How To Start Vaping — A Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know before your first vape, from the team at Kootenay Vape Shops.
What Do You Need to Start Vaping?
Getting started is simpler than it looks. You only need two things: a device and e-liquid. That's it.
The device heats the e-liquid into vapour that you inhale. The e-liquid contains the flavour and nicotine. Most starter devices come ready to use out of the box — charge it, fill it with e-liquid, and you're vaping.
There's no need to get overwhelmed by all the options. If you're switching from cigarettes or just curious about vaping, here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to choose the right setup.
Step 1: Choose Your Device
There are three main types of vape devices for beginners:
Disposable vapes are the easiest way to try vaping. They come pre-filled and pre-charged — just open the package and start puffing. When it's empty, you toss it. No charging, no filling, no maintenance. They're great for figuring out if vaping is for you, but they cost more over time compared to a refillable device.
Popular disposables we carry: STLTH Box 1K (from $11.90), Flavour Beast FURY 800 (from $14.28), Elf Bar BC1000 ($17.85), and Fog Formula 1600 ($17.46).
Pod systems are the most popular choice for everyday vapers. They're small, rechargeable devices that you fill with your own e-liquid. You'll need to replace the pod or coil every week or two, but the e-liquid itself is much cheaper than buying disposables. This is what most people settle on once they know they want to keep vaping.'
Our top starter pod systems: Uwell Caliburn G5 LITE ($17.86), Geekvape Sonder Q ($19.84), Uwell Caliburn G4 MINI ($27.50), and Vaporesso XROS PRO ($37.50).
Box mods and sub-ohm kits are larger, more powerful devices for experienced vapers. They produce bigger clouds and use freebase e-liquid at lower nicotine strengths. We don't recommend these for beginners — start with a pod system and work your way up if you're interested.
Our recommendation for beginners: Start with a pod system. The Uwell Caliburn G5 LITE at $17.86 is the cheapest quality option, and the Caliburn G4 MINI at $27.50 is our overall favourite.
Step 2: Choose Your E-Liquid
E-liquid (also called vape juice) is the liquid that goes into your device. It comes in a huge range of flavours and two main types: salt nic and freebase.
Salt nic e-liquid is what you want if you're using a pod system. It delivers nicotine smoothly at higher strengths (10mg or 20mg) and provides a sensation closer to smoking a cigarette. This is the go-to choice for beginners and ex-smokers. Our salt nic e-liquids start at $23.99 + tax.
Freebase e-liquid is designed for larger, more powerful devices. It comes in lower nicotine strengths (0mg, 3mg, 6mg) and produces bigger clouds. Not ideal for beginners, but worth knowing about. Our freebase e-liquids start at $20.99 + tax.
Which nicotine strength? If you're switching from cigarettes, start with 20mg salt nic. It's the closest experience to smoking and will keep cravings at bay. If you were a light smoker or just want a mild hit, try 10mg. You can always adjust from there.
How to choose a flavour: This is the fun part. Some popular categories include fruit blends, menthol/iced flavours, dessert and bakery flavours, and tobacco flavours. If you're not sure, fruit and menthol flavours tend to be the most popular with new vapers.
Popular salt nic brands we carry: Apple Drop, Kapow, Flavour Beast, Vice, Allo, Elf Liq, GCore, Vibe by KVS, and Banana Bang.
Step 3: Using Your Device for the First Time
Once you've got your pod system and e-liquid, here's what to do:
Charge your device. Most pod systems come partially charged, but it's a good idea to give it a full charge before your first use. All of our pod systems charge via USB-C.
Fill the pod. Remove the pod from the device. Look for a rubber plug or silicone flap on the side — that's the fill port. Squeeze your e-liquid in until it's nearly full, but don't overfill. Replace the plug and let it sit for 5 minutes. This lets the e-liquid soak into the coil, which prevents a burnt taste on your first puff.
Insert the pod and vape. Click the pod back into the device. If your device is draw-activated (like the Sonder Q), just inhale from the mouthpiece. If it has a button (like the Caliburn G4 MINI), press the button while inhaling. Take slow, gentle puffs — you don't need to inhale hard like a cigarette.
When to replace your pod. You'll notice the flavour starts to taste muted or slightly burnt after a week or two of regular use. That means the coil inside the pod is wearing out. Just swap in a new pod, fill it up, and you're good to go. Replacement pods typically cost $5–$6 each.
What Does Vaping Cost?
Here's a realistic breakdown of what to expect:
Getting started (one-time cost): A pod system costs between $17.86 and $55.00 depending on the device. Your first bottle of e-liquid is $20.99–$25.99 + tax. So you're looking at roughly $40–$80 to get started with everything you need.
Ongoing costs: A 30mL bottle of e-liquid lasts most vapers 1–2 weeks and costs $20.99–$25.99 + tax. Replacement pods cost $5–$6 each and last about 1–2 weeks. That works out to roughly $50–$70 per month for most people — typically less than a cigarette habit.
Disposables are more expensive long-term. A disposable that lasts 2–3 days costs $12–$30 each. Over a month, that adds up fast. Pod systems save you money within the first few weeks.
Common Beginner Questions
Answers to common questions about vaping.
Is vaping safer than smoking? Health Canada states that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, but not risk-free. It's generally considered a harm reduction tool for adult smokers looking for an alternative. If you don't currently smoke, we don't recommend starting to vape.
Do I need to be 19+ to buy vapes in BC? Yes. You must be 19 years of age or older to purchase any vaping products in British Columbia. We verify age on all online orders.
Can I vape indoors? Rules vary by location. In BC, vaping is generally restricted in the same places as smoking — no indoor public spaces, no within 6 metres of doorways, windows, or air intakes. Check your local bylaws for specifics.
How much nicotine is in a vape compared to a cigarette? It's not a direct comparison, but a 20mg salt nic e-liquid in a pod system delivers a similar level of nicotine satisfaction to smoking a cigarette. The delivery method is different, so it may feel slightly different at first.
My device tastes burnt — what's wrong? This usually means one of two things: you didn't let the e-liquid soak into a new pod long enough (wait 5 minutes after filling), or the pod's coil is worn out and needs to be replaced.
What's the difference between salt nic and freebase? We wrote a whole guide on this! Check out: Freebase vs Salt Nic — What's the Difference?
Ready to Find Your Pod System?
We ship across British Columbia. Order online and we'll get it to your door. Including all federal excised provinces.
Browse our starter-friendly pod systems and salt nic e-liquids online. We ship across British Columbia, and orders are processed within 1–3 business days.
Not sure what to get? Visit us in-store at any of our four locations — Trail, Creston, Grand Forks, or Kimberley — and our staff will walk you through everything and help you find the right setup for your needs.