Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are becoming popular as replacements for the dangerous tobacco-filled cigarettes of days gone by. E-cigarettes contain no tar, smoke, or tobacco and have the option of containing no nicotine. Consumers who are interesting in purchasing this revolutionary device will be interested in the parts and accessories of e-cigarettes in order to make an informed decision about their purchase.
The Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit
E-cigarette Starter Kit
Most e-cigarette starter kits relatively small packages which include the minimal necessary items to begin using an e-cigarette in place of traditional tobacco cigarettes include one atomizer, two batteries, one battery charger, five to ten packs of cartridges, and instructions on the use of the e-cigarette. Some kits also come with car, USB, and/or wall chargers in addition to the standard battery charger that most kits provide.
The Atomizer
Atomizer for Electronic Cigarette
The “atomizer” of an e-cigarette serves as the most vital part of the cigarette: Its heating element. The atomizer is a small metal tube which vaporizes a liquid propylene glycol, nicotine, and flavoring additives inside the mouthpiece to ensure that the resulting vapor can be inhaled by the consumer. The shapes and sizes of atomizers vary depending on the model of the e-cigarette to which they belong; however, all atomizers are generally brittle and have a short life of only six months, which is why e-cigarette consumers are advised to keep spare atomizers handy.
The Cartridge
Cartridge for E-cigarette
The mouthpiece of an e-cigarette the piece which holds the propylene glycol, flavoring additives, and optional nicotine is a small plastic cup which allows for the vapor produced by the e-cigarette’s atomizer to move into the consumer’s mouth via simple suction. Flavors include traditional tobacco, menthol, vanilla, chocolate, espresso, apple, banana, whiskey, clove, and peach, depending on the manufacturer, and strengths vary from none to high levels of nicotine. Typically, the cartridge will last for roughly the length of three to six traditional tobacco cigarettes.
The Battery
E-cigarette Battery
Electronic cigarettes usually require lithium-ion rechargeable batteries in order to operate the atomizer. The battery life of an e-cigarette is entirely dependent upon such varying factors as brand name, battery type and size, and frequency of use. Typical use of an e-cigarette usually results in a recharge time of two to three hours for most batteries.
The E-Cigarette Travel Case
Electronic Cigarette Travel Case
Travel cases for e-cigarettes usually only accommodate a single cigarette cartridge and atomizer as well as two batteries; costs for these minimal travel cases start at approximately four dollars. However, some travel cases can hold as many as five cartridges in addition to the atomizer and batteries, and a few models also incorporate a built-in charging mechanism which allows the user to charge the electronic cigarette from anywhere, at any time. Price ranges for these cases usually begin at approximately thirty dollars.
The Car Charger
Car Charger for E-cigarette
E-cigarette car chargers begin at approximately twenty dollars and allow the consumer to charge an electronic cigarette battery on the road by connecting the charger to the battery and subsequently plugging the charger into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter adapter. Recharge times for batteries being charged by car chargers are usually the same as those of batteries which are conventionally recharged.
Care and maintenance of an electronic cigarette require that that atomizer remains clean and dry; users can clean the atomizer themselves once each day with a lint-free cloth or tissue by carefully polishing the connection points (where the atomizer connects to the battery) and vent hole, ensuring that no liquid or cloth has been left anywhere inside the atomizer. Overnight storage is often recommended to keep the entirety of an e-cigarette clean and fully functional for longer periods of time.
