Table of Contents
- COMPONENTS OF A VAPE STARTER KIT
- THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT VAPE STARTER KIT
- TYPES OF E-CIGARETTE AND VAPE STARTER KITS
- CHOOSING THE RIGHT VAPE STARTER KIT
- MOVING ON TO ADVANCED OR A MORE PROFESSIONAL STARTER KIT
- STORING THE VAPE KIT
- WHERE CAN VAPE KITS BE PURCHASED?
- HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT VAPE STARTER KIT - CONCLUSION
- REFERENCES
Quitting smoking is hard! Making things easy on yourself should be top priority - clear the path of as many obstacles as possible for the greatest chance of success! Sorry to sound cliché, but sometimes the first step is the hardest one to take. The first step on this journey is to choose a starter kit, so let’s see if we can break it down for you. If you are already a vaper and looking for something new, the starter kit bundles are the most economical way of getting a whole new set up!
COMPONENTS OF A VAPE STARTER KIT
Vape starter kits vary depending on the style, but a typical kit will contain a battery, a coil, a tank and ‘drip tip’ (the part you inhale from). Some simpler vape kits are available that don’t have as many parts, but the style you go for should depend on the vaping experience you seek.
Each part will affect the overall experience - the battery determines how long you can use the device at a given power, the type of coil can affect how quickly the liquid is vaporised, the size of tank determines how often you will be refilling - in the UK the maximum legal tank size is 2ml (1) - and the drip tip is in contact with your lips so the material and size can affect the feel, and diameter can affect the density of the vapor produced, impacting the sensation of the inhalation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT VAPE STARTER KIT
The array of vape devices on offer differ greatly, and deliver different experiences so it’s well worth thinking about the experience you desire. They also require different maintenance, some being much more easy to manage than others. For those who like to keep their hands busy, or are used to the ritual of rolling your cigarettes, spending time cleaning and filling your tank may be just what the doctor ordered - the devil makes work for idle hands after all... The other side of the coin is someone looking for something small and convenient that can be used with minimal fuss. Choosing the wrong kit can lead to spending more money, getting frustrated and, at worst, end up with you back on cigarettes - we want to avoid this at all costs!
TYPES OF E-CIGARETTE AND VAPE STARTER KITS
Let’s begin with vape pod kits - these are small, convenient devices that combine several parts into one - the vape pod acts as tank, drip tip and coil; meaning there are only 2 parts to this type of kit. The pods are often one-time use, though some on the market allow for refilling. Put your filled pod into the battery and take a drag!
Vape pens next - These are midway between the pod type and box mod vape devices: The tank also functions as the drip tip, but often a separate coil is required. The coil fits between the tank and battery, as the coil is the element that heats your e-liquid. The vape pen is still small and convenient, though coils need replacing over time, and you may find you want to replace your tank after a while as they tend to be small and narrow, making them a challenge to clean. Fill your tank, attach the coil then the battery, hold the button - and vape away!
Box mod beasts - These are the large, high powered, often mismatched looking devices that produce a lot of vapour. Sometimes referred to as ‘mod kits’, these devices have the ultimate customisation options. The main control unit contains the battery, but the user is responsible for attaching the separate coil, tank and drip tip. Users can change the drip tip, the tank and coils; and the main control unit on this style of device often has a variety of controls to alter the vaping experience. These sub-ohm vape kits work as follows: fill your tank, position your coil, attach the tank to the control unit, pop in your drip tip, choose the desired settings, hold the button down and inhale!
Simple and effective: E-cigarettes - Electronic cigarettes are low powered, and often use liquids with 50/50 vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol (VG and PG). This balance gives the user a throat hit and only produces a small amount of vapour. The least hassle, the easiest to use, small and convenient; all you need is your battery and pre-filled tip and away you go!
CHOOSING THE RIGHT VAPE STARTER KIT
As you can see, the variety of kits available offer a spectrum of experiences, so there are a number of things to consider when searching for your first vaping device.
Are you a heavy smoker looking to quit tobacco? If the answer is ‘yes’ then you need to consider how often you smoke, the nicotine content of the liquid you will be vaping, and whether or not you need a throat hit for the experience to feel genuine.
The inhale technique may also be relevant, as smoking a cigarette uses mouth to lung technique, it may be sensible to grab a device that is used in a similar way. Direct to lung technique is not great at higher nicotine levels: the nicotine throat hit may be too much because of the sheer amount of vapour these devices can produce. For first time users that are heavy smokers, it is worth looking at a low powered device with a high nicotine content liquid. The high nicotine liquids will satisfy the nicotine craving in a similar experience to smoking a cigarette, and the low powered devices tend to be slimmer and more compact, and less expensive. E-cigarette refills are much cheaper than tobacco products and are much closer to the aesthetic and ergonomics of an actual cigarette, not a bad way to trick your brain into thinking you are still smoking! As the refills are pre-filled, making your own liquids is off the table for e-cigarettes.
For those smokers who like the idea of inhaling without a throat hit, a smoother experience or more flavour: consider a low nicotine liquid, or a higher VG to PG ratio in your liquid. This allows for more frequent use as the nicotine levels are low. More powerful devices are typically used in these instances - the higher VG content in the liquid and higher power battery allow for more vapour production. These more powerful devices, particularly the ones with variable power, can get through the battery life pretty quick - naturally it depends on how much you use your vape device (and what power output, if it can be adjusted), but often the batteries for low powered e-cigs last really well, as do some of the vape pens.
The sub-ohm ‘box mod’ devices and vape pens have more parts, you will need to regularly buy coils as well as e-liquid, and every so often a new tank. Vape pen styles are still cheaper than the box mods, but if it’s customisation you seek, the world of vape mods is open to you when you buy a sub-ohm kit. Keep in mind the sub-ohm kits are also big, chunky devices - not the kind of thing you can just tuck in your pocket without knowing full well it’s there!
Finally, it is always worth researching and checking reviews on the brands available, and check out where the liquids are being made - at SMOKO all our liquids are made right here in the UK and subject to UK standards.
MOVING ON TO ADVANCED OR A MORE PROFESSIONAL STARTER KIT
Many vapers are happy with the kits they get initially, but if you are looking for more than just a cigarette replacement, it may lead to a certain intrigue for the other units on the market. By this point, you’ve already dipped your toe in the vape scene but are now looking to tailor your experience to your individual desires. The bigger units are now less intimidating, because you have a basic understanding of how these things work. Now is the time to think about an upgrade!
Whether it’s a foray into making your own liquids (and you therefore need a unit with a fillable tank), or you’ve tried a friend’s device that produces more vapour (and so want something more powerful for yourself), there are a number of reasons to switch to another device. If you use an e-cig with a high nicotine liquid, you may just want to try a vape pen with a low nicotine liquid - if your ultimate goal is to quit nicotine, then trying a few different approaches may in itself lead to success, if not help you establish what works best for you.
STORING THE VAPE KIT
So you’ve got all the gear, you’re armed with your e-liquid and vape device, now you’ve just got to look after it! Storing your gear during the day at work or at home is crucial, failure to treat your device well may result in a broken tank leaking liquid in your pocket, in your bag or all over a work surface so let’s cover the basics.
Firstly, make sure to keep your e-liquid in a cool, dark place - exposure to light and heat will lead to a loss of flavour, reducing the pleasure when you vape (2). Secondly, devices that aren’t an e-cigarette should be kept upright; leaving it on it’s side could lead to a leak, and increase the likelihood of dust and grit getting into your device.
Finally, please remember to keep all nicotine products out of reach of children!
WHERE CAN VAPE KITS BE PURCHASED?
Your local vape shop is likely to have all the devices mentioned in this article, though there are some specialised shops that deal with limited styles of device. Online is also a great option for having a detailed look at what’s available, and you can check out what other customers have to say about the products they have purchased!
The more research you do, the more likely you are to find the right device for you!
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT VAPE STARTER KIT - CONCLUSION
If you are a smoker, or otherwise have a nicotine addiction, e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than tobacco so making the switch today could literally save your life! (3) In the UK we have regulation in place to make vaping as safe as possible - things like a maximum nicotine concentration in store-bought e-liquids - that make the situation here a little different from places like the US, where there is very little regulation and therefore a lot of experimentation.
Persons who should avoid starting to vape include kids, teens and young adults as nicotine can impact brain development (4). Despite all the lovely flavours that are on offer and can be appealing to a younger palate, we recommend starting your vaping journey as a substitute for tobacco.
It's worth noting that Cochrane conducted the largest review of evidence to-date on the effectiveness of E-Cigarettes for quitting smoking and found 'high-certainty' evidence that E-Cigarettes are more effective for quitting than traditional forms of nicotine replacement therapy, like the nicotine patch or nicotine gum! (5)
So if you are ready to quit smoking cigarettes and switch to a vape - here are some of the most popular e-cigarette and vape starter kit deals in the UK!
REFERENCES
(1) E-cigarettes: regulations for consumer products
(2) Thermal Decomposition of Electronic Cigarette Liquids
(3) Using e-cigarettes to stop smoking
(4) Nemours Teens Health: Vaping: What You Need to Know
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Written by Dan Overgage
Dan Overgage – is a former smoker of 10 years until he became a client of SMOKO E-Cigarettes. Dan started working with SMOKO 5 years ago after successfully quitting using our e-cigarettes and works across our Customer Service and heads up our content creation and research with a strong focus on all things quitting smoking. During his tenure with SMOKO, Dan has written countless blogs and consults with countless clients every day to help them to stay smoke-free.
