I never really thought about it until the other day. Some dude approached me out of nowhere and began telling me my “fake electronic cigarette” was a bunch of BS. If the guy wasn’t such a douche about things I probably would have shown him a little secret about my “fake electronic cigarette” that would have turned his fairy tail world into a reality.

It occurred to me that I’ve gotten more out of the blue conversations just sitting at bars with my little fake electronic cigarette than I ever have smoking normal ones. And with good reason…no it hasn’t improved my looks, but everybody knows what a real cigarette is. These fake electronic cigarettes on the other hand are about to take your social world by storm! Just you wait and see. What an earth are you on about you ask? I’ll tell you!

Here’s a taste. These electronic cigarettes just have something cool about them. Everybody loves gadgets. I’ve managed to strike up plenty of conversations with people just relying on my e cig. In fact, I haven’t even had to do anything on many occasions because people just have a curious nature and start asking me all about it. I’ve made friends with bartenders and even a couple of women which was a huge bonus.

The truth is, these fake electronic cigarettes are better than the real deal. Not only are they a safer option, they are more convenient when it comes to smoking, cleaner and come the end of the day I don’t smell like a dirty ashtray. There’s no doubt if you’re thinking about getting one, I’m sure you’ll be impressed.

Granted, it isn’t exactly like smoking a real cigarette but it is similar. And after you get used to them, you won’t be able to put them down.

Personally I think there are a few out there that aren’t worth the time of day but if you check out some of the electronic cigarette review sites I think you’ll avoid being sucked into buying a possible lemon.

Atomizer parts are the heart of any electronic cigarette. If the atomizer part is broken then it’s obvious you’ll be without vapor. What can be more confusing is when your atomizer part is still working but damaged. When this happens your vapor is dramatically decreased and no matter how much you pull, you just can’t seem to get the right amount of vapor.

Atomizer Part from Eluma Electronic Cigarette

Before you flip out there are ways to bring your atomizer part back to life….so grab your defibrillator, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, some toilet paper, a needle, toothpick, or paperclip, and get to work! Ok, so maybe you won’t need a defibrillator, but definitely bring the rubbing alcohol and toilet paper.

If you haven’t done so already, remove your atomizer part from the battery and cartridge. take a close look to ensure the atomizer part isn’t dirty with pocket lint, hairs or any other foreign objects. If you find gunk on the coil, use a pair of tweezers to remove it. Use extra caution, the atomizer part contains a bundle of hair like metals, you don’t want to pull these out. Some atomizer parts maybe encased in in a housing and difficult to get to. Just do your best to access them. Others you’ll find are easy and exposed. Either way don’t hack at them.

The next step is to check the atomizer part for more junk (that is if you can get to them for reasons mentioned above). If the breather holes are visible on the atomizer part you’ll notice them near the base. See the picture below of a couple of atomizers

blu atomizer part

Dirt can easily get into these holes if you’re carrying them around without the proper protection. Some people carry them in their pockets without any case. It’s not the best way to transport them. While most manufacturers do their best to build them to last, they are very sensitive.  If the atomizer part holes are plugged, you can use anything from toothpicks to sewing needles to clean it. I’ve found the best things to clean atomizer parts and paperclips and sewing needles. clean the holes thoroughly, and force lots of air into the holes using either compressed air or your mouth.

Sometimes this little task will do the trick. Only one way to find out, hook your electronic cigarette back up and give it a whirl. If it’s still not performing don’t grab your hammer just yet. There’s something else you can do!

Grab your alcohol. No not the weekend party booze, you can celebrate after it’s working. Pour some alcohol into a container. You’ll need enough to cover the atomizer part completely. Dunk it and gently stir it around with a pen. This will help dislodge any dirt. Leave the atomizer part in the solution for at least a couple of hours. I leave mine in all night but it depends on how desperately you need your e cig.

DING! When the time is up, remove the atomizer part and set it on paper towels or toilet paper. Be careful blotting it with toilet paper, it breaks apart very easy when wet. Let it sit out and dry. Put it in the sun for quicker drying.

When the atomizer part is all dry, put it together again. It’s always a good idea to take a several puffs to burn off any residual alcohol. DO NOT INHALE at this point. Your atomizer part should be smoking hot!

If it’s not then sadly it’s time to get a matchbox and a shovel from your garage. Head out in the garden and give your atomizer part an honorable burial.

Speak to any smoker and they’ll tell you smoking is a tough habit to kick. For may e-smokers, electronic cigarettes have been a god send. The technological sticks replace the traditional cigarettes by vaporizing liquid contents in the filter via an atomizer. The atomizer heats the solution and emits a warm cloud of vapor.

Electronic cigarettes have helped many people stop smoking.  Research carried out in South Africa has showed that during  a 3 month period, electronic cigarettes can help up to 45% of people completely kick the traditional tobacco products. Although electronic cigarettes still aren’t FDA approved,  it’s a fact slice the 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes with just a couple.

Electronic cigarettes are being looked at as a healthier alternative to those who are smoking or want to quit. The product comes in 2 or 3 piece components depending on the company. A typical e cig is make up of a battery, atomizer and filter.

Prices are relatively cheap when compared to traditional smoking. There are website that offer savings calculations based on the number of cigarettes consumed per day. Surprisingly, you can save thousands of dollars each year by switching. Some companies are offering prices starting at $29.95, including free shipping and guarantees on the product. Generally speaking you can pick up a really good starter kit for $59 to $70. Professional e smokers suggest that when looking for an electronic cigarette kit, you visit some review sites. There are several good electronic cigarette review sites that look at the products pros and cons.

Some major benefits of electronic cigarettes includes odor elimination. Because the product produces vapor there is no smell associated with it. This means clothes and hands stay fresh and clean. You’ll also find electronic cigarettes don’t stain your teeth. Safety wise, you won’t have to worry about burning holes in rugs or setting your house on fire. considering cigarettes are the leading cause of house fires in America, this is a great advantage that can’t be ignored.

To find out more about electronic cigarettes you can visit major electronic cigarette forums and review sites. Take your time to shop for the best e cigs and ensure product satisfaction.

With the cost of traditional cigarettes on the up, an electric cigarette price range may just be the key to saving money while enjoying your smokes. There are some that think e cigs are overpriced. I disagree, and there are plenty of companies offering kits dirt cheap. Read on…

Over the last couple of months I’ve run into quite a few sites that are offering very affordable prices. Perhaps the cheapest is ElumaCigs.com. At a $29.99 I found their starter kit to be a steal. You’d think that at that price, you’d be lucky to have a battery when in fact you get:

• 1 USB charger
• 10 flavor cartridges equal to 200 cigarettes
• 1 year guarantee
• free shipping

Another couple of really good companies that offer a good bang for your buck are smoketip.com and blucigs.com. For $59.95 you can take home a couple of really complete kits. Let’s take a look at the popular blu cigs.

price for money

I think this is a great little kit. You get a 3 methods of charging. USB stick, wall plug, and a nifty blu cigs portable carrier. The portable carrier not only protects and carries extra cartridges and batteries, but it also allows you to screw in your e cig and charge it on the go!

You’ll also get 2 free atomizers and 25 cartridges in 5 different flavors which will keep you puffin for quite some time. Their vapor density and product quality are superior, I can recommend this to anyone!

Smoketip has a similar offer and they even push it to higher limits. What do I mean by that? Well for starters you’ll never have to worry about replacing the product from your own wallet. They are offering a lifetime warranty on their goods, which is very surprising. Why? Because batteries don’t last forever. Now that’s a company that cares about customer satisfaction.

When assembled, the smoketip rig measures a comfortable 100mm x 9mm. You’ll get:

• (2) Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
• (6) Disposable Flavor Cartridges
• (1) Wall Adapter
• (1) USB Charger
• (1) Manual
• (1) Gift Box Packaging

They furthermore promise to ship your order within 24 hours and free shipping.

In summary I can say that over the past year or so competition has soared on the internet for the electronic cigarette. I see more and more companies piecing together really solid offers in an attempt to get their products known and stand out above the rest. Their offering are really valid. The prices are affordable and generous gifts are being dished out to their clients in an attempt to win their loyalty. I don’t foresee this like the tobacco industry. I think the electric cigarette price range we are seeing now is only going to get better in the future!

Solution

It’s messy. It might even not be worth messing with, the only reason I even messed with the whole thing is because I was running real low and a new shipment wouldn’t make it in time. Ok, and I’ll be honest, I was a little cheesed off.

You can start by checking the battery. If there’s no power, there’s no atomizer heat, hence no vapor. Secondly check to ensure your atomizer is clean and working. You can switch it with another atomizer and compare performance. If the atomizer is dirty, pulling the wool and other gunk off it will start making it perform better. However to be on the safe side I always dip mine in rubbing alcohol for a couple of hours. Let it dry out then try again. You should also check the intakes on the atomizer. They sometimes get clogged especially if you’re carrying them in your pocket with no case.

Assuming all the above is functioning, grab a paperclip and remove the filter from the atomizer. Straighten your paper clip and push it through the hole in the filter. It will come in contact with the inner cartridge that holds the juice. Keep pushing until it comes out the top.

Pull a bit of the wool out of the inner cartridge and trim it. Push it back in but not all the way. Attach the battery and atomizer and give it a few puffs. This may have fixed your problem. If not you can also remove the wool completely and stuff it in the opposite direction. This is done because the blu cigs juice that was near the top has evaporated. But you’ll find that the other side has a good amount on it. Hook it back up and try again. If not there are a couple of other things you can do.

This may sound stupid to some but if you’ve totally out you’ll it’s a Godsend. Gather up all your old cartridges and squeeze the wool out of each on into the inner cartridge you’re smoking. It will mix all the flavors but you’ll be smoking!

Of course if none of this is working you’re best off buying some new cartridges.

There are quite a few people (smokers and non-smokers) that are curious about the scent an electronic cigarette may leave behind. The simple answer is that there really isn’t a smell. 70% of an cigs ingredient is propylene glycol (PG). PG is a clearness and nearly odorless compound.

Many people have been to Halloween parties that use fog machines. The chemical that makes the fog is propylene glycol. So if you’ve ever smelt the fog, that is the similar scent you can expect from an electronic cigarette. The main thing you need to keep in mind is the amount of PG distributed by a fog machine and an electronic cigarette is considerably different.

E smokers can really enjoy the benefits of the electronic cigarette. No more stinky clothes, no more ash, no more tar in the lungs, and no more burn holes in your car!  Personally I find one of the most disgusting smells in the world is stale tobacco. There are some people that it just doesn’t mix too well with. Add a little sweat and you’re ready to throw up on the spot.

So in summary, if you want to smoke and smell good an e cig is your best option.

I haven’t tried any of this stuff out, and I probably never will because it looks time consuming and…..most recipes make 2 gallons at a time! You’d have to be smoking like a choo choo to consume all of that! But for the sake of argument let’s say you run on vapo fumes. You breath, sleep, and live it. A simple recipe might look like this:

First let’s look at what the electronic cigarette juice is made up of. The base is Water, Propylene Glycol commonly referred to as (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG).  Flavorings and nicotine make up the rest of the cocktail.

To begin the process of making your own liquid you have to get the above mentioned ingredients. Some can be purchased as SAMs club pharmacy etc. So grab you a bottle of:
1. Propylene Glycol (PG) or Vegetable Glycerin (VG):  These are the cool ingredients responsible for all that smoke. And no you can’t buy any old one, for some reason it’s supposed to be FOOD GRADE….whatever that means.
2. Some Distilled Water: Some say you can use any old water as long as it’s clean but distilled water is supposedly better for your lungs. Faucet water may contain chlorine and other crap that isn’t good to inhale.
3. Give it da Flavor!: Water soluble flavorings.  Favoring that contain sugar oil or other junk could end up clogging the atomizer giving you an added expense.
4. Optional additives: You can put herbs, boil some tobacco and and strain the flavor/nicotine in.

Now for some stuff you learned in science class (well hopefully if not you’ll have problems with this next step). The composition of e liquid needs to be balanced. Take your base ingredients, flavorings and whatever else you’ve decided to put in based on the above and measure out this junk.

Compositions for zero nicotine E-Liquid as an example:
* 70% Vegetable Glycerin or Propylene Glycol
* 15% Water
* 15% Flavoring

If you feel up to it, you can add some nicotine which would look like:
* 10% Water
* 10% Flavoring
* 20% 24mg Commercial Nicotine Liquid
* 60% Vegetable Glycerin or Propylene Glycol

If you want to DENSIFY your smoke (make it thicker) then you’ll need to limit the amount of water you use. Summer time it’s more difficult to see smoke so you’ll want to definitely use less water if you’re looking for summer smoke. To get it just right you should experiment.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are making a nicotine based liquid, then you need to use your thinking cap. Don’t make this while you’re drunk for example. Nicotine is seriously poisonous and under large dosages it has been proven to take lives. Nicotine is an alkaloid found in certain plants, predominantly tobacco, and in much lower quantities in tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and green peppers.  Although the standalone chemical of Nicotine has not been analyzed by the  International Agency for Research for Cancer, there is some evidence that it can develop into cancer.

I also ran across a cool recipe calculator which you might find useful. If you want to hit that up follow the link.

http://www.todmuller.com/ejuice/ejuice.php

Again I’m not going to be making this juice. It’s too much trouble and looks slightly dangerous if you’re mixing ones with nicotine. But I’d be curious to know how it came out on your first time. So hit me back!

It has been a month since I purchased the thing from blucigs.com and so far I’ve been impressed. Sure, at times I get a lot of people who stare at me and wonder what I’m sure wonder what the heck I’m doing but I don’t pay much attention to it. I find my electronic cigarette even helps in striking up new conversations. Many people are curious and ask me what I have. Of course I explain the whole workings to them and if they are a smoker they usually ask where I got it.

I’m happy about this smoking revelation, but at the same time concerned. It appears the product is constantly under fire from the FDA and other government agencies and anti smoking groups.  What people need to realize is that e smoking is much safer than regular cigarettes. You’re not going to ever be able to stop people from smoking so the next best thing is to have a safer product.

Anti e smokers appear to be ignorant for the most part. Over 400,000 people die a year from traditional tobacco. It makes sense to give this product a shot and see what it can do for the rest of the smoking world. It has no tar, nicotine or non nicotine cartridges, doesn’t produce ash, secondhand smoke or fires. Electronic cigarettes also have over 4000 chemical less!

With over $3 billion spent every year of cleaning up tobacco related products from our streets the e cig is also more eco friendly. In all honesty  I see very few reasons to ban this product. I see more reasons to have it replace traditional cigarette smoking. I’m hoping everyone else will see the benefits I see and move this product forward.

Importations have been blocked disrupting stock and customer services for a couple of larger e cig suppliers. The disruptions prompted swift actions as the companies retaliated, suing the FDA for their actions.

Now, I’m not a radical or against government regulation but I agree that in this particular case the FDA overstepped their boundaries.  The truth is while preliminary test resulted in traces of carcinogen present in the liquid, the agency has only tested a couple of big manufacturers. This means that based on the products manufactured by these two companies, the other manufacturers product is also the same. NOT THE CASE! Each company has its own unique way of making the product.  To prove this there is one such company I know of that send their products to research laboratories for analysis.  The product analysis was posted online you can see it is relatively safe.

Now for legal purposes I can’t say they are 100% safe but you be the judge. Bottom line is if they FDA wants to take control and make a fair trial out of this, they have to analyze not just one or two companies but the gamma. I think it would be relatively simple for the FDA to gain samples of the major vendors and analyze them.

I don’t see this ending very smoothly since the FDA has already gone to court over this  matter. Furthermore, I don’t think they’re willing to swallow their pride even if their future finding are safe. I mean if we want to talk about carcinogens and nicotine problems let’s take a brief look into why half a million people dying each year from a product that the FDA isn’t getting involved in. TOBACCO. I’m not a scientist nor a chemical analyst but from the information I’ve come across so far it seems clear that e cigs are safer than traditional cigarettes.

E cigs with a 3 piece design are made up of the steel tube which houses the atomizer, a filter cartridge and the battery. Let’s examine them in more detail:

• The filter cartridge – This holds the nicotine solution. It’s made up of plastic and has a absorbent sponge like material. To replace this you’ll need to buy a new cartridge or design permitting, refill it will liquid.
• The steel tube – The filter slides into this. It also houses the atomizer and is screwed into the battery. It creates some sanitary issues due to continuous exposure to dirt and chemicals. It also clogs the atomizer which causes the user to purchase a new one.
• Battery – Batteries for electronic cigarettes come in different shapes and sizes. They can also vary in weight.

It looks like the market is moving more towards two piece products for some reasons mentioned above. Let’s look at a two piece design from a well known vendor:

• Dirt and bacteria are brought to a minimal. The atomizer is always fresh so you don’t have to worry about stocking up on them and spending extra money.
• There is no more worries about spilling nicotine solution and making a mess when you’re trying to refill. You don’t even have to try to squeeze small cartridges inside the filters. Filters are simply disposed of.
• Smoke volume is kept at an all time high because a new atomizer is always issued with the refills and doesn’t’ have time to get clogged or dirty.
• No more carrying around a ton of equipment. Just carry the battery and the cartridge.

Although you might spend a little more than the traditional e cigarette designs the extra money is well spent. By making products with two pieces product malfunctions are minimized making the user experience positive.