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A GUIDE TO VAPING AND THE TOTALLY WICKED FORUM

Guide to e-cigarettes
What are the different types of e-cigs on the market?
Here are some links and descriptions to the devices that Totally Wicked sell. together with a selection of products available from TECC for those in the UK who would prefer a different logo.

The Tornado

The Tornado is an excellent device and is fast becoming the number one choice for the first time vaper amongst our forum members.  The tornado has a sleek design with excellent battery life and comes in a range of colours to suit everyone.  There is a choice of two different sized batteries,  the regular sized tornado which has a 650 mah battery which enables the average user to get between 8-12 hours use before needing to recharge and the mega tornado which has a 1000mah battery which enables the average user to get anywhere between 12-24 hours use before needing to recharge.  There is also a USB Passthru model that has a USB charger built in to the battery allowing you to vape while hooked up to a USB power source or unplugged for normal use on the go. The Tornado series batteries also allow you to use the 510 connector atomiser for added flexibility.

Tornado eGo-C

Further developments by the most trusted brand name in the world of vaping has brought the next and most exciting generation of Tornado electronic cigarettes to you. The Tornado eGo-C has been a long time in careful development, and this is evident within the sheer quality of every precision-engineered component in the kit.

Special features of Tornado eGo-C Atomizer

There are many new features and improvements, the most noticeable being a complete re-design of the atomizer unit. Unlike previous incarnations, where the whole atomizer is discarded after it has exceeded its lifespan, the two piece Tornado eGo-C atomizer body can be easily dismantled, with simply the atomizer head replaced. This unique feature offers excellent economy in use, plus it dramatically reduces wastage of valuable metals, whilst maintaining outstanding performance.

Special features of Tornado eGo-C battery

The Manual Battery for the Tornado eGo-C comes with a 650 mAh capacity. This means your average user will have between 8-12 hours use before needing to re-charge the battery unit. Made to exacting standards the Tornado eGo-C battery is a quality unit.
The eGo-C batteries can be switched on or completely off with five clicks of the manual button, eliminating the need for button protectors and the risk of accidental activation in storage.

The Tornado eGo-C battery has a new power indicator in the button.

When the battery power is over 50% charged, the battery LED will be white. When the battery power is between 10% and 50%, the battery LED is sky blue, and when the battery power is below 10%, the battery LED is blue.

The battery has a constant output of 3.3V.

The battery has strengthened short circuit protection and over discharge protection based on the Tornado-T batteries.

The Titan Tank

For those people who wanted the sleek design of the Titan 510 with the convenience and practicality of the 'Tank' system Mr Wicked has delivered! The 510 Titan 'Tank' system is the second generation of the ever popular TW 510 Titan electronic cigarette; it uses a new higher rated battery and a 'Tank' atomiser for superior performance. The 510 Titan 'Tank' Kit has one massive advantage over its first generation cousin in its revolutionary new fluid feeder system. The 'Tank' system comprises of a special 'Tank' atomiser and 'Tank' cartridge. The cartridge has no fluval or other material to hold the fluid, it is as its name suggest a sealed tank unit with a capacity of 0.8ml.   Available in Black, White and Brushed Steel.  

The Microlite Cartomiser Ecig

The Microlite Cartomiser Starter Kit - our smallest e-cig yet!, The Microlite measures approximately 83mm. Small yet powerful, our new Cartomiser kit is compact & petite yet has everything you need to get started.  The Microlite is TECC's very first cartomiser kit and incorporates a portable charging case giving you the flexibilty to charge your batteries wherever you may be.

Some terminologyBattery - The main body of your electronic cigarette. This is rechargeable in the non-disposable e-cigarettes. Charging typically takes between 1 and 3 hours depending on the model, and will give you power typically for around one hour of heavy vaping, up to 4 or 5 hours of very light vaping, again depending on the model being used.

Atomizer - This part converts the nicotine liquid into a vapor, much as a smoke machine by principle, by heating up a small element. The vapor is the same as a smoke machine!

Cartridge or Cart - These are plastic mouthpieces (disposable) which contain a deep well, filled with a nicotine-liquid soaked wadding.

E-liquid or e-juice or juice - This is the nicotine liquid which makes your electronic cigarette work. You can buy various strengths from 0 to 36 mg and refill your 'disposable' carts with it.

Analog - The term vapers give to tobacco cigarettes! Analog versus digital!

PCC - Portable Cigarette Charger. This is a box shaped device which allows you to charge your e-cigarette batteries in your pocket or handbag whilst out and about on the move. Currently, this is not available for all models but is sold by Totally Wicked for the Titan brand e-cigarette.

USB Charger - This is a charger that you can plug into the computer instead of the mains for charging your e-cigarette. They are available for most models of e-cigarette.

PG - You will see this abbreviation used with some e-liquid sellers, and across the forum, it stands for Propylene Glycol. See 'What is in the e-liquid' under 'Personal Vaporizing Liquids' further down this FAQ.

VG - You will see this abbreviation used with some e-liquid sellers and across the forum, it stands for Vegetable Glycerine. See 'What is in the e-liquid' under 'Personal Vaporizing Liquids' further down this FAQ.

PEG (400) - You will see this abbreviation used with some e-liquid sellers and across the forum, it stands for  "PolyEthylene Glycol", and the "400" relates to its molecular weight. Not to be confused with Ethylene Glycol, which is poisonous, PEG is fully approved for pharmaceutical use and is used in a variety products like mouthwash, cosmetics and foods. See 'What is in the e-liquid' under 'Personal Vaporizing Liquids' further down this FAQ.

mg strength - This relates to how much nicotine is within the e-liquid; it can be anything from 0 to 54 mg strength. The rated strength of e-liquid sold here is per milliliter (ml).  An example of this, 36mg would be 36mg of Nicotine per 1 ml of e-liquid.

Dripping - A technique used for nicotine delivery, where the e-liquid is dripped onto the atomizer element. More effective with some models than with others, and some people prefer this to using carts.

Vaping - The term used instead of smoking. We e-cigarette users vape, whilst others smoke their analogs!

PV - Personal Vaporizer, a posh way of saying e-cigarette.

Fluval - the material used in fish tanks, with another use as cart wadding. You have to ensure you use the correct type, which is +2 (see 'cartridges' under 'common questions' below).

MP - Multi Pack, A great way to save on eliquid and hardware items marked multipack or MP have a discounted price for buying in bulk. This is for the consumer who knows what they want.


Common questions asked by new usersGENERAL

Why does my new e-cig have a horrible taste?
Don't worry, this is quite normal, read this about 'factory primer'.

Why am I getting the liquid in my mouth?
This happens most commonly when the cartridge has been overfilled or some juice has leaked in transit from the manufacturer. Try not to swallow the liquid and rinse your mouth. For some carts the only solution is to keep wiping the cart. If you have overfilled the cart yourself, you may wish to take the wadding out and 'mop' up the surplus.

Why do I have problems sometimes in getting a good draw?
It is a good idea to check your cartridge isn't too dry (not enough e-liquid), and that your battery is sufficiently charged, as these are common reasons for your e-cigarette not producing vapor.

What is a Drip Tip?
A Drip Tip is an alternative replacement to a Ecig Cartridge. It is placed on your atomizer and allows you to directly drip Eliquid to your atomizers coil without having to remove it from your atomizer. For those that direct drip this truly does make doing so a bit easier. It is highly recommended that you do not use Drip Tips or direct drip with automatic batteries as this will harm the batteries auto-switch and circuitry. However the manual batteries atomizer connection is sealed and direct dripping with them will cause no harm to them.

What is a Cartomizer?
A Cartomizer is a cartridge and atomizer all rolled into one. These are a one piece unit and can be found prefilled or empty for you to fill with the liquid of your choice.

What is a Clearomizer?
As with a Cartomizer it contains an atomizer and fluid delivery system in one unit. However, unlike Cartomizers, Clearomizers contain free fluid and a wick and generally are assembled within a clear chamber that allows you to see how much liquid is available. The Clearomizer uses a wicking system that draws the fluid using capillary action to the the atomizing unit that sits at the mouthpiece end of the chamber

What is a Smokymizer?
Just like a Clearomizer,  it contains an atomizer and fluid delivery system. with a Smokymizer, the atomizer sits at the bottom of the custom extruded housing body, and is incorporated into the battery threaded connecter. Fluid is gravity fed directly to the atomizer coil through a wick which draws from a sealed chamber above it. Vapour is drawn through a sealed tube that runs through the centre of the fluid chamber from the atomizer to the mouthpiece. Available in five different colours.

What do you recommend I buy when I start out?
Most people start with a 'starter kit' from one of the major sellers such as Totally Wicked. The most commonly purchased models are The Mini, The Titan 510 and The Tornado 510. Our latest product the Tornado has been getting extremely positive feedback and rave reviews and is becoming the number one choice among our forum members. Alongside your starter kit you are supplied with 5 carts. These are usually of mixed strengths. You may wish to purchase a few more; a cartridge really doesn't last as long as the manufacturers claim.

If you decide that vaping is for you, the next step is to buy a bottle of e-liquid and possibly expand on your number of batteries. It is also a must that you keep at least one spare atomizer as they are the 'workhorse' of the e-cigarette and have a habit of wearing out and stopping working when you least expect or appreciate it! The rest, well that gets acquired over time by many people, as they figure out what else they need. For some people, vaping becomes a serious hobby!

Are the parts from one electronic cigarette interchangeable with other parts?
In the past the vast majority of models, parts were not interchangeable. For example, you could not put a Titan atomizer onto a DSE801 battery. Totally Wicked now carries a wide range of adapters so you can try different atomizers on another models battery. This is great for those that already have a large supply of one or another but want to see what they are missing. You should still use the correct charger with the correct battery though as this will cause issues with some combinations, which may lead to equipment damage and or fire. You can find the adapters at the Totally Wicked website. Additionally some carts from both the Mini and the Titan can be swapped, but there's no real science to it. Some will fit tight, some will be loose, some will fit just right.

Where is the best place to buy my first kit?
For new vapers we recommend you use a reputable firm who offer warranties on the parts. If you have found this forum, then you will notice that it is hosted by one such company. There are others around, reading the forums will help you decide where to purchase and what models are on offer by the various well-known companies.

There are a lot of new sellers and websites springing up. Many of them are an 'unknown quantity' to most of the forum members, so we can't comment on how good their service or products are. Don't be tempted in by what appears to be a cheap price with your first buy, you could just regret it later. Always look to see if the website has a mailing address. Those that do not have one will give you a glimpse what your in for when things go badly. It's really no different then giving your credit card number to a complete stranger on the street.

CARTRIDGES

How long can I expect a prefilled cartridge to last?
Nowhere near as long as the manufacturers claim! Many claim a rather hefty number of cigarettes (as many as 20) as an equivalent to one cart. In reality, one cart is about the equivalent of 5 or 6 cigarettes tops. However, given the price of the carts and the price of e-liquid, this is no big deal. Around three drops of e-liquid seems to equate with roughly one cigarette when using a technique called 'dripping' so it would be fair to say a similar amount applies if topping up your carts with e-liquid.

Can I recycle my carts?
Yes! If you buy some e-liquid from the UK or e-liquid from the US, you can refil your carts by dripping e-liquid into them. Eventually, the wadding will become tired and you will find you need to rinse it out (using just water). Over time the wadding also degrades, and you will find you can no longer use it.

Can I replace the wadding in my carts?
Yes, you can! You can use a product called Fluval which is a filter used in aquariums, see here. If you are in the US, you can also buy a product called polyfil from Walmart. Both are very inexpensive; simply cut to the same size as your current wadding, and replace!

What is 'dripping'?
You can use this technique in place of using carts in many models of e-cigarette. Effectively, you place two or three drops of e-liquid onto the atomizer wick/element/bridge. You need to be careful not to add too much as this will flood your atomizer. This replaces the need for a cart, however, you will still need the cart mouthpiece. The 'dummy' mouthpiece that comes with your e-cigarette is very useful for using with dripping.

ATOMIZERS

How long does an atomiser last?
Some answers are here.

How do I clean my atomizer?
There are several techniques for cleaning atomisers here.

BATTERIES

How do I know when my battery is fully charged?
Chargers come with an LED, whether they are mains chargers or USB chargers (chargers which are plugged into the USB port on a computer or USB hub). The LED is usually red when you place a discharged battery into it, and will change color when the battery is fully charged (typically green, but can also be blue). Some people notice that the LED 'pulses' or gives very tiny blips of the other color whilst on red and charging. This is completely normal.

How long will a battery take to charge?
Your e-cigarette should have a manual supplied with it. For the majority of models, a first use charging time of 8 hours is recommended. After that, most models of e-cigarettes take between one and two hours to charge on the mains charger. It may take slightly longer if charging through a USB charger, but this is not always the case. You should find that if you have bought a two battery starter kit, one battery charges whilst you use the other. The PCC for the Titan (Joye510) takes a few hours to charge, typically 4 or 5 hours. From this, you can charge Titan batteries 'on the move' 3 or 4 times before the PCC itself needs recharging. Each Titan battery charge will take roughly 75 - 90 minutes in the Titan PCC.

What available methods are there for charging a battery?
Most e-cigarettes have two types of charger; a mains(AC/DC) one, and a USB one. The USB charger can be used in your USB computer port, in a USB hub, or you can buy a USB cigarette lighter converter for your car. You can also buy a USB-to-mains adapter for charging. The Titan (Joye 510) has the portable PCC (portable cigarette charger) available. Roadrunner has written a nice thread explaining the PCC, with pictures, here. You can also convert a USB charger to an 'on the move' option by buying a portable power pack (the pack usually charges through the USB on the computer).

What is a passthrough and why might I want one?
A passthrough is the alternate to a battery; it plugs directly into a USB port or hub, or can be plugged into the mains through a USB-to-mains adapter. It is a battery 'shell' on a thin lead which then supplies the power in place of the battery. It is a fantastic alternate to a battery but not practical whilst out-and-about unless you have an adequately powerful portable power pack. Most main models of e-cigarette have a passthrough available. Some of the common models for which you can source a passthrough, are the DSE901, tornado,  the Joye510 Titan, and the DSE801 penstyle.    

PERSONAL VAPORIZER LIQUIDS


How can I store my e-liquid?
try this excellent thread and answer by ewac here

Where can I buy little plastic dropper bottles in the UK and in the US?
Some people transfer e-liquid into smaller bottles (usually 5ml), for when they are 'out and about', as they are more convenient to carry around. You can purchase these from the Totally Wicked UK and US sites.

The outline to a further toxicology report, and the link to the whole report, can be found here.

What is in the E-liquid?
If you are concerned about what ingredients are in e-liquid, and whether the ingredients are more harmful than cigarettes, there have been studies conducted by Totally Wicked into their e-liquid, and by the suppliers of ECO-pure. Both studies maintain that apart from the addictive chemical nicotine, there appears to be no harmful substance within the liquid. The main constituents of e-liquid responsible for producing the vapor are Propyl(ene) Glycol (PG) and/or Vegetable Glycerine (VG) otherwise known as glycerol or glycerin.


Flavouring your own eliquid
Unflavoured Platinum Ice is the purest e-juice on the market. Formulated entirely from UK-sourced ingredients and manufactured in the UK, it combines the highest quality pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, with pharmaceutical-grade Propylene Glycol BP, PEG-400 BP or Vegetable Glycerine BP. It contains no other ingredients, and is clearly superior.

Totally Wicked sell unflavoured e-liquid in various strengths, to which you can add your own flavourings. The kind of food flavourings you can buy in a supermarket are not really recommended, as so many of them contain oils and sugars which can damage the atomizer.

How can I use Flavoring and eliquid to make my own flavours?
A video mixing guide can be found here by RitaLee.

Is there any way to make mixing my e-liquid to the right level easier?
Yes there is a extremely simple calculator that does all the math for you click here With this calculator you can increase or decrease the amount of nicotine in your ready made fluids correctly and easily. You can also use it to produce your own DIY eliquid using either the Platinum Ice Unflavoured Nicotine E-liquid or the Totally Wicked Unflavoured Nicotine E-liquid, using your Patriot Range or Red Label  lines of flavourings. For additional information on how to mix your own liquid there is a great tutorial written by forum member Bodhi here that goes more in depth.

Cutting your e-liquid
What ingredients can I use to cut my e-liquid
Much the same as mixing your own e-liquid you can use Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerine (VG) and Aqueous Glycerine (AG) Aqueous Glycerine in normal Glycerine that has been thinned to match the viscosity of PG using de-ionized water. You can use any combination of these liquids to achieve your desired end result.

What is Glycerine or Aqueous Glycerine used for?
Generally Glycerine is used to increase vapor production. Some use it to replace Propylene Glycol completely in there e-liquids as they have sensitivities to it. Additionally it's characteristics when mixed with e-liquid tends to take some harshness or edge off of mixes while adding a bit of sweetness. A link to Wikipedia about Glycerine also called Glycerol, and its uses outside of vaping is located here.

What is Propylene Glycol or PG used for?
Much the same as Glycerine, Propylene Glycol is used to thin out eliquid as well. It lends itself keeping or adding throat hit to e-liquid. A link to Wikpedia about Propylene Glycol and its uses outside of vaping is located here.


Where can I buy Glycerine, Aqueous Glycerine and Propylene Glycol, ?
You can find all three at both Totally Wicked sites UK / US  

As a side note, the VG sold here is called Aqueous Glycerine, as it is diluted for use to the right viscosity right out of the bottle.
E-liquid Flavours
How can I find out more about the different flavours of e-liquid available?
There are a few threads discussing flavours. There is also a dedicated 'Taste Review Panel' who regularly review the TW flavours.

Here are some links directly to a variety of flavour polls, reviews and flavour descriptions

Totally Wickeds Taste Panel Reviews
Forum Members Own Reviews on the TW/Patriot Range
Totally Wickeds Red Label Flavour Poll      

Totally Wickeds Patriots Range Flavour Poll  
Totally Wicked Patriots Range Flavour Descriptions
Totally Wickeds Patriots Range Flavour Concentrates Poll  
            
Miscellaneous Questions About Electronic Cigarettes and ProductsCan I use an electronic cigarette on an airplane?
There are a few companies who have disallowed the use of electronic cigarettes on planes. Most companies seem to allow vaping, but it must be noted that vapers tend to be discreet about it, and some sneak to the toilet to vape! The biggest concern seems to relate to taking your device and liquid through customs. Those forum members who have taken an electronic cigarette abroad have used sense and caution in taking their equipment onto the plane, following any regulations regarding glass bottles etc, and have had little in the way of problems.

It must be noted that some destination countries such as Australia may have banned electronic cigarettes, and you must check the laws in your destination country before flying. There is a list on Wikipedia from the link at the top of this FAQ (what is an electronic cigarette); the list is probably not comprehensive but mentions some of the main countries and their legal status with respect to e-cigarettes.
Here are some links to discussions about flying:

Cartridges on Planes
Some of our members are well traveled and have good experience of taking electronic cigarettes through airports. Here and Here is some great advice from Prof Beard and others. If you need help on a specific airport it's often useful to ask!
 
Buying from Totally WickedWhere can I buy TW products?
If you are in the:
 
United Kingdom click here.

United Kingdom TECC click here

United States click here

Germany click here


UK delivery times are typically 1 - 2 days, although longer shipping times may be experienced, particularly during peak times such as Christmas. TW usually use Royal Mail signed for.

Because the US is such a huge place, shipping times inevitably vary from the UK. For info on shipping times in the US please see this.



I want to post on the forumWe love new members! You'll find us to be the friendliest forum about vaping on the net, and we welcome members worldwide
Here is a quick rundown of our boards if you are unsure where to post your comments or questions

New Members please do introduce yourselves to us here, we have a fine welcoming committee

If our FAQ hasn't answered your specific query or you need further help, please visit our Questions and Answers Board

If you have something interesting to raise, or you'd like to join in the general discussions about vaping, visit our General Vaping Discussions Board

For making new friends and chit-chat about everything else, we have a friendly General Discussions Board

If you have a question you believe only Totally Wicked can answer, such as a question on stock or delivery, this is the board for you (please note that in general, queries placed here are only answered by the Totally Wicked's Team  Monday-Friday.

If you'd like to discuss a flavour you've tried, find out more about flavours, or ask for advice on flavours, try the Flavour Discussion Board

If you like to do a bit of electronic engineering and you're into 'modding' your e-cigarette, here is the Modifications Board

If you've got a flavour e-liquid you're not too fond of or you'd like to open up a sample swap, try the Trades Board. Note: the Trade section will only become available after you have contributed 30 posts.





Many thanks to all the members who have contributed to the answers on this FAQ, without whom, this FAQ simply wouldn't exist!