I like direct inhale the best and I find that if I use the mouthpiece extension, I don't get the hits I want....I find them too thin....I do not use the mouthpiece extension (the skinny one) on top of the fat one that goes on top of the unit....I inhale from the fat mouthpiece and I get good thick hits for the most part....I find it a bit hotter on my throat but I've gotten used to it....drink water every other hit....see if that works better for you....I start vaping with my Herbalaire at 360 and when there's no more vapor, I break up the herb a little and turn it up to 365.....when there's no more vapor, I dump the rest....hope it works out for you!