. 

Picking a Nicotine Level for Your E-Liquid

Similar to deciding on the perfect flavor for your vape juice, your chosen nicotine level will largely decide on personal preference.

You can choose to have anywhere from 0% nicotine, all the way up to 6%. If you simply want to blow big clouds and not mess around with any nicotine, 0% will provide just that. 

If you are turning to vaping as a way to quit tobacco, the high nicotine levels of 6% juices may be right up your alley. 

Here’s a breakdown of nicotine levels you can pick when deciding on which type of vape juice to buy:

• 0% / 0mg/ml – (Zero nicotine) These vape juices will have zero nicotine, perfect for anyone wanting to quit nicotine all together or just want to blow big clouds. The urge to have the mouthfeel of vaping is one of the toughest parts of quitting, and these juices can provide a non-addictive option. 
• 3% / 3 mg/ml – This is the midpoint for nicotine juices, providing a nice transitory option for vapors or smokers who still want a little nicotine in their juice, but not a ton. 
• 6% / 6 mg/ml and above – The highest level of nicotine you can find on the e-liquid market today. For those just beginning the process of quitting tobacco, this may be the best option as it can help avoid the urge to spark up another cig. 

Nicotine salts e-liquid will also hit harder and deliver more nicotine into the bloodstream faster than regular e-liquids, making them a good choice for those seeking large amounts of nicotine in each hit. 

VG/PG Ratio

E-liquids are made up of two base solutions, vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). 

Vape juices made of VG, will produce larger, more dense clouds of vapor on each exhale. The flavors of these types of juices can be more subtle than PG, as the viscous, sweet nature of VG liquids can have smoother mouth and throat feel. 

E-liquids made of PG produce a somewhat weaker vapor, but can have more of a throat ‘hit’ on each inhale. For those moving to vaping from tobacco, this will be your best option as they can produce an experience similar to that of hitting a cigarette. 

Which Bottle Size To Pick For Your Vape Juice

Now comes the easy part of picking your first vape juice. How big do you want the bottle to be, or how much of a certain flavor do you want? Bottle sizes of e-liquids can range anywhere from small 30ml bottles to larger, more cost-effective 100ml options. 

For beginners, we recommend starting off with smaller 30ml bottles, as you may want to order several flavors and nicotine levels to see which options suit your needs best. These can also be great options for those vaping on the go, as the smaller size makes them more discrete and easier to fit in a pocket. 

If you have experience with different flavors and know which brand you are looking for, ordering a larger 100ml bottle will provide the most refills and cut down on the costs of vaping. 

 

Vaping Tips for Beginners

If you have already selected which type of vape and e-liquid you want to buy for the first time, now’s the time to brush up on a little vaping etiquette. Using your vape and hitting it throughout the day ie simple, but here are a few tips for making sure you get the most out of the experience.

VAPING IS NOT SMOKING

It’s not uncommon for cigarette users to require an adjustment period when vaping for the first time. Most people using a vape for the first time experience an uncomfortable bout of coughing after their first drag. For most first-time vapers, this coughing is a temporary effect due to their misunderstanding of how to vape. Vaping is not the same as smoking a cigarette.

What makes you cough is termed a “lung hit,” which is a kick in the back of your throat when you inhale and exhale. Smokers are conditioned to inhale smoke with a constant flow to the back of their throat. This technique is often why smokers cough when vaping. A number of things affect a vaper’s lung hit: how you draw in the vapor, the amount of nicotine per draw, the ingredients in the E-liquid, and how hot the coil in your atomizer gets. The most important way to reduce lung hit, and coughing, is technique.

VAPING IS LIKE SMOKING A CIGAR

The average vaper takes a few days to learn the proper vaping techniques. Since E-cigarettes don’t burn like tobacco cigarettes, the inhale is different. The trick to producing vapor is to inhale like you are smoking a cigar. Slowly fill your mouth with vapor, then breathe in and out. This technique helps to take away the bite that makes you cough.

Take your time and practice.

Be careful about inhaling

A common mistake for vaping newbies is sucking on the vape pen. Doing so causes the tank to flood with E-liquid, which is drawn from the tube into your mouth. Un-vaporized E-liquid can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation that will turn off even the most experienced vapers. That’s why it’s important to condition yourself to draw vapor gently.

TRY A FRENCH INHALE

The French Inhale is a technique where you fill your mouth with smoke. The smoke then drifts out of the mouth and is sucked in by the nose. If you can French Inhale, then you have the ability to fill your mouth without inhaling the smoke into your lungs.

PRETEND YOU ARE UNDERWATER

When you hold your mouth open underwater, you can close your throat and prevent drowning from water from flooding into your lungs. The same can be applied to your vaping technique. Close your throat before gently drawing on the vape. You will be able to fill up your mouth with clouds of vapor with your throat closed. Fill up your mouth with vapor, then quickly inhale and exhale for a smooth hit that doesn’t end up in a coughing fit.

Shop Vape Starter Kits

We hope you enjoyed the guide! Vaping really is simple when you get to grip with the facts laid out above. If you want to try a starter kit – then explore our Best Vape Pen Starter Kit shortlist here. Or browse our top selling starter kits, below!