Why do disposable vapes seem to taste better?
Disposable vapes are hitting the headlines a lot at the moment, following the announcement from the Government that they plan to ban disposable vapes in the UK as a way to crack down on underage vaping and tackle environmental concerns.
While lots of vapers understand the need for regulations, there’s one area they really don’t want to miss out on – and that’s taste.
The good news is that there are other ways to enjoy the kind of big and bold flavours found in disposable vapes. Dive in to find out more about why they taste the way they do – and how to replicate that taste with a reusable vape kit.
Why disposable vapes taste the way they do
One of the biggest reasons vapers have for enjoying disposable vapes, alongside their convenience, look and feel, is the fact that they tend to have very strong flavours. But why is that? Typically, it comes down a few things, including fresh flavours and nic salts.
Big and bold disposable vape flavours
Disposable vapes come in many different flavours and a lot of them put sweetness and freshness first. You’re likely to see lots of fruity and dessert flavours in your average selection of disposable vapes.
They often use e-liquids that include sweeteners and also a cooling agent, like WS23. This is a handy ingredient that adds a blast of freshness, like you might get from menthol, but without any of the minty taste. These two factors combine to create a strong flavour that may not be as sophisticated as one you might enjoy in a refillable vape kit, but which certainly does the job.
Nic salts for a smoother feel
Disposable vapes also use nic salts (nicotine salts) as their way of delivering nicotine. Nic salts are a form of nicotine that’s been extracted from the tobacco plant using an acidic base. They’re well known for offering an extremely smooth inhale, even at high nicotine strengths, which makes them very popular for vapers looking for maximum flavour with minimum throat hit.
Because nic salts are so smooth, it can be harder to tell how high the nicotine levels are. When you use e-liquids with freebase nicotine, it’s easier to determine the amount of nicotine based on throat feel. By using nic salts, disposable vapes can deliver a sweet flavour even at higher nicotine levels.
A fresh wick and coil every time
Another reason disposable vapes tend to have great flavours is the fact that you’ll always be using a fresh wick and coil. When you have a reusable vape or pod kit, your wick and coil can get clogged up or burnt over time. This can affect the flavour. With a disposable, there’s not enough time for them to be affected so your flavours will always be vaporised effectively.
Disposable vapes come primed for flavour
Disposable vapes are ready to give you a big flavour hit from the moment you buy them. Because they are designed to only give you one flavour and are pre-filled, the wick is already saturated with e-liquid when you get it. This means you can enjoy the full flavour from the very first puff.
You can enjoy a similar experience with a refillable vape by always making sure to fully soak the wick when you add a new one or refill your tank.
How to get the same kind of taste from reusable vape kits
You can replicate many of the factors that give disposable vapes their big flavours, by choosing the right kind of e-liquids and device. Here are our top tips for upping the flavour:
Prefilled pod kits
Many of the biggest disposable vape manufacturers also produce prefilled pod vape kits, like the SKE Cystal Plus. These are a type of reusable vape kit, which utilise a rechargeable battery and prefilled pods in a range of different flavours.
These pods come already filled with e-liquid, so the coil is primed and ready to use straight away, and there is no need to refill the pod, which keeps the coil fresh. Once the pod is empty it can be disposed of and replaced with a new one, making them extremely easy to use and convenient.
They can make a great alternative to disposable vapes, as they are often filled with the same e-liquids. For example, the Elf Bar ELFA PRO pods contain the exact same e-liquids as Elf Bar disposable vapes, so you can select the exact same flavours that you know and love. They also make it easy to switch between flavours, as there are a variety of different flavours to choose from. The Lost Mary Tappo is a great example of this, as it is compatible with three different pod ranges, offering over 50 different pod choices.
Consider bar salt e-liquids
If you would prefer to use a refillable vape kit, but still want that distinct disposable vape flavour, bar salt e-liquids are a great way to achieve this. They have a 50/50 formula that is perfect for pairing with any starter vape kit or refillable pod system, like the XROS 3 Mini or Aspire PockeX.
Bar salts are a relatively new type of vape juice, and they describe e-liquids that are available in all of the most popular disposable vape flavours. Not only that though, they also aim to replicate the feel of using a disposable with a nic salt formula.
Many of the top disposable vape brands also offer a range of bar salts, so you may even be able to find the exact same e-liquid. The ELFLIQ range for example are the same e-liquids found in Elf Bar disposable vapes, and the same can be said for MARYLIQ e-liquids and Lost Mary disposable vapes.
Look for double concentrates
You can also choose e-liquids that have a high concentration level, such as the Double Brew range from Ohm Brew. This range of bar salts are inspired by disposable vape flavours and contain twice as much flavour concentrate as standard e-liquids, for an even bigger taste. They are also the same e-liquids that are used in BrewBox disposable vapes.
Consider nicotine levels
If you want to get the same kind of nicotine you find in single use vapes, you should choose an e-liquid with a higher volume – 20mg (2%) per ml is typical for a disposable.
However, it is important to bear in mind that a high nicotine strength will not be suitable for everyone, take a look at our switching made simple guide to help you find the right nicotine strength for you.
Keep your coil and wick fresh
Another big thing you can do is make sure that you keep your wick and coil fresh, replacing them whenever they get burned out or clogged. This will ensure your flavour isn’t compromised and will help it vaporise more easily.
We recommend replacing your pod or coil regularly to ensure you get the best flavour, but you will definitely know it needs to be changed if your vape starts to taste muted, bitter, or burnt.
Prime your coil
Priming your coil will also help you enjoy a bigger and more even flavour, right from the start. If you insert a new coil or pod and don’t give it time to become fully saturated by your e-liquid, you could end up with an uneven or less powerful flavour experience.
We recommend adding a few drops of e-liquid to the exposed cotton on your coil before inserting it, and then letting it sit in a full tank of vaper juice for 5 – 10 minutes before you start to use it.
Making the switch to a refillable vape kit
With a refillable vape kit, you can enjoy big and bold flavours while also enjoying benefits like lower costs overall, as well as doing your bit for the environment. For upping your flavour experience overall, do also check out our guide to getting the best vape flavour set up.