An aerosol-generating system and method of use comprises, a heater element (20) configured to heat a substrate to generate an aerosol, a power source (40) connected to the heater element, a controller (30) connected to the heater element and to the power source configured to control operation of the heater element. The controller includes a means to detect a change in air flow past the heater element, first data storage means (56) for recording detected changes in airflow past the heater element and data relating to the operation of the heater element, second data storage means comprising a database (57) relating changes in airflow and data relating to the operation of the heater element to the properties of the aerosol and an indication means (59) coupled to the second data storage means for indicating to the user a property of the aerosol delivered to the user.
