Highbrow News — e-liquids

Vaping is one of the fastest growing pastimes and hobbies in the world.  As it continues to expand, more people are exploring what our industry has to offer.  With that said, there are certain unwritten rules one should follow in order to have some safe, fun and productive vape sessions.  This list will imbue you, regardless if you’re a novice or "professional" vaper, so let’s get right to it.

Rule #1: Safety

E-juices consist of 4 ingredients:

• Flavoring
• Propylene Glycol (PG)
• Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
• Nicotine (though some juices contain 0%)  

For your own health and safety, seek out juice manufacturers that pledge to use only natural ingredients in their batches and make sure to figure out what ratio works best for you.  What we me mean is, for example, if you have a PG allergy, your best bet is to vape an e-liquid that is MAX VG.

Rule #2: Nicotine Strength
Nicotine levels in your e-liquid depend on your personal preference.  Heavy cigarette smokers trying to quit should start at the highest doses (typically 24/28g per hit) and wean themselves down as they see fit.  Nicotine can be toxic in high doses, so use these higher levels cautiously.

For very light-smoking users, vaping at a lower nicotine strength between 3mg-6mg is recommended.  Vaping at too high of a level that you’re not accustom to could have some negative effects. If you’re uncertain as to the nicotine content of your e-juice, for your safety, it is recommended you get new juice entirely.

Rule #3: Using Your Vaping Device
Read the manual that comes with your electronic cigarette, mod, vaporizer or even pod system!  There are so many means to vape today, that it can be difficult to gauge otherwise how to properly use your device.  In a unit that has modular temperature settings, the VV/VW applied are very important: too low, and you'll get no vapor.  Too high and the juice will burn, or worse, you'll blow out your coil.

Coils are replaceable, but coil blowouts can be a major frustration.  However, they can also be entirely avoidable, if you know how to properly use your device; meaning how far you can set the wattage level to and the kind of coil being used.  Also, the type of e-liquid being vaped with and the tank that it’s in make a difference. These are just some of the many factors that must be taken into consideration before vaping with a fresh new coil.

Rule #4: Being a Respectful Vaper
As we all know, vaping offers the user, and even the environment a better alternative to traditional cigarettes, but some people are still upset by vapers, especially from mods that billow out heavy clouds.  It’s always a good idea to ask those around you if they mind if you vape. If they do, or there are posted signs that unfortunately include no vaping in the establishment, you may need to step outside in order to vape. However, vapers aren’t confined to the length of a cigarette’s time when it comes to being outside, so you should be back indoors pretty quickly.

Also, always vape in a well-ventilated area and try and clear the air when you're done.  Be courteous and thankful when you’re allowed to vape indoors. Take note, do not vape near areas where it is restricted such as school zones.

Keep These Rules in Mind

By keeping these tips handy, you’re on your way to becoming the perfect and respectful gentleman vaper. 

If you’re trying to watch your weight, you might be wondering how your vaping hobby is affecting your weight loss attempts.  After all, e-liquids come in sinful flavors like cake, candy and cookies.  It’s not crazy to wonder if these sweet flavors are filling your body with unwanted calories.

The good news is that vaping won’t sabotage your weight loss endeavors.  As you’ll see, the way in which e-liquids affect your body can actually help you lose weight rather than add inches to your waistline.

Truth about Calories in E-Liquid

As it turns out, e-liquids contain approximately four to five calories per milliliter.  If you go through 2mL of juice a day, you’re getting about ten or so calories. Those calories come primarily from the flavoring agents that are used in the batch.  These flavoring agents make up only about 10%.

Needless to say, ten or so calories a day is absolutely not going to have an effect on your weight.  That amount is far less than even a small cup of coffee or a little glass of fruit juice. So, you really have nothing to worry about.  Even if you’re a chain-vaper who can’t put their mod down for more than ten minutes, you’re really not going to gain weight from the calories that are in vape juice.

Plus, scientists can’t really prove that those calories affect your weight on a biological level.  While the calories we digest do affect our weight, e-liquids aren’t digested. If the calories in the juice only sit in the lungs for a brief period of time, it’s unlikely that they trigger fat production at all.

How Vaping Can Actually Help You Lose Weight

Nicotine

If you’re vaping an e-liquid that contains nicotine, your chances of losing weight are higher than your chances of gaining weight.  Nicotine is a known stimulant that increases your metabolism while gently suppressing your appetite. Many people who vape regularly don’t feel the need to binge on snacks throughout the day, because nicotine keeps them satisfied.  

Another fascinating thing about nicotine is that it reduces insulin levels.  Therefore, it can actually curb sugar cravings as it doesn’t cause the user to desire sugar in order to get a boost of energy.  This is part of the reason why people who quit cigarettes cold turkey tend to pick up addictions to candies and other sweet snacks.

Goodbye to Cravings

Another way that vaping helps people lose weight has to do with all of the sweet flavors that are available.  Many have found that simply vaping a sweet flavor helps them ward off sugar cravings. If you’re the type of person who can’t control themselves around a box of cookies or a bag of candies, vaping might actually be helping you avoid engorging yourself.  

The Skinny on Vaping

Simply put, it’s clear that vaping will not sabotage your weight loss efforts in any way.

If you’ve just gotten into salt nic e-liquid, you’re probably wondering about the role that the VG/PG ratio plays in terms of your overall vaping experience. Those who have been using sub-ohm systems for a while are used to the fact that the ratio has an enormous effect on everything from cloud production to the intensity of an e-liquid’s flavor. When it comes to vaping a salt nic e-liquid using a pod system, things are quite different.

Salt nic vape juices have slightly different formulas that affect the way in which the liquid is turned into vapor. Plus, they’re used with pod systems, meaning that the size of the clouds, the throat hit, and other aspects of vaping are largely affected by the device itself.

Before you start getting nit-picky about the ratio of your nic salt juice, allow us to explain exactly how the ratio affects your pod-based vaping experience. You may be surprised.  

Up until recently, vapers could only purchase e-liquids that contained freebase nicotine.  This type of nicotine is chemically altered in order to be more potent. However, it wasn’t created for systems that reach high wattage levels. As a result, those who wanted to take in a good amount of nicotine experienced throat irritation when using powerful devices.

Now, thanks to salt-based nicotine, vapers can enjoy a potent nicotine hit without burning their throat. This type of nicotine has revolutionized the vaping industry by providing intense satisfaction to those who crave that buzz.

Because salt nic e-liquids must be used with pod systems, they must contain a fairly strict ratio of ingredients. While freebase nic e-liquids tend to come in a wide variety of VG/PG ratios, salt nic e-liquids are typically only available in 50/50 ratios with the occasional exception.

So, how does the same ratio differ?

Throat Hit

Many people who vape a high PG freebased e-liquid do so because they enjoy the strong throat hit that comes with more propylene glycol (PG). When you’re vaping a salt nic e-liquid, you’re going to get a stronger throat hit no matter what due to the nature of nicotine salts. Therefore, you don’t necessarily need to go for a PG level that’s above 50 percent.

Flavor

Another advantage is a more pronounced flavor. However, salt nic e-juices are only compatible with mouth-to-lung (MTL) pod systems. These pod devices have set output levels and coil resistance levels that already promote a stronger, richer flavor.

Cloud Production

Because of the nature of nicotine salt e-liquids and pod systems in general, your cloud-chasing abilities are a bit limited. Therefore, even if you were to vape a nic salt juice with a very high VG level, you wouldn’t get the same clouds that you get with a big sub-ohm device. Plus, nic salt liquid requires a certain PG level in order to vape properly, meaning that a high VG nic salt juices would probably not deliver a satisfying vape.

See Which One Works for You

It’s safe to say that the ratio is less important when it comes to vaping a salt nic e-liquid with a pod system. However, you should still feel free to experiment if you believe that playing around with the ratio will allow you to find your unique sweet spot.

Now that we’re deep into the cold winter season, many of us are yearning for seasonal pick-me-ups that remind us of our favorite wintertime treats.  Thanks to Highbrow Vapor, you can indulge in yummy winter-inspired e-juices that warm the spirit and elate the taste buds.

These flavors are guaranteed to keep you satisfied all winter long:

Winter E-Liquid Flavor #3: Clove

Consists of smooth, rich tobacco that’s been infused with warm and aromatic cloves. Each puff has a warming effect on the tongue thanks to the intensity of the spicy notes.  The tobacco is so velvety as it drifts across the tongue that you’ll find yourself salivating. At first, you’ll notice the warmth and richness of the tobacco that reminds you of an expensive cigar. The tobacco becomes sweeter and smokier as the glorious clove flavor starts to emerge. As you exhale, you’ll enjoy the smoothness of the flavor while the clove leaves you feeling invigorated.

Winter E-Liquid Flavor #2: Cappuccino Diablo

On a chilly winter morning, there’s nothing like a warm cappuccino. This is a flawless tribute to this iconic beverage, consisting of warm, nutty espresso, frothy, rich milk and the perfect amount of sweet sugar. Each puff of this flavor satisfies you on the darkest winter days. As soon as you inhale, you’ll notice the smooth espresso that’s extremely fragrant. The warmth of the espresso helps you forget that it’s cold outside. Then, a stream of creamy milk floods the tongue. The milk has a frothy consistency that satisfies like crazy. With each exhale, a sprinkle of sugar lands on the sweet tooth.

Winter E-Liquid Flavor #1: Buttered Rum And-Then-Some

No flavor is better suited for this time of year than this juice. This mouth-watering wintertime beverage consists of warm buttered rum that’s steeped with smooth vanilla, rich hazelnuts, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Its creaminess seduces your tongue right away. Slowly, the vanilla and hazelnut flavors appear on the palate. When you exhale, the nutmeg and cinnamon add warmth to the flavor profile.

Take Care of Those Wintertime Cravings at Highbrow Vapor

Each of these three winter-inspired vape flavors hits the spot on the coldest and darkest winter days. Thanks to the scrumptious seasonal flavors from Highbrow Vapor, you can satisfy your wintertime cravings without any of the calories.

If you haven’t noticed, we have entered the coldest stage of the winter season. For those who vape outdoors, it can be a bit tedious to bundle up just to get in a few satisfying hits. Believe it or not, the winter season affects your vape sessions beyond your level of comfort. In fact, cold weather can alter everything from the thickness of your fog to how well your batteries function.

However, just because it is cold out doesn’t mean that you have to run to the vape shop and invest in a whole new setup. There are a few very easy tips that you can take in order to get the most out of your wintertime vaping sessions.

Tip #1: Switch Up the VG/PG Ratio of Your E-Liquid

E-Liquid is composed of lots of different molecules that come from its various ingredients. Many flavoring ingredients consist of molecules that freeze when exposed to cold air. However, because vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) are compounds that are derived from alcohol, they’ll stop your juice from freezing into a solid mass.

However, because of those flavor molecules, your liquid will change in consistency.  Cold weather makes juice thicker, meaning that your vapor will be thicker. For those all about those massive, fluffy clouds, this might be good news. However, if you’re more into that strong throat hit, you’re probably going to want to increase your PG level in order to compensate for the cold.

Tip #2. Don’t Leave Your Vaping Hardware Outdoors

If you’re the type of vaper who leaves their device and/or hardware pieces outdoors or even in the car, you’re gonna want to be a little more careful during the winter season. When your mod is left outside on a cold day, its technological components can freeze, meaning that your unit just won’t work as well. Cold weather can damage your display screen as well as the internal mechanisms that keep it running smoothly.

This applies to your vape batteries as well. Batteries should never get cold because this can cause them to greatly decrease in capacity. When the weather is cold, a battery’s electrons move more slowly, meaning that the battery must try harder to power your device. This drains your batteries quickly and can permanently lower their capacity level.

If you can, store your hardware in a warm place indoors. While it doesn’t need to kept somewhere hot, make sure that it’s a place far away from any particularly drafty areas.

Tip #3: Treat Yourself to Seasonal Flavors to Get into the Winter Spirit

One of the best things about wintertime vaping is being able to indulge in winter-inspired e-liquid flavors. During the wintertime, we tend to crave richer desserts that keep us feeling warm during the cold months. If you want to watch your weight, you can satisfy your cravings with indulgent Highbrow juices that are inspired by the desserts that are abundant during this time of year.

Don’t Be Left in the Vaping Cold

By following these tricks, those freezing temperatures don’t have to ruin your experience.  You’ll be able to enjoy those smooth, flavorful hits no matter what’s going on with the weather.

There's nothing like that first hit of smooth, luscious vapor in the morning. If you want to take your morning vape game to the next level, check out these three exquisite e-juice flavors from Highbrow Vapor. Each of these flavors captures an indulgence that we crave when it is time for breakfast. 

#3. Cappuccino Diablo

This is one of those e-liquids that instantly puts a smile on your face. This flavor consists of rich, robust espresso, smooth, creamy milk and the perfect dose of sugary sweetness. Invigorating, satisfying and decadent, this juice is the ultimate treat for morning. On the inhale, that espresso splashes on your tongue, stimulating your senses with that earthy, robust taste. The espresso becomes richer as it soaks into your palate. Then, the sweetness comes through. As you exhale, the frothy milk leaves your taste buds drenched. 

#2. Belgian Waffle

A deeply satisfying take on everyone's favorite breakfast treat. This Belgian waffle is cooked to perfection, boasting a crispy outside and a fluffy inside. It's topped with a blend of cinnamon, maple syrup and creamy butter. Each inhale delights you with that glorious waffle taste. Hints of vanilla, cinnamon and brown sugar rush across the tongue. As you exhale, the maple syrup lands on your sweet tooth while the butter adds mouth-watering richness. 

#1. Coffee - Dark Roast

An outstandingly authentic-tasting coffee flavor that's smooth, rich, nutty and earthy. Each puff is just like sipping on high-quality coffee first thing in the morning. A hint of sweetness rounds out the flavor profile and makes your sweet tooth sing. When you inhale, the smoothness of this coffee flavor is apparent right away. The robust nature of the dark roast entrances your taste buds as the earthiness and nuttiness waft across the palate. Each exhale delights you with a sprinkle of sugar.

If you're a vaper, you know that few things can ruin a vape session like a damaged tank. Those of us who are especially clumsy tend to take great care to protect our tank from cracks and chips caused by dropping it. However, you may be surprised to learn that the vape juice that you select can also damage your tank. 

There are a few reasons why a tank can become damaged by a specific e-liquid. We're going to discuss a few main reasons why this may happen while giving you advice so that you never have to worry about a damaged tank. 

Plastic Tanks vs. Pyrex Tanks

Vape tanks are made of either polycarbonate plastic or Pyrex glass. Vapers who are on a budget tend to go with the former. Polycarbonate plastic is a popular material because, besides being affordable, it's resistant to high heat levels. It's also durable, capable of surviving plenty of drops without cracking. 

However, vapers have found that plastic tanks can become damaged by certain juice ingredients. Most notably, citric acid has been found to change the molecular structure of polycarbonate plastic, causing a tank to crack or melt. Citric acid is found in citrus fruits, providing them with that tart and zesty taste that we know and love. If you use a plastic tank, it's wise to skip the citrus flavors. 

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG)

For vapers who enjoy chasing clouds, it's likely that you purchase e-juices that have a high VG content. Vegetable glycerin is a very dense, viscous material that promotes thick, fluffy vapor. These days, most vapers prefer vape juices with this higher content. 

If you vape juices with a high VG content, one issue that you may find is that your tank becomes gunked up quickly. This is because VG turns into a sticky, sugary substance when it's heated to a high temperature. To prevent this gunk from damaging your tank, make it a point to clean your tank thoroughly at least once each week. 

Flavoring Ingredients

There's a reason why so many vapers are willing to spend a good deal of money on high-quality e-liquids made by respected vape juice brands. Low-quality juices often contain cheap filler ingredients that damage a tank over time. There are several different cheap flavoring ingredients that can gunk up your tank, stain your glass and destroy any internal mechanisms. That's why it's worth it to go with quality juices such as ours. 

How to Avoid Damaging Your Tank

To prevent your tank from becoming damaged by an e-liquid, there are some easy steps that you can take.

• For one thing, never settle for low-quality e-juices.
• It’s wise to invest in a tank that's made from Pyrex glass rather than plastic. 
• Make sure that you clean your vape tank regularly. Some vapers go so far as to wash their tank each time they're about to refill it with vape juice. Many agree that hot, soapy water or rubbing alcohol can clean a tank adequately. 

Keep Your Vape Tanks in Prime Condition

By following this guide, you'll keep your tank safe from damage caused by using certain e-liquid products.