Originally published December 1, 2024 · Updated October 2026 · By the VapeOwls Team
Quick answer: Vaping 101 in one line: a vape uses a battery to heat a coil, which turns e-liquid (propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavoring and usually nicotine) into an aerosol you inhale. The three main types are disposables, pod systems and mods. Nicotine strength is shown as a percent, where 5% equals 50 mg/mL. This guide explains the parts, the terms on the box, and how to read a spec sheet.
Table of Contents
Vaping 101: What Is a Vape?
A vape, or e-cigarette, is a battery-powered device that heats a liquid into an aerosol. There is no burning, so there is no smoke or ash. Vapes contain nicotine in most cases and are for adults 21 and older; the FDA regulates them as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).
How Does a Vape Work?
- Battery: powers the device; most modern disposables recharge over USB-C.
- Activation: either draw-activated (you just inhale) or button-activated.
- Coil: a heating element, often mesh, that warms the e-liquid.
- Wick and tank: hold the e-liquid and feed it to the coil.
- Mouthpiece: where you inhale the aerosol.
Types of Vapes
| Type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Disposable | Pre-filled, used until empty, often rechargeable | Simplicity |
| Pod system | Reusable battery plus replaceable pods | Lower cost over time, flavor switching |
| Mod | Larger device with adjustable power and tanks | Experienced users |
Starting out? Read our best vape pods for beginners guide.
What Is in E-Liquid?
- Propylene glycol (PG): thin, carries flavor and gives more throat hit.
- Vegetable glycerin (VG): thicker, makes denser vapor.
- Flavorings: food-grade flavors for fruit, mint, dessert and tobacco profiles.
- Nicotine: most often nicotine salt in disposables.
Nicotine Strength: Percent vs mg/mL
Strength is usually printed as a percent. Multiply by 10 to get milligrams per milliliter.
| Label | mg/mL |
|---|---|
| 2% | 20 mg/mL |
| 3% | 30 mg/mL |
| 5% | 50 mg/mL |
Nicotine salt feels smoother at high strengths than freebase nicotine, which is why most disposables use it. If you want less nicotine, look for 3% or 2% devices.
Vaping 101 Glossary
- Puff count: a lab estimate of how many puffs a device delivers; real use varies.
- Mesh coil: a flat, perforated heating element that heats evenly for stronger flavor.
- MTL (mouth-to-lung): a tighter draw like a cigarette; most disposables are MTL.
- DTL (direct-to-lung): a looser draw inhaled straight into the lungs.
- Boost / Turbo / Pulse mode: a higher-power setting for bigger hits that lowers the puff count.
- Pass-through charging: you can vape while the device charges.
- Ice: a flavor with added cooling on the exhale.
Popular Flavor Families
Most flavors fall into fruit, ice, mint and menthol, candy, dessert, beverage and tobacco. Ice flavors are among the best sellers; our ice vape flavor guide ranks them. Not sure where to start? Try the flavor quiz.
Buy Responsibly
Buy from stores that verify age (21+) and list full product specs, and check that devices are authentic. Our guide to choosing an authentic disposable vape walks through it.
Vaping 101 FAQ
How does a vape work?
A battery heats a coil, which turns e-liquid into an aerosol that you inhale. Most disposables fire automatically when you draw.
What does 5% nicotine mean?
5% equals 50 mg of nicotine per mL of e-liquid.
What is the difference between PG and VG?
PG is thinner and carries flavor with more throat hit; VG is thicker and makes denser vapor.
What are the main types of vapes?
Disposables, pod systems and mods.
Is puff count accurate?
It is a lab estimate. Your real number depends on how long and how often you puff and which power mode you use.
Sources
Vapes contain nicotine, an addictive chemical. Adults 21+ only. If you do not use nicotine, do not start.
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