Howdy from Arkansas!

[PiperJon]

Hey, y'all! I've been a barely-add.icted (read: 3 cigs max/day, 3-4 cigars max/month, many months and years none at all...) smoker since I was about 14. While I generally can take or leave the tobacco, depending, when I want it, I *want* it. And when I do want it, I want it to be good.

I had my very first experience with vaping yesterday when my new Firelight starters kit came. (ECigarettesNational... quick shipping, appropriate number of e-mails, had no problems). And I ordered it with the tobacco flavored, strong, cartridges.

I'm very pleased! It's tasty, and nicotiney, and I'll have to say, I was pretty surprised. I thought that I would be at least somewhat disappointed, but I wasn't at all. Large volumes of "smoke," no aftertaste, you know the deal.

Unfortunately, I was TOO pleased. I've been on a non-smoking at all (except for the occasional cigar) jag for the past several months, and I was so thrilled with my new toy, I herfed up an entire cartridge. I know, for some, that would be just 1/3 the morning smoke, but for me it was killer. It kept me up all jangly last night, and thanks to the head/chest cold I was developing, now I'm all hacky. Meh. But that was my fault, not the e-cig's.

So,my first order of agenda is to make my own juice. Something pleasant, non-nicotine, probably minty, for those vapes late night before bed so I don't end up all twitchy and tossy. I've looked through some of the recipes, and will be spending some more time there when I get done running my head here.

I'm open to suggestions, though, if anyone has any experience with such. I would still like a good volume of "smoke," and strong flavor. Not too interested in propylene glycol, I like the idea of VG better, but it's not a deal breaker, either.

Love the forum, this is awesome!

Pj

[Royal]

Hi PJ,
Sounds like you were well on your way to being a non smoker, and at most was only a recreational smoker. I would really like to encourage you to quit all together, and not even take up e-cigs, as it sounds like this is not a problem for you.

Most people have great difficulties in quitting analogs, and have turned to e-cigs for this purpose. I for one, smoked for thirty five years and tried on many occasions with just about every cessation product or therapy there was to quit, but with no luck. Though e-cigs are not to be considered a smoking cessation device, but merely a smoking alternative. It has, as many have stated, been instrumental in just that.
For me and many like me, e-cigs were our only way out from the addictive grasps of tobacco. So by all means if you can do without cigarettes, just quit all together. Sell your e-cig or give it away to someone who it may better help.

PJ, I don't mean to sound preachy here, I just don't want to see anyone start using an e-cig just for the novelty of it. But you are an adult, and of course the decision is yours to make.

Welcome to ESF.

[PiperJon]

No worries, Royal, that's what's cool about opinions, everyone has one. Or more. :-) Your post belies that you are a good guy, and care about your fellow man. That's stand up, yo!

Thing being, though, I really don't want to quit. When I have a jones for a smoke, I really enjoy them. In fact, when I quit and then start again after a while, it's the BEST smoke ever. And when I'm through, I'm through. I like the idea, though, of something in which I can fiddle and experiment with flavors without having to spend a fortune, as I would do if I were to do so with analogue smokes. And add nicotine or not, as my whim goes. It's much less a novelty, and more just an adjunct to a hobby I already have (primarily cigars, these days).

Thanks for your post, I'm here to learn and enjoy!

Pj

[Royal]

Sounds good PJ,
There is a wealth of knowledge here amongst our members and staff, and everyone is willing to help and advise other fellow e-smokers in any way they can.

As many have come to realize, like me. I have spent far more on e-cigs than I ever would have on analogs. As like many others, I tend to buy a lot.

You will read and watch a lot of reviews, many of these fall heavily on the bias side. "Get what I have it is the best sort of thing."
IMHO, find something that you like and stick with that.

As for your question about DIY e-liquid, VG produces a heavier longer lasting vaper, but is also much thicker in viscosity. It should be thinned a bit in order for it to wick properly. I thin mine with PG, and use either a 60% PG to 40% VG mix, or a 50/50 mix, which produces clouds.

As for a minty menthol taste you can get some menthol crystals. I ordered some from Mountain Rose Herbs | Bulk organic herbs, spices & essential oils
A little goes a long ways, too much and it will taste like vicks vapo rub. (A 4oz. bag will last a long time.)
Just try dissolving one small crystal in your mix, then only add more to achieve desired taste.

[Jim Davis]

Howdy PJ, Welcome.

I just happen to be in Arkansas right now. I'm doing an installation job in Searcy. (An hour from Little Rock.

You did OK on the e-cig, but watch the site you got it from. They sell for some of the major scammers. Read the Forum, and don't be shy. Ask, if you need answers.

Nice to have you here;
jd

[stltransporter]

jim i was just in Searcy last weekend and now im sitting near akron oh watching it snow. Theres a real good probablity im gonna be heading back into that are this weekend and watching the weather channel makes me want to not do that.

[Jestif]

Hi,Pj welcome to the forum.

[mcquinn]

VG is very good for making huge clouds of vapor.I got some flavoring from DIYflavorshack and Spicebarn and I am having fun mixing and vaping with no nic.I also like to doctor up some of the juice I but.

[Jim Davis]

Originally Posted by stltransporter

jim i was just in Searcy last weekend and now im sitting near akron oh watching it snow. Theres a real good probablity im gonna be heading back into that are this weekend and watching the weather channel makes me want to not do that.

I may finish tomorrow. Possibly off to Kansas City or Des Moines next.

[PiperJon]

Hey, thanks for all the welcomes! I live here in Little Rock, so you weren't far away from me at all. We have some heavy ice (rarely snows here, but what fun, the sheets of ice...) on the way here tonight. May be having some down-time from work, depending!

And the point is well taken, too, about making a collection! I really do like the one I have thus far, but then again, I alwasy thought I would be able to be content with one really nice guitar... let's just say that didn't happen.

I was fiddling already with some formulations just yesterday. Picked up some Lorann flavorings and some VG at a local cake shop, couldn't find any PG at the Home Depot, though, so I kinda winged it. And thus far, what I've concocted are far from wonderful, they don't make me want to rip my face off, either. And it was really nice to sit and have a zero-nicotine treat (creme d'menthe, and cherry creme d'menthe, but really light) last night before bed. Since i have no PG, (yet) I thinned out my juice with distilled water and PGA, not much of either. And I did have wonderful volumes of gently flavored vapor. T'was quite loverly, actually! I'm thinking of adding a little distilled white vinegar, as I've seen in other posts.

I like the idea of adding some menthol, too, and the advice about being spare on the crystals is well taken. Vapo Rub Smokes! YIKES!

At any rate, if I happen to stumble upon any really nice no-nic recipes, I'll post 'em.

Pj