Discovering your vaping identity: Deciphering MTL, DTL and RDL styles in the Denver vaping community

Getting into vaping isn’t just about choosing a sleek device or the latest flavor, it’s also about understanding your own vaping style. The distinctions between MTL (mouth-to-lung), DTL (direct-to-lung) and the new RDL (Restricted-Direct-Lung) vaping styles play a vital role in determining the ideal kit for your needs.

As vaping continues to evolve in Denver, catering to the diverse preferences of smokers striving to quit, the range of kits available has expanded considerably.

MTL, DTL, RDL – Decoding the Lingo

As an unwavering MTL vaper, my attempts to adopt DTL (sub-ohm) vaping kits have proved unsuccessful, as the DTL experience doesn’t feel natural to me.

For those looking to quit smoking and pinning their hopes on vaping, the quest for the perfect vaping kit involves encountering terms such as MTL, DTL and RDL. Understanding the nuances between these styles isn’t just beneficial, it’s crucial. Your vape style dictates the kit, e-liquid and coils you choose, shaping your overall vape experience.

Choosing the right vape kit

The eternal question “Which vaping kit should I buy?” arises daily for countless people. The plethora of options can be overwhelming and, as we’ve seen, it’s not just about aesthetic preferences or popular choices between friends. To provide personalized advice on the ideal vaping kit, it’s essential to understand your vaping style. In fact, you need to be well acquainted with your own vaping preferences.

MTL and DTL vaping styles

MTL and DTL represent the two predominant inhalation methods, serving as industry terms for the most common vaping styles.

MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaping style

MTL vaping closely mimics smoking, making it an ideal choice for newcomers switching from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes. The main difference lies in the length of the puff.

Unlike the short, sharp puffs associated with cigarettes, MTL vaping encourages a longer, smoother, more even puff for optimal flavor delivery and satisfaction. Vapor is held in the mouth before being inhaled into the lungs, allowing sufficient time for air to be simultaneously drawn in. The time between vapour inhalation and exhalation is customizable, influencing both hit and flavour.

MTL vaping, with its reduced vapor production, is discreet and suitable for those conscious of public vaping spaces. Interestingly, MTL vaping requires less e-liquid, making it an economical choice for beginners.

Vaping kits suitable for MTL vaping are affordable, with disposable options such as Elf Bar and SKE providing accessible entry points. As users progress, upgrading to starter kits with appropriate e-liquids, coils and pods becomes the next logical step.

Vaping in MTL mode is child’s play!

Vaping offers a spectrum from simplicity to complexity, adapting to a variety of preferences. Even as an MTL vaper, it’s possible to immerse yourself in the advanced technology of box mod or pod mod kits while maintaining your preferred vaping style.

As the vaping industry evolves, advances in coil technology allow MTL vapers to enjoy kits previously reserved for DTL enthusiasts. Adapting these kits for MTL vaping involves adjusting the wattage, choosing a tank or pod with a fine tip, and opting for an appropriate coil with a resistance of 0.8Ω or more.

E-liquids for MTL vaping

For beginners starting out with disposable vaping kits, the choice of e-liquid is simplified and usually includes 2 ml of nicotine salt-based vape juice with nicotine contents ranging from 0 mg to 20 mg. It’s essential to manage cravings during the transition period from smoking to vaping, which requires a balance between nicotine content and inhalation smoothness.

Nicotine salts, with their lower pH level, are an optimal solution for MTL vapers, offering a satisfying nicotine hit without an excessively harsh throat experience. The 50/50 blend of PG and VG in MTL e-liquids enhances flavor delivery, with the PG providing a cigarette-like sharp throat sensation.

In short, MTL vaping stands out because it’s :

• Designed for smokers switching to vaping
• Ideal for beginners
• Discreet, with minimal vapor and odor
• Cost-effective with disposable or basic vaping kits
• Adaptable to higher nicotine content and nicotine salts
• Uses less e-liquid
• Suitable for people with smoking-related lung damage

DTL (Direct-to-Lung) vaping style

DTL vaping, favored by experienced vapers, is a significant departure from cigarette smoking. It involves drawing vapor directly into the lungs, without the intermediate step of bringing it to the mouth.

DTL vaping involves slow, steady inhalation, bypassing the mouthpiece and essentially using the vaping device to “breathe through”. Although initially shocking to the lungs, users gradually adapt to prolonged inhalation before exhaling to vaporous clouds.

Choosing the right DTL vaping kit

Unlike MTL vaping, there are no disposable products or starter kits designed specifically for DTL vapers. The main requirement is a sub-ohm vape kit with varying power capacities, often ranging from 40W to 300W for more advanced users who indulge in tricks and competitions.

DTL vape tanks feature wide mouthpieces (810 drip tips) for fuller inhalation, as well as sub-ohm coils to support higher wattages. Adjustable airflow is essential for customizing the draw, influencing both cloud production and flavor diffusion.

E-liquids for DTL vaping

DTL vapers generally opt for short-fill e-liquids, mainly because they are nicotine-free. TPD regulations limit nicotine-containing e-liquids to 10 ml, an insufficient volume for the rapid consumption associated with sub-ohm tanks. Shortfills offer economic advantages and allow users to control nicotine levels by adding nicotine shots.

Maintaining a balance is crucial for DTL vapers, as too high a nicotine content can lead to hard hits and intense head rushes. The recommended nicotine level is 6 mg or less for sub-ohm devices. As with MTL vaping, nicotine salts are an alternative for those who want nicotine without an overpowering throat hit.

To sum up, DTL vaping is characterized by the following points:

• Suitable for advanced vapers.
• Distinct from cigarettes
• Remarkable for its epic cloud production
• Requires advanced kit with variable wattage
• Suitable for short-fill e-liquids
• Consumes more e-liquid

RDL (Restricted-Direct-Lung) vaping style

RDL, or restricted-direct-lung, is an intermediate solution between MTL and DTL vaping styles. Involving DTL inhalation with adjusted airflow, RDL enhances flavors for DTL vapers and increases cloud production for MTL enthusiasts.

Vaping kits for RDL vaping: equipment versatility

RDL vaping requires equipment compatible with both MTL and DTL styles. Many manufacturers now offer devices described as MTL and DTL, which fit a wide range of coil resistors. Opting for a coil with a resistance between 0.5Ω and 0.8Ω allows you to achieve the desired balance in terms of vapor and flavor.

E-liquids for RDL vaping: exploring a hybrid palette

The restriction of airflow in RDL vaping makes it possible to experiment with e-liquids designed for MTL kits, offering DTL vapers a taste of nic-based vape juice. RDL enthusiasts can switch seamlessly between MTL and DTL e-liquids, enjoying the best of both worlds.

The RDL vaping style in a nutshell:

• Looser draw than MTL, more vapor
• Tighter draw than DTL, more flavor
• Offers a throat effect between MTL and DTL
• Produces warmer flavors than MTL vaping
• Compatible with MTL and DTL e-liquids
• Requires less power, extending battery life
• Consumes less e-liquid than DTL vaping

MTL vs DTL vs RDL: creating your own vaping style

Ultimately, your vaping style is a personal choice, influenced by your preferences and goals. Understanding how you vapotage allows you to make informed equipment decisions, ensuring an optimal vaping experience. If your initial choice doesn’t commit you forever, exploring different styles can lead to an evolution of your vaping journey. Whether it’s MTL, DTL or RDL, the right style is the one that will help you stay smoke-free.