When you’re new to vaping it can sometimes feel like there is a lot to learn, with a huge range of different vape devices and e-liquids to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start! We here at VAPELAB NZ want to make the transition over to vaping as easy as possible for our customers, so we have compiled a list of the common mistakes we often see new vapers making - if you’re new to vaping or thinking about making the switch over then be sure to keep reading!

Choosing the wrong device

With such a large variety of different vape devices to choose from, it can often seem a little daunting. One common mistake beginner vapers often make is selecting a device that is not suited to their needs, this in turn, can lead to a bad vaping experience. To avoid this happening to you, we recommend keeping things simple by choosing a vape device that is easy to use and maintain while starting out. 

One of the simplest devices you can choose as a new vaper is a pod kit such as the UWELL Caliburn G or Vaporesso Luxe PM40. These devices are easy to use with minimal maintenance and no complicated features to trip you up. A pod vape device, paired with a high strength salt nicotine e-liquid will closely mimic the effect you receive from smoking a traditional cigarette, ultimately making the transition to vaping easier for you. Once you’re feeling more familiar with vaping, there are plenty of options to upgrade to a device which allows for a more customised vaping experience including the Voopoo Drag S Pro and the Geekvape Aegis X.

Choosing the wrong e-liquid

One of the main benefits of vaping is the variety of e-liquid options to choose from, with a number of different nicotine strengths and flavours available, we have something for everyone! It is important to choose a high-quality e-liquid from a reputable retailer when transitioning to vaping, this will help to provide you the best possible vaping experience. Here at VAPELAB we have a great selection of premium e-liquid brands to choose from including Tobacco Monster, Zap! Juice, Naked 100 and many more. 

Most e-liquids fall into three main flavour profiles; Fruit, Berry, Beverage, Candy, Dessert, Ice/Menthol, and Tobacco. New vapers can often feel disheartened if they choose an e-liquid that they don’t like the taste of, so we recommend selecting 2-3 e-liquids from different flavour profiles when starting out, this will help you in deciding which one you prefer most.

If you’re unsure where to start, have a browse through our popular products collection, this includes many of our best selling e-liquids. We also recommend reading through our product reviews found at the bottom of each product page - these are genuine reviews from customers who have purchased the product in the past. 

The most important thing to remember is, it’s not uncommon to dislike one brand or flavour and love another - unfortunately it all comes down to trial and error. If you get an e-liquid that you don’t like, don't give up, with hundreds of different flavours to choose from, we are certain that you’ll find the perfect e-liquid! If you’d like more guidance and recommendations on our favourite e-liquids, have a read through VAPELAB's Top Picks for Summer 2022 or come in-store and have a chat with one of our vaping experts today!

Choosing the wrong nicotine strength

When choosing an e-liquid it’s not just about flavour, it is also important you consider which nicotine strength is right for you. Choosing the wrong nicotine strength e-liquid can often lead to you feeling dissatisfied with your vape and craving cigarettes. Not to worry, although e-liquids come in a range of different strengths, it’s fairly easy to decide which strength is going to work best for you. Here at VAPELAB NZ, we have freebase e-liquids available in 0mg up to 12mg of nicotine and salt nicotine e-liquids available from 12mg up to 60mg. 

When making the transition over to vaping we highly recommend using a nicotine salt e-liquid as it is smooth in higher strengths and the nicotine is fast releasing. For daily smokers making the switch to vaping, we advise starting out with a mid-range (between 25mg - 35mg) nicotine salt e-liquid. If you’d like more information around nicotine strengths and the differences between salt nicotine and freebase nicotine e-liquids, check out our blog post here.

Not maintaining your coil correctly

New vapers can often burn out their coil quickly leading to an unsatisfying and burnt tasting vape. When installing a new coil, it is important to let your e-liquid soak into the cotton of your coil for a couple of minutes prior to vaping. This will ensure the cotton is completely saturated and will help to prevent your coil burning out prematurely. It is also important to ensure you are turning off your device when putting it away in your bag or pocket, this is to avoid the device firing off unexpectedly causing your coil to burn out.

If the cotton in your coil does become burnt your vape will begin producing less flavour and you will begin to experience dry hits - this is why it is important to maintain and change your coil regularly. We recommend changing your coil every 7-14 days, depending on how often you are using your vape device. It is often easy to tell when it’s time to change your coil, not only will you experience a burnt, dry hit but the cotton in your coil will begin to turn brown in colour. 

With all-in-one pods and coils such as those of the UWELL - Caliburn Pod Kit, you simply throw the entire pod away and replace it with a new one. However, most vape devices will have a separate coil, these can be swapped out easily for a new one. If you require help changing your pod or coil, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or visit us at one of our Wellington retail stores, we’ll be happy to assist you through the process. 

We recognise that quitting smoking can often be a difficult process. Our aim is to make your transition to vaping as simple as possible! It is important to remember that there are many different devices and e-liquids to try, don’t let simple mistakes or a bad experience turn you off vaping for good. 

If you run in-to any issues or are dissatisfied with your vape experience, come have a chat with us in-store at one of our two Wellington vape stores located at 20 Victoria Street and 33 Ghuznee Street, Wellington. Alternatively, you can contact us via email or social media, we are always more than happy to assist in any way we can!