What is the correct way to inhale from a vape cartridge? The correct way to inhale from a vape cartridge is to take a slow, gentle draw directly into your mouth first, then inhale that vapor into your lungs, holding briefly before exhaling. This guide will help you master this process for a better experience.
Deciphering the Basics of Cartridge Vaping
Vaping with a cartridge is popular. It offers a simple way to use concentrates. Many beginners rush the process. This leads to coughing or little vapor. Knowing the right steps helps you enjoy the flavor and effects fully. This guide is your beginner vaping guide to better draws.
The Anatomy of a Vape Cartridge Setup
Before we talk about how to inhale, let’s look at the parts. A standard setup has three main things:
- The Battery: This powers the device. It heats the coil.
- The Cartridge (Cart): This holds the oil. It has the heating element (coil) inside.
- The Mouthpiece: Where you place your lips to draw air.
Make sure your battery is charged. Make sure your cart is screwed on tight. A loose connection can cause poor heating. This affects your draw.
Temperature Settings Matter Greatly
The temperature of your battery is key to optimizing vapor intake. Too low, and you get weak hits. Too high, and you burn the oil. Burning ruins the taste and can be harsh.
- Low Heat (Blue or Green Light): Good for flavor. Produces less vapor. Great for flavor chasing.
- Medium Heat (Yellow or Orange Light): A good balance. Decent vapor production. Best for most users.
- High Heat (Red Light): Produces big clouds. Can sometimes taste burnt quickly. Use caution here.
Always start low. You can always turn the heat up later. This helps in maximizing flavor vaping.
Mastering the Vaping Technique: Mouth-to-Lung vs. Direct-to-Lung
The core of how to inhale a cart correctly lies in your vaping technique. There are two main ways people inhale vapor. For cartridges, one way works much better than the other.
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Inhalation
This is the traditional way most people smoke cigarettes. You draw the vapor into your mouth first. Then, you inhale that collected vapor into your lungs.
Why is MTL good for carts?
- Cooler Vapor: Drawing into the mouth first lets the vapor cool down slightly. This prevents harshness.
- Better Flavor: Your taste buds get the full flavor before it hits your lungs. This helps in maximizing flavor vaping.
- Less Coughing: Cooler, less direct vapor is gentler on your throat.
This technique is perfect for beginners. It is the recommended inhalation methods for most 510-thread batteries.
Direct-to-Lung (DTL) Inhalation
DTL means you draw the vapor straight into your lungs, like taking a deep breath of fresh air. This is common with large sub-ohm vaping mods.
Why is DTL risky with carts?
- Harshness: Cartridge vapor is often hotter. Pulling it straight into the lungs can cause a harsh burn or a big cough.
- Wasted Product: Very hot, fast draws can sometimes cause your oil to burn off too fast.
If you insist on DTL, you must use very draw speed vaping and low battery settings. But for most users, stick to MTL.
Step-by-Step Guide: Perfect Cartridge Inhalation
Follow these steps for a smooth, satisfying hit every time. This outlines the best proper cartridge use.
Step 1: Preparation and Priming
Do not just hit the cart right away. Sometimes, especially if it’s cold or new, the coil needs a moment to heat up. This is called priming.
- Attach the cart firmly to the battery.
- If your battery has variable power, set it to medium (around 3.2V to 3.7V).
- Take a very short, gentle puff—just a quick breath of air through the mouthpiece for about one second, without holding it. This warms the oil.
- Wait five seconds. This ensures the coil is ready.
Step 2: The Draw
This is where your vaping technique comes into play. Remember, we aim for MTL (Mouth-to-Lung).
- Place the mouthpiece between your lips gently. Do not bite down hard.
- Start pulling air through the battery gently. Use light suction. This is slow draw speed vaping.
- Let the vapor fill your mouth first. You should feel the warmth and taste the flavor immediately.
- Keep drawing for about 2 to 4 seconds. This duration depends on your preference.
Step 3: Inhaling to the Lungs
Once your mouth is comfortably full of vapor:
- Close your mouth.
- Inhale that gathered vapor from your mouth into your lungs, similar to how you would inhale after a sip of a warm drink. This is aiming for a deep lung hit, but the vapor is already prepared and cooled in your mouth.
Step 4: Holding and Exhaling
- Hold the vapor in your lungs for just 1 to 3 seconds. Holding too long does not increase the effect much. It just makes the vapor sit in your lungs longer, which can sometimes lead to coughing.
- Exhale slowly and gently. Pushing it out too hard can cause a harsh feeling in the throat.
Table 1: Comparison of Inhalation Speeds
| Draw Speed | Duration | Effect on Vapor | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Slow | 3-4 seconds | Cooler, rich flavor | Flavor maximizing, Beginners |
| Medium | 2-3 seconds | Balanced warmth and vapor | General use |
| Fast/Hard | Under 2 seconds | Hotter, harsher vapor | Advanced users only, usually DTL |
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Avoiding Dry Hits and More
Many issues new users face come from simple mistakes in technique. Correcting these ensures proper cartridge use.
Mistake 1: Drawing Too Hard or Too Fast
Pulling too strongly creates too much airflow too quickly. This can cause the battery to over-fire the coil or draw cold air too fast over the hot coil.
- Result: Weak vapor, or worse, a harsh, burnt taste. This is often a precursor to avoiding dry hits.
Mistake 2: Not Drawing Long Enough
If you only suck for half a second, the coil doesn’t get hot enough to vaporize the oil efficiently.
- Result: You inhale mostly warm air and a tiny bit of weak vapor. You aren’t optimizing vapor intake.
Mistake 3: Biting the Cartridge
Clamping down too hard on the mouthpiece can restrict airflow completely.
- Result: Clogging, flooding the coil with oil, leading to spitting hot liquid or no vapor at all.
Mistake 4: Forgetting to Prime
Hitting a cold coil repeatedly is taxing on the hardware and the oil.
- Result: Inconsistent performance until the coil finally gets hot enough.
Grasping the Concept of Dry Hits
What is a dry hit? A dry hit happens when the wick or cotton inside the coil runs out of oil but keeps getting heated.
- Why it happens: Taking too many consecutive hits without letting the oil wick back up to the coil.
- How to Avoid: Space your hits out. Wait 10 to 15 seconds between draws. If you feel a sudden, very harsh, dusty, or metallic taste, stop immediately. This is a dry hit. To recover, let the cart sit upright for a few minutes so the oil can flow back down to the heating element. This is crucial for avoiding dry hits.
Techniques for Optimizing Vapor Intake
Once you have the basic MTL draw down, you can adjust things slightly to get the best experience possible.
Adjusting Draw Speed for Maximum Output
While we recommend slow draw speed vaping, you can experiment slightly once you are comfortable.
If your battery has multiple settings, try matching your draw speed to the power level:
- Low Power: Requires a slightly longer, slower draw (4 seconds).
- High Power: Requires a shorter, slightly faster draw (2.5 seconds) to prevent overheating.
This balancing act ensures the heat matches the airflow for perfect vaporization.
The Importance of Vertical Storage
How you store your cart affects performance. Always store your cartridge upright when not in use.
When the cart is upside down or sideways for long periods:
- Oil can leak into the airway or onto the top threading.
- The wick may become saturated unevenly.
This uneven saturation is a fast track to poor performance and potential dry hits. Keep it standing tall!
Clearing the Vape Tank (Cartridge) Efficiently
“Clearing the tank” usually refers to emptying a larger vape tank, but with a cartridge, it means finishing the vapor after you inhale.
When you exhale, some residual vapor stays in your mouth and throat. If you immediately try to take another hit, you are inhaling old, stale vapor mixed with hot new vapor.
Procedure for Clearing:
- Exhale fully.
- Take a small sip of plain air through your mouth (not inhaling deep). This pushes the residual vapor out gently.
- Wait 5–10 seconds before your next draw.
This practice ensures every new hit is fresh, helping with maximizing flavor vaping.
Advanced Tips for Proper Cartridge Use
These tips apply once you are fully comfortable with the basic MTL technique.
Mouthpiece Selection and Comfort
Some cartridges come with cheap plastic mouthpieces. These can get very hot.
- Tip: If possible, switch to a ceramic or glass drip tip (mouthpiece). Glass stays cooler longer. This greatly improves comfort during longer sessions and helps maintain a good vaping technique.
Keeping Your Cart Clean
Residue builds up around the mouthpiece over time. This residue can affect taste and airflow.
- Gently wipe the mouthpiece and the top of the cartridge with a dry cotton swab or tissue periodically. Do this gently, especially around the airflow holes. Clean parts lead to better vapor flow and optimizing vapor intake.
Temperature Surfing for Flavor
This is a slightly riskier technique but excellent for maximizing flavor vaping if you have a variable voltage battery.
- Start your draw at the lowest setting (e.g., 2.8V).
- Mid-draw (about 2 seconds in), quickly click the button to increase the voltage one level (e.g., to 3.5V).
- Finish the draw, then exhale.
This “temperature surf” hits the flavor notes first and finishes with a stronger vapor production, providing a full sensory experience without burning the oil.
Summary of Best Practices for Inhalation
To ensure you are using your cartridge correctly and enjoying the best experience, focus on these core takeaways:
- Technique: Always use Mouth-to-Lung (MTL). Draw into the mouth first, then inhale to the lungs.
- Speed: Use slow, gentle draw speed vaping. Aim for a 3 to 4-second draw initially.
- Rest: Allow 10–15 seconds between hits. This prevents overheating and aids in avoiding dry hits.
- Battery Management: Match your draw speed to your battery’s heat setting. Lower heat needs slower draws.
- Maintenance: Store carts upright. Keep the mouthpiece clean for unobstructed airflow, which is key to clearing the vape tank contents efficiently.
By adhering to these guidelines, you move beyond basic usage toward expert proper cartridge use, leading to better flavor, less waste, and a more pleasant experience overall. This comprehensive beginner vaping guide sets the foundation for long-term satisfaction with your cartridge device.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I inhale directly into my lungs right away?
A1: While you can, it is generally not recommended for cartridges. Direct-to-lung hits are often too hot and harsh for concentrate vapor, leading to coughing. Stick to drawing into your mouth first (MTL) to cool the vapor.
Q2: How long should I hold the vapor in my lungs?
A2: Only hold it for 1 to 3 seconds. Holding it much longer does not increase the effect significantly, but it can irritate your lungs unnecessarily. A quick inhale and gentle exhale are usually best.
Q3: Why does my cartridge taste burnt even on a low setting?
A3: This often means you are experiencing a dry hit or using too fast of a draw speed for the power level. If the oil isn’t wicking fast enough to meet the heat, it burns. Try spacing your hits out more widely (waiting 20 seconds instead of 10) to give the oil time to replenish the wick.
Q4: What voltage setting is best for flavor?
A4: For maximizing flavor vaping, settings between 2.8V and 3.5V are usually ideal. This range heats the oil enough to produce vapor without scorching the terpenes that give the flavor. Always start low and increase slowly.
Q5: How do I stop spitting oil when I inhale?
A5: Spitting usually means the coil is flooded with too much oil, often caused by too hard of a draw or the cart being left upside down. Try taking a slightly longer, but still gentle, draw to help vaporize the excess liquid, and ensure you are storing the cart upright.