Cloud Chasing vs Flavour Chasing

Introduction

Vaping is a hobby that is enjoyed by individuals for various reasons. Some enjoy chasing clouds, while others prefer to focus on the flavour of the e-liquid. In the vaping community, these two approaches are known as “cloud chasing” and “flavour chasing.”

Cloud chasing entails using vaping devices with high power outputs or sub-ohm coils to produce large, thick clouds of vapour. This vaping style is often associated with competitive vaping events, and vapers who enjoy cloud chasing often prioritise vapour production over flavour.

In contrast, flavour chasing is all about creating an enjoyable taste experience. Flavour chasers often use lower-power devices and smaller coils to highlight the taste and aroma of the e-liquid. This vaping style is more geared towards individuals who prioritise flavour over cloud production.

While cloud chasing and flavour chasing are distinct approaches to vaping, some vapers enjoy both styles. They may switch between different devices and e-liquids to produce different sensations and experiences.

The purpose of this blog post is to compare and highlight the differences between cloud chasing and flavour chasing. By exploring these approaches, you gain insights into your preferences and be able to make informed choices about your vaping devices, e-liquids, and techniques.

Understanding Cloud Chasing

Definition of Cloud Chasing

Cloud chasing is a specific style of vaping that focuses on producing enormous clouds of vapour. It has become a popular hobby within the vaping community, attracting enthusiasts who aim to create impressive and visually striking vapour plumes. The primary goal of cloud chasers is to push the boundaries of vapour production and create massive clouds that captivate and amaze.

To achieve their goal of massive vapour clouds, cloud chasers utilise specific techniques and equipment:

1. Sub-Ohm Coils: Cloud chasers often use sub-ohm coils, which have a resistance below 1.0 ohm. These coils allow for more power to be transferred to the heating element, resulting in increased vapour production.
2. High-Power Devices: Cloud chasing is often associated with high-wattage devices, such as box mods or mechanical mods. These devices provide the necessary power to heat the coils quickly and generate larger vapour clouds.
3. Max VG E-Liquids: Vegetable glycerin (VG) is the main ingredient responsible for vapour production in e-liquids. Cloud chasers typically use e-liquids with a high VG content, such as 70% VG or higher. This higher VG concentration provides thicker and denser vapour clouds.
4. Direct-to-Lung (DTL) Inhalation: Cloud chasers use a direct-to-lung inhalation technique, where they inhale the vapour directly into their lungs, bypassing the mouth. This technique allows for more vapour to be produced and inhaled, resulting in larger clouds.

Cloud chasing has developed its own community within the vaping world. Cloud chasers often come together to share tips, tricks, and techniques for achieving impressive vapour clouds. Online forums, social media platforms, and vape shops serve as gathering places for cloud chasers to connect and exchange knowledge.

Competitions are also a significant part of the cloud-chasing community. Cloud-chasing events, known as cloud comps, bring together vapers to showcase their skills and compete for categories such as cloud size, duration, or tricks performed within the vapour. These competitions add excitement and camaraderie within the cloud-chasing community, pushing vapers to strive for even greater vapour production.

It’s important to note that cloud chasing is an advanced vaping style that requires knowledge of battery safety, ohm’s Law, and proper coil building. Safety is paramount, and cloud chasers must educate themselves about the potential risks associated with high-wattage vaping to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Cloud chasing is a vaping style focused on producing massive vapour clouds. It involves using sub-ohm coils, high-power devices, max VG e-liquids, and employing direct-to-lung inhalation techniques. The cloud-chasing community is vibrant, with enthusiasts sharing techniques and participating in competitions to showcase their cloud production skills.

Exploring Flavour Chasing

Flavour chasing is a vaping style that centres around enhancing the taste and aroma of e-liquids. Unlike cloud chasing, which prioritises vapour production, flavour chasers seek to optimise the flavour profile of their vaping experience. The primary focus of flavour chasers is to indulge in the intricate and nuanced flavours that e-liquids have to offer.

To achieve their goal of enhancing flavour, flavour chasers employ specific techniques and equipment:

1. Lower-Power Devices: Flavour chasers often choose lower-power devices, such as mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices or single-coil atomisers. These devices operate at lower wattages, allowing for a slower heating process that brings out the subtleties of flavour in e-liquids.
2. Coils and Build Considerations: Flavour chasers pay close attention to coil selection and building. They often choose coils with a higher resistance, such as above 1.0 ohm or even higher. This allows for a longer ramp-up time, resulting in a more gradual vaporisation of the e-liquid, which can enhance flavour.
3. Restricted Airflow: Flavour chasers tend to prefer a tighter, restricted airflow when vaping. This helps concentrate the vapour and intensify the flavours, allowing for a more pronounced taste experience.
4. Flavourful E-Liquids: E-liquid choice is crucial for flavour chasers. They often opt for complex flavours, such as tropical, fruit, or beverage-inspired e-liquids. High-quality e-liquids with a focus on flavour clarity and balance are preferred by flavour chasers.

Coil selection, airflow, and e-liquid choice are of utmost importance for flavour chasers:

1. Coils: Choosing the right coils can significantly impact the flavour. Clapton coils, fused claptons, or other intricate coil builds with increased surface area can enhance vaporisation and flavour production.
2. Airflow: Fine-tuning the airflow of the device is crucial for flavour chasers. By adjusting the airflow to a more restricted setting, the vapour is condensed, allowing the taste to be more concentrated and pronounced.
3. E-Liquid Choice: Flavour chasers often experiment with a wide range of e-liquids to find the flavours that resonate with their preferences. They look for e-liquids that offer a balanced combination of different flavour notes, often opting for higher PG (propylene glycol) content, which can enhance flavour intensity.

Flavour chasers appreciate the intricate details of e-liquid flavours and often engage in discussions, online platforms, and local meetups where they share their experiences, recommend flavours, and exchange techniques for maximising flavour enjoyment.

Flavour chasing is a vaping style focused on enhancing the taste and aroma of e-liquids. It involves using lower-power devices, paying attention to coil selection and building, adjusting airflow, and choosing flavourful e-liquids. The flavour-chasing community embraces the nuances of different flavours and seeks to create an immersive and enjoyable taste experience within the vaping world.

Differences in Techniques and Equipment

Cloud Chasing Techniques:

• Sub-Ohm Coils: Cloud chasers utilise sub-ohm coils with a resistance below 1.0 ohm to create larger vapour clouds. These coils allow for increased power transfer and faster heating.
• High Power Devices: Cloud chasers typically use high-wattage devices, such as box mods or mechanical mods, to provide the necessary power for vapour production.
• Direct-to-Lung (DTL) Inhalation: Cloud chasers inhale the vapour directly into their lungs, bypassing the mouth. This technique allows for more vapour to be produced and inhaled.

Flavour Chasing Techniques:

• Lower Power Devices: Flavour chasers often choose lower power devices, such as mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices, that operate at lower wattages. This slower heating process can bring out the subtleties of flavours.
• Coil Selection and Building: Flavour chasers opt for higher resistance coils, such as above 1.0 ohm, allowing for more gradual vaporisation of e-liquids and enhancing flavour.
• Restricted Airflow: flavour chasers prefer a tighter, more restricted airflow to concentrate the vapour and intensify the flavours, leading to a more pronounced taste experience.

Unique Coil Builds and Setups Preferred by Cloud Chasers:

• Complex Coil Builds: Cloud chasers often use intricate coil builds, such as Clapton coils, fused Claptons, or other complex builds. These coil configurations increase surface area and allow for more vapour production.
• Dual Coil Setups: Cloud chasers frequently opt for dual coil setups, where two coils are used in the atomiser. This configuration provides a larger surface area for vaporisation and results in more significant vapour production.
• Wide Open Airflow: Cloud chasers prefer wide open airflow settings to allow for maximum airflow and vapour production, enhancing the cloud size and density.

Coil builds, airflow adjustments, and atomiser choices for flavour chasers:

• Single Coil Setups: flavour chasers often utilise single coil setups to focus on flavour production. A single coil can allow for better airflow control and concentration of flavours.
• Simple Coil Builds: flavour chasers tend to choose simple coil builds, such as basic round wire coils, to maximise flavour clarity and eliminate any potential interference from complex coil structures.
• Restricted Airflow:flavour chasers prefer a tighter, restricted airflow to concentrate the vapour and intensify the flavours. This allows for a more pronounced taste experience.
• MTL Atomisers: flavour chasers often opt for mouth-to-lung (MTL) atomisers that provide a tighter draw and enhanced flavour transmission to the taste buds.

Cloud chasing and flavour chasing utilise different techniques and setups to achieve their respective goals. Cloud chasers focus on producing massive vapour clouds using sub-ohm coils, high-powered devices, and direct-to-lung inhalation. On the other hand, flavour chasers prioritise taste and aroma by using lower power devices, higher resistance coils, restricted airflow, and chosen atomiser configurations to maximise flavour intensity and clarity.

Factors Affecting Cloud Production

Cloud production is one of the essential elements in vaping, and many vapers are interested in achieving large, thick vapour clouds. Here are some of the key factors that contribute to cloud production:

1. Coil Resistance: The resistance of the coil is an essential factor that significantly affects cloud production. Low-resistance or sub-ohm coils are much more efficient than high-resistance coils in heating up the e-liquid and producing vapour.
2. Wattage Settings: The wattage setting on a device plays a crucial role in cloud production. Increasing the wattage allows for faster heating of the coil and can generate more vapour. However, the wattage settings should always be within the limits of coil resistance and device capabilities to avoid overheating or other safety issues.
3. E-Liquid Composition: The e-liquid composition plays a significant role in cloud production. E-liquids with higher levels of vegetable glycerin (VG) tend to produce thicker and denser clouds. VG is a thicker solution than propylene glycol (PG) and produces more vapour.
4. Airflow: The amount of airflow over the coil affects cloud production. Wider airflow can enhance vapour production as it allows more air to mix with the vapour generated, while tighter airflow may help in flavour production.
5. Device Capabilities and Atomiser Choice: The device capabilities and atomiser choice impact cloud production. Devices with high power output can produce more vapour than low-powered devices. Similarly, atomiser choice can impact cloud production, as sub-ohm atomisers can deliver more vapour than traditional atomisers.

Cloud production is influenced by many factors such as coil resistance, wattage settings, e-liquid composition, airflow, and device capabilities. To achieve optimal cloud production, vapers should consider these factors and optimise their vaping experience to suit their preferences. However, it is essential to note that cloud chasing requires some expertise and safety precautions, such as selecting devices and components carefully and ensuring proper use to avoid unsafe conditions.

Factors Affecting Flavour Intensity

Flavour intensity is a critical aspect of the vaping experience, and several factors contribute to achieving a satisfying and pronounced flavour. Here are some of the key factors that affect flavour intensity:

1. Coil Selection and Build: The type of coil and its build greatly influence flavour intensity. Simple coil builds, such as round wire or single-strand coils, tend to provide a more direct and unadulterated flavour experience. Additionally, coils with higher resistance, such as above 1.0 ohm, can enhance flavour production by allowing for slower and more controlled vaporisation of e-liquids.
2. Airflow Control: Adjusting the airflow on the atomiser can have a significant impact on flavour intensity. A more restricted airflow helps concentrate the vapour and allows for better interaction between the vapour and taste buds, resulting in a more pronounced flavour. By contrast, increasing the airflow can provide a cooler vape but may diminish flavour intensity.
3. E-Liquid Choice: The choice of e-liquid plays a crucial role in flavour intensity. E-liquids with higher levels of propylene glycol (PG) tend to deliver a stronger flavour punch, as PG is a better flavour carrier. Additionally, certain flavour profiles such as fruits, desserts, or beverages may naturally have more potent and intense flavours compared to others.
4. Flavour Profiles: Different flavour profiles have varying levels of intensity. For example, fruit-based e-liquids often have strong, vibrant flavours, while tobacco or menthol flavours might be subtler. Understanding the flavour profiles you enjoy and selecting e-liquids with the desired intensity can enhance the overall flavour experience.
5. Proper Maintenance and Cleanliness: Regularly maintaining and cleaning your vaping setup is essential for ensuring optimal flavour intensity. Residue or buildup on coils, wicks, or atomisers can impact the flavour. Regular cleaning, coil replacements, and proper maintenance help preserve the purity and intensity of the flavours.

It’s important to note that personal preferences and taste perception can also influence how one experiences flavour intensity. Experimenting with different factors and fine-tuning your setup based on your individual preferences will help you achieve the desired flavour intensity in your vaping experience.

Personal Preference and Vaping Style

Personal preference plays a significant role in determining whether one prefers cloud chasing or flavour chasing. Each approach offers a different vaping style and experience, catering to different preferences and desires. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Cloud Chasing: Cloud-chasing enthusiasts prioritise the production of large vapour clouds. They often use sub-ohm coils, high-powered devices, and direct-to-lung inhalation techniques to maximise vapour production. Cloud chasers enjoy the visual spectacle of big clouds and the sensation of inhaling substantial amounts of vapour. This style is often associated with competitive cloud-chasing events and creating impressive visual effects.
2. Flavour Chasing: Flavour chasers prioritise the taste and aroma of their e-liquids, aiming for a more pronounced and satisfying flavour experience. They may opt for lower-power devices, higher-resistance coils, and mouth-to-lung inhalation techniques. Flavour chasers often prefer e-liquids with higher PG levels and focus on optimising factors such as coil builds, airflow control, and e-liquid choice to enhance flavour intensity. This approach allows them to savour the intricate nuances of different flavours and enjoy a more refined vaping experience.

It’s important to note that these styles are not mutually exclusive, and many vapers find a balance that suits their preferences. Experimentation is encouraged as it allows vapers to discover their ideal balance between cloud production and flavour intensity. Some may prefer a middle ground, seeking a balance where they can enjoy both satisfying clouds and distinct flavours.

Vaping is a highly customisable experience, and there is no right or wrong approach. Personal preferences, vaping goals, and individual taste perceptions vary. The beauty of the vaping community lies in the diversity of preferences and the ability to explore different styles and techniques.

To find their preferred balance, readers are encouraged to experiment with different setups, coil builds, wattage settings, airflow configurations, and e-liquids. Trying out different devices and adjusting various factors will help them discover what provides the most enjoyable vaping experience. It may take some trial and error, but ultimately, finding the right balance between cloud chasing and flavour chasing will enhance satisfaction and fulfilment in the vaping journey..

Balancing Cloud and Flavour

Achieving a balance between cloud production and flavour intensity is a common goal for many vapers who want to enjoy both aspects of the vaping experience. Fortunately, there are devices and techniques available that cater to this desire. Here are some options to consider:

1. Variable Wattage Devices: Variable wattage (VW) devices allow users to adjust the wattage output to their preference. By finding the right wattage setting, vapers can customise their experience to achieve a balance between cloud production and flavour intensity. Higher wattages tend to generate more vapour, while lower wattages can enhance flavour.
2. Temperature Control Devices: Temperature control (TC) devices allow vapers to set and regulate the temperature at which their coils operate. This feature can help to optimise flavour output by preventing overheating and burnt flavours. By controlling the temperature, vapers can have a more consistent and enjoyable flavour experience while still producing decent vapour.
3. Dual Coil Setups: Dual coil setups, where two coils are used simultaneously, can provide a good balance between cloud production and flavour intensity. With this configuration, one coil can focus on vapour production and the other on flavour. By adjusting the wattage and airflow appropriately, vapers can fine-tune the balance to their preference.
4. Bottom Airflow and Adjustable Airflow Devices: Devices with bottom airflow or adjustable airflow mechanisms offer more control over the amount of air that mixes with the vapour. By closing off the airflow to a more restricted setting, vapers can enhance flavour intensity, while opening it up can increase cloud production. Finding the right airflow balance can help achieve the desired vaping experience.
5. High PG E-Liquids with Complex Flavour Profiles: Opting for e-liquids with higher levels of propylene glycol (PG) can intensify flavour output. Additionally, choosing e-liquids with complex flavour profiles that incorporate multiple flavour notes can enhance the overall flavour experience. Experimenting with different e-liquids and flavour combinations can help find the perfect balance between cloud production and flavour intensity.

Conclusion

Finding the right balance between cloud production and flavour intensity is a personal journey. It requires experimentation, adjusting various factors such as device settings, coil builds, airflow, and e-liquids. Exploring different devices, e-liquids and techniques will allow vapers to discover their preferred balance and enjoy the best of both worlds.

It’s important to remember that personal preferences may vary, and there is no right or wrong way to vape. The ultimate goal is to create a satisfying and enjoyable vaping experience that meets individual desires for both cloud production and flavour intensity.