Traction technology when vaping - MTL, DL and the right inhalation

Drawing technique describes how you guide the vapour from the e-cigarette into your mouth, throat and lungs. Technically, there are two factors at play: the strength of the negative pressure you create at the mouthpiece, and the path the vapour subsequently takes. The narrower the airflow and the higher the coil resistance (measured in ohms), the more restrictive the draw becomes – similar to drawing on a straw with a small diameter.

It is important to distinguish between the draw technique and the breathing technique. Whilst breathing involves using the airflow from the environment, vaping involves actively inhaling an aerosol consisting of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings and – in the case of nicotine-containing e-liquids – nicotine. The inhalation technique determines the intensity of the flavour, throat hit and nicotine intake.

Three inhalation techniques have become established. They differ in terms of airflow, hardware requirements and e-liquid choice.

MTL – Mouth to Lung (back-end vaping)

With mouth-to-lung vaping, you first draw the vapour into your mouth, hold it briefly and then inhale it into your lungs – just like with a traditional cigarette. MTL setups use a restricted airflow, coils from approx. 0.8 ohms upwards and power outputs of 8 to 20 watts. We recommend nicotine-containing e-liquids with 10 to 20 mg/ml (nicotine salt) or 6 to 18 mg/ml (freebase) for adults aged 18 and over.

DL – Direct to Lung (lung vaping)

With lung vaping, you inhale the vapour directly into your lungs without stopping in your mouth. The draw is more open, the coil has lower resistance (often 0.15 to 0.4 ohms, ‘sub-ohm’), and the power output is between 40 and 100 watts. E-liquids with a high VG content (70/30 or 80/20) and a low nicotine strength of 3 to 6 mg/ml are suitable.

RDL – Restricted Direct Lung

RDL is the middle ground: the airflow is tighter than DL but more open than MTL. Coils of around 0.5 to 0.8 ohms and 20 to 40 watts are typical. Many pod systems and hybrid devices cover this range.

• Match hardware and technique: An MTL pod with a 1.2-ohm coil delivers neither flavour nor vapour volume with a DL draw. Check which draw technique the device supports before buying.
• Adjust the airflow: Many vaporisers have adjustable airflow rings. Start with the airflow closed and open it gradually until the resistance and vapour volume are right.
• Choose the right e-liquid base: A high PG content (50/50) is suitable for MTL, a high VG content (70/30+) for DL. The wrong base leads to leaking or dry hits.
• Consider nicotine strength: Too much nicotine when vaping into the lungs causes a strong throat hit and can lead to overdose. The more open the draw, the lower the mg/ml should be.
• Control the length of your puffs: 2 to 4 seconds per puff is usually sufficient. Puffs that are too long overheat the coil and shorten its lifespan.
• Pause between puffs: Wait 15 to 30 seconds to allow the wicking material to draw in fresh e-liquid. Otherwise, ‘dry hits’ with a burnt taste will occur.

Which inhalation technique is suitable for beginners?

MTL (mouth-to-lung vaping) feels familiar to many people switching from traditional cigarettes and works well with smaller, simpler devices. Pod systems and disposable vapes operate almost exclusively in the MTL or RDL range.

Can I do MTL and DL with the same device?

Only to a limited extent. Some mods with replaceable coils and adjustable airflow cover both styles if you swap coils and e-liquids accordingly. However, a pure sub-ohm tank cannot deliver a true MTL experience.

Why does the vapour scratch my throat?

Either the nicotine strength is too high for your vaping style, the power setting is too high, or the coil is faulty. Reduce the wattage and mg/ml, check that the coil is seated correctly and check the e-liquid level in the tank.

How can I tell when the coil is worn out?

The flavour becomes flat or slightly burnt, the vapour production decreases, and you notice more droplets on your tongue. Coils last between 5 and 14 days depending on usage – slightly shorter with sweet e-liquids.

Is DL stronger in terms of nicotine effect than MTL?

With DL, you usually inhale more aerosol per puff, which is why lower nicotine concentrations are deliberately used. The total intake depends on the e-liquid, device and inhalation technique.

The right vaping technique depends on the interplay between the device, coil, e-liquid and personal preference. Start with an MTL setup, then switch to RDL or DL later if you want more vapour volume. In our range of e-cigarettes, compatible coils and e-liquids, you’ll find components for every vaping style – compare resistance, power and VG/PG ratio before you decide.