There's a lot of speculation in the vape industry about the different kinds of vaping there are out there; the sorts of inhales you can get from certain devices, what flavours are the best for all-day use and what's the best sort of device to buy. Well, today we thought it'd be great to break all this down and explain some of the main vape terms and how you can figure out what sort of kit is right for you, what flavours you should consider and why these choices can help you in the long run.
So let's de-mystify all the smoke and mirrors and break down what we mean when we say different kinds of vaping…
MTL vs. DTL Vaping
You might come across MTL and DTL quite a lot when you are shopping for new kits, e-liquids and other vape paraphernalia. You might read that a new device is “perfect for DTL vapers” or a new nic salt flavour is “created for MTL vaping”, but you may ask yourself – what does that mean? In a nutshell, these terms describe how you vape. It can be super useful to know the difference between these two styles, especially if you have just made the switch to vaping. If you have been vaping for a while, it might be a good idea to refresh your memory and ensure that any e-liquids or other vape products you buy match your preferred vaping style.
Mouth-to-Lung Vaping
What is Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Vaping? MTL vaping stands for mouth-to-lung vaping and it does exactly what it says it does. Mouth-to-lung vaping will replicate the sensation of smoking a traditional cigarette making it a very good way to introduce yourself to the world of vaping.
How it's done:
- Take a draw of vapour into your mouth.
- Once the vapour is in your mouth, inhale it into your lungs, drawing in air at the same time.
- Calmy exhale. Imagine mouth-to-lung vaping as if you're drinking through a straw.
Mouth-to-lung vaping is commonly used by smokers who have just made the switch to vaping. Vaping mouth-to-lung is a good way of vaping subtly as it won't produce as many clouds. Although MTL vaping won't create huge clouds of vapour, it will deliver strong flavours and make the most out of your favourite e-liquid flavour. A lot of people prefer MTL vaping because it can be cheaper. Because it generally uses less e-liquid compared to a DTL device.
Direct-to-Lung Vaping
What is Direct-to-Lung Vaping? Direct-to-lung vaping is the opposite of the MTL style of vaping. It can take some getting used to, especially if you are a recent smoker and have become familiar with the MTL inhaling style for so long.
How it's done:
- Inhale slow and steady, directly into your lungs
- 3-5 second draw
- Exhale
If you appreciate thick clouds and a lungful of tasty vapour, then you will benefit from vaping direct-to-lung. Most people vape direct-to-lung if they perform vape cloud tricks. This vaping style can be a jolt to the lungs at first because it will be different to the smoking or vaping experience you have had before. There are lots of devices that will support this method of vaping much better such as sub-ohm vape kits.
What Sort of Kit Is Best for Me?
- Vape starter kits are typically MTL or mouth-to-lung kits. These come in many forms and answer the needs of the new vaper who is still accustomed to the feel and sensation of a cigarette. Vape pen starter kits or e-cigs are probably the most popular because of their simple design and familiar feel due to their slim pen-like shape. Pod starter kits are also popular with first-time vapers because of their small, compact designs and easy-to-fill pod tanks. Our ELFA pod kit is an innovative vape kit that lets you freely choose an e-liquid or nic salt you love without having to keep buying a new kit.
- As you probably already know, disposable vapes are a great choice if you're new to vaping or are keen to use a kit they wouldn't mind losing. They're a cheaper option that allows you to discover the benefits of vaping at a lower cost. With no charging required and no fire buttons to operate, ELFBAR disposables are draw-activated for ease of use, you simply, puff and go. The most popular of the ELFBAR disposable range is the original ELFBAR 600 disposable with its 550mah battery making it the perfect all-day vape. The range has been expanded with a selection of exciting new disposables like the super-slim Cigalike and the ELFBAR T600 with a fun modern design to appeal to a wider audience who wishes to start vaping.
- Sub-ohm kits are chosen for their ability to produce large clouds of vapour and offer DTL vaping.
Choosing The Right Flavour
Everyday Usage
Choosing the right flavour can be quite an overwhelming decision because there are just so many out there! You might be new to vaping, or you may already have a go-to flavour that you love. Whether you're an advanced user, or you're new to vaping, you should always keep rotating your flavours. If you constantly vape one flavour, you're highly susceptible to what's effectively referred to as vape mouth. This refers to the sensation which plagues users who eventually find they can no longer taste the flavour of their favourite e-liquid, nic salt or DIY e-liquid. As a result, it's a great idea to understand the characteristics of flavour profiles and the importance of continuously rotating your e-liquids so you don't get tired of the taste. Try to select a flavour that you hypothetically wouldn't mind tasting every day; fruits are a great building block for this and coffee flavours are too. It's always a real treat to enjoy a lovely, sweet treat but we find that a lot of vapers can't vape these sorts of flavours for an extended period. So maybe try to keep these sorts of flavours in a more frequent rotation so you wear yourself out with flavours like these. If you're struggling to find a flavour you love, it's worth reading all our great testimonials about which flavouring is right for you.
The Right Strength
So, let's say you've chosen your flavour, now it's time to choose your nicotine strength. ELFBAR has a range of nicotine salts called ELFLIQ, which are a type of e-liquid that have a high nicotine strength that helps those who consume a moderate number of cigarettes a day produce some seriously awesome clouds of vapour. They're a great vape liquid choice and you won't be stuck for choice when picking a timeless ELFBAR flavour either. You can identify nicotine strengths in any vape juice by reading the ‘mg' number printed on the bottle. This refers to the strength, or nicotine content within that specific bottle and is designed to match the nicotine intake in their current habit or taste. An easy way to choose your nicotine strength is from the number of cigarettes you smoke daily. Most typical liquids will balance between 3mg and 18mg, whereas nic salts will typically be between 10mg and 20mg in strength.