Hey vapers! While it might seem trivial, an incorrect way of inhaling vape can make your vaping experience less than optimal.

Especially for beginners who just puff away as long as smoke comes out—but often, they end up coughing the first time they try it. If that happens, your vaping technique might not be right.

Because in the world of vaping, the sensation sought isn't just nicotine, but also flavor and vapor production that can be adjusted to your vaping style.

Generally, there are two basic techniques for inhaling vape: MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) and DTL (Direct-to-Lung). But recently, a new term has also become popular: RDL (Restricted Direct Lung).

So that you don't get confused and can enjoy vaping to the fullest, let's look at the explanation in this Vapeboss article!

Understanding MTL (Mouth-to-Lung)

MTL or Mouth to Lung—translated into English means "mouth to lung". As the name suggests, this vaping technique involves inhaling vapor into the mouth first, then exhaling it into the lungs.

The MTL technique is most suitable for use in pod systems, because pods usually have high resistance coils and use high-nicotine liquids like salt nic.

When you vape with the MTL technique, the sensation is similar to sipping a drink through a straw—the airflow feels narrower and calmer. The vapor produced isn't too thick, but the throat hit and nicotine flavor are more pronounced, similar to the sensation of conventional smoking.

It's quite simple and comfortable, especially for those of you who are new to vaping after switching from cigarettes. The way to apply this MTL technique is also very easy:

1. Inhale the vapor slowly into your mouth, don't rush, draw slowly as if drinking with a straw.
2. Hold the vapor briefly in your mouth let it sit for a few seconds so the liquid's flavor is more pronounced.
3. Open your mouth, then inhale to bring the vapor into your lungs, use natural breathing, don't force it.
4. Exhale the vapor slowly from your lungs, can be through the nose, mouth, or both, as comfortable.

Understanding DTL (Direct-to-Lung)

Direct to Lung (DTL) or directly to the lungs is a technique of inhaling vape without holding the vapor in the mouth first, but rather drawing it directly into the lungs.

This technique is more suitable for use on large vape devices such as mods, or pods with a more open airflow. DTL typically uses e-liquids with low nicotine content, because the volume of vapor produced is quite large.

The sensation is similar to how you breathe deeply: direct and deep. This technique produces thicker vapor, and a more pronounced throat hit, depending on the nicotine level used.

How to Vape with the DTL (Direct to Lung) Technique:

1. Draw the vapor directly into your lungs slowly but deeply like taking a deep breath, without holding the vapor in your mouth.
2. Exhale the vapor slowly from your lungs can be through the mouth or nose, depending on comfort.

Understanding RDL (Restricted-Direct-Lung)

RDL (Restricted Direct Lung) is a vaping technique that lies between MTL (Mouth to Lung) and DTL (Direct to Lung). As the name suggests, RDL is a method of inhaling directly to the lungs like DTL, but with more restricted airflow.

This technique is suitable for those who like a denser draw sensation compared to MTL, but are not yet ready for the large draws of DTL. Because the airflow is narrower, the flavor produced tends to be bolder and feel stronger than open DTL.

RDL is usually used with pods or small-to-medium mods that have airflow adjustment options and coils with medium resistance, such as 0.6Ω–0.8Ω. The liquid used is also usually low to medium nicotine, to maintain a balance between flavor and throat hit.

Conclusion

If you are still unsure which technique is right for you, or if your vape device has adjustable airflow settings. Then you just need to adjust it, generally, narrower airflow means MTL and wider means DTL.

For nicotine settings on e-liquid, simply put, high nicotine liquid categories (around 12-60mg) are better used with MTL, and low nicotine liquid categories (0-6mg) are suitable for DTL.

Then for medium nicotine liquid categories (6-12mg), both techniques can be used, depending on the airflow settings.

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