While people often consider things like looks, battery life and flavour when choosing a vape, one of its key features can actually make a much greater impact than they'd expect – airflow. With either type of vape – a compact pod kit or a more advanced device – the flow of air through your vape may alter the feel of each puff. It affects taste, aroma, ‘throat hit' and even the satisfaction of the nicotine experience.
One of the most frequently asked questions of new and seasoned vapers is whether airflow has any impact on how the nicotine is satisfying or if it influences just how the vape feels. Yes, airflow is important, but it won't alter the nicotine content of your e-liquid. Instead, it alters the delivery and perception of nicotine that occurs with every puff.
We'll share with you the workings of airflow, how that relates to your nicotine satisfaction, and how to determine the airflow setting best suited to your vaping style.
What Is Airflow in a Vape?
Airflow is the amount of air that comes into your vape when you inhale. Most of the modern vape kits come with a fixed airflow system or an adjustable airflow control which lets you either reduce or expand the airflow.
If air flow is more restricted, then less air will mix with the vapour. This results in a tighter draw which is more comparable to smoking a regular cigarette.
The more the air moves to be open, the more air will be mixed with the vapour, creating a lighter inhale and bigger clouds.
Though it might sound trivial, it can have a huge impact on the vaping experience.
Does Airflow alter the strength of nicotine?
Yes, very simply, the answer is NO.
Adjusting your airflow will NOT make your e-liquid stronger or weaker in terms of the amount of nicotine in it. Even if you have the airflow completely shut down, or almost down, a 20mg nic salt will still be 20mg.
But, your breathing affects the efficiency of each puff when it comes to absorbing nicotine. That's why many users notice that, even with the same device and e-liquid, there is a noticeable difference in their airflow after making adjustments.
Restricted airflow can impact nicotine satisfaction.
The tighter the airflow, the slower and more concentrated the inhale will be.
There's less air that mixes with the vapour, which results in a heavier and more flavoured vapour. This compounds a greater throat hit and faster nicotine satisfaction for many users.
Some of the more popular methods for those who use nicotine salts is the restricted airflow method, which is similar to the way traditional cigarettes are drawn. Promotes slow and shallow puffs instead of large puffs.
This can be a more familiar and satisfying experience for former smokers.
Open airflow transforms the experience in a number of ways.
The opening of the airflow enables a lot more air to flow through the device.
The vapour cools down, gets lighter and less concentrated. Open airflow allows for smoother breathing in and bigger vapour production, rather than concentrating on throat hit.
This type is popular with many users because they find it to be comfortable to use for an extended period of time and it creates large clouds.
But, since each puff has more air, some people think that the feeling of nicotine diminishes in strength, but its actual strength hasn't changed.
This is the reason some people tend to take longer and deeper puffs when they vape with open airflow.
The properties of airflow change the feeling of nicotine.
A number of factors affect the satisfaction that is achieved with nicotine other than its strength.
Each breath in involves a number of factors:
- Vapour density
- Puff duration
- Coil temperature
- Vapour temperature
- Flavour intensity
- Airflow restriction
If air flow is decreased, vapour becomes more concentrated and thus nicotinic effects will be felt more strongly at the mouth.
As more air circulates, the vapour is diluted with fresh air creating a softer feel.
That's why two vapers can experience two completely different vaping experiences with the same e-liquid just because of two different flow rates.
Airflow and Throat Hit
Throat hit is the feeling that occurs in the back of the throat when breathing in.
A lot of users think that a harder hit in the throat produces more satisfaction from nicotine.
Typically, restricted airflow results in:
- A stronger impact of the throat strike.
- Warmer vapour
- Richer flavour
- More concentrated inhale
Open airflow will generally result in:
- Softer throat hit
- Cooler vapour
- Larger vapour clouds
- Smoother inhale
Both choices aren't right for all people. The decision will depend on the person's choice.
Which Airflow is best for Nicotine Salts?
Nicotine salts are usually created for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping.
MTL devices typically have a tighter airflow as this type of device enables the nicotine to work as it should.
Benefits include:
- Better nicotine satisfaction
- Smooth throat hit
- Efficient nicotine delivery
- Lower e-liquid consumption
- Longer battery life
People who use nic salts find that limited airflow pairs great with their salts.
When it comes to choosing an Airflow due to lower Nicotine E-Liquid, it is best to experiment with a few to find your ideal match.
Strengths of nicotine tend to be reduced and used with direct to lung (DTL) vaping.
These setups use:
- Higher wattage
- Larger mesh coils
- Open airflow
- Greater vapour production
Each puff yields more vapour, so users tend to take bigger puffs to make up for the reduced nicotine.
This gives a whole new style of vaping to the MTL devices.
To find the best airflow setting, follow these tips:
The right airflow there is no such thing as best!
The optimum adjustment will vary depending upon a number of factors:
- Your nicotine strength
- The kind of e-liquid you utilize
- Your vape device
- The sound you like the best from your throat.
- Your vaping habits
It's a good idea to start with medium airflow and make little changes over several puffs.
If you don't feel it is satisfying enough or if you feel it is too airy, you can try to slightly close the airflow to make it better.
If the inhale is too hot and/or constrictive, increase the airflow a bit so it is smoother.
Often times in the small things lies the big difference.
Is the flavor of the beer influenced by Airflow?
Yes.
Flavour is greatly affected by airflow.
When air flow is restricted, it will generally result in a more intense, richer flavour as the vapour will be more concentrated.
Open airflow brings in more fresh air in each puff, which may help to diminish the intensity of the flavour and boost the amount of vapour produced.
A number of experienced users tweak airflow according to the flavour they are using. More open draw may be good for dessert and tobacco varieties and less open for fruity varieties.
Common Airflow Mistakes
Many users are unaware of the importance of airflow, and they think just changing coils or e-liquid can help them to get better results.
Some typical errors are:
- Opening the air vents of all devices 100%
- Closing the flow completely, may cause the coil to overheat.
- Adopting major changes rather than progressive changes
- Not taking into account the flow of air when changing nicotine strength
- Using looser airflow with high strength nicotine when tighter draw would be more comfortable
Knowing how to make the best use of airflow can also enhance the vaping experience without requiring any equipment changes.
Final Thoughts
While it may be a basic parameter, ‘airflow' can make a significant impact on the vape experience. It will not alter the nicotine potency of your e-liquid, but it will affect the vapour density, throat hit, the flavour and how nicotine is felt with each puff.
A tighter airflow generally provides a more concentrated and 'cigarette' draw which is popular among the nicotine salt and mouth-to-lung types of users. This will result in a more open airflow and smoother inhale and larger clouds, more favored by direct to lung users.
Just a bit of experimentation, and you'll find it's a difference that can make a big difference. Knowing more about how the airflow of your device will interact with your e-liquid will allow you to have a more comfortable, more flavourful and more satisfying vaping experience.
