Vaping for Beginners – The Beginner’s Guide to Vaping

Mar 11, 2024Updated Sep 17, 20266 min readVape School

If you are an adult who is new to vaping, the gear, the jargon and the choices can feel like a lot at once. The good news is that a handful of basics will get you started and help you avoid the most common beginner mistakes.

This guide covers what vaping is, how a vape works, the main types of devices, how to choose your first e-liquid and nicotine strength, and how to set up and look after your kit. Each section links to a deeper guide when you want more.

What vaping is and how it works

Vaping means inhaling an aerosol, usually called vapor, that an electronic device makes by heating e-liquid. E-liquid, also called vape juice or e-juice, is typically a mix of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavorings and, in most cases, nicotine.

Almost every vape has the same basic parts:

• Battery. Powers the device. It is either built in or removable.
• Coil. A small metal heating element that turns e-liquid into vapor.
• Wick. Usually cotton, it feeds e-liquid to the coil.
• Tank or pod. Holds the e-liquid, with the coil and wick inside. Together they are often called the atomizer.
• Mouthpiece. Also called a drip tip.

When you press the fire button, or simply inhale on a draw-activated device, the battery heats the coil, the coil vaporizes the e-liquid soaked into the wick, and you inhale the vapor.

A word on health: nicotine is addictive, and no vaping product is FDA-approved as a quit-smoking aid. Public health bodies disagree on many of the details. If you smoke and are thinking about switching, talk to your doctor, and check cdc.gov and fda.gov for current guidance.

Choosing your first device

Disposables

Disposables come pre-filled and ready to use, with nothing to set up. You use one until it runs out, then replace it. They are the simplest option, but you are limited to the flavors and strengths each model comes in. Browse our disposable vapes to see what is available.

Pod systems

Pod systems are small, light devices that use refillable or pre-filled pods. Most are made for a tighter mouth-to-lung draw, where you pull vapor into your mouth first, and many fire automatically when you inhale. They pair well with nic salts.

Vape pens and starter kits

These are a step up in battery life and tank size, usually with a fire button and a few power settings. They are a good middle ground if you want a refillable device with a bit more control.

Box mods

Box mods are larger devices with more battery power and adjustable wattage, usually paired with a sub-ohm tank for bigger clouds and a direct-to-lung draw. Stick with regulated mods, which have built-in protections such as short-circuit detection. Unregulated and mechanical mods are for experienced users only; our guide to unregulated box mods explains why.

Choosing your first e-liquid

PG/VG ratio

Juices at 50/50 or with more PG suit pods and mouth-to-lung devices and give more throat hit. Thicker juices with 70% VG or more suit sub-ohm tanks and make more vapor. Our guide to PG and VG explains the details.

Nicotine type and strength

Freebase nicotine is the classic form used in most bottled vape juice, and sub-ohm devices typically use it at lower strengths. Nic salts are a different form that many vapers find smoother at higher strengths, which is why they are popular in pod systems. The more nicotine in the juice, the stronger the throat hit. If a juice feels harsh or makes you lightheaded, stop and switch to a lower strength. Our guide to nicotine strength will help you choose.

Flavor

Start with flavors you already enjoy in food and drink. Our flavor index groups everything by family, including fruit, dessert, menthol and tobacco. For more help, read how to choose the right e-liquid.

Setting up and looking after your kit

Your first puffs

1. Read the manual. Every device is different, and the manual tells you the right coils, power range and charging method.
2. Charge it. Use the cable that came with the device or a quality replacement, and do not leave it charging unattended.
3. Prime the coil. If you can see cotton through the coil’s openings, put a few drops of e-liquid directly on it, then fill the tank or pod.
4. Wait. Give the cotton several minutes to soak through. Skipping this step is a quick way to burn a brand-new coil.
5. Start low. On adjustable devices, begin at the low end of the coil’s recommended wattage and work up.
6. Take gentle puffs. Slow, steady draws work better than hard pulls, and a few seconds between puffs gives the wick time to refill.

Prefer to watch? ZampleBox Vape School videos walk through topics like priming coils, changing coils and choosing a nicotine strength. Watch the videos on YouTube.

Everyday care

• Keep it filled. Do not let the e-liquid drop below the coil’s wicking holes, or you will get dry hits.
• Change coils when they fade. A burnt taste or muted flavor means it is time. See when to change your vape coils and why your vape tastes burnt.
• Clean your tank. Rinse it when you change coils or flavors. Here is how to clean your tank.
• Store e-liquid well. Keep bottles closed, out of sunlight, and out of reach of children and pets. How long vape juice lasts covers shelf life.
• Travel smart. When you fly, devices and spare batteries go in your carry-on bag. Read our guide to TSA rules before a trip.

Bottles worth trying

Fruit is the biggest flavor family on our site and an easy place to start. If you would rather not choose bottles one at a time, the Zamplebox Club sends a curated box every month based on the flavor families and nicotine strength you pick, starting at $23.99. You can swap any bottle before it ships and cancel anytime. Here is how it works.

Common questions

WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. For adults 21+ only.