Mouth to Lung (MTL) vs Direct to Lung (DTL) Vaping

Mouth to Lung (MTL) vs Direct to Lung (DTL) Vaping

Whether you are new to the vaping world or experienced, all the vaping terminology and acronyms can be confusing. In this blog, we will be exploring everything you need to know about mouth to lung (MTL) and direct to lung (DTL) vaping. Simply put, MTL and DTL are different styles of vaping. Determining which vaping style you prefer will help dictate which devices and e-liquids are best for you.

Mouth to Lung

MTL vaping is the process of  drawing the vapour into your mouth where it is held temporarily and subsequently inhaled into your lungs. This inhalation process is familiar to cigarette smokers, as it is the standard technique used to inhale cigarette smoke. Because smokers must pull smoke through a filter, this method ensures that adequate amounts of smoke and air are inhaled. 

Direct to Lung

DTL vaping involves inhaling vapour directly into the lungs, similar to normal breathing. Unlike MTL vaping, where you hold the vapour in your mouth before inhaling, DTL vaping provides a more intense experience. DTL vaping is not common among beginners due to its intensity and the need for special equipment, which will be discussed more below. 

E-Liquids

Most e-liquids contain a mixture of vegetable glycerine (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). Because PG and VG each have unique properties, the VG/PG ratio of an e-liquid will impact your vaping experience. MTL vaping is most enjoyable when using e-liquids with a high PG ratio. This is because PG carries flavour better than VG and provides a stronger throat hit. High VG e-liquids, on the other hand, provide a smoother throat hit and are therefore more enjoyable for DTL vaping. Recommended ratios are 60PG:40VG for MTL vaping and 70VG:30PG for DTL vaping.

Nicotine Strengths

Determining your ideal nicotine level depends on multiple factors including your needs and personal preferences. However, it is recommended that individuals who require or prefer a higher nicotine level engage in MTL and not DTL vaping. DTL vaping provides significantly more vapour per inhale. Therefore, it is best to choose an e-liquid with a strength of 3 mg/ml or less for DTL vaping. It is also strongly advised that nic salts are only used for MTL vaping not DTL vaping due to the nicotine levels being substantially higher.

Devices and Coils

MTL vaping requires less power compared to DTL equipment. For MTL vaping,  traditional vaping devices such as vape pens and pod systems perform best. The best devices for DTL vaping are sub-ohmers and vape mods. MTL devices also accommodate coils with a higher resistance. To produce the vapour required for a satisfactory DTL vaping experience, DTL devices require low resistance coils and tanks with great airflow.

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