Mouth to Lung vs Direct to Lung Vaping

Vaping has become somewhat of a phenomenon in recent years, with it evolving from simply an alternative to help cigarette smokers to kick their habit to developing a subculture of its own. Spending just a few minutes on any vaping website will have you come across two terms; MTL (mouth-to-lung) and DTL (direct-to-lung). These two terms refer to the most prominent styles and techniques of vaping, including how you inhale but also the type of vaping device and hardware you need for each style. They sometimes go by other names, for example you can see mouth-to-lung vaping referred to as straight-to-lung vaping and direct-to-lung vaping referred to as direct-lung vaping or sub-ohm vaping.

It's important to point out that as vaping continuously evolves, the line between these two styles increasingly blurs. Vapers have growing more freedom and creativity with these styles to customise their vaping experience to suit their personal preferences thanks to vaping devices having better precise airflow adjustments, variable wattages (but more on all of this later). You may see the term RDL (restricted-direct-lung) vaping as you read on, and this style is relatively new, that is the blurred line between MTL and DTL.

Before you can call yourself a fully fledged vaper, you need to know the basics. So let's get started!

MTL What is MTL vaping?

MTL vaping is a technique used to vape where you first take the vapour into your mouth before inhaling it into your lungs. It is very similar to that of smoking a cigarette, which is why many ex-smokers opt for mouth-to-lung style.

How to inhale for MTL vaping

To Mouth-to-lung vape, start by taking a shallow drag off your vape device, letting the vapour fill your mouth. Then, purse your lips and inhale the vapour gently into your lungs. Exhale the vapour and enjoy discreet clouds and great flavour.

What e-liquid is best for MTL vaping?

First of all, it's important to take a look at the different types of e-liquids on the market and what makes them better for certain styles. All e-liquids are made up of two main ingredients; VG (vegetable glycerin) and PG (propylene glycol). Depending on the ratio of these two ingredients, the given e-liquid will be better suited to a certain style. VG is thicker and PG is thinner, meaning that if an e-liquid is higher in VG the e-liquid will be more gloopy, and as such will require a stronger device to vaporise it. 

When it comes to e-liquids, there are three main types: shortfills, nic salts and 50/50 e-juices. Shortfills are typically higher in VG, which gives them a smoother, more voluminous vapour. Nic salts are higher in nicotine and 50/50 e-juices are a balance of VG and PG, which provides a more traditional smoking experience. Because MTL vape devices operate at lower wattages, you want to choose an e-liquid that has a high PG ratio. 50/50 e-liquids are a good choice as they provide a good throat hit that many ex-smokers might be seeking as well as producing good flavour and decent clouds.

Nic salts are a great option for vapers who prefer MTL as this type of vape juice has a high nicotine strength without a harsh throat hit. Because nic salts are only available in higher strengths of nicotine, they are not suitable for direct-lung vaping as the throat hit would be far too harsh due to the amount of juice that is being vaporised. 

What nicotine content is best for mouth-to-lung vaping?

MTL vapers typically use juices with higher nicotine levels than those who vape using the direct-lung inhale method. This is because MTL vaping simulates the act of smoking a cigarette, and smokers typically have a higher tolerance for nicotine than non-smokers.

The best nicotine strength for mouth-to-lung vaping will vary from person to person, but generally speaking, MTL vapers should start with a strength of 6mg or higher. If you find that you are not satisfied with the amount of nicotine you are getting from your e-liquid, you can always increase the strength until you find the perfect balance for you.

For heavy smokers who have just transitioned, you may find that 6mg or 10mg just isn't curbing those cravings. In which case, you can get vape juices that have higher nicotine levels such 20mg or 18mg which should help provide a more satisfying vape.

What coils are best for MTL?

There are a few different factors to consider when choosing the right coils for mouth-to-lung vaping, including coil resistance and ohms. Generally, high resistance coils are best for mouth-to-lung vaping, as they provide a tighter draw that simulates the feeling of smoking a traditional cigarette. Also referred to as plus-ohm coils, they will have a resistance of 1.0ohm or above.

However, it's important to point out that you may very well come across coils that have a resistance of below 1.0ohms that are called MTL coils. Now, I know you're probably reading this thinking "but Dr. Vapes, didn't you just say that MTL is for coils of 1.0ohm and above?" Yes, yes I did. However, do you remember that style of vaping that was mentioned earlier called RDL? You may come across 0.7, 0.8 or 0.9ohm coils listed as MTL or RDL meaning that whilst they are technically sub-ohm coils, they can still perform more like a MTL vape, especially when the airflow on your tank is adjusted.