Beginner’s Guide: Cloud-Chasing Basics

So, you want to rip gigantic clouds? This guide will provide you with some basic rules of cloud chasing as well as some tricks to get started.

What exactly is cloud chasing?

In essence: the art of ripping gigantic clouds of vapor.

It looks easy but it’s a lot more complicated than it appears. Plenty of hard work is required to master the techniques of this art – and make no mistake, this is an art form. It’s practiced primarily by sub-ohm users who understand battery safety and sub-ohm law. This isn’t recommended for newbies. But don’t fret, every pro started somewhere and so can you.

Cloud chasing isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a hobby within a hobby full of dedicated people who devote their blood, sweat, and tears into their craft. Some of these cloud chasers compete to see who spits the biggest, densest clouds. Some of them even win thousands of dollars in competitions! The term “competitive vaping” exists for that reason.

A lot goes into this other than shooting luscious vapor out of your gullet. You must learn, research, practice, and then – when you’re ready – compete for cash prizes. You need the knowledge, the precautions that come with this technology, and the proper equipment.

Let’s go over the fundamentals of cloud chasing:

Loose Airflow

Loose airflow is necessary for massive clouds. Tight airflow provides richer, more robust flavor, but that’s not what we’re doing here. We’re going for size. We’re going for some serious clouds thicker than feather pillows. You can manually modify your settings using the adjustment ring on the tank. But each device is different so fine-tune accordingly.

When you adjust for looser airflow, the vapor remains cool and provides a pleasant inhale. It also grows significantly larger without heating up your device. You must allow the air to flow effortlessly through the coils and into your mouth and lungs.

Loose airflow means big clouds but if there’s TOO MUCH airflow you will lose vapor density. You need to find the sweet spot. Once you get the settings right, your clouds will no longer look like the meager, shy steam coming out of a miniature kettle.

Type of Vape Juice

You may have noticed the PG / VG percentages on your e-juice label and wondered what it means. Let’s avoid the Wikipedia here and get to the point. PG dominant e-juices are runny, and usually pack a lot more flavor than VG. What you want is a VG dominant vape juice. It’s a thicker blend with less flavor but produces thicker vapor. I’ll suggest buying from a reputable source like ProVape.com. Some online stores do not display accurate percentages.

Type of Mods and Battery Safety

You’re looking for a powerful mod that shoots clouds as soon as you take a draw so you don’t strain your lungs.  Cloud chasing experts usually go for a mechanical mod as they provide better connectivity and air holes. Be warned, mechanical mods are not for beginners as you require knowledge of battery safety and ohm’s law. Some of the most commonly used mods for chasing clouds are the SMOK Alien, Innokin iSub Apex Tank, and iJoy Shogun UNIV – to name a few.

As for batteries, go for the safest options you can find like the Samsung INR18650-20S, Sony VTC4, or the LG 18650. Battery safety is a serious issue. Remember, this isn’t a toy. You may need to do research. Safety always comes first.

Type of Atomizer and Coils

Choose an RDA atomizer. You’ll be able to install huge coils in an RDA rather than an RTA or RDTA. Some RDAs are even designed specifically for cloud chasing. Go for dual coils if possible. Experts often recommend building your own coils if you’re planning on chasing clouds. But if you’re a beginner, you might want to start with something simpler.

Tips and Tricks

Now that you’re equipped with some basic information and are ready to begin, here are some basic tricks to get started.

But before we get there, remember to exhale slowly. Going fast thins out the vapor and what you want is density. You don’t want ugly, see-through clouds. You want your clouds to look thick, white, and almost edible.

Trick: The Ghost

Pull vapor from your device and let it sit in your mouth for a couple of seconds. Then, push it out in the shape of a ball. As the ball floats gently in front of your lips, inhale it back into your mouth leaving the “ghost” of the ball behind.

Trick: The Classic “O”

Inhale as much vapor as you can and keep it in your mouth. Lie your tongue flat and try to make an O shape with your lips. Exhale it out using a slight push from your throat. This one is tricky and might need a lot of practice to get right.

Trick: The Dragon

Pull a deep draw of vapor and keep it in your mouth. Push the air with massive force through your nose and the sides of your mouth. You can place your tongue in the middle of your lips to create the separation.

That is all for now. I hope this guide gives you the information and confidence to get your feet in the water. Until next time.