Open Draw – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Open Draw refers to a style of vaping airflow that allows air to move freely and unrestricted through the atomiser when the user inhales. Unlike a tight or restricted draw (common in mouth-to-lung vaping), an Open Draw creates a sensation similar to breathing through a wide straw or an empty pipe. It is designed to maximise vapour production and flavour delivery for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping, making it popular among cloud chasers and flavour enthusiasts. The term is often used to describe both the physical airflow setting and the inhalation technique itself.

Technical Details

How It Works

An Open Draw is achieved by widening the air intake slots or channels on the tank or rebuildable atomiser. This reduces the Ohmresistance felt by the airflow, allowing large volumes of air to pass over and through the coil at low pressure. Most devices that support Open Draw operate between 0.1–0.3 Ω, require 40–120 W of power, and feature adjustable airflow rings with 2–8 mm cut-outs or multiple cyclops slots.

Common Variations

• Fixed Open Draw: Non-adjustable drip-tips or RDAs with pre-drilled 3 mm+ air-holes.
• Variable Open Draw: Tanks and RTAs with sliding or rotating airflow control rings.
• Hybrid Open Draw: Devices that combine bottom and side airflow for smoother turbulence.

Usage & Tips

To get the best from an Open Draw setup, use high-VG e-liquid (70 % or more) to prevent wicking issues. Begin with airflow fully open and reduce gradually until you find the sweet spot between flavour and vapour. If you experience spit-back, close the airflow slightly or raise the wattage. Always check that your coil’s wick—ideally Cotton“>organic cotton—is saturated before firing to avoid overheating protection cut-offs. Clean your tank weekly to maintain unrestricted flow and inspect the OLED screen for any temperature or resistance warnings.

History & Context

Open Draw became mainstream around 2014–2015 when sub-ohmopen-system tanks like the Aspire Atlantis and Kanger Subtank hit the Australian market. Prior to that, most devices were mouth-to-lung with tight draws. The shift toward cloud chasing and flavour exploration cemented Open Draw as a staple feature in modern vaping hardware.