How Does an E-Cigarette Work?

22 April 2016

You know how to whistle, don’t you? You just put your lips together and...blow! Well, an e-cigarette works much the same. It’s really simple – we’ll talk you through.

Power Up

First things first, we need to power up. You can’t run without energy or drive a car without fuel and, similarly, vapourisers rely on a battery to work. This battery will be included with your vape and is rechargeable, so you can use and charge your device much the same as you would do with your mobile phone. 

Different models have different battery lives. Cigalikes or e-cigs, the smaller vapes which resemble traditional cigarettes, tend to have a shorter life due to their smaller battery size. You can even purchase disposable e-cigs which you simply throw away when they run out of battery.

Vape pens and mods are all round more powerful versions of the standard e-cig. Vape mods in particular are often adapted for greater battery strength. The more powerful the battery, the more vapour your device can produce – which is why mods are the best choice for cloud-chasers!

Feeling Juicy

Next step is the e-liquid, the love juice, the sweet honey, the flavour fluid...whatever you want to call it, this is the stuff that really gets your vape going. Music’s no fun without a good beat, clothes are boring without a sense of style and using an e-cigarette would be bland and pointless without e-liquid flavour!

If you have a cigalike, you simply insert a cartridge into the e-cig. This cartridge holds the e-liquid and you can replace it when the juice is finished. Sort of like a fountain pen!

Unlike cigalikes, vape pens and mods have a tank which the user refills themselves. Whilst this has the potential to be a bit more fiddly, it also means you have a wider choice of flavours. This is because you don’t need to use a specific cartridge compatible with your device, as you do with a cigalike. It also enables a bit more imagination, allowing you to mix and match different flavours and create your own personal blend. Let your creative juices flow!   

Things are Heating Up

So now that we’re feeling both powerful and juicy, it’s time to turn up the heat! When the user inhales on a cigalike, the action activates a component of the device called an atomiser. This heats the liquid in the cartridge via a coil and wick, converting it to a vapour.

Vape pens and mods work much the same, although sometimes include a button which you press as you inhale to activate the atomiser. With any electronic cigarette nothing is burnt, only heated. This means NO SMOKE is produced – just vapour.

And Breathe

The user inhales via the mouthpiece of their device, the same way one would with a traditional cigarette. Relax, breathe in the light vapour, enjoy your flavour choice and watch the clouds form as you exhale. Ahhhhh...

Now you know how to work an e-cigarette, the fun starts! With practically limitless flavours to try, you’ll be on cloud nine in no time. Start your ascent today at Vape Mountain!

See Our Trending E-Liquids!

EDGE Heizen E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Heizen E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Fruit and menthol flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
EDGE Strawberry and Lime E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Strawberry and Lime E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Strawberry and lime flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
OK Vape E-Cigarette Nicotine-Free Menthol Refill Cartridges (0mg)

OK Vape E-Cigarette Nicotine-Free Menthol Refill Cartridges (0mg)

£6.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Menthol flavour refill cartridges for the OK Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • Each pack contains five cartridges and lasts for the equivalent of 125 traditional cigarettes
  • Nicotine-free with 0mg of nicotine in each cartridge
  • Bulk offers available starting at £5.50 per pack
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
EDGE Virginia Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Virginia Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Tobacco flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
EDGE Blackcurrant E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Blackcurrant E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
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  • Fruity blackcurrant flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
Lost Mary BM600 Triple Mango Disposable Vape (20mg)

Lost Mary BM600 Triple Mango Disposable Vape (20mg)

£4.95
In stock now  In stock now
  • Disposable vape device in a tangy triple mango flavour
  • Provides 600 puffs per vape, roughly the same as 20 cigarettes
  • Bright and colourful design in a conveniently compact case
  • Mix and match 10 of any flavour to reduce price to £3.80 per device
OK Vape Tobacco Extra-High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (20mg)

OK Vape Tobacco Extra-High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (20mg)

£6.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Tobacco-flavoured electronic cigarette refill
  • Suitable for the OK Vape Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • Extra-high nicotine strength of 20mg
  • Each pack contains 5 refills, with bulk offers available
  • Available from £5.50 per pack!
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
EDGE Strawberry Milkshake E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Strawberry Milkshake E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Strawberry milkshake flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
EDGE British Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE British Tobacco E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Tobacco flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK
Blu Pro E-Cigarette Clearomiser

Blu Pro E-Cigarette Clearomiser

£5.99
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  • Ergonomic mouthpiece for consistent vapour
  • Top-filling design makes refills quick and easy
  • Clear window shows how much e-liquid is left
  • Designed exclusively for Blu Pro to ensure compatibility
Elf Bar 600 Snoow Tobacco Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

Elf Bar 600 Snoow Tobacco Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

£4.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Disposable vape pen supplied in a creamy snoow tobacco flavour
  • Provides 600 puffs per bar, roughly the same as 20 cigarettes
  • Compact, portable and drag-activated for a great vape experience 
  • Mix and match 10 of any flavour to reduce price to £3.80 per device
EDGE Cherry Ice Menthol E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Cherry Ice Menthol E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
In stock now  In stock now
  • Cherry and menthol flavoured e-liquid
  • Nicotine strengths: 6mg, 12mg and 18mg
  • VG: 50%, PG: 50%
  • Made in the UK