A Beginner’s Guide to E-Liquid Concentrates

Since we first wrote this beginner’s guide nearly a decade ago, vaping has changed significantly. There is a wider variety of vape devices and vape juices. Crucially, the devices are both better and easier to use and there are more e-liquid choices.

We also have a decade more of research and vaping has been endorsed by the UK government and a host of charities and organisations, from the NHS Cancer Research to the Royal College of Physicians.

There’s never been a better time to ditch cigarettes and switch to vaping. You’ll find this guide contains all the basics you need to get started, with plenty of links to further resources for those who want to know more.

What are E-Liquid Concentrates?

When you vape, you use an electronic vape device to heat a liquid into vapour before inhaling it. The liquid usually (but not always) contains nicotine.

Vaping replicates the action, sensation and nicotine delivery of smoking, but without the tobacco smoke that causes smoking-related diseases.

How does E-Liquid Concentrates work?

Vape devices use a battery, a container (known as the tank, pod or cartridge) to hold the liquid and a coil. When you inhale on the device or press the button, the coil heats the vape juice and turns it into a vapour that is then inhaled.

Why is E-Liquid Concentrates better than smoking?

People smoke cigarettes for the nicotine (as well as other addictive elements in tobacco smoke) but die from the smoke.

E-Liquid Concentrates from vape devices usually contains nicotine, which scientists state has a similar risk profile to coffee, but only a fraction of the other harmful elements contained in tobacco smoke.

Are E-Liquid Concentrates safe?

After multiple, annual reviews of the evidence, including longer-term studies, organisations like Public Health England have concluded that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking cigarettes.

Scientists also estimate that vaping carries just 0.5% of the cancer risk of smoking, while long-term studies have demonstrated that switching to vaping can reverse some smoking diseases.

Vape devices/E-cigarettes

What is the difference between a vape and an e-cigarette?

Electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette) was the first term used for the device used for vaping. Over time, the term ‘vape’ or ‘vape device’ came to be used. Nowadays, these terms are used interchangeably.

Anatomy of a vape device

While there are many kinds of vape devices, they will all feature the following elements:

• Device/Battery: This provides the power needed to heat the coil.

• Cartridge/Pod/Tank: This is attached to the battery and holds the vape juice.

• Coil: This is the heating element inside the pod/tank that heats up the vape juice to create vapour.

Types of vape devices (and which is right for you)

There are many types of vape devices, and it can be confusing to choose which one will meet your needs. There’s also some cross-over between different types of devices.

Below you’ll find a description of the main types of vape devices and their pros and cons. See Which Vape Kit Should You Buy? for a more in-depth explanation.

Cigalikes

Cigalikes look and feel like tobacco cigarettes. They are inhale activated, come with a rechargeable battery and use disposable cartridges.

How to use a vape device

Fortunately, vaping with a starter kit is not rocket science! You’ll usually just need to switch it on, fill the pod or tank with vape juice (if it’s an open system) and start vaping!

That said, there are a few things you need to know:

Priming the coil (open systems only)

As mentioned before, the coil is the element that heats up vape juice. It’s important to prime the coil before you use it for the first time. For beginner devices, simply:

• Attach the coil

• Fill the tank

• Allow to stand for five minutes – this allows the coil to absorb the juice

• For more advanced devices, drip some e-liquid into the coil hole and ports before using it.

Vape juice/E-liquid

If you use an open system vape device, you will need vape juice (also known as e-liquid or e-juice) to go into it.

Vape Juice is a liquid that usually has four key components:

Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerine (VG)

These are colourless alcohols with slightly different properties. VG is sweeter and produces more vapour. PG has a stronger throat hit and produces better flavour.

Most vape juice contains both VG and PG, which is expressed as a ratio. For example, a juice that is half VG and half PG would be expressed as VG:PG 50:50.

You can vary your experience by varying the VG:PG ratio. For example, if you wanted a strong throat hit you might choose a VG:PG ratio of 40:60. If you wanted more vapour you might choose a VG:PG ratio of 60:40. Most new vapers choose to use a vape juice with a VG:PG 50:50 ratio.

Types of vape juice

Freebase

Freebase vape juices come in 10ml bottles, usually have a VG:PG ratio of 50:50 and provide a stronger throat hit, making them a great way to replicate the experience of smoking.

Nicotine salts

Nicotine salts have a smoother throat hit than freebase vape juices, even when combined with higher levels of nicotine. They are suitable for vapers who want higher levels of nicotine or simply prefer a smooth vape.

Shortfills

Shortfills are larger bottles of vape juice (usually 50 or 100ml). They come nicotine free, but nicotine can be added separately in the form of nicotine shots.

Shortfills usually have higher VG levels, making them suitable for more powerful and advanced devices and for vapers who prefer larger clouds of vapour.

What vape juice should new vapers buy?

New vapers should start with either freebase vape juice (if you prefer a stronger throat hit) or nicotine salts (if you prefer a smoother throat hit).

It’s best to try a range of flavours to see which you prefer, and try different nicotine strengths (but don’t go too low). At E-Cigarette Direct the most popular brand we sell is Halo e-liquid, which is a great option for all-day vaping.