If you’re already enjoying e-cigarettes, you might want to save some money by refilling the cartomizer yourself. Preloaded cartridges can get costly in the long run, so learning to refill them is a good habit to adopt. It’s easy to do if you have the right equipment.

Tools Needed

With tank systems, depending on how you plan to refill your e-cigarette, you don’t need any tools.

To refill other e-cigarettes, you will need a dripper or syringe to draw the e-liquid from the bottle. You’ll also need a toothpick, tweezer or jeweler’s screwdriver to remove the rubber cap and pad so you can access the filling.

Methods

• To refill your e-cig with the drip method, you need to open the cartridge. Then remove the filling with the toothpick or screwdriver. Drip a small amount of e-liquid into the cartomizer. Replace the filling. When the filling has absorbed the e-liquid you dripped into the cart, drip a few more drops onto the filling to fully saturate it. Don’t add too much e-liquid. The filling should be saturated without any e-liquid pooled above it. Then close the cartridge and your e-cigarette is ready for action.

Some vapers prefer to drip without the cartridge, but be careful, as this can lead to a hot atomiser – and burnt lips!

• The injection method of refilling requires an injector or syringe. The syringe’s needle can penetrate the filling, allowing you to directly place the e-liquid into the filling without having to wait for it to be absorbed. First you need to draw out about 5 to 10 ml of e-liquid from the bottle. Then remove the cap and rubber grommet at the back of the cartomizer. Stick the syringe’s needle into the filler material at the upper-most or North position and deposit a small amount of e-liquid. Then repeat this step at the bottom of the filler and on both sides. Once again, be careful not to overfill the cart. You can also use the syringe to add flavor to your e-cigarette. Replace the cap on the end of the cart and wipe it clean if you spilled any e-liquid on the surface.

• With the tank system, refilling your e-cigarette can be as simple as opening the cartridge, squeezing e-liquid directly into the cartridge, replacing the cap and inserting the cartridge into the atomiser.

After you’ve filled your e-cigarette, squirt any leftover e-liquid back into the bottle. Then cleanse the syringe with cool water and enjoy your e-cig.

Vegetable glycerin (VG) or propylene glycol (PG) performs as the liquid component of e-cigarettes. The e-liquid vapor becomes the smoky substance inhaled by the user, aka the vaper. Most reported side effects of VG and PG inhalation involve discomfort rather than physical harm.

The most common discomfort of PG is a dry throat. PG coats the throat and draws moisture from throat tissue. The dryness often develops into a sore throat. Sucking on a hard candy may alleviate this symptom. Increased water consumption also proves helpful.

Aching and cramping muscles are another side effect of PG. PG breaks down into lactic acid, which is the same toxin released during massage. Increased water consumption flushes lactic acid from the body and relieves aches and cramps.

Night sweats and diarrhea may occur in those using PG.

Research conducted on the discomforts and side effects of e-juice show that almost all occurrences are short lived. Without a switch to VG, most problems disappeared on their own in one or two weeks. This indicates the problems were likely due to a period of adjustment.

Users suffering from side effects of PG found they have an allergy, intolerance or sensitivity to the product. In almost all cases, a switch to VG eliminated the side effects to users of PG as an e-liquid.

E-liquids mistakenly receive blame for some effects. Instead, these effects result from nicotine withdrawal or overdose. Acne, headaches and shakiness indicate nicotine withdrawal. Dizziness, a racing pulse and slurred words indicate nicotine overdose. Switching to a cartridge with the proper dose of nicotine should remedy these issues.

Some side effects are positive. These are the same benefits noticed when a person stops smoking. The morning smoker’s cough dissipates. Sinuses clear and the ability to notice subtle scent returns. Breathing becomes deeper and clearer. The lingering smell of stale smoke no longer clings to hair and clothing. In general, the body becomes healthier.

The side effects of e-juice are positive and negative. The negative effects are not nearly as severe as the negative effects of smoking tobacco cigarettes. Between e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes, the less harmful choice is clear. Provided the e-liquid manufacturer and its facilities are reputable, there is little risk in e-cigarettes. These items certainly offer much less risk than inhaling tobacco cigarettes.

Many smokers across the world are switching to electronic cigarettes to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco use. Most e-cigs use a rechargeable battery, and the nicotine is delivered through a cartridge or cartomizer. The cartridges can be refilled with e-liquid, and the cartomizers contain pre-filled e-liquid with varying amounts of nicotine. Because nicotine can be harmful, it is important to follow some safety guidelines regarding the usage and handling of e-liquid.

Storage Temperatures

Users should store e-liquid at or below room temperature for best results. E-liquid should not be stored in places that could reach high temperatures. Many e-cigarette users store their e-liquid or unused cartomizers in the refrigerator to keep the solution fresh.

Usage Guidelines

When filling electronic cigarettes with e-liquid, it is important to only fill cartridges that are approved for this use. Users should not try to add liquid directly to the battery or any other component that is not meant to hold e-liquid. Adding the right amount of e-liquid may take some getting used to. Experts recommend adding only a few drops at a time to better estimate how much liquid the cartridge can hold. It is important to avoid overfilling the cartridge as this could lead to the liquid leaking out or clogging the device. Many e-liquid bottles come with easy-to-use droppers that help the user control the amount of liquid dispensed. Those who do not wish to deal with the refilling of cartridges may find the use of pre-filled cartomizers preferable. With these components, the user puffs on the e-cigarette until it is dry and simply replaces the cartomizer with a new one.

Warnings

E-liquid should be kept away from children at all times. Nicotine is a dangerous chemical and can be fatal if swallowed. E-cigarette users should keep their e-liquid and unused cartomizers in locked cabinets or drawers out of reach of children. Discarded cartridges and cartomizers should also be kept away from children as they may be inclined to chew on them or put them in their mouths. If children accidentally ingest the nicotine solution, paramedics should be called immediately.

When handling e-liquid, it is possible for the solution to spill, and the nicotine can seep into the skin. If the e-liquid comes into contact with the skin, users should wash it off immediately with soap and water. Safe handling of e-liquid requires proper storage away from children and a solid knowledge of nicotine’s harmful effects.