French Inhale – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

The French Inhale is a crowd-pleasing vaping trick where vapour is drawn into the mouth, then gently pushed out while simultaneously inhaling it through the nose, creating a cascading “waterfall” effect. Unlike a standard draw, this technique emphasises visual flair over nicotine delivery, making it popular at vape meets and on social media. It works best with high-VG, low-nicotine freebase nicotine e-liquids that produce dense, slow-moving clouds. Beginners appreciate it as an easy introduction to vape tricks, while advanced users layer it with other moves to showcase flavor and cloud control.

Technical Details

Mechanism & Cloud Dynamics

The trick relies on the density differential between exhaled vapour and ambient air. Vapour at 37 °C (body temperature) is less dense than cooler room air, so it naturally rises when expelled slowly from the mouth. Timing is critical: the tongue acts as a soft plunger to push the cloud outward while the nasal cavity creates negative pressure, drawing the stream upward. Ideal settings are 0–3 mg freebase nicotine, 70-80 % VG, and airflow wide-open to prevent flooding of the coil. Cloud volume ranges 100–200 mL; larger volumes require slower exhalation to maintain laminar flow.

Common Variations

  • Reverse French Inhale: Inhale through nose first, then mouth—harder but visually distinct.
  • Double French: Split the cloud by exhaling through both nose and mouth simultaneously.
  • French Ghost: A rapid snap-inhale after the initial nasal draw for a disappearing effect.

Usage & Tips

Step-by-Step Guide

  • Take a long, steady mouth-to-lung draw; avoid direct lung hits to keep the vapour dense.
  • Open the mouth slightly, resting the tongue at the lower teeth to form a channel.
  • Push the vapour out gently using the tongue while inhaling slowly through the nose.

Troubleshooting

  • Cloud dissipates too fast: Increase VG ratio or close airflow slightly.
  • Hit“>Throat hit too harsh: Switch to lower-nic freebase or salt nic, or reduce wattage.
  • Spitback or flooding: Check Port“>fill portseal and avoid over-priming Fused Clapton coils.

Safety note: Use low-nicotine liquids; high concentrations can irritate nasal passages.

History & Context

Popularised in early 2010s cloud-chasing videos from the U.S. West Coast, the French Inhale quickly migrated to Australian vape culture via Instagram and YouTube. It remains a staple at local vape meets in Melbourne and Sydney, often paired with LED lighting for dramatic effect.

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