VAPING 101 – All you need to know about Nicotine & E-juice ratios

Firstly – What is e-liquid?

E-liquid, also called vape juice, is the substance that is vaporised in e-cigarettes. As a vapour, it delivers a hit of nicotine and delicious flavour that satisfies cravings. E-liquids come in a variety of different formats depending on their recipe, with properties that vary to suit different vaping styles.

What is the difference between PG and VG E-liquid?

Two of the four vital components needed to make an effective e-liquid – Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerol (VG) – have very different properties. The amount of either ingredient used in an e-liquid recipe can determine the type of e-liquid produced, and even influence the maximum nicotine level available and the type of device you need to vape it properly.

Most e-liquids use a balanced combination of VG and PG, as VG is not an effective carrier agent by itself.

Propylene Glycol (PG)

Propylene glycol is a clear, tasteless and colourless base material used in many common products, including inhalers. It’s a popular choice for e-liquids because it is a very effective carrier for flavourings and nicotine – that means it helps things mix together properly when we blend our e-liquids. PG is thinner in consistency than VG and produces far less vapour when heated.

Balanced or PG-heavy e-liquids, often referred to as 50-50 e-liquids (because they contain a balanced PG/VG ratio), offer the broadest range of nicotine strengths (0mg-50mg) and tend to be thinner in consistency, much like PG itself.

While these e-liquids produce less vapour than those with a higher volume of VG, they still offer an excellent flavour experience thanks to PG’s properties as a carrier agent. Therefore, for some vapers, the best PG/VG ratio for flavour will be perfectly balanced between the two ingredients

Vegetable Glycerol (VG)

Vegetable glycerol is a clear, slightly sweet and colourless base material that is used in a massive range of products, from food to hand sanitiser. VG is perfect for e-liquids as it helps to create bigger and bolder flavours. It is very thick in consistency and can produce huge vape clouds.

Almost every e-liquid will contain both PG and VG, with differing amounts used by different products depending on their individual recipes. Finding the best VG/PG ratio will depend on various factors, including the availability of products and the vaping experience you want to enjoy.

What’s the best PG/VG ratio?

When choosing the right VG/PG ratio for you, it can be helpful to experiment with different products until you find the best option. It’s all down to personal preference, but here are a few things to consider when making your choice:

TASTE – An important factor when choosing your e-liquid preference is taste, so you should pick the best PG/VG ratio to deliver the level of flavour you want. This can differ hugely from person to person.

HIT – Every vaper is looking for a different type of hit, depending on the type of vaping experience they want. Those who are using their device as a replacement for cigarettes will probably want that slightly harsh ‘back of the throat’ hit – similar to what you’ll get when smoking.

VAPOUR – The best route to take if you’re a cloud chaser trying to achieve bigger vape clouds on exhalation is to make sure you aim for a high-VG e-liquid. The higher the VG, the bigger and better the clouds. Here at LiQuid, we also make high-VG nicotine free e-liquids in our short fill range for those looking to limit their intake but still enjoy a bold vaping experience.

DEVICE & COILS – The type of vaping device you own will have a significant impact on the best PG/VG ratio to use. Because PG vaporises at low temperatures, e-liquids with high PG concentrations perform best with low wattage devices. VG, on the other hand, is a viscous liquid that absorbs the wick slowly. It is also prone to generating blockages or jams in mesh coils. As a result, high VG concentrations work best with high wattage or sub-ohm vapes.

Finding the best PG/VG ratios

When it comes to e-liquids, the PG/VG ratio may make or break the product. E-liquid contains a variety of substances, including flavourings, nicotine, and PG and VG in variable amounts. Nicotine typically combines best when it is dissolved in a mixture of one or both fluids. Flavours also play a key part in making your vaping experience pleasurable; PG delivers more of the flavour through the vapour clouds.

You can check out our vape juice ranges HERE, or if you need some more clarity, feel free to pop into one of our stores or call our 0800 number HERE.