Types of Vaping Devices
When you are ready to purchase a vape, the first thing that you need to decide is what type of vaping product you want. As vaping becomes increasingly popular, more vaporizer options exist on the market than ever before. The wide spectrum of available vaporizers means you have plenty of options to choose from, so it is just a matter of learning the benefits of each type and selecting the device or product that will best serve your personal needs!
Starter Kits
There are starter kits available for every brand of vaporizer. In general, a starter kit includes the device itself along with batteries to keep the vape charged or a cord to charge the vape when you are not using it. Many of them also come packaged with samples of different flavours of e-liquid, so that you can get a taste for all the possible options that are available with a brand of vape. In some instances, the starter kit also comes bundled with a temporary or disposable vape, which will allow you to try the product for yourself before deciding whether you are going to invest in a longer lasting version of the device.
E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes, or e-cigs, offer a great value compared to other vaping devices, and they are significantly cheaper than traditional tobacco. This type of device typically utilizes pre-filled cartridges that contain a one-time use atomizer to vaporize liquids. The single cartridge comes already filled and contains 500 pulls before it needs to be replaced. Furthermore, some models feature adjustable cartridge settings to maximize one’s vaping experience.
E-cigarettes are designed to resemble the long, slim cylinder of traditional cigarettes, but operate thanks to rechargeable batteries that are frequently built-in to the device. The size and style of e-cigs makes them highly portable, including all associated accessories. The e-cig and the accessories can easily fit in a single, small carrying case that can be stuffed in to a backpack or purse without issue.
Vape Pens
There are three types of vape pens:
• Vape pens for dry herbs,
• Vape pens for e-liquids, and
• Vape pens for concentrates and waxes.
Each type of vape pen requires a different type of atomizer or heating chamber.
Vape pens, like e-cigarettes, are shaped like cylinders. However, vape pens tend to be larger and thicker than an e-cigarette. Furthermore, these devices are typically metallic or brightly colored, and otherwise do not resemble a traditional cigarette.
There are numerous benefits to selecting a vape pen—for example, they feature an extended battery life, making them ideally suited for extended journeys wherein it may not be clear how long it will be before you will be able to charge the vape or replace its batteries. It is also easy to refill vape pens, making them easily reusable. Finally, although they are larger than e-cigarettes, a person can still easily carry a vape pen around with them.
Vape Mods
Vape mods are similar in appearance to vape pens, but they are often somewhat wider. Some vapers find that the larger size makes it easier to hold. Additionally, many vapers find vape mods appealing because they are available in a variety of colors. They are frequently constructed from materials such as stainless steel, so they tend to be one of the most durable vaping devices on the market.
Vape mods offer the user more control over the temperature that the device operates at, making it ideal for advanced vapers. In addition, they feature an easy-to-refill tank, so replenishing your supply of e-liquid is a simple process.
E-Liquids
E-liquids are the fuel that is used in vaping devices. For liquids containing nicotine, the potency will be described by using a nicotine level or nicotine concentration. Although certain e-liquids contain nicotine, others do not contain nicotine, giving vapers who wish to vape but are not interested in consuming nicotine an option if they wish to engage in the social aspects of this activity. In some instances, a person may purchase e-liquid without nicotine, then add their own liquid nicotine to achieve the concentration they desire. E-liquids come in a variety of different sizes, concentrations and flavours, to suit the preferences of every user.
Vape Tanks
Vape tanks connect to a vaping device or e-cigarette and contain the e-liquid and atomizer. They consist of several parts:
• Atomizer and coil,
• Chimney,
• Drip tip,
• Tank base,
• Top cap,
• Tube, and
• 510 connection.
The vape tank component creates the vapor. When the coils contained within the tank fire, the e-liquid heats up to produce vapor.
There are different types of vape tanks such as basic tanks and sub-ohm tanks. The different vape tanks offer users varying experiences by offering different levels of power, sizes of reservoirs to hold e-liquid, and types of vaping experiences.
Pod Vapes
Pod vapes are popular with people transitioning into vaping – beginning vapers and people who want to quit smoking. This is because they are often somewhat smaller and simpler to use than other vaping products on the market. They are available in two intuitive designs and are often automatic (meaning the user simply needs to take a drag to make vapor).
Pod vapes can either be refillable or pre-filled, with each style having its own pros and cons. Although a refillable pod vape, or open-system vape, must be manually filled by the user, it gives the user more freedom in terms of the flavour. Pre-filled pod vapes, or closed system vapes, are non-refillable pod vapes that use cartridges already filled with e-liquid.
Dry Herb Vaporizers
Dry herb vaporizers do not cause any material to combust, which means they allow the vaper to consume dry herb without having to inhale toxic smoke. These vapes offer users a great degree of control, and often come with an option to regulate the temperature as desired. Dry herb vaporizers come in two varieties, direct contact (or conduction) heating and convection (or hot air) heating. No matter what variety of dry herb vaporizer you select, it will not create the tell-tale smell of smoking when used, allowing for discrete use. Another benefit of a dry herb vaporizer is it is easy to maintain and clean, making a dry herb vape ideal for users at every level of experience.
Different Types of Vapes
An inhalation device designed to vaporize dry herb or e-liquids is known as a vape. The vaping devices are divided into two categories based on the raw material they rely upon to operate: e-liquid vapes and dry-herb vapes.
E-Liquid Vapes
The more common type of vaping devices will operate using e-liquids like e-cigs. In general, the e-liquid gets soaked into the cotton around the coil of the vape, and as the coil heats up, the soaked-up liquid becomes vaporized. This creates huge plumes of vapor that the user can inhale. These e-liquids may contain nicotine, and when they do contain nicotine, the concentration and flavours will vary, allowing the user to customize their vaping experience as desired.
E-liquid vapes come in many different shapes and sizes. However, one of the most popular and best vapes in this category is sub-ohm box mods. This type of e-liquid vape is popular even though it requires a lot of maintenance because the liquid is vaporized much faster, resulting in very large plumes of vapor, than other types of vapes. Sub-ohm vapes are often used in competitive vaping.
Dry-Herb Vapes
Dry-herb vaping devices are made to be used with dried herb material, typically marijuana where it is legal, but it can also be used for products such as dried tobacco, wax concentrates and oils. When using this type of vaping device, the dried material will be placed directly inside the ceramic heating chamber of the vape and then consumed. The ceramic heating chamber offers a much cleaner and purer vaping experience for many vapers.
For many vapers, the ceramic heating chamber of the dry-herb vape is one of its most appealing aspects. Because the design of the dry-herb vape has eliminated the need for combustion, it is less harmful than other methods of consuming nicotine. Combustion results in the release of many harmful chemicals that are carcinogens. Thus, by eliminating the need for combustion, dry-herb vaporizers are safe compared to other consumption methods.
How to Pick the Right Vape for You
One of the important questions to ask yourself before selecting a vaping device is why you are vaping. There are numerous reasons that a person might decide to take up vaping, including a struggle with nicotine addiction.
For those who want to quit smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke in a day, vaping offers a way to consume nicotine and enjoy a similar experience to smoking cigarettes without the negative health effects.
E-liquid comes in various concentrations of nicotine that can be purchased and used in vaping devices. The most common are:
• 3 mg (low concentration)
• 6 mg (low-to-medium concentration)
• 12 mg (medium concentration)
• 18 mg (medium-to-high concentration)
• 24 mg (high concentration)
• 36 mg (very high concentration)
For people treating nicotine addiction the concentration of nicotine is an essential consideration when choosing a vaping product. For those cigarette smokers who are looking to quit the habit but worry they may miss the act of smoking, e-cigarettes offer an alternative experience that comes with fewer health risks.
However, other people are interested in vaping solely because of the social aspects, and either do not use nicotine or are not concerned with modifying their nicotine use. There is a vibrant social community around vaping, and some people are eager to get a vaping device that will help them break onto the scene with style. These users may want to consider a vaping device that produces larger clouds, such as a pod vape or dry herb vaporizer, which are essential in vaping competitions and cloud chasing.
Where to Buy the Best Vapes
There are numerous places to purchase vaping products. In Australia, for example, there are a variety of different options such as domestic websites that sell vaping products that can be purchased from local sources and shipped. There are also brick and mortar stores where you can browse the available vaping devices. Under Australia law, stores cannot sell liquid nicotine over the counter, but it is perfectly legal to sell the devices used for vaping (as well as e-liquid that does not contain nicotine).
For those in Australia who are interested in vaping with tobacco, it is possible to import liquid nicotine under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Personal Importation Scheme. Under the TGA Personal Importation Scheme, a person who has written a prescription for a liquid nicotine by a properly licensed Australian doctor can import liquid nicotine for their vaping device.
There are a number of countries where liquid nicotine is legal. Australians can import up to a three-month supply to be shipped to their home if the person has a valid prescription. The countries that sell liquid nicotine legally include New Zealand, the United States, and China.
Some Final Thoughts…
There are more vaping devices on the market now than ever before, and thanks to the wide selection of possible products, users have a wide selection from which to choose. There are a variety of different devices, including e-cigarettes, vape pens and vape mods. Vaping devices can be divided into two categories: dry-herb vapes and e-liquid vapes. These categories refer to the type of fuel used by the respective devices.
A user looking to purchase a vaping device will want to consider their primary motivator in purchasing the device, and considerations like nicotine addiction or a desire to become part of the vaping community should be accounted for when selecting a device. Whether purchasing from within Australia or from overseas, there are plenty of options available for people in the market for a new vaping device!
