Vaping Accessories

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Features

Serena Williams said it. Even Coco Chanel may have said it. “Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!” Those words have rung true for decades in the fashion world and lend themselves perfectly to the new world of electronic vaping.

By Nattira Medvedeva

With e-cigarettes growing ever more popular with consumers, we have come a long way from the e-cigarette’s humble beginnings a little more than a decade ago when the “cig-a-like” was introduced, followed by the second generation of e-cigarettes that looked like pens and had batteries that lasted longer, to today’s advanced personal vaporizers (AVPs) with either a mechanical or regulated mod. Along with more advanced e-cigarettes or vaporizers, a rapidly-growing list of accessories has entered the market. The following are some of the more essential (and coolest) e-cig accessories out there.

Powerbanks and chargers

Today’s lifestyle sees us constantly on the go, unfettered by the traditional norms of a more stationary life. Electronics like mobile phones, tablets, and notebook computers enable us to work and play pretty much anywhere we please, as long as those devices are charged.  The same goes for electronic cigarettes and vaporizers – they need to be charged. Since e-cigarettes and vaporizers are charged by USB like mobile phones, tablets, and notebook computers, a powerbank or external battery comes in handy for those who do not have immediate access to a wall socket or car charger. The average e-cigarette or vaporizer battery has around 2,600 milliamp hours (mAh). Powerbanks start at around 6,000 mAh, so vapers can choose the powerbank size that best suits their needs. 

There is also a wide variety of chargers in the market: universal car adaptors that can charge all types of electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, and other devices such as mobile phones; USB-to-main charging adaptors that allows vapers to charge through a wall socket; e-cigarettes that are supplied only with a USB cable; high-capacity battery chargers that charge faster; wireless charges where batteries are placed directly on the charger for charging; even a nifty world USB charger, similar to a world travel adaptor, for those who find themselves in a foreign country trying to recharge their e-cig or vaporizer through a wall socket with incompatible plugs. The world USB charger can be used in more than 150 countries and can be used with any kind of USB device.

Ohm and voltage meters

The flavor of e-liquids and the amount of vapor produced both are affected by temperature. Flavors like chocolate, coffee, or tobacco taste better when exposed to higher temperatures while others like peach and strawberry taste better at lower temperatures. The temperature in e-cigarettes and vaporizer tanks is determined by wattage – in other words, when you adjust the wattage, you adjust the temperature. Wattage is in turn determined by voltage and ohm resistance levels. Lowering the resistance (ohm) increases the voltage, which then increases the wattage and temperature. Atomizers have different resistance levels, normally between 1.5-3.0 ohms. The level of resistance differs from person to person, though, depending on the taste they like most.

Ohm and voltage meters helps vapers to make sure that their devices are working at the right resistance and voltage levels to product the taste and amount of vapor desired. Vapers can find separate ohm meters and voltage meters or choose from the 2-in-1 models available. These meters are conveniently powered by the device or rechargeable, and can be either digital or analog.

Spare tanks and tool kits

Contrary to what many believe, tanks are not unbreakable. Too much acidity in the e-liquid can cause tanks to crack or break. Old e-liquid or one that has a high nicotine content can do the same.  And as Murphy’s Law would have it, a tank cracking or breaking would happen at the most inopportune moment, creating a mess and stopping the vaper from being able to enjoy themselves. Sometimes it might be possible to fix the situation with a replacement glass, but other times nothing else will do except to replace the tank. Some of the cool specs in the tanks available including a bottom dual coil atomizer with a bottom feed atomizer and a recessed wick; uses the new revolutionary sub-ohm OCC (organic cotton coils); or has an interchangeable reservoir of pyrex glass or stainless steel.

Of course, if you are going to be changing the tank, a toolkit will come in handy. Toolkits can include a range of tools, but should at least have the basic necessities - screwdriver, cutting pliers, long nose pliers, and some ceramic tweezers. And a pair of rubber-insulated gloves to prevent shards of glass piercing your fingers. 

Skins, cases, and pouches

Skins, cases, and pouches not only make carrying vaping gear around more convenient, they also protect against scratches or other damage and provide a chance for vapers to let their creativity and personality show. Made from all types of material, from plastic to silicone, canvas to real leather, the choices are unlimited and come in all sorts of shapes and forms. There are even some models that serve as a portable charging case, conveniently charging and storing batteries (standard battery only) without needing an outlet, can comfortably fit into a purse or pocket as it is the size of a traditional cigarette pack, and even has extra room to hold additional cartridges.

Drip tips

Many experienced vapers now prefer to use drip tips instead of the e-cigarette cartridges and cartomizers as they feel that cartridges do not produce the same consistent vapor after the first draws and oftentimes squirts the e-liquid into the mouth after the first draw, a somewhat unpleasant occurrence that can spoil the vaping experience. Cartomizers are more reliable than cartridges, but they limit vapers from sampling new flavors as they come pre-filled and only offer the flavors made by the e-liquid company, or, if one were to buy an empty cartomizer, they would have to fill it themselves, which can be inconvenient.

A drip tip, on the other hand, is a hollow mouthpiece that can be used in place of a cartridge or cartomizer without having to remove anything. Dripping is basically pouring the e-liquid directly into the atomizer, with no wadding to hold the juice. The e-juice leaks from the atomizer and in the process boosts the e-cigarette’s vapor production, leading to a full, clean flavor with consistent vapor production.  A drip tip can be made from different material, from metal to plastic, and come in different colors and styles, from humorous to truly artistic.

This is, of course, by no means all that is on offer for e-cigarette and vaporizer accessories. Companies are constantly introducing new, innovative designs and new products that are meant to enhance and compliment the vaping experience.