Direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping is one of two vaping styles - the other being mouth-to-lung (MTL). DTL is the preferred style of vapers who are looking to make huge clouds and vape using sub-ohm tanks. DTL is more common among more experienced vapers. This style provides less of a throat hit - something that people who are trying to get off cigarettes often look for. And while MTL mimics the puffing cigarette smokers are used to, vaping DTL is more like taking a deep breath. It can take some adjusting to get used to.
If you’re interested in vaping DTL, you should know that the liquids you use to vape MTL might not be the right fit. To understand which e-liquids are best for DTL vaping, we first need to understand PG and VG.
PG vs. VG
PG and VG are the two main ingredients in e-liquids, and you’ll find them mixed at a variety of ratios.
PG is propylene glycol. It’s a thin, colourless, odourless, and flavourless liquid that’s used as a sort of carrier agent for the various flavours you’ll find in a given e-liquid. PG is also responsible for a harsher “throat hit”, which makes e-liquid with higher PG a popular choice among people who are quitting smoking.
VG is vegetable glycerin - it’s thicker than PG, and it has a slightly sweet flavour. The more VG you have in your e-liquid, the milder it will be. You’ll also end up with much thicker clouds. The downside? VG is less suitable for carrying flavour.
DTL vapers should use e-liquid with a higher VG ratio
There are a number of reasons for this. First, you’re taking the hit directly to your lungs. That means the harshness of a higher PG ratio can lead to a very bad coughing fit. Second, DTL vapers are almost always chasing big clouds, and the more VG you have, the bigger the clouds you can make. Finally, high VG liquids take more heat to vapourize - and if you’ve got a sub-ohm vape, heat is exactly what you’re generating. A juice with a high PG ratio, conversely, might taste burnt in your sub-ohm vape.
Here are the ratios we recommend for DTL vapers:
- 70% VG / 30% PG: This is the most common ratio - a good combination of flavour, throat hit, and big clouds.
- 80% VG / 20% PG: Less flavour, more clouds.
You can find 60% VG / 40% PG, but many vapers find that ratio a little too harsh. 90%+ VG juices are available - they’re perfect for big clouds, but they hold little to no flavour. Opt for this ratio if you’re planning to participate in cloud competitions.
Nicotine and DTL vaping
Another key component of any e-liquid is nicotine content. DTL vapers are taking much bigger hits than their MTL cousins. That means you should err on the side of caution and use e-liquids with lower nicotine content. Generally, you’ll want to stick between 0-6 mg/ml of nicotine if you’re DTL vaping.
Vaping too much nicotine at once can have serious consequences, ranging from hits that are way too harsh to nicotine poisoning. If you’re new to DTL vaping, start low.
Looking for the perfect e-liquid? We can help
At Cold Turkey, we pride ourselves on providing a wide variety of e-liquids for vapers of all kinds. Visit our website and shop online or view our Winnipeg vape shop locations and visit us in person. We can help you pick the perfect juice for your style, taste preferences, and more.
We hope this article helps you pick the perfect e-liquid, and we hope to see you soon!