Most people who make the switch from regular cigarettes to e-Cigs do so for health and safety reasons. They assume that using a vape pen will automatically be safer than smoking, and in most cases, they’d be actually right. But if you assume that all e-Juices out there are safe, you’d be sorely mistaken. Not only are some products out there low quality, but some can actually be downright toxic. This is why it’s essential that you know what you’re getting into when buying e-Juices online or anywhere. In this article, we’re going to give you a few things you should be looking for when buying e-Juices.
Flavor
Flavor is usually the first thing people look at when buying e-Juices, and they’re also one of the things that attract so many people to e-Cigarettes in the first place. In addition to menthol and tobacco, you can find e-Liquids in a wide variety of flavors, like coffee, strawberry, mango, cherry, watermelon, vanilla, and the list goes on. Some brands like Broke Dick even have elaborate flavors like marshmallow cereal and banana cream pie mixed with peanut butter. It’s up to you to experiment and look for what works for you. Some may have a preference for classic flavors while others might look for something more experimental. Try to look for vendors who offers mix and match packs so that you can try different flavors and find out what you like the best.
Throat Hit
Besides flavor, throat hit is something you should also be on the lookout for when choosing e-Liquids. Throat hit refers to the sensation you get when the vapor hits your throat when you inhale it. While this is commonly associated with cigarette smoke, this can be also found when vaping and will usually vary depending on the type of e-Juice you’re getting. Anything with a nicotine concentration of 8 to 16 mg/ml and over will have a significant throat hit usually. Also, some of the additives that are added to e-Liquids, such as cinnamon, grain alcohol, menthol and capsaicin, which is the compound that makes peppers spicy, all contribute to the throat hit.
You should also take a look at what type of carrier liquid is used in the composition of the e-Liquid you’re choosing. Usually e-Juices use vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol as a carrier liquid to produce vapor and carry the flavor. Mixes with higher concentrations of vegetable glycerin will usually produce the most vapor while those with propylene glycol will have a harsher throat hit, so be on the lookout for that.
Strength
Strength or nicotine concentration is another thing you should be considering when buying e-Liquid online. This is especially important if you were a regular smoker and are transitioning to e-Cigs. If you were used to very strong cigarettes, or if you were a heavy smoker, then you’ll probably need something stronger to satisfy those cravings. If you used to smoke full flavors cigarettes, then you might want to look at something in the 18 to 24 mg/ml range. If you were smoking ultra-lights, then something around 6 mg/ml should be enough for you. You should also know that there are non-nicotine options out there as well. These are great for those who want to vape for the fun of it or those who already kicked their nicotine habit.
Safety
As e-Cigs are becoming more and more mainstream, tons of new manufacturers are selling e-Liquids these days. However, not all manufacturers abide by the same rules and regulations while some don’t obey any rules at all. It can be difficult sometimes to know exactly what’s in your e-Liquids and in what conditions they were mixed.
You should ask the seller where exactly their e-Liquids were manufactured, whether it’s in the US or abroad. You should also enquire as to which type of facilities they were produced in. e-Liquids should be mixed in a sterile environment, so try to know in what type of environment the company you’re thinking of buying the e-Juice from are manufacturing their products. The information will often be on their website, but if they’re a legitimate supplier, they’ll be more than happy to tell you where and how their liquids are produced.
You should also be looking at the packaging materials they’re using. If the bottles look cheap and the labeling is dodgy, then that should be a clear red flag right there. Look for clean bottles with safe packaging. This is a sign of a company that actually cares about their products.
You should also look at reviews from other vapers and see what they have to say about the company. Were they satisfied with the products? Was the quality consistent? Did they get weird smells, flavors or after effects? Good companies are usually well known by regular vapers, so if you keep hearing a particular brand popping up either for their quality of for bad products and practices, that’s usually the sign of a good or bad supplier.
Value
And finally, you should consider how much bang for your buck you’re getting on your e-Liquids. You should compare a few suppliers and see how much they’re selling their liquids for. However, you should never compromise quality for a good deal, so always prioritize quality when buying e-Juices. Look at what type of ingredients they’re using and also try to check if they offer multiple pack options. You’ll usually get a better deal if you buy in bulk, so always be on the lookout for that. And also, beware of extra cheap liquids from dodgy sources; in most cases, if the deal is too good to be true, you’re either getting some low-grade product or something that could actually harm you.
Finding the right e-Juice for you is all about finding your preferences and knowing what you’re looking for. However, make sure that you only buy from reputable suppliers and know exactly what’s in your e-Liquids for your own safety.
Tammie~