Walking into a vape shop for the first time can feel like a lot: walls of bottles, cases of devices and words like "sub-ohm" and "salt nic". This page covers the basics so you know what to ask. The staff at every Cloud 9 store will go through it with you in person too.
Types of vapes
Pod systems
Small, light and simple. A pod holds the e-liquid and usually the coil, and the battery is built in. Most are draw-activated, meaning there is no button. Pod systems are usually paired with nicotine salt e-liquid.
Pod mods
A step up in battery and control. They take replaceable pods or coils, often have adjustable wattage and work with salt nic or freebase depending on the coil.
Box mods and tanks
Larger devices with bigger batteries, a screen and a separate tank. They are built for lower-resistance coils, more vapor and lower-strength freebase e-liquid. Some use removable 18650 or 21700 batteries, which need a proper charger and safe storage.
Choosing a nicotine strength
E-liquid strength is listed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL). There are two common forms:
- Freebase nicotine, usually sold from 0 to about 12mg/mL and used in box mods and larger tanks.
- Nicotine salt, usually sold at higher strengths, often 20 to 50mg/mL, and used in pod systems.
Using high-strength salt nic in a big sub-ohm tank is a common mistake that makes for a very harsh hit. Match the liquid to the device, and ask at the counter if you are not sure.
Coils and resistance
The coil is the part that heats the e-liquid. Its resistance is measured in ohms (Ω):
- Above 1.0Ω: tighter, mouth-to-lung draw, lower power, made for salt nic.
- Below 1.0Ω (sub-ohm): looser, direct-to-lung draw, more power and vapor, made for low-strength freebase.
Coils wear out. A burnt or harsh taste usually means it is time for a new one. Our guide to how long coils last covers the signs.
Battery safety basics
- Use the charger or cable made for your device.
- Do not leave devices or loose batteries in a hot car.
- Never carry loose batteries in a pocket with keys or coins.
- Replace batteries with torn wraps or dents.
More detail in our post on vape batteries and Gulf Coast heat.
What to expect in store
Bring your ID: our Alabama stores check it at the door, and every store checks it at the counter. Tell the staff what kind of device you are curious about and how much you want to spend, and they will show you a few options side by side.