Tried some hemp wick today instead of a lighter, it didn't work well.
Lighting a bic from a candle instead of using flint wheel seems fine and now that I have the hang of it, getting massive clouds.
Great, glad you're getting on board. VG is a great product if you stick with it long enough for sure. And, because of the temperature control it allows you it can teach you a lot about vaping. So IMO it's both good and bad for Newbies. Powerful/versitle but not so simple to learn to use?
You might also consider Vapman, a personal favorite, a similar scheme (you heat it with fire before the hit, less to concentrate on at one time). And it's downright funky, got that 'Steampunk thing' going for it big time.
I agree Hemp Wick is fun to play with but not very practical. It adds more confusion to the hit at a time when many of us want less. Candle flame lighters (like Bic) are OK, provided you avoid the 'flint dust' which contains toxic 'heavy metals'. Vaping is about health, IMO that dust is a big old step backwards.
Instead I suggest getting a couple of these guys:
http://www.tinydeal.com/refillable-jet-1300-butane-lighter-with-tank-p-2570.html
http://www.dx.com/p/jet-1300-c-butane-lighter-1320#.Vg6Ic8nSO9I
Under three bucks shipped from either vendor (the second one has been reported 'slow' by some, I've never had it take more than a couple weeks, I think TinyDeal is faster and a bit cheaper right now). These guys (or similar) give you much better control of the heat and won't carbon foul the heat exchanger in VG like Bics or Hemp Wick can/will. In fact you use a torch like them to clean the exchanger when needed (technique on the VG site).
I don't know which VG you're using, but take care in selecting the model. Some are much easier to use than others. Avoid the metal bats and the coil unless it's for WT use, they get hot too fast. Also the longer ones are easier to see and aim/control the heat......much better than having fire pointed at your face from 4 inches out while hiding under your nose.....
I agree with the idea of a VM as backup, although it's a fun vape in it's own right. Some herb in a jar, a good torch type lighter and a VG makes for 'guaranteed vaping in a box' you can fall back on any time. You might even include that candle, just in case the power is off at the time?
Regards,
OF