Learning how to inhale a vape safely and properly can work wonders for your vaping experience. It helps you get the most flavor, vapor, and oomph out of each pull, not to mention having a few vape inhale tricks, such as ghosting or French inhale, up your sleeves can impress the heck out of your friends and family.
As a beginner, the mouth-to-lung (MTL) inhaling technique can help you get started on the right foot. It feels natural, quite like smoking or inhaling cigarette smoke. You’ll also get to savor the subtle flavors and allow the vapor to tickle your taste buds.
The other option is direct-to-lung inhaling, which is more your speed if you’re a veteran vaper. It involves pulling the vapor from your vape device and pushing it directly into your lungs without lingering in your mouth. This technique calls for a larger vape mod.
Executing either inhaling technique isn’t exactly a walk in the park, especially if you’re a newbie. You’ll easily find yourself in a coughing fit that may ruin your vaping experience. We’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you inhale and vape correctly, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned vaper looking for a refresher.
How Does a Vape Work?
Before we move onto inhaling techniques, it’s helpful to understand the nitty-gritty of how vaping devices function. Unlike traditional cigarettes that burn tobacco, vape devices, also known as e-cigarettes, work by heating an e-liquid solution or cannabis oil to create vapor that you inhale.
A vape or e-cigarette is essentially a handheld, electronic cigarette device that vaporizes a liquid solution, allowing you to inhale the vapor produced. At its core, a vaping device contains a small lithium-ion battery that powers a heating element known as an atomizer coil.
When you activate your vape, the battery (inside the vape mod) sends power to the coil, causing it to heat up rapidly. The e-liquid, which consists of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and sometimes nicotine, is stored in a refillable tank or pod.
As the coil gets hot, it vaporizes the vape juice that has soaked into the surrounding wick material. This vapor is what you inhale when you put the vape to your lips and take a puff. If you wish to learn more about how vapes work, watch this ABC News video.
Cigarette smoke has been found to contain upwards of 70 carcinogenic compounds. Unlike combustible cigarettes, vaping does not involve any burning or smoke. The vapor you inhale is created by heating the e-liquid to much lower temperatures compared to the combustion of tobacco. This process reduces exposure to many of the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke.
What are the Difference Between Inhaling Vape and Cigarette Smoke?
While the physical motion of inhaling from a vape may seem similar to smoking cigarettes, there are key differences in what you’re actually inhaling and how it feels.
Inhaling Cigarette Smoke
Traditional cigarettes burn tobacco, which produces visible particles of carbon and other by-products of combustion. Many of these particles and by-products are harmful to inhale, and at least 70 are known to cause cancer.
Inhaling E-Cig Vapor
In contrast, vaping involves no combustion or burning of tobacco. Instead, e-cigarettes heat the e-liquid until it dissipates into a vapor. Since these particles are liquids and not solids, they don’t carry the same risks as cigarette smoke when inhaled.
Difference in Temperature
One notable difference when inhaling a vape is the temperature. Because vaping devices turn e-liquid into an aerosol by heating it with a coil, the vapor feels much cooler than hot cigarette smoke. This cooler sensation can feel strange at first, but you’ll quickly adjust as you continue vaping.
Nicotine Potency and Taste
The nicotine strength of your e-liquid can also impact the harshness of your inhale. Lower nicotine strengths like 3mg or 6mg tend to be smoother, while higher strengths like 12mg or 18mg can feel harsher on the throat.
Finding the right nicotine level that satisfies your cravings without being too harsh is essential for an enjoyable vaping experience.
Preparing to Inhale a Vape: Step by Step
Before you start vaping, it’s essential to ensure your device is in proper working condition. Follow these preparation steps for a smooth and satisfying vaping session:
1. Check Your Battery
Your vape device’s battery is the power source that operates all other components. Make sure it’s fully charged and use the original battery source andcharger to avoid overcharging or voltage issues.
2. Inspect Your Coil
A suitable coil is crucial for producing quality vapor free of burnt smells. Replace faulty coils and choose the appropriate resistance (high or low) based on your vaping preferences. The best coils enhance cig vapour production.
3. Check Your Vape Tank
Examine your vape tank for any leaks or cracks. A leaky tank can disrupt your device’s performance and ruin your vaping experience. Also, avoid overfilling the tank, which can interfere with vapor production.
How to Inhale a Vape: Three Key Techniques for Inhaling Vape
Now that you understand the basics of vaping and have prepared your device, it’s time to explore the three main inhalation techniques: mouth-to-lung (MTL), direct-to-lung (DTL), and restricted direct-to-lung (RDL).
For beginners, especially those transitioning from other smoking habits, the mouth-to-lung method is often the most natural and easiest to master. However, as you gain experience, you may want to explore the other techniques, which can provide different vaping experiences and vapor production levels.
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Vape Inhaling (Best for Beginners)
The mouth-to-lung (MTL) inhaling technique is the closest to the familiar sensation of smoking traditional cigarettes, making it an excellent starting point for new vapers.
Pros of MTL
- Familiar technique for recent ex-smokers
- Can provide a more intense flavor
- Helps prevent coughing when vaping higher nicotine strengths
Cons of MTL
- Increases the risk of coughing with high-VG devices
- Doesn’t allow for large vapor cloud production
How to Execute MTL:
- Gently inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece into your mouth.
- Hold the vapor in your mouth for about 1-2 seconds.
- Open your mouth slightly and inhale the vapor into your lungs.
- Exhale the vapor smoothly.
The best devices for mouth to lung inhaling are those with higher resistance coils (1.0 ohm or higher), such as most pod systems. Meanwhile, this technique calls for 50/50 PG/VG e-liquids in standard nicotine strengths (3mg, 6mg, 12mg, or 18mg) or nicotine salt e-liquids.
Direct-to-Lung (DTL) Vape Inhaling (Best for Experts)
The direct-to-lung (DTL) inhaling technique is often preferred by more experienced vapers who enjoy producing large vapor clouds and intense flavors.
Pros of DTL
- Allows for inhaling larger volumes of vapor without coughing
- Enables exhaling large vapor clouds (great for vape tricks)
Cons of DTL
- Only suitable for lower nicotine strengths (higher strengths become too harsh)
- Only suitable for larger, high-power devices (not ideal for beginners)
- Feels less natural than MTL inhalation (may be harder to adjust to)
How to Do DTL:
- When firing your device, take one smooth, deep inhale straight into your lungs.
- Do not attempt to hold the vapor, as this may cause coughing.
- Exhale the vapor cloud smoothly.
- Allow for a clear breath between puffs to avoid overwhelming your lungs.
As a rule of thumb, DTL calls for high-power devices with low-resistance coils (below 0.9 ohm), such as mods and sub-ohm tanks. As for e-liquids, high-VG (70/30 per vg ratio or 80/20 VG/PG ratio) juices will fit the bill. They are often labeled as Max VG or High-VG. You can learn about the VG to PG ratio by watching this explainer video.
Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDL) Vaping (Best for Experienced Vapers)
Restricted direct-to-lung (RDL) vaping is a hybrid technique that combines elements of MTL vaping and DTL inhaling. It offers a balance of flavor intensity and vapor production, making it a popular choice for experienced vapers seeking something between the two extremes.
Pros of RDL
- Provides a balance of flavor and vapor production
- Allows for a slightly restricted airflow compared to DTL
- More open draw than traditional MTL
Cons of RDL
- Still not suitable for higher nicotine strengths
- Requires experience and familiarity with DTL vaping
How to Execute Restricted Direct to Lung Vaping
- Draw the vapor into your mouth briefly.
- Immediately inhale the vapor directly into your lungs.
- Exhale the vapor cloud smoothly.
That being said, sub-ohm vape devices with adjustable airflow controls like Cilicon’s DeliFlow™ are ideal vape mods for RDL. That makes it a perfect technique for pros with refillable pod mods and certain 510-thread battery mods. Juices with high-VG nicotine strengths in the 70-80% range work best for this technique, similar to those used for DTL vaping.
Tips for Vaping Correctly and Safely
Now that you’ve learned the different inhalation techniques, here are some additional tips to help ensure a safe and enjoyable vaping experience:
#1 – Inhale Correctly
Never inhale more vapor than you can comfortably handle, as this can lead to an unpleasant nicotine rush or coughing fit. Start with small, gentle inhales and gradually increase as you become more accustomed to smooth vaping experience.
#2 – Buy Vapes from Reputable Sellers
To avoid potentially harmful additives or substances, always purchase your vaping devices and e-liquids from trusted, reputable sellers. and manufacturers.
#3 – Use the Correct Charger
Only use the charger that came with your specific vape device. Using the wrong charger can damage the battery or device and potentially lead to safety issues.
#4 – Store E-Liquids Properly
Keep your e-liquids stored in a cool, dark place and out of reach of children and pets. Many vapers tend tostore their e-liquids in the refrigerator.
#5 – Stay Hydrated
Vaping can cause dehydration, so be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially when vaping frequently.
#6 – Avoid Dry Coil Burning
Never use your vape device when the tank or pod is empty, as this can burn the coil and produce an unpleasant taste. Allow new e-liquid to soak into the pod vape wicking material before vaping.
#7 – Keep Your Vape Device Clean
Regular cleaning of your vape tank or vape pod itself can help prevent buildup that can affect flavor and vapor quality. Clean your device at least once a month or when changing e-liquids. This tutorial video can come in handy when cleaning your rig.
#8 – Avoid Vaper’s Tongue
If you experience a temporary loss of flavor or taste, known as “vaper’s tongue,” try switching to a different e-liquid flavor for a while to give your taste buds a break.
#9 – Stay On Top of your Oral Hygiene
Vaping can potentially contribute to oral health issues, so be sure to brush your teeth regularly, use mouthwash, and clean your tongue after vaping, especially with sweetened e-liquids.
#10 – Don’t Chain Vape
Avoid taking puffs too frequently, as this can lead to dry hits or an unpleasant experience. Allow 15-30 seconds between inhales for the wick to resaturate fully.
How to Master Vape Tricks (Tips for Beginners)
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of proper vape inhalation, you can level up your skills by learning visually impressive vape tricks. Many experienced vapers, especially those who engage in direct lung (DTL) or vaping style and produce larger vapor clouds, enjoy performing maneuvers such as the Ghost Vape, French Inhale, and Nose Exhale.
The Ghost Vape Illusion
Achieve a haunting disappearing act with the Ghost Vape trick. Inhale the vapor using a restrained mouth-to-lung (MTL) technique, allowing it to linger momentarily. Then, form an O-shape with your mouth to create a spherical vapor ball. Swiftly close your lips to make the “ghost” dissipate.
Exhaling Through the Nose
Mastering the nose exhale is crucial for many vape tricks. Inhale the vapor into your mouth without pulling it into your lungs. Press your tongue against your palate to guide the vapor towards your nasal passage, then exhale smoothly through your nostrils.
The French Inhale
Also called the Bane Trick, the French Inhale creates an impactful visual. Take an MTL puff and let the vapor settle in your mouth. Clench your teeth tightly to resemble Bane’s mask, allowing vapor to escape through the clenched areas as you gently open your jaws. Inhale through your nose to clear the remaining vapor.
