Vaping is easier and more straightforward than ever, but it’s still possible to feel a bit intimidated if you haven’t picked your first device yet because there’s so much out there. Between the wide selections of vape kits and disposable vapes on this site alone, it could take you hours just to wade through everything that’s available and narrow things down to a short list. That’s why we’ve done some of the work for you and listed the best disposable vapes on the market elsewhere on this site.
We think that vaping is at its best when the guess work is removed, and that’s why this guide exists. On this page, we’ve constructed a step-by-step walkthrough explaining how to vape from the very beginning. From purchasing your first product to sitting down for your first vaping session, we’re going to explain exactly what you need to do in order to make the switch from smoking to vaping as great as it can be.
It all starts with choosing your first vape, and that’s where we’re going to begin.
Decide What Type of Vape You Want to Use
There are three main types of vapes on the market today. We’ll help you choose the type that’s right for you by explaining the pros and cons of each.
- Disposable Vapes: The vast majority of new vapers choose disposable vapes as their first devices, and that’s because they’re so easy to use. A disposable vape is already filled with e-liquid when you buy it, and you can start using it right away after you’ve removed it from the package. Just inhale to vape. Modern disposable vapes can last thousands of puffs before running out of e-liquid, and that’s accomplished through the use of rechargeable batteries. When a disposable vape blinks, it’s time to charge the battery. The only drawback of disposable vapes is that they’re not refillable. When you’ve used the last drops if vape juice in a disposable vape, you’ll need to replace the device.
- Pod Vapes: A pod vape is small and simple like a disposable vape, but the e-liquid isn’t integrated within the body of the device. Instead, it’s stored in a small removable pod. When the pod is empty, you can refill it. You can continue refilling the same pod until it no longer produces a good flavor, and at that point, you’ll replace it. Pod vapes might be a bit more complicated than disposable vapes, but they’re also less wasteful since you don’t need to discard your entire device when the e-liquid runs out. Pod systems with pre-filled pods also exist and are available in many gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets. We don’t recommend those devices because pre-filled pods are only available in tobacco and menthol flavors due to legal regulations. With a refillable pod system, you can enjoy a much wider variety of flavors.
- Vape Mods: Vape mods are the most advanced vaping devices on the market. They’re very powerful and can generate enormous clouds, but we usually don’t recommend them to beginners because of their complexity. You may decide to buy a vape mod eventually, but we recommend choosing a disposable vape or a pod vape as your first device.
Choose Your Vape Juice
Once you’ve selected the type of vaping device that you’re going to use, the next step is selecting your e-liquid. One of the benefits of choosing a disposable vape as your first device is that part of the work is already done for you because there’s usually no need to choose your nicotine strength. That’s because the majority of disposable vapes only come in one strength – usually 50 mg/ml – so the only thing that you need to worry about is the flavor. We’ll discuss that shortly.
If you’re using a pod system, your device won’t come with e-liquid. That means you’ll need to buy it separately. For most small pod-based devices, we suggest buying nicotine salt vape juice, which typically comes in two strengths.
- High Strength (Usually 50 mg/ml): This is usually the right strength to choose if you smoke around a pack of cigarettes per day. Step down to the lower strength if you experience a sore throat or feel like you’re getting more nicotine than you need.
- Low Strength (Usually 25 mg/ml): This is usually the right strength to choose if you smoke half a pack of cigarettes per day or less. Step up to the higher strength if you don’t feel satisfied and still experience strong cravings.
No matter what type of vaping device you’re using, you’ll need to select your e-liquid flavor – and this is a big part of what makes vaping so enjoyable. A cigarette can only taste like smoke, but vape juice can taste like anything from candies and desserts to fruits and beverages. Taste is subjective, though, and you can’t know what your favorite e-liquid flavors are if you haven’t vaped yet. We suggest trying a few different e-liquids or a few different disposable vapes when you make your first purchase. Just pick a few flavors that sound good to you, and from that experience, you’ll get a better idea of what your preferences might be.
Set Up Your Device
After you’ve made your order and received your first shipment of vape gear, it’s time to begin setting up your device. We’ll walk you through this process for both disposable vapes and pod systems.
Setting Up a Disposable Vape
A disposable vape arrives from the factory ready to go, but you do need to unbox it properly in order to use it. Many of the most common problems with disposable vapes happen because a crucial step is missed at the very beginning.
- Remove your disposable vape from its box. Inside the box, you’ll find a foil or plastic pouch. Tear open the pouch and retrieve your device.
- Check the device’s mouthpiece for a silicone plug. Remove the plug and discard it.
- Check the bottom of the device for a sticker. The sticker covers the airflow opening to prevent the device from activating in the box. Remove the sticker and discard it. Your disposable vape is now ready to use.
Setting Up a Pod Vape
Getting a pod vape ready to use requires a little more effort than a disposable vape because you have to charge the device and fill the pod before you can start vaping. The process doesn’t take long.
- Use the USB cord included with your vape kit to connect the pod system to your computer. The device’s display should light up. Watch the display to see when the device is done charging. Your pod system will probably arrive with a partial charge, so topping up the battery should be a fairly quick process.
- Remove the pod from the device and check for a piece of tape covering the contacts at the bottom. Remove the tape and discard it.
- Check for a silicone plug – usually colored red – on the side of the pod. Open the plug. If your pod doesn’t have a plug, the mouthpiece probably comes off. Wiggle the mouthpiece to remove it from the pod.
- Place the tip of your vape juice bottle in the pod’s filling port. If you’re using a pod with a removable mouthpiece, the filling port is offset from the pod’s central chimney. Don’t put e-liquid in the chimney.
- Squeeze vape juice into the pod, leaving a little space at the top. If you don’t leave room for air, the pod may leak when you close it.
- Close the pod and insert it into the pod system. The pod’s wick needs time to absorb the e-liquid, so wait several minutes before you begin to vape. Your pod system is now ready to use.
Enjoy Your First Vaping Session
Now that your device is set up and ready to go, it’s time to sit down and enjoy your first vaping session. This is the easy part. If your device doesn’t have a fire button, it’s a puff-activated device. To vape, just puff on the device as if you were puffing on a cigarette. If your device does have a fire button, hold the button down while you puff. Learn more about how to inhale when vaping.
Whether you’re using a disposable vape or a pod system, your device is filled with e-liquid that has a high nicotine strength and is designed to deliver satisfaction similar to that of a tobacco cigarette. With that in mind, it’s important to be mindful of how much you vape and avoid consuming more nicotine than you need. After puffing in your device about 10-15 times, put it down for a while until your cravings return.
Avoid These Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
We’d like to conclude this guide on how to vape with a few words of advice that can help you avoid or solve some common problems that new vapers face. Refer to this section if you experience any issues when vaping for the first time.
- Vape leaking or gurgling: If your device gurgles or leaks, you’re probably puffing harder than necessary. You shouldn’t puff as hard on a vaping device as you would puff on a cigarette. Draw the vapor into your mouth gently.
- Device tastes extremely burnt or harsh: If this happens, you’re probably using a pod system and didn’t wait long enough after filling the pod. The pod’s wick needs to be completely saturated with e-liquid before you begin vaping. If you’re using a device with adjustable power, you should also lower the wattage.
- Disposable vape blinks when you puff on it: This means that the battery is dead. Connect the device to your computer with a USB cable to charge the battery.
- Device tastes burnt after using it for a few days: If you’re using a disposable vape, it’s probably out of e-liquid, which means that it’s time to replace the device. If you’re using a pod system and are certain the pod isn’t empty, it’s probably time to replace the pod or coil.