How to Vape? Guide to Vape Safely & Properly (For Beginners)
Vaping is a popular alternative to smoking, attracting both smokers who want to quit and beginners who are curious about the experience. The vaping world offers various devices and styles to meet the requirements of different types of vapers.
However, with so many devices, styles, and techniques, it can be overwhelming for beginners to get started. Hence, we bring to you this comprehensive guide to vaping, explaining the essentials of vaping, including the different vaping styles, how to vape safely, and maintaining the device to enjoy a long-lasting and satisfying experience.
What is a Vape?
The word vape is short for vaporizer. It refers to an electronic device that heats the e-liquid or vape juice to create vapours that users inhale. Unlike traditional cigarettes that burn tobacco, vapes feature a battery-powered heating element, called a coil, to vapourize the e-liquid, which usually contains nicotine, flavourings, propylene glycol (PG), and vegetable glycerin (VG).
You can find different types of vaping devices, each serving a unique purpose and offering varying vapour production, ease of use, and power levels. These devices include:
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Cigalikes
Different Types of Vaping
As you learn how to use a vape, you must also be familiar with choosing the right device and adopting the correct vaping style. Here’s a breakdown of the most common vaping techniques and how to do them:
What is MTL Vaping?
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping mimics smoking traditional cigarettes. It provides a similar feel to smoking, making it popular among smokers who want to switch to vaping. MTL vaping is ideal for discreet vaping with minimal vapour clouds and strong flavour delivery.
MTL vaping uses devices with higher-resistance coils and tighter airflow. Hence, they produce less vapour but provide a more concentrated nicotine hit. MTL vaping involves drawing vapour into the mouth and then inhaling it into the lungs. It is more suitable for beginners or smokers and users who prefer high-nicotine e-liquids or nicotine salts.
How to Do MTL Vaping?
If you want to learn how to vape properly, here are the steps of MTL vaping:
Step 1- Choose the Right Device
Start by picking the device suitable for MTL vaping. These devices usually have small airflow holes and use higher-resistance coils (above 1.0 ohm).
Step 2- Use Suitable E-liquid
Prefer high PG e-liquids or nic salts as they work well with MTL vaping. Also, they are good if you want a stronger throat hit and faster nicotine satisfaction.
Step 3- Learn the Correct Method
The next step is to learn to inhale properly:
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Take a slow, steady puff into your mouth.
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Hold the vapour in your mouth for one or two seconds.
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Inhale the vapour into your lungs and then exhale.
Step 4- Adjust Airflow and Power
Keep the wattage low in the beginning and airflow setting to the minimum to experience the tight draw similar to cigarettes.
What is DTL Vaping?
Direct-to-Lung (DTL) vaping involves inhaling vapour directly into the lungs, bypassing the mouth. It is suitable for experienced vapers who seek dense vapour clouds and intense flavours.
For DTL vaping, you need more powerful devices with sub-ohm coils (resistance below 1.0 ohm) and larger airflow settings. Pair it with low-nicotine, high-VG e-liquids for the best experience, as it reduces throat harshness and maximises vapour production.
How to Do DTL Vaping?
DTL vaping offers a more immersive and flavorful experience, but it might be overwhelming for new users due to the large vapour volume and airflow. Here are the steps involved in DTL vaping:
Step 1- Pick the Right Device
Get a sub-ohm tank or a powerful box mod with high wattage output (typically 30W or more). Ensure the airflow is wide open.
Step 2- Choose the Suitable E-Liquid
Prefer low-nicotine (3–6mg/mL), high-VG (70% or more) e-liquids. VG is smoother on the throat and produces bigger clouds.
Step 3- Learn the Correct Method
The right way to inhale is:
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Draw a deep puff directly into your lungs.
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Exhale steadily and slowly for thick clouds.
Step 4- Start Slow
Start at the lower end of your device’s recommended wattage range and increase gradually based on your comfort.
What is RDTL Vaping?
Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDTL) vaping combines MTL and DTL, providing a smoother and more controlled vaping experience.
How to Do RDTL Vaping?
Learn how to inhale a vape for RDTL vaping by following these steps:
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Inhale the puff directly into the lungs.
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Ensure less airflow than the DTL vape.
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Exhale slowly to smoothly release vapour.
How to Vape Safely?
As you switch to vaping, it is important to understand how to vape safely to avoid any health risks and accidents. Make sure you read all the instructions that come with the device to ensure an enjoyable experience. Also, be aware of your nicotine consumption, monitor your puffs, and don’t take too much vapour in one draw. Vape in moderation to ensure safety.
While vaping is generally considered safer than smoking, it's important to follow best practices to reduce potential risks:
Buy Quality Products- Buy your devices and vape juices from trusted and reputable sellers, and never opt for black-market or unregulated products.
Follow the Given Instructions- Before you start vaping, take some time to read the device’s manual thoroughly.
Don’t Modify Devices- Avoid altering your vape device or coil setup, especially mechanical mods.
Store E-liquids Safely- Store your e-liquids in a cool, dark place, away from children and pets.
Use the Right Charger- The charger you are using for your device must be provided by the manufacturer to avoid battery hazards.
Know When to Stop- Avoid excessive nicotine intake. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or have headaches, you might need to lower your nicotine strength.
Steps for Vape Maintenance
Routine maintenance of your device is essential for longevity, flavour quality, and safety, keeping your vape running smoothly and improving your overall experience.
Here are some key maintenance tips:
Clean the Device Regularly: Disassemble your vape tank and clean all parts (except the coil) with warm water once a week. Let them air dry completely before reassembling.
Check for Leaks: Seal the device tightly and replace worn-out O-rings. Don’t overfill the tank.
Replace Coils Frequently: Depending on usage, coils must be replaced every 1–2 weeks. Signs of a burnt coil include reduced flavour, burnt taste, or gurgling sounds.
Store Equipment Properly: Store your vape in a cool, dry place to avoid leaks and battery degradation.
Charge Safely: Avoid overcharging your device. Once it’s fully charged, unplug it to extend battery life.
Conclusion
Vaping is an effective and enjoyable alternative to smoking, provided it is done correctly and responsibly. Whether you choose MTL for a discreet and familiar experience or DTL for big clouds and intense flavour, make sure you understand the techniques and safety precautions for a positive experience. Start with the right device, use suitable e-liquids, follow the correct inhalation method, and maintain your equipment regularly.
By following these guidelines, you'll not only enhance your vaping experience but also reduce potential risks. Always stay informed, vape responsibly, and enjoy the journey!