Blaze MTL RTA, a mouth-to-lung vaping proposal from ThunderCloud, a globally renowned brand for RDL or pure pulmonary vaping in collaboration with Mike Vapes. I discovered the brand precisely with one of their lung atomizers, the Blaze PRO MAX RTA, which truly surprised me primarily for all the steel used (it weighs nearly 90 grams) and the build quality.
The Blaze MTL RTA follows that path of not skimping on steel and allowing multiple types of airiness thanks to 9 airpins and an air adjustment system. Blaze MTL RTA provided by ThunderCloud free of charge without receiving money or having a working relationship. Packaging consists of a cardboard sleeve and an aluminum box lined with foam to protect the contents inside.
Rich equipment with the 9 air pins (one already installed), a spare pyrex tank, the threaded base with 510 connection, various o-rings, a spare turret, two ni80 claptons (30 GA x 3 wrapped in 38 G, 0.45 ohm), user manual, and warranty. Unlike cloud brands that venture into mouth-to-lung vaping, ThunderCloud has pivoted to install a bottom airflow on the Blaze MTL RTA, a solution that is usually a guarantee for a superior draw and aromatic yield. Height (without drip tip) of 34.5 mm, weight of 57 grams, diameter 22 mm, and 3 ml capacity.
The drip tip is made of two parts: a threaded steel base with a choice of a plastic tip (total height 15 mm, hole width 3.5 mm) or a steel one (total height 12 mm, hole width 4.5 mm) matching the chosen color of the atomizer. The standard 510 connection allows you to install any drip tip without it remaining raised from the base or resulting loose.
The massive top cap features a bayonet-like connection; a quarter turn is enough to unscrew or screw it, and as seen in the photo below, two o-rings provide a seal and make it impossible to unscrew accidentally. Wide refill slots; I also spoiler that the air "ring" can be closed, so unlike some atomizers with top refill and no possibility of closing the JFC, it shows no gurgling or flooding during refill.
The part where the top cap screws on is one with the bell, which has a slightly conical shape and is quite high. The chimney is (approximately) 4.5 mm wide and is very short—perhaps the only note where I would have preferred a greater steel thickness compared to the top cap. External bell height of 11 mm, internal width of 14.5 mm, so dimensions more for the MTL/open MTL world.
Two tanks are provided, both 3 ml. One in pyrex, the other consisting of a steel sleeve with threading to screw on its transparent plastic section. A "limited" version exists with the tank section in PEI, while in my case, it is PCTG. The o-ring holding the tank is quite thick; to separate them the first time, I used the freezer for 5 minutes, but simply greasing it with VG/liquid is enough to facilitate the operation.
For the airflow section, ThunderCloud opted for a hidden system with air entering at 360 degrees for an aesthetic factor. As anticipated, it can be fully closed during refill or partially closed to (slightly) adjust the draw. It even manages to offer a sensation of contrast similar to that of an airflow ring. The deck has two parallel posts for the coil with (unfortunately) gold-plated flat-head screws.
With single wire they tighten well, and I also tried some complex MTL wires; besides being held in place in the notches, they remain firm even after operations like brushing the coil. The two cotton wells at the bottom have two holes each to allow liquid to reach the wick. Therefore, there is no juice flow control; the wells allow for adjustment and holding the cotton in place: the user only needs to be careful to cover the two holes per side without overdoing it by leaving the wick too long or short.
The airflow equipment, despite the "MTL" acronym in the name, tries to satisfy even those who appreciate more open draws up to a light RDL. Pre-installed is the 9-hole "shower" with a very narrow diameter (perhaps 0.5 mm). For MTL vaping, there are 4 airpins of 0.8, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 mm. RDL from 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5 mm. Installation occurs via threading. A little gem: a spare "turret" in case the pre-installed one is lost, and to always have two airpin choices ready without having to constantly screw and unscrew. With the build installed and wicked, it is possible to change the "turret" and airpin by extracting it laterally. The hold is entrusted to a ball-spring detent, so one can be reassured even using it on mechanical mods that it won't move accidentally.
The base has many refinements, besides being totally removable; the airflow is not press-fitted, as usually happens for atomizers in this price range. To access the deck, the gold-plated pin must be unscrewed (with a key provided) along with the two small screws that hold the base firm and create a slight thickness that allows the ring itself to rotate, not seize or scratch the box, and not unscrew accidentally.
Once unscrewed, the deck section with the posts is also freed, held not only by the pin but also by a short threading with the insulator in the middle (always remember its presence, especially during washing). The air ring can then be unscrewed to see that the air comes from several slots before channeling into the chosen airpin. The turret itself comes off by pressing it downwards along with its PEEK insulator which, like the one in the 510 pin threading, does not seem to want to come off.
As always, I don't post build photos because everyone is free to use the coil and wicking they prefer, given that the Blaze MTL RTA is well-designed and there's no need to patch design flaws. I preferred it mostly in MTL with a 27 g build; with parallel posts, I don't like making coils with many wraps and I always settled at 6. With such a build and the shower pin, the flavor is quite intense, perhaps even too much, but it is also its identity. Perfect then for creams, fruits, and flavored tobaccos, even organic ones if liked. I even tried some single tobaccos like cigars and light fermented ones and they did not disappoint.
The vapor is also plenty, dense and abundant; the aromatic definition, despite the somewhat small bell, remains at a good level, as do the notes which do not mix creating a mess or appearing muted.
In RDL with a 26 g or complex MTL wires (which I always use as RDL at 20-22 watts) and a 2.5 under-coil hole, the only thing that pays the price is the 3 ml capacity, given that all the steel in the top cap and base doesn't heat up unless you take close and long draws, and the yield always remains defined.
Blaze MTL RTA: as a guarantee in the world of cloud and RDL vaping, ThunderCloud demonstrates it also knows how to step out of its comfort zone and venture into the world of MTL. The "invisible" airflow that differentiates the Blaze MTL RTA has been well executed both in terms of draw and construction without skimping during the design phase, with photos to prove it. In daily management, it consists of 3 pieces: deck, top cap, and tank/bell block, so it is quick to clean even if you don't have an ultrasonic cleaner.
For more info or to purchase the Blaze MTL RTA in various colors, you can consult the dedicated page
Blaze MTL RTA (22mm) - Precision Engineered for True MTL Masters - Built For Pros-ThunderCloudOfficial on the official ThunderCloud website and view their catalog.
I'd like to thank ThunderCloud Vape for the Blaze RTA and E-Cigarette Forum for
hosting me.
