What Are Vaporizers?
Vaporizers, which are sometimes called e-cigs or just "vapes”, are small battery-powered devices that produce vapor by heating a liquid. They are intentionally designed to replicate the sensation of smoking as to provide a safer alternative for tobacco users and the people around them.
What is Vapor?
Although some vapes can vaporize dry plants, most devices are designed to hold e-juices, which are composed of water, nicotine, artificial flavors and a non-toxic base such as propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin. You can also find e-juices without nicotine. Some e-juices come in prefilled cartridges that are designed specifically for certain devices, but most e-juices are usually sold in bottles and can be used in any vaporizer.
The Anatomy of A Vaporizer
Here is a rundown of the parts that comprise most vapes:
Batteries - There are two types of batteries: automatic and manual. Vapes powered by automatic batteries are activated when the user inhales, so they work similarly to traditional cigarettes. Manual batteries require the pressing of a button, which can give the user more control over the temperature.
Heating Element or Atomizer - The battery supplies energy to the heating element, which is also called an "atomizer" because heat speeds up atoms and transforms liquid into vapor. The heating element, which is usually a metal coil, turns the e-juice into a mist that the user then inhales and exhales.
Cartomizer - Sometimes the heating element is separated from the e-juice by a piece of plastic called a cartomizer, which may need replacing if you start to notice a "burnt" taste while vaping.
Tank - E-liquid is stored in the tank for vaping.
Wick - The wick lies partially submerged in the tank and wraps around the atomizer to draw e-juice to the heating element.
The Different Types of Vapes
When shopping for your first vape, you may find yourself overwhelmed with options. There are a number of different types of vapes available today. Some vapes are designed to resemble traditional cigarettes; others are larger to accommodate different temperature and voltage settings. Here are a few common terms you may encounter as you search.
Cig-a-likes - Created to look and handle exactly like a tobacco cigarette, cig-a-likes are often sold as one inseparable unit. They may take e-juice cartridges or they may be designed to be disposed of after the prefilled e-juice runs out.
Vape Pens - Unlike cig-a-likes, vape pens are a little bigger and can be easily taken apart. The largest piece of a vape pen is always the battery, which will be either manual or automatic.
Mods - With mods, or modifications, every part of the device is detachable. Some vapers build their own mods while others like to buy pre-made mods and swap out the parts to meet their preferences. Mods give users a lot of control over temperature and voltage, which means they are capable of producing thicker vapor clouds.
Commercial e-cigs come with safety features that prevent overheating, but most mods don't have these protections, so you should only build your own vaporizer if you have an understanding of the physics behind them.
Choosing the Right E-Juice
There are thousands of different types of e-juices on the market, but there's no need to waste your money buying products you may or may not like when you can customize your own. DIY Flavours has everything you need to create e-juice flavors specifically tailored to your tastes, including bases, bottles and mixing tools. All ingredients are safe and easy to combine. What are your vaping preferences?
