Beginner's Guide
Starting out with e-cigarettes?
You don't need to know anything beforehand. In four simple steps you choose a device, nicotine and flavour, and get off to the right start from day one. Everything we tell you here is what we recommend every day in our store in Ilioupoli.
1. Choose a device
Today's devices are very reliable. To begin with you don't need anything expensive: a simple pod does the job perfectly. These two are our favourites for anyone starting out.
GeekVape Sonder Q3
Big battery for the whole day, simple to use, with no buttons and no settings. You just draw and it works.
Aspire Vilter 2
Slim and light, with a draw that feels very much like a cigarette. Ideal for anyone who wants something discreet for the pocket.
2. Choose nicotine
The general rule: start with nicotine that covers what you smoke now. If you take too little, you'll miss the cigarette and give up.
| How much you smoke today | Nicotine we recommend |
|---|---|
| 2 packs a day | 12 mg |
| 1 pack a day | 9 mg |
| 10-15 cigarettes a day | 6 mg |
| 5-10 cigarettes a day | 3 mg |
Every body is different, so this is a starting point and not a rule. If you're not sure, ask us or your doctor.
Nicotine salts or classic nicotine?
Nicotine salts (nic salts): smoother on the throat, even at high nicotine. They suit small pod devices like the ones above very well.
Classic nicotine (freebase): a stronger throat hit, which many ex-smokers look for. You mostly find it in flavor shots.
Gradual reduction, if you want it
Once you feel comfortable, you can step the nicotine down slowly, with no rush:
Stay at each level as long as you need. You set the pace.
3. Choose a flavour
Most people start with a tobacco flavour, because it feels like a cigarette. It isn't necessary though: it all depends on you. The three we recommend most often:
Montreal
Tobacco e-liquids that feel just like a cigarette. The best choice so you don't miss anything.
Bombo Supra Reserve
Something more 'gourmet': rich, round tobacco. Our customers' favourite e-liquid.
Steam Train Pink Lemonade
Cool, pink lemonade with a nice balance of sweet and sour. For those who want to get away from tobacco.
Your first e-liquid: get the smallest bottle
For your first e-liquid we recommend the smallest size available in the flavour you chose. That way, at low cost, you see whether the nicotine and flavour profile suit you, before buying a larger size.
What the terms mean
A few words you'll see in the store, each in a nutshell.
MTL and DTL
MTL (mouth to lung): you draw into your mouth first and then inhale, like a cigarette. This is the way we recommend to begin with.
DTL (direct to lung): you inhale straight into the lungs, with lots of vapour. It needs more powerful devices and low nicotine.
Ready-to-Vape e-liquids and flavor shots
Ready-to-Vape 10ml: comes with the nicotine already in it, ready to use.
Flavor shot (e.g. 10/30ml, 20/60ml): the first number is the ml of concentrate and the second is the size of the bottle. You top up the bottle with nicotine or base to reach the strength you want. Which booster to get and how many is worked out by the calculator below and it adds them to your basket too.
Flavor shot: which booster to get
Every e-liquid is a blend of two bases: VG (vegetable glycerine, thick, produces vapour) and PG (propylene glycol, thin, carries the flavour and gives a throat hit). It's best for the final e-liquid to be from 50/50 to 70VG/30PG.
Which ratio for your device
Close to 50/50: for pods and small MTL devices like the ones we recommend above. Thin e-liquid soaks the small coil quickly, gives a clean flavour and a cigarette-like throat hit.
Close to 70/30: for more powerful DTL devices with lots of vapour. Smoother on the throat.
Above 70% VG the e-liquid becomes too thick for pods: the coil doesn't soak and the flavour comes out burnt. Above 50% PG it irritates the throat.
Why the bottle size matters
The concentrates in flavor shots are usually mostly PG. So the more concentrate the bottle has, the more PG is already inside. You correct the difference with the booster you choose.
The first number is the ml of concentrate, the second is the bottle size. In the 20/60 the concentrate takes up a third, in the 10/60 only a sixth.
| Bottle | For pods (~50/50) | For more vapour (~70/30) |
|---|---|---|
| Lots of concentrate: 10/30, 20/60 | Booster 50/50 | Booster VG |
| Medium concentrate: 30/120 | Booster 50/50 | Booster 50/50 (at 3 mg it already comes out close to 70/30) |
| Little concentrate: 10/60, 12/60, 20/120, 24/120 | Booster PG | Booster 50/50 |
In both cases you fill the bottle right to the top with glycerine (VG). Calculated for a 10ml 20mg booster and a concentrate in a PG base. If the concentrate's label says something else, ask us and we'll tell you exactly what to add.
Make your own e-liquid
Choose a flavor shot, nicotine and ratio. The calculator tells you what to add and puts it in your basket with one click.
Choose an e-liquid or enter the ml of concentrate and of the bottle.
How many boosters for how much nicotine
Each booster is 10ml with 20mg nicotine:
- 30ml bottle: 1 booster ≈ 6,7 mg
- 60ml bottle: 1 booster ≈ 3,3 mg · 2 ≈ 6,7 mg · 3 = 10 mg
- 120ml bottle: 2 booster ≈ 3,3 mg · 4 ≈ 6,7 mg
For the nicotine that suits you, see the table in step 2.
An example
You have a 20/60 and a pod, and you want about 6 mg:
- 2 booster 50/50 (20ml)
- 20ml glycerine (VG) to fill up
That makes 60ml at 6.7 mg, at roughly a 50/50 ratio. Shake the bottle well and it's ready.
See the boosters4. Start off right
A few things that make a huge difference in the first days.
The first minutes with the device
- Fill the pod and wait 5 minutes before the first draw, so the coil can soak. It's the most common cause of a burnt flavour.
- Don't draw continuously, one puff after another. Leave a few seconds in between.
- Change the pod or coil when the flavour fades or it smells burnt. Usually every 1-2 weeks.
It's normal…
- a little coughing or dryness in the throat in the first few days. Drink more water, it helps a lot.
- for it to take a little time until you find your rhythm.
If you feel dizzy or nauseous, the nicotine is too much: take a break and go down a level.
Safety
- Keep devices and e-liquids away from children and pets. Nicotine is toxic if swallowed.
- Charge with the device's own cable and not unattended all night.
- Don't leave the device in the sun or in the car in summer.
- The products are intended for adults only (18+).
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bottle of e-liquid last?
It depends on how much you vape. For someone who smoked a pack a day, 10ml usually lasts 3-5 days.
Why does it taste burnt?
Usually because you didn't wait for the coil to soak, the e-liquid has run out, or the pod has reached the end of its life. Refill, wait a few minutes or change the pod.
Can I switch flavours in the same pod?
You can, but the previous flavour lingers a little. If you're switching from a strong to a mild flavour, it's better to use a new pod.
And if I don't like the flavour I chose?
That’s why we suggest a small bottle at the start. Pop into the store or give us a call: tell us what you like and we'll suggest flavours that suit you.
Come and let's set it up together
Pop into our store: we'll show you the devices up close and help you get started the right way.
5 Anexartisias Square, Ilioupoli · Mon-Fri 09:00-21:00 · Sat 09:00-15:00