Beginners Instructions and advice
This beginners area is designed for customers who know little to nothing about the electronic cigarettes. Perhaps you saw a friend with an e-cigarette, or saw one on tv. If you are confused as to what is what, and want beginners advice on which e-cigarette and what e-liquid will work best for you, here is where you should start.
What is an electronic cigarette, and how does it work?
An electronic cigarette is a battery operated device that heats up e-liquid, converting it from a liquid to a vapour. It is designed as an alternate to cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Many people who have had little to no success quitting smoking by traditional means -- cold turkey, the patches, the gums the drugs, etc. -- have had much greater and long lasting success using electronic cigarettes. An electronic cigarette so closely mimics a tobacco cigarette it provides the most realistic and satisfying smoking experience. The electronic cigarette does not contain the cancer causing agents known to be in tobacco products, leaving you with just a few ingredients.
Every electronic cigarette requires three things to work. The first is a battery. These batteries can be as small as a cigarette, or as large as a double A battery, but they are all designed to provide power to the e-cigarette. All of the batteries at Canada Vapes are lithium ion batteries. This means that they do not have a 'memory' and can be recharged hundreds of times in a row maintaining their power. All of our batteries charge using a USB adapter, allowing you to easily charge your batteries anywhere there is a computer, laptop, or with the optional cigarette lighter adapter for your car. You can also charge our batteries through any standard wall plug. Batteries have a control chip that regulates the power provided that keeps your battery performing optimally.
The second requirement of an e-cigarette is a way to heat the e-liquid into a vapor. This part of the e-cigarette is most often called an atomizer. An atomizer contains a heating element -- Usually a heating coil -- that looks somewhat similar to the heating coils you see if you looked inside a toaster oven. The heating coil is a thin piece of coiled metal that instantly heats when you activate the battery. The e-liquid touches the heating coil and instantly converts to a vapor, which carries the e-liquid in vapor form to you and provides the 'simulated smoke', taste, and throat hit.
The final requirement for an e-cigarette is an area for the e-liquid to be stored. This is where most differences between e-cigarettes occur. These options include a cartridge, a tank, a cartomizer, or a clearomizer. Each of these has three tasks: To store e-liquid, to move the e-liquid to the atomizer as needed, and as a moutpiece. Each option uses a different way of handling these three tasks.
Which electronic cigarette should I buy?
This question isn't really as hard to answer as you may think. There is really only one question to ask, and then everything else is personal preferences.
The Big Question: Battery style - Do I want longer battery life, or do I want a very small unit similar in size to a tobacco cigarette? The biggest drawback to the small cigarette 510 style e-cigarettes is a shorter battery life. The batteries are much smaller with the 510 series e-cigarettes, so their battery life is less then the bigger battery units. The benefit is of course their small size. Some customers really want an e-cigarette that is as close as possible to looking like a cigarette. For these customers, the 510 series is really the only option. The benefit to the bigger batteries is simply their time between charges. A big battery will last most customers the entire day between charges. A typical EGO style battery (the bigger battery) will last up to 10+ hours for many customers, whereas the smaller batteries will typically last 2-4 hours. The other factor to consider is how much you currently smoke. If you smoke say 5-10 cigarettes per day on average, a small battery unit should be all you need, as you won't charging it as much. If you smoke around a pack day or more, I would recommend going with a bigger battery. For now, just decide right now if you absolutely must have the small cigarette style battery, or are OK with a larger 'double A battery' sized battery. If you choose the small battery, please read "I Must have a Small Battery" below. If you choose the big battery, please read "I want a big battery" below.
I MUST HAVE A SMALL BATTERY!
Great! Now that you have determined that you want the small 510 style battery, the last thing you need to decide is what options for heating and storing the e-liquid you want to use. Each method has strengths and weaknesses, which I will go over now:
Option 1: Atomizer with cartridge: -- KITS WITH THIS SETUP: The 510 Starter Kit -- This is the original method for electronic cigarettes. Going back 4-5 years, the majority of e-cigarettes used atomizers and cartridges. The atomizer screws into to your battery and contains the heating coil. The cartridge is also your mouthpiece. It snaps onto the atomizer. Inside of the cartridge is poly-fill. This is a polyester/cotton mix of material that absorbs e-liquid, and then passes the e-liquid to the atomizer as you use the device. To fill, just drip 10-12 drops of e-liquid right into the poly-fill, and snap the cartridge onto the atomizer. This is the electronic cigarette I used for the first year I vaped. The benefits are that the atomizer is generally considered the most pure method for taste, throat hit, and vapor production. The atomizers last quite a while (2 weeks to 2 months) and it is pretty simple to understand how it works. The main drawback to the atomizer and cartridge system is not all of the e-liquid will be used up in the cartridge, so it requires more filling then some of the other options. Also, the cartridge does not hold that much e-liquid, so you may have to carry around a bottle of e-liquid or extra cartridges you pre-fill to use as you go about your day. This is still an excellent starter kit and great for beginners.
The other great thing about the atomizer/cartridge method is that it can easily be used to direct drip. Direct dripping is simply to become the cartridge yourself. Just pop off the cartridge and drip 2-3 drops of e-liquid right onto the atomizer. This provides a consistent and precise amount of e-liquid to the atomizer, making it very efficient. You can purchase optional drip tips both in Black or Stainless Steel. Drip tips replace the cartridge with a mouthpiece that has a hole right through it. You can then just drip your e-liquid right through the center of the hole and onto the atomizer.
Option 2: The Cartomizer: -- KITS WITH THIS SETUP: The 510 Cartomizer Starter Kit -- The 510 cartomizer starter kit is the most cost efficient and simplest electronic cigarette. Essentially, a cartomizer combines an atomizer with a cartridge into a single unit. It houses both a heating coil and poly-fill to hold the e-liquid. The cartomizer kits are just 2 pieces, a battery and a cartomizer. The benefits of cartomizers are several. They hold more e-liquid then the cartridges. They are very simple to understand; just fill your cartomizer, screw it into battery, and you are done. The drawbacks of cartomizers are that they are a little more difficult to fill, and the cartomizers are disposable. A cartomizer is inexpensive and designed to last 10-20 fills before being thrown away. A cartomizer may last the average user a week compared to a month or more with an atomizer. The starter kit comes with 5 cartomizers, which should last you a month or more. For some people having to purchase cartomizers regularly can be a drawback, but many people enjoy the ease of using cartomizers. Additional cartomizer can be purchased separately here.
Option 3: The Clearomizer: -- KITS WITH THIS SETUP: The 510-E Starter Kit -- Clearomizers are fairly new to the marketplace. They are longer lasting cartomizers with clear plastic walls that you can see through. They allow you to see the amount of e-liquid remaining. They do a very good job at consonantly feeding the e-liquid to the heating coil throughout their operation. This means that every draw of your e-cigarette will be consistent until the e-liquid has been used. The drawbacks of the 510-E clearomizer is that it is tricky to fill. It requires a needle tipped lid (included with the starter kit) to fill the unit. The other disadvantage is that clearomizers generally slightly reduce the flavour of the e-liquid. I'd estimate it produces about 80% of the flavour vs. atomizers or cartomizers. Clearomizers can last quite a while, up to 100+ fills. Additional 510-E clearomizers can be purchased here.
Option 4: The Tank: -- KITS WITH THIS SETUP: The 510-T Starter Kit -- The tank system takes the idea of the cartridge and takes it to a new level. It houses a see-through plastic tank at the top that you fill with e-liquid. The tank has a small hole in the bottom that is punctured by the 510-T atomizer unit. The atomizer draws e-liquid from the tank into the atomizer as you inhale. This system is somewhat more complicated then the others, and can have some problems if not done correctly. The tank can leak if it not installed correctly. It does provide excellent consistent hits if it is setup correctly.
Option 5: Mix And Match: -- This is the recommended method. Pick 2-3 of the options you see above, and purchase any of the starter kits. Then order a few accessories from some of the other models. The batteries from all 510 kits are interchangeable, so you can use a 510-T battery with a 510-E clearomizer, or a 510 atomizer and cartridge with a 510-E battery. If you like the sound of the tank system, but also like the cartomizer idea, pick up a 510-T starter kit, and then order a 5 pack of cartomizers. For just a few dollars more on your order you can essentially get 2-3 different e-cigarettes to try.
If you do not have any preferences at all: Here is what I recommend: Buy a 510 starter kit. Order a pack of cartomizers, and a 510-E clearomizer. This will give you 4 different ways to use your electronic cigarette: With an atomizer and cartridge, dripping with an atomizer, using cartomizers, and using clearomizers. You can experiment with these four options and determine what works best for you!
I WANT A BIG BATTERY!
Good Choice! The big battery units are all long lasting durable and powerful units. There are many choices for the big battery units. Let's go over them now:
Option 1: Atomizer with cartridge: -- KITS WITH THIS SETUP: The EGO Starter Kit and The T-Rex Starter Kit -- This is the original method for electronic cigarettes. Going back 4-5 years, the majority of e-cigarettes used atomizers and cartridges. The atomizer screws into to your battery and contains the heating coil. The cartridge is also your mouthpiece. It snaps onto the atomizer. Inside of the cartridge is poly-fill. This is a polyester/cotton mix of material that absorbs e-liquid, and then passes the e-liquid to the atomizer as you use the device. To fill, just drip 10-12 drops of e-liquid right into the poly-fill, and snap the cartridge onto the atomizer. This is the electronic cigarette I used for the first year I vaped. The benefits are that the atomizer is generally considered the most pure method for taste, throat hit, and vapor production. The atomizers last quite a while (2 weeks to 2 months) and it is pretty simple to understand how it works. The main drawback to the atomizer and cartridge system is not all of the e-liquid will be used up in the cartridge, so it requires more filling then some of the other options. Also, the cartridge does not hold that much e-liquid, so you may have to carry around a bottle of e-liquid or extra cartridges you pre-fill to use as you go about your day. This is still an excellent starter kit and great for beginners.
The other great thing about the atomizer/cartridge method is that it can easily be used to direct drip. Direct dripping is simply to remove the action of the cartridge and be the cartridge yourself. Just pop off the cartridge and drip 2-3 drops of e-liquid right onto the atomizer. This provides a consistent and precise amount of e-liquid to the atomizer, making it very efficient. You can purchase optional drip tips both in Black or Stainless Steel. Drip tips replace the cartridge with a mouthpiece that has a hole right through it. You can then just drip your e-liquid right through the center of the hole and onto the atomizer.
Option 2: The CE4 Clearomizer: -- KITS WITH THIS SETUP: The CE4 Starter Kit -- Clearomizers are fairly new to the marketplace. The CE4 is the most popular 'big battery' compatible clearomizer available. It holds 1.6ml of e-liquid, and is very durable. It uses dual wicking system to flow e-liquid to the heating coil. The clearomizer has a solid bottom, making it leak proof. The only disadvantage to the CE4 clearomizer is that clearomizers slightly reduce the flavour of the e-liquid. I'd estimate it produces about 80% of the flavour vs. atomizers or cartomizers. Clearomizers can last quite a while, up to 100+ fills. This is an excellent choice for beginners due to its simplicity and ease of use. It is easy to use and easy to fill! Additional CE4 clearomizers are available here.
Option 2: The Tank System: -- KITS WITH THIS SETUP: The EGO-C and EGO-T Starter Kit -- The tank system has been around for over a year now, but many people believe it to be a big improvement over the traditional atomizer. I primarily use the EGO-C tank, unless I'm going out for a while, when I'll use a CE4 clearomizer. The tank holds over 1ml of e-liquid, and feeds the e-liquid right onto the atomizer through a needle inside of the atomizer. The main benefit of the tank system is that it provides excellent flavour, just as good as direct dripping (dripping e-liquid right onto the atomizer) and it is very reliable. The drawbacks to the tank system is it is more complicated then some of the other systems, and has a slight learning curve. Improper installation can cause leaking tanks as well as dry hits (happens when not enough e-liquid is getting to the atomizer). It can sometimes be finicky, and may require some adjustments to optimize.
What the heck is the difference between the EGO-C and the EGO-T? Which is better? Which is newer? The EGO-C is the newest tank model on the marketplace. It is nearly identical to the EGO-T with one major difference. The EGO-T has a single atomizer unit. This means that when the atomizer dies, you throw it away and buy a new one. The EGO-C has a 3 piece atomizer unit. The heating coil (atomizer head) can be removed from the base and cone of the atomizer and replaced. The heating coil is less expensive then the entire atomizer unit making the EGO-C a more cost effective and environmentally friendly choice. The EGO-C comes with 5 atomizer heads compared to the 2 atomizers that the EGO-T comes with. This means that you are essentially getting 5 atomizers with the EGO-C. Now all of this being said, it may seem obvious to go with the EGO-C, however due to its 3 part atomizer, the EGO-C is more complicated then the EGO-T, and for some individuals who don't want to mess around with changing atomizer heads and multi-part e-cigarettes, the EGO-c may be too complicated for them.
Mix And Match: -- This is the recommended method. All EGO style batteries are fully compatible with each different vaping method, so if you see several methods you think you will like, purchase a kit and then some accessories from another kit. For example, if you want to try the tank system and a clearomizer system, just order the EGO-C starter kit and add a CE4 clearomizer. This way you can experience multiple methods for vaping and determine what works best for you!
If you do not have any preferences at all: Here is what I recommend: Buy an EGO starter kit. Order a pack of cartomizers, and a CE4 clearomizer. This will give you 4 different ways to use your electronic cigarette: With an atomizer and cartridge, dripping with an atomizer, using cartomizers, and using clearomizers. You can experiment with these four options and determine what works best for you!
What e-liquid should I buy?
Hopefully you have found the perfect electronic cigarette for you. But what good is an electronic cigarette without e-liquid? E-liquid is the gas that drives the engine! Regarding e-liquid, there are just two choices to make, and then a few questions that I will answer for you.
Question #1: What strength of e-liquid should I use? -- The e-liquid is available in four strengths: 0, low, medium and high. For most customers who smoke between 1/2 a pack and 1 pack a day of low to average strength cigarettes, I recommend medium strength. If you smoke over a pack a day, or smoke very strong cigarettes you should use high strength. If you smoke less then 1/2 a pack a day or smoke very light cigarettes, you should start with low strength. Some customers find it useful to have a higher strength on hand for when they get a really intense craving, often right in the morning or right after a meal. Many customers also wrongly assume that having a higher strength e-liquid will make them more successful at quitting. This is not at all the case. It is best to match the strength with your current cigarette use as described above.
Question #2: What flavour of e-liquid should I use? -- Asking this is like asking someone what song should I listen to. E-liquid taste is very subjective and although I do my best to describe the flavours on the site, everyone has different taste preferences. What I recommend to my customers is to read through the reviews on the website and see what other customers are saying about the e-liquid. The most popular flavour is Canadian smooth.
Commonly asked e-liquid questions:
How long does the e-liquid last? - This is another tricky question. Every different model of e-cigarette consumes e-liquid at a slightly different rate. The size and length of your draws, and of course how often you use your e-cigarette will be big factors in how long the e-liquid lasts. On average customers have reported using between 1-3ml of e-liquid per day. This means a bottle should last anywhere form 10 days to one month. Each bottle is 30ml in size. If you currently smoke a lot -- expect a bottle to last about 10- days. If you smoke less often, a bottle may last up to a month.
Which e-liquid tastes the most like a tobacco cigarette? -- There are a few points to make on this question. The first is this: No e-liquid will ever truly taste exactly like a tobacco cigarette, and here is why: When you smoke a cigarette, you are also smoking the paper that holds the tobacco. This burning paper and tobacco creates a taste that cannot be exactly replicated without actually burning something. Since electronic cigarettes do not ignite e-liquid, it is impossible to completely simulate a cigarette taste. The second point is that many customers start off their journey by thinking they only want something like their cigarette in taste and feel. After a week or two their mind is opened to the possibilities of the enormous flavour options available. They very soon start experimenting with many flavours, and many customers eventually never go back to tobacco flavours again. Each person is of course different. I have vaped for over three years, and still enjoy many tobacco flavours. I would recommend again reading through the reviews of the various tobacco flavours and choosing one that sounds good to you.
Other things to consider:
You've got your starter kit chosen, and you have your e-liquid picked out. This is all you need to get started, but there are some other items you may want to look at. Here are a few recommendations for additional items that will make your experience that much better.
If you vape from home a lot or at an office -- Get yourself a USB passthru. The USB passthru is available in a small battery style for the 510, and a big battery style for the EGO series. It is essentially a battery that has a cable at the back. It plugs into a USB port and offers continuous vaping with no batteries. This is fantastic for people who work from home and spend a lot of time in front of a computer, or even in your den or living room with a laptop or other USB plug.
If you are out and about a lot -- Get yourself a carrying case. I have three sizes of carrying cases available. The small 510 carrying case is perfect to hold your extra 510 batteries, or a few extra atomizers/cartomizers/clearomizers. It is very small with a hard plastic outer shell, and fits in a pocket or purse easily. For bigger battery units, I have both the Large cases and X-Large Cases. Both are capable of holding a fully built EGO style e-cigarette.
If you are in a car a lot -- Get yourself a cigarette lighter USB charger. Charge your batteries in your car with this simple USB battery charger.
Consider getting extra parts! - The starter kits all have what you need to get you going, but many people find just a few extra parts will ensure they are never left without their e-cigarette. Having an extra battery and USB charger for your work, cottage, car, etc. will keep you going anywhere you are. Also, its a good idea to have extra atomizers/cartomizers/clearomizers/etc. on hand in case one dies on you.
If you have any further questions or concerns, I am here to help! Just contact me through the store's contact form, and I'll answer any questions you may have. This page will be updated as we receive new products and information on any current products.
