Mouth To Lung (MTL) vs Direct To Lung (DTL) Vaping Guide

If you’re the kind of a smoker who wants to quit this way of stimulating the body, then most probably you will find vaping as a viable option for you.

Nevertheless, sometimes the “art” of vaping can be complex or intimidating, especially for a beginner. That’s why it is always crucial to get the right knowledge before indulging in it.

Now, it is crucial to understand the various offers in the industry/market. You need to learn the basics like how vaping is done, which vaping devices are appropriate for you? In a nutshell, you must understand the basic styles of vaping before even purchasing for the devices or the e-juices.

This article covers the two fundamental styles of vaping: Mouth to Lung (MTL) and Direct to Lung (DTL) Vaping.

Each of the styles is characterized by a unique set of benefits but typically performs best with a particular type of e-juice and device.

The MTL vaping style resembles the way smokers do their “thing”; taking a puff, making it pause in the mouth, and then inhaling it.

In DTL, the vapor is drawn directly to the lungs before it is exhaled.

Okay, now that's just a tip of the difference from the perspective of definition; there are a couple of variations between the two vaping styles.

ALSO READ: Best RDAs For Clouds And Flavor

Although this may sound simple, it is a question every vaper needs to understand.

Vaping differs from smoking in a couple of ways but the MTL style of vaping resembles the way of smoking a cigarette, only differs in slight ways.

Explaining the MTL process, in summary, the vaper draws vapor smoothly into their mouth – but avoids taking short and sharp drags like it is done in smoking – by taking long draws.

The vapor in the mouth is then inhaled to the lungs at the same time drawing in air. Finally, the vapor is exhaled. Indeed, for some people, for some reason, it takes very long to understand the meaning of an MTL throat hit.

But smokers really understand that former tobacco consumers know it, newbies also know it, and sub-ohm device users know it.

To be sincere, human beings that don’t view vaping as a thrilling sport, also suspect the same.

For some people, it is a reason for not being interested to spew out large vapor clouds; it’s for the aim of getting something similar to the feeling they would get when smoking a cigarette.

In MTL vaping, breath is also included in the process implying there will be no substantial production of vapor in the system. Having said that, it’s its implication too, like when the vaper wants to feel the real sense of the e-juice flavor in the mouth.

Also, when trapped in huge crowds and someone requires some soul-fix, MTL fists very well in this sort of scenario. In order to go superbly stealthy, the inhaled vapor is kept for some seconds in the lungs, and the almost invisible plumes exhale.

Some people prefer MTL to DTL as they consider it more economical than the latter. MTL tanks are filled with fewer e-juices compared to sub-ohm tanks which are predominantly applied in DTL vaping (sub-ohm tanks).

Some, due to their age or health conditions have no other option other than MTL; taking a complete DTL hit is a real struggle.

Mouth to Lung vaping greatly differs from direct to lung vaping in that a vapor can consume a slightly higher level of nicotine without harming them.

For ex-smokers, they will definitely require a higher content of nicotine in their vape juices (between 12 – 20 mg/mL) and MTL is the best option.

If the e-juice is not satisfying your craving, it’s easy, possible rather than scale it down or up accordingly.

In MTL vaping, it allows you to use nic salt vape juices. Despite the high content of nicotine in these e-juices, they offer a much smoother throat hit.

Moreover, they are quickly and more effectively absorbed into the body compared with freebase nicotine e-juices offering a better nicotine hit.

This is very crucial and requires paying proper attention. Selecting the wrong ratio for PG/VG for beginners can make or ruin the whole thing.

One thing to note is the majority of devices that go with MTL vaping are suited to the higher content of PG.

At times there have been complaints of newbies saying they tried using 80% or 90% VG e-liquids in their pod mods or vape pens and unknowingly blaming their device for dry hitting.

In this case, it’s not the fault of the device as VG has a thicker consistency than PG that causes trouble when wicking in the relatively small MTL coils. Also, PG is known to be a good carrier of flavor.

Moreover, since MTL vaping is regarded as an appropriate replacement to smoking, the throat hit offered by the PG element and high nicotine content will possibly appear more satisfying to the vaper.

A 50VG/50PG ratio offers a good throat hit and is good for vapor production. A 60VG/40PG ratio offers a smoother vaping experience and a better vapor production.

Several recent MTL vaping devices perform superbly with 70VG/50PG ratio but it is good to confirm the appropriate ratio for the device.

ALSO READ: A Guide to Vaping Without Nicotine

The airflow of the tanks determines if the devices are suitable for MTL vaping or DTL vaping.

For instance, a device with a tight airflow implies it is an MTL vaping device because while inhaling, it means that the lungs are oxygen-deficient and will receive any that is drawn, resulting in an easy hit.

Another identifiable difference between MTL and DTL tanks is the type of mouthpiece.

A mouthpiece of an MTL device is much narrower to resemble a cigarette while that of a DTL device is much wider to enable more vapor to be drawn.

For MTL devices, the resistance of coils ranges between 1.0 to 2.8 Ohms where the most common devices have coil resistances of 1.5 and 1.8 Ohms

Compared with DTL devices, MTL devices come with higher resistance coils. Ultimately, these devices are suited for application with a low wattage scale.

Read more about vape coil building.

It’s a polar opposite of MTL vaping style. It takes a while for some people to get used to it as it’s an entirely imported concept to them.

In summary, DTL vaping involves: drawing the vapor slowly and steadily directly into the lungs (can take 3 to 5 seconds) – without taking sharp drags.

Once it is drawn into the lungs, vapor clouds are exhaled.

Vapers who fancy complete, thick, and yummy clouds and a compact tasty lungful flavor can try the new vaping style in town.

That fog will be hit straight to their lungs and fill them to almost capacity! With DTL vaping equipment, it is easy to enjoy with a higher scope of wattage mods as well as sub-ohm tanks, experience real production of vapor, or perform tricks and cloud chase while experiencing the most soothing flavor profile of the e-juice.

DTL vaping is preferred by vaping enthusiasts who have wholly defeated their craving for cigarettes, lovers of vaping who feel it good exhaling beautifully, rich vapor clouds, and spoiling themselves around with huge high-powered box mods, pods, gears, and the like.

At first, your lungs will experience a shock but with time, if you begin with low-wattage combined with a tight airflow, then slowly open it up, the lungs will adapt and will eventually love it.

Also, the devices that work with DTL bring you joy; the chance of sampling new flavors will leave you ever delighted.

Admired vape-voice and the exhibition-lovely Instagram vapor pictures that you’re fond of will turn your heart young and forget the dark days of smoking dirty tobacco in your mouth. Indeed, it is a lovely experience.

The recommended e-juice nicotine strength for DTL hitters is 6 mg and below. Most vapors use this method like a nicotine strength of 3 mg.

When using the sub-ohm equipment which is predominantly used in DTL vaping, the higher the strength of the nicotine the harsher the hit on the throat. This may sometimes cause discomfort rather than enjoyment.

Unlike MTL devices, DTL equipment is more suited to higher levels of VG to deliver a satisfying, smooth vaping experience.

A 60VG/40PG ratio will deliver good flavor, a little hit on the throat, and some decent cloud production.

A 70VG/30PG ratio is typically the most popular blend and delivers good flavor, a lot of clouds, and a smooth hit on the throat.

A 80VG/20PG ratio will deliver good flavor, dense clouds, and smoother hit on the throat.

A 90VG/10PG ratio will deliver good flavor, much denser clouds, and a smooth hit on the throat.

Finally, if the e-juice is 100% VG, the result will be pure clouds and a superbly smooth feeling. It’s preferred by vapers that are PG-sensitive.

Read more about DIY e-juice guide.

For DTL vaping, the majority of tanks come with the option to modify the airflow.

When the airflow is open, it implies that more air is drawn through the tank and into the lungs without restrictions.

This is characterized by longer hits, easy production of clouds, and magnificent experience. By closing the airflow, the vape becomes more intense, warmer, and restricted.

Compared with MTL devices, DTL devices have low coil resistance – lower than 1 Ohm – implying they are operated at higher wattage.

Whatever vaping style one chooses is down to their persona preference. Any type is good provided it helps them.