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How to Use an E-Cigarette Starter Kit

Our guide to using your new e-cigarette starter kit will cover everything from recharging your batteries to refilling your tank.

A starter kit usually contains everything you need to begin vaping in one pack. This makes it ideal for beginners as starter kits usually work out cheaper than buying each component separately. We stock a wide variety of e-cigarette starter kits in our “e-cigarette kits” department.

1. Choose between an e-cigarette, a vape pen or a mod

In this guide, an “e-cigarette” refers to a device which looks like a cigarette. They are also known as e-cigs, electronic cigarettes, mini e-cigs and cigalikes. Cigalikes tend to be refilled using a cartomizer (a prefilled container of e-liquid which snaps or screws into place). The slightly larger models are known as vape pens, personal vaporizers, or e-liquid models. Vape pens don’t usually take cartomizers. Instead, you refill a transparent tank known as a clearomizer with an e-liquid of your choice. Larger devices are known as mods or box mods. Each style of e-cigarette has its own advantages and disadvantages. e-cigarette and vape pen comparison | pros and cons | electric tobacconist uk

e-cigarette and vape pen comparison | pros and cons | electric tobacconist uk

In general, we advise customers to buy a vape pen (or even box mod) if they are comfortable using one. If you need some time to adjust to the differences between e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, then an e-cigarette model might be more appropriate.

2. E-cigarette starter kits: spare battery or PCC?

Many vapers find that a full charge of battery is enough to get them through the day. Simply recharge your e-cigarette each evening and it’ll be ready for you when you next need it. If you are vaping a lot, then you might find that your battery runs out before you get a chance to recharge it — never a pleasant experience. One way to solve this problem is to buy some spare batteries. You can simply swap one out when it gets low, then recharge your batteries when you reach a power outlet. Remember that batteries should only be carried in a case which is designed to hold them safely. The other solution is to use a portable charging case (PCC) which will charge your vape device while you are on the go. The £38.99 EMILI Self-Charge E-cigarette Kit comes with a PCC.

EMILI Self-Charge E-Cigarette Kit | Electric Tobacconist UK

Emili Kit | Colour: Black

"5/5 Great product charging facility excellent handy for discreet vaping. Looks pretty cool really good build quality. Very happy with this purchase."

September 10, 2015 | malcolm norie

3. E-cigarette starter kits: what’s the difference between a cartomizer and a clearomizer?

A cartomizer usually comes pre-filled with e-liquid. They are usually disposable, so you simply throw the cartomizer away when it runs out of flavour. Cartomizers are easy to use, but they tend to have a weaker flavour and tend to be more expensive. The Blu Classic Tobacco Starter Kit is a good example of an e-cigarette which takes cartomizers.

BLU Classic Tobacco E-Cigarette Starter Kit | Electric Tobacconist UK

BLU Cigs BLU Classic Tobacco E-Cigarette Starter Kit Strength: Regular

"5/5 The product was a great price and when ur arrived I could see how well made it was. It works so well and I have now officially converted to blu e cigarettes."

June 14, 2016 | Keziah digby

The alternative is buying a vape pen that takes a clearomizer (or a blank cartomizer). A clearomizer is a transparent tank that holds about 0.9-1.3 ml of e-liquid. Refilling a clearomizer is straightforward. Simply take the top off and fill it up to the level desired. Clearomizers can’t be used indefinitely. You can clean them to extend the lifespan, but you’ll need to replace them when the coils are burnt and you start getting a burnt taste (usually after 2-8 weeks of use). It’s often cheaper to buy a clearomizer with replaceable coils and replace those instead of buying a completely new clearomizer each time. Clearomizers tend to be cheaper to refill than replacing disposable cartomizers and they mean that you can choose from a huge variety of flavoured e-liquids. However, they are a little more difficult to use than regular cartomizers and you do have to take care not to spill the e-liquid or allow children to get their hands on it. The Vapouriz FUSE E-cigarette Starter Kit is a good example of a kit that uses clearomizers.

VAPOURIZ FUSE E-Cigarette Starter Kit | Electric Tobacconist UK

Vapouriz Fuse Kit Colour: Rainbow

"5/5 Lovely colour, easy to assemble and charge. Good battery life. This is my first e-cigarette so I'm just a bit green so far!"

June 17, 2016 | Lindsay Bell

We can also sell you a spare Vapouriz battery should you need one for the FUSE.

E-liquids: what nicotine level should I choose?

If you do choose a vape pen with a clearomizer, you’ll also need to choose an e-liquid (sometimes called e-juice). E-liquids come in a range of flavours, sizes, and nicotine strengths. Experiment with a range of flavours until you find something satisfying. Remember, a tobacco-flavoured e-cigarette doesn’t actually contain any tobacco, so it’s very unlikely to be as harmful as smoking. Most e-liquids come in 10 ml bottles, which will last you about four days of regular use. You can buy three 10 ml bottles of UK-made VIP Pink Lemonade for £10. An e-liquid (or cartomizer) with more nicotine will have a stronger throat hit. If you want a smoother draw but don’t want to reduce your nicotine intake, choose an e-liquid with a lower PG ratio. E-liquids usually contain 0, 6, 12, 18 or 24 mg of nicotine. It’s advisable to match your nicotine intake to your current levels. So if you are a heavy smoker, you should choose either 18 or 24 mg. Many people aim too low with their nicotine strength, which means that their nicotine cravings are not satisfied and that they quickly give up on e-cigarettes altogether. Don’t let this be you. Instead, start high and gradually work your way down (if you want to).

For more information on which e-cigarette starter kit is best, you can read our guide to e-cigarette starter kits or the guide put together by Vaping360.

By Lenny