E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that allow users to experience a similar sensation to smoking but without causing as much harm to their body. For anyone that is experienced with vaping, understanding how they work might come as second nature. But for anyone that is new to vaping and hasn’t tried it before, e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping in general may seem hard to fathom.

In this guide, we explain how e-cigarettes work, how you can use them and other important information that you will need to know before vaping for the first time.

How to use an e-cigarette

In an effort to advise anyone that is new to vaping, we’ve outlined some of the key considerations involved with vaping such as how to vape, how e-cigarettes work and how you carry out key tasks such as charging the battering of your e-cigarette and refill it with e-liquid.

But first, it may help to understand the parts involved in an e-cigarette and what they do. Unlike a regular cigarette, e-cigarettes have several different components that offer certain uses and purposes.

Components of e-cigarettes and their purposes:

  • Atomiser - heats up the e-liquid
  • Cartridge or tank - holds the e-liquid
  • Mouthpiece - allows the e-liquid to be vaped
  • Power source - makes it possible to charge the e-cigarette battery using a mains electricity
  • Tanks and mods - the e-cigarette itself
A man learning via the internet how their e-cigarette works.

How e-cigarettes work

By understanding how e-cigarettes work, you should find it easier to use one yourself. E-cigarettes work as follows:

  1. The e-cigarette battery is charged
  2. E-liquid is added to the e-cigarette tank
  3. The atomiser heats up the e-liquid in the e-cigarette tank to create vapour
  4. The user presses a button on the e-cigarette to release the vapour out of the mouthpiece
  5. The e-cigarette tank will gradually empty, requiring more e-liquid and the battery will run out, requiring charging.

Getting started

When you first receive your e-cigarette, check that all of the components are in the box and, assuming they are, charge it until it’s fully charged. As with any electrical device, charging it fully before using it for the first time should ensure you get the most out of the battery.

Vaping with an e-cigarette

Although similar to smoking a cigarette, vaping using an e-cigarette requires some thought as vaping incorrectly could lead to coughing and an unpleasant burst of nicotine into your system. In fact, there are two different methods of vaping: mouth-to-lung and direct lung.

Mouth to lung (MTL) -

  1. Breathe vapour into your mouth for a few seconds and hold it for between one and two seconds
  2. Open your mouth and breathe the vapour into your lungs
  3. Exhale the vapour out of your mouth

Direct lung (DL) -

  1. Breathe vapour into your mouth quickly
  2. Exhale the vapour out of your mouth instantly

Alternatively, some vapers opt to utilise a method that is reminiscent of smoking a cigar. It works by breathing the vapour in and out as you would a cigar. Instead of focusing on moving the vapour towards the lungs, vaping in this way allows the vapour to be entered into the system by being absorbed through the mucus membranes in the mouth.

Refilling e-liquid tanks

Once you’ve used up the e-liquid in your e-cigarette, you will need to refill your tank. For many e-cigarettes, refilling is a simple process that only requires you to remove the cap at the top of the tank and pour the e-liquid in.

The Voopoo Argus GT, for example, is similarly simple. All you need to do is disconnect the tank from the e-cigarette and find the rubber topper at the bottom. You should then insert your e-liquid bottle into the tank, lean it against the inside of the tank to avoid contact with the atomiser in the centre and slowly squeeze in a few drops.

Charging e-cigarette batteries

Along with refilling the e-liquid in your e-cigarette, you will also need to charge the battery. E-cigarettes will typically last a few hours before running out of battery, and you will often know when it’s time to recharge as an LED light will usually light up to indicate that the battery is low.

To charge an e-cigarette, all you need to do is connect the charger to the socket on the e-cigarette and plug it in to mains power. The LED light on the e-cigarette will then indicate when it is fully charged and once again ready to be used.