Vape Inhalation Techniques: MTL, RDL and DL Explained

In short: for beginners, the MTL technique is the best choice, as it comes closest to the draw on a cigarette. With targeted exercises, small airflow adjustments and step-by-step progression, you learn the inhalation techniques in a controlled way. The right setup – device and liquid – makes getting started easier.

If you are starting to vape, the best place to begin is MTL (mouth to lung): draw the vapour slowly into your mouth, hold it briefly, then gently inhale. This technique is most similar to drawing on a cigarette and many people find it more comfortable than a direct lung hit. RDL (restricted direct lung) is the next step once MTL feels natural. DL (direct lung) only comes once you know your device well.

Put into practice right away in three steps:

Set the device to low power, leave the airflow half closed, choose a nicotine salt liquid.
Place the mouthpiece, draw evenly and calmly into your mouth, hold briefly, then inhale.
Take a 15–20 second break after each puff and only then adjust anything.

Why inhalation technique matters so much

Many people think the device does all the work. Not quite: how you draw determines flavour, vapour volume and throat hit more than some device settings.

Puff duration and temperature: a longer puff heats the coil more. Too short, and the vapour stays thin. Too long, and the taste turns burnt.
Airflow and resistance: a tight airflow creates more suction, concentrates the flavours and gives a firm draw. An open airflow cools, reduces resistance and produces more vapour.
Mouth position and flavour: if you hold the vapour briefly in your mouth, you perceive more flavour. If you inhale directly, the flavours are less intense.

A typical beginner's mistake: drawing too hard and too fast. This pulls liquid uncontrollably into the coil and leads to gurgling or a burnt taste. Drawing slowly and evenly is the basic requirement.

MTL, RDL and DL: which technique suits you?

All three techniques describe how the vapour gets from the device into the lungs. The difference lies in the route.

MTL (mouth to lung)

The vapour first lands in the mouth, is held briefly and then inhaled. Typical puff duration: 2–6 seconds. The feeling is similar to a cigarette. Suitable for:

pod systems with higher resistance (above 1.0 ohm)
nicotine salt liquids (10–20 mg/ml) or freebase at 6–12 mg/ml
PG-heavy liquids (50/50 or 60 PG/40 VG) for more intense flavour

RDL (restricted direct lung)

A middle way: the airflow is more open than with MTL, but not fully open. The vapour goes more directly into the lungs, without a long detour through the mouth. Typical are moderate power (15–30 watts) and a resistance between 0.4 and 1.0 ohm. Freebase liquids at 3–6 mg/ml work well here.

DL (direct lung)

The vapour goes directly and deeply into the lungs, without stopping in the mouth. Open airflow, low resistance (below 0.4 ohm), higher power (30–80 watts and more) and VG-heavy liquids (70 VG/30 PG or higher). The nicotine strength should stay low, at most 3 mg/ml, as absorption is considerably faster. Without RDL experience, DL is not recommended.

How to practise each technique systematically

First a quick check: battery charged to at least 50%, coil fully saturated with liquid (let new coils rest in the filled tank for 5–10 minutes), mouthpiece clean, tank not empty.

MTL exercise

Set the device to 8–12 watts, airflow half closed.
Place the mouthpiece loosely, with no side air leaking in.
Draw evenly and calmly into your mouth.
Hold the vapour in your mouth for a few seconds.
Inhale gently, exhale normally.
Pause for 15–20 seconds, then repeat.

Three repetitions per session are enough at the beginning. More quickly overheats the coil and distorts the flavour.

RDL exercise

Start from your MTL setup and open the airflow one step further.
Gradually increase the power until the draw feels pleasantly direct.
Draw more briefly than with MTL, inhale more directly.
No long holding in the mouth, but no jerky inhaling either.
Pause for 20 seconds, then continue.

DL exercise

Only once you have mastered RDL. Open the airflow fully or almost fully, resistance below 0.5 ohm, set power according to the coil recommendation. Short, controlled puffs of 1–2 seconds. Check battery and coil compatibility beforehand.

Progression: only switch to RDL after a few days of stable MTL practice, and test DL at the earliest after a week of RDL experience. Only ever change one factor at a time: airflow, power or liquid.

Tip: Seal your lips firmly around the mouthpiece before drawing. Drawing air in through the corners of your mouth distorts the feel of the draw.

Adjust airflow before wattage

Many people immediately turn up the wattage when the vapour is not right. That is the second step, not the first. A tighter airflow increases suction and flavour concentration, a more open airflow cools and produces more vapour. Small airflow changes often have a more noticeable effect than a 5-watt jump.

Open or close the airflow in small steps, never change it all at once.
After each change, take 1–2 puffs and assess the effect.
Too hot and dry: open the airflow a little before lowering the wattage.
Not enough flavour: close the airflow slightly, extend the puff by one second.

Typical starting settings: MTL 30–50% open, RDL 50–70%, DL 80–100%.

A metallic or burnt aftertaste is a sign of overheating. Open the airflow, lower the wattage and check that the coil is saturated.

Typical beginner mistakes and solutions

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
Coughing on the draw	Too deep, too hot, too much nicotine	Draw more briefly, open airflow, choose a lower nicotine strength
Burnt taste	Coil dry or too hot	Check coil saturation, lower wattage, open airflow
Gurgling or spitting	Too much liquid in the coil	Increase power slightly, adjust airflow, do not overfill the tank
Too little vapour	Weak battery, old coil, airflow too tight	Charge battery, change coil, open airflow
No more flavour	Getting used to the flavour or old coil	Take a break, change coil, try a different flavour

Maintenance includes regularly cleaning the tank, changing the coil every one to two weeks with daily use and filling carefully. For how to switch cleanly between flavours, see the guide to changing flavours.

Safety, nicotine and the legal situation in Switzerland

In Switzerland, since 1 October 2024 e-cigarettes with and without nicotine may only be sold to people aged 18 and over; age verification also applies online. A tax of CHF 0.20 per ml is levied on nicotine-containing liquids, and CHF 1.00 per ml on disposable e-cigarettes. More in the article Vape tax in Switzerland.

Only charge batteries with a compatible charger and never leave them charging unattended.
Do not keep using damaged batteries; dispose of them properly.
Store liquids in a cool, dark place out of reach of children. Nicotine-containing liquids can irritate the skin.
Do not carry the device in a pocket with keys or coins – risk of short circuit.
If the device overheats, smells unusual or the battery is deformed, put it down immediately.

Nicotine salt liquids deliver nicotine faster than freebase liquids – so choose the strength carefully. In an emergency, call Tox Info Suisse on 145 or emergency services on 144. You will find further advice in the guide Vape safety: understanding the risks.

Nicotine is addictive. Smoke-free products are not risk-free either. If you do not smoke, do not start.

Key takeaways

Topic	Details
Starting technique	MTL with 2–6 second puffs, airflow half closed, nicotine salt 10–20 mg/ml
Airflow before wattage	Small airflow changes work faster than large wattage jumps
Progression	Master RDL first, then try DL; only change one factor at a time
Common mistakes	Burnt taste and coughing are usually caused by a dry coil or too much power

The right setup at Snustrend

Compact devices and suitable liquids work well for MTL and RDL. At Snustrend you will find pod systems, nicotine salt liquids in various strengths and other liquids. If you are unsure which device suits you, the product selection workflow will help, and you can find a comparison of the techniques in the article Vaping techniques compared.

Note: Nicotine products are only for adults aged 18 and over. Nicotine is addictive.