The electronic cigarette is a tool that has become increasingly popular over the last decade.
Invented in the version we know today by the Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik, the electronic cigarette is a dispositive designed to replicate the feel of smoking a tobacco cigarette.
An electronic cigarette combines a battery and a tank, also called a 'clearomizer'. Inside this tank, you’ll find a coil that is heated by the battery's electrical current. It is the combined action of these two elements that transforms the e-liquid into vapor.
What is an electronic cigarette composed of?
As we said in the introduction, every electronic cigarette is made up of three distinct parts:
which provides the necessary power to make your e-cigarette work.
which, when heated, will vaporize the e-liquid.
which contains the coil and the e-liquid.
There might be a wide variety of electronic cigarettes out there, but they all operate using the same principle:
- The battery sends an electrical power to the coil
- The coil heats up and vaporizes the liquid inside the tank,
- The liquid is transformed into vapor, which then rises through the chimney
- The vaper inhales this vapor by placing their lips around the device's mouthpiece, commonly called 'drip tip'
The functioning of a vape is always based on these elements, enabling the e-liquid to vaporize. The vapor then provides sensations similar to those of traditional cigarettes, including nicotine and the hit (muscle contraction in the throat) for a combined effect.
The battery
It plays a key part in the functioning of your electronic cigarette. It provides the power needed to heat the coil and, by extension, the e-liquid vaporisation.
There are all kinds of batteries available. Most of the time, they're either removable Li-Ion batteries or built-in Li-Po batteries. A button located on the battery itself allows you to send the electrical current to the coil.
The most commonly used batteries today are what we call mods with a rectangular shape to offer substantial autonomy, or tube-shaped for great ergonomics.
The clearomizer
It's a type of atomizer that has a 'clear' body, hence its name. The clearomizer is comprised of a tank, which holds the e-liquid, along with a coil that vaporizes the e-liquid, and a drip tip that lets you inhale the vapor.
The tank is generally made from Pyrex and thus easy to clean, and also has one or more openings that let the air in to cool the coil, known as 'airflows'.
The rebuildable atomizer
It replaces the clearomizer as it performs the same function, with the difference that it does not use a pre-mounted coil. With a rebuildable atomizer, you can make your own coil.
Rebuildable atomizers are therefore much more flexible than standard clearomizers. With a coil of wire and organic cotton, you can easily build the coil of your choice to achieve a much more accurate and precise result according to your needs.
The e-liquid
The e-liquid is also a vital part of the functioning of your electronic cigarette. It’s a mix of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) added to food-grade flavorings and nicotine if needed.
In terms of e-liquid, there are a lot of flavors available, including fruit, tobacco, menthol, and even drink-based recipes. You're bound to find a taste you like!
Note that you can also make your own e-liquid for electronic cigarettes, following the process of 'DIYing' (Do It Yourself).
What's the difference between an electronic cigarette and a traditional cigarette?
The first thing that's striking about electronic cigarettes is that they don't produce smoke, but vapor instead. So, electronic cigarettes aren't 'smoked' but 'vaped', and it makes all the difference.
How to quit smoking with an electronic cigarette?
If you're reading these lines, it's probably because you want to use an electronic cigarette to help you quit smoking. So, how does it work?
Here are a few key points you need to know:
- Your e-liquid's nicotine level is very important. It has to be selected according to your specific needs.
- You mustn't lower your nicotine level too rapidly. You must take your time if you want to succeed.
- Choosing an e-liquid you like is also important. For this, don't hesitate to try out several recipes. Once your flavors are clearly identified, vaping will be much easier.
- Pick an electronic cigarette suited to beginners. On Arômes et Liquides' online shop, you'll find plenty of complete kits suited to all profiles so you can start vaping in the best conditions.
Which electronic cigarette brands should you go for?
Kangertech
Since 2007, this electronic cigarette manufacturer has been a major player in the vaping scene. Kangertech offers quality and affordable equipment, like its Kanger T2 clearomizer, for the low-budget vapers out there.
Joyetech
Joyetech has established itself as the world leader of electronic cigarettes over the last few years, after having invented many innovative kits like the best-selling eGo series.
Eleaf
Eleaf offers compact and ergonomic e-cigarettes that are mainly intended for beginners, such as their iStick series. Eleaf's reputation is firmly established, and their products sell all around the world.
Innokin
Innokin continues to reinvent itself by specializing in starter kits. Their product range includes must-have items such as the Zenith clearomizer and the Jem kit, an e-cigarette designed for traveling light without compromising on quality.
Vaporesso
Vaporesso is undeniably the new giant in the market, standing out for its high-quality, affordable products. They offer stylish e-cigarettes for many vapers.
Smok
The Chinese company Smok, formerly known as Smoktech, produces innovative electronic cigarettes that feature interesting technologies. If you're looking for power and performance, Smok's products are made for you.
Aspire
Here is another brand that ranks among the best, with very impressive quality standards. With its combination of performance, ergonomics, and innovation, it's no surprise that thousands of vapers around the world consider Aspire to be one of the best brands on the market today.
How to properly use your electronic cigarette?
Every electronic cigarette is equipped with a clearomizer, whose tank is filled from either above, below, or from the side, depending on the model. Moreover, some clearomizers have a line on the side of their tank to tell you how much e-liquid you can pour in it. All you have to do to fill a tank is open the refill well and slot the nozzle of your e-liquid bottle inside.
Electronic cigarettes use one or more batteries to operate, and they need to be charged on a regular basis, just like your mobile phone. That's why a lot of electronic cigarettes have a micro-USB/USB-C port, so that you can charge your device by plugging it into your computer, for example.
An electronic cigarette is an object that will accompany you throughout the day and will be in constant contact with your hands and mouth, so it must be kept in perfect condition. Regularly maintaining your e-cigarette also ensures that it will have a long life.
To clean your device, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol for the battery. The clearomizer can be rinsed with clean water, but it can also be soaked in warm water with baking soda for several minutes. However, be sure to remove the coil first.
The vast majority of today's electronic cigarettes offer at least three user modes:
- Variable Wattage mode, by far the most widespread, allows you to adjust the wattage your battery produces. It's often the default mode on electronic cigarettes and is highly recommended for beginners.
- Temperature Control mode, as you'd expect, lets you control the heating temperature of your coil. It requires a bit of knowledge and a particular type of coil, though.
- Bypass mode allows for semi-regulated vaping, similar to mechanical mods without an electronic chip. This mode is reserved for experienced users with an excellent understanding of Ohm's law.
How to inhale on an electronic cigarette?
If a cigarette puff is very quick and lasts less than a second, it's very different from vaping. Indeed, an electronic cigarette requires you to inhale longer.
In order to inhale an electronic cigarette's vapor, place your lips around the mouthpiece, also called the drip tip. Trigger the e-liquid’s vaporisation while pushing the switch button, then inhale this vapor.
With vaping, you have to inhale the vapor slowly; otherwise, it might make you cough. It's important to follow this advice, especially if you're just starting out.
The wide world of electronic cigarettes is just a click away
Well, you've come to the right place. A&L is a French specialist in electronic cigarettes and e-liquids. You'll find hundreds of products for every type of vaper and for every wallet, along with personalized advice.
You'll find electronic cigarettes for beginners, such as podmods and all-in-one kits, all at the click of a button. If you're more experienced, you'll find an expert selection as well, including atomizers, mods, drippers, and bottom-feeders, to name a few. We have everything you could need!
Electronic cigarette e-liquids
An electronic cigarette without its e-liquid is like a car without its petrol; they're inseparable. Once again, you're in the right place, as A&L is THE French specialist of e-liquids and DIY juices for electronic cigarettes.
The liquid for electronic cigarettes consists of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, which form the base. Food flavoring is added to give it taste, and you can choose from several flavors.
Finally, nicotine is added to the e-liquid if required. E-liquids are available in different strengths ranging from 3 to 18mg/ml. Choose the strength that best suits your needs.
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