Vaping for Beginners

What is Sub Ohm or 'DTL/Direct to Lung' Vaping?

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    Ever seen a vaper exhaling big plumes of vapour and wondered what it's all about, or heard the term 'sub ohm' but have no idea what it means? In short, sub ohm is vaping using a vape kit with particular specifications, which creates large clouds of vapour.

    Keep reading to find out more...

    What is Sub Ohm Vaping?

    Sub ohm is a style of vaping that produces larger clouds of vapour than regular vaping. This style of vaping requires a different inhalation technique than regular vaping, known as 'direct to lung'. For this reason, sub ohm vaping and kits designed for this style are sometimes referred to as direct to lung or 'DTL' vaping/kits.

    When using a sub ohm device, the vapour needs to be inhaled directly into the lungs, rather than into the mouth then into the lungs, as a smoker would with cigarette smoke. For this reason, sub ohm vaping isn't usually the best option for new vapers.

    You can find out more about the different vaping styles; mouth to lung (MTL) and direct to lung (DTL) here.

    Sub ohm or DTL devices require a higher power output (usually measured in watts), and a coil with a resistance below 1 ohm.

    What Are The Benefits of Sub Ohm Vaping?

      • Devices produce larger, thicker clouds of vapour than standard, MTL kits
      • Warmer vapour
      • More flavour; more vapour means a higher concentration of flavour
      • More vapour means more nicotine in one hit, which can be more satisfying
      • Greater range of kit options and customisation

    Is Sub Ohm Vaping Safe?

    Initially, sub ohm vaping was only really accessible to experienced vapers who understood Ohms Law and had a technical knowledge of how e cigarettes work. The wrong combination of power and resistance in a coil can be dangerous so this form of vaping was only pursued by very experienced users.

    Sub ohm vaping is now much more accessible and kits are regulated to ensure safety for users. Some kits come with batteries that allow you to adjust various settings, for example the wattage and voltage outputs. Others are simple to use and already set up for a great sub ohm experience with just the press of a button. Examples of great beginner sub ohm kits are the Aspire PockeX & the Innokin Adept Kit, both available from our online store.

    Provided you follow safety guidelines for e cigarettes and batteries and buy a kit from a reputable supplier, then sub ohm vaping is just as safe as regular or 'classic' vaping.

    What Else Do You Need To Know Before Buying Your First Kit?

    There are two ways in which you can inhale the vapour from your e-cigarette. These are known as 'direct to lung' and 'mouth to lung' vaping. The method you choose is generally down to personal preference, but your preferred style of vaping will have a baring on the type of kit you should buy.

    What's The Difference Between 'Mouth to Lung' And Direct To Lung Vaping?

    As a general rule, the vapour from sub ohm or 'DTL' devices will need to be inhaled direct-to-lung. This simply means that you should inhale the vapour directly into your lungs.

    Classic or 'MTL' kits are suited to the mouth-to-lung style of vaping. Mouth to lung vaping is similar to how a cigarette is smoked, where the vapour is inhaled into the mouth, then into the lungs.

    With this in mind, we recommend that you choose a classic kit if you are completely new to vaping.

    You can find out more about the differences between MTL & DTL vaping here.

    Sub ohm vaping can take a little getting used to. If you find you cough when trying a sub ohm kit for the first time, practice inhaling the vapour directly into your lungs. Also, make sure that the nicotine strength isn't too high. As mentioned above, the nicotine delivery is faster with sub ohm kits so you generally won't need as much nicotine as you would with a standard kit.

    Which E-Liquids Should You Use With Sub Ohm Kits?

    The main ingredients in e liquids are Propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG) and flavourings. Some vape juices will also contain nicotine which will be stated in mg on the product packaging.

    It's important to know a little about PG and VG as the ratio of these two ingredients in an e-liquid determines which kits and/or coils it is suitable for.

    Sub ohm e liquids will contain a higher ratio of vegetable glycerine (VG); usually 60% and above.

    Classic e-liquids will contain a higher percentage of propylene glycol (PG); 50% or above, and are suitable for classic (mouth-to-lung) kits.

    You can also purchase vape juices with a balanced 50/50 ratio of PG & VG. These are generally well suited to most kits and tanks so are a great option for most. However, these might not be suitable if your tank is using coils with a very low resistance.

    Using high PG juices in a sub ohm tank or kit will generally produce a harsh vapour and burnt flavour and vice versa for high VG juices in a kit designed for classic vaping.

    You can find out more about e liquid ingredients on our 'What is PG/VG' page.

    Which Nicotine Strength is Best for Sub Ohm Vaping?

    As mentioned above, the increased volume of vapour with sub ohm means you will need to use a much lower nicotine strength. The most common nicotine strength for sub ohm vapers is 3mg (0.3%). If you're new to vaping, you may want to try 6mg, or use a short fill e liquid where you can add your own nicotine to get the desired strength.

    More information regarding choosing a nicotine strength can be found in this guide.

    Other Guides & Information

    Visit our blog for product guides, troubleshooting and general vaping information.

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