Newcomers to vaping will no doubt have seen the PG and VG listed in e-liquid ingredients. It’s important to know what these substances are because they have an impact on your vaping experience.
What's in a vape liquid?
All e-liquids comprise both VG and PG to differing equations, as well as the flavouring and in some cases nicotine. But getting the right measure of each substance will be a matter of personal choice, so this short guide will give you valuable insights before buying your next juice.
Is there a difference between ejuice and e liquid?
If you're on this blog, it's possible you are at the start of your vaping journey, so you will hear all sorts of names for things - confusing right? Well we will try to make things a lot clearer for you, but whether its PGVG or shake and vape, ejuice and e liquid are just two ways of saying the same thing.
Both are simply two ways of saying the same thing - they are identical, as is vape juice, oils (not even an oil), efluids and vape liquid.
What is PG and how is it used?
PG or Propylene Glycol is a liquid with no odour or colour. In vaping, PG carries the flavour and is the substance that gives you a ‘throat hit.’
Many vapers say the sensation from PG is parallel to smoking tobacco - but without the harmful side effects associated with traditional cigarettes.
Is PG safe to vape?
Having said that, you may read stories in the mainstream media about PG being used in anti-freeze. These scaremongering campaigns are most likely sponsored by tobacco companies.
PG is used in non-toxic anti-freeze which is also used by food-processing manufacturers. It is not used in toxic anti-freeze. That contains a substance known as ethylene glycol (EG). PG and EG are not the same.
As a matter of fact, PG is found in many products that are classified safe:
- Toothpaste
- Oral hygiene products
- Pharmaceutical medicines
- Topical formulas
- Pet food
- Beauty products
- Shampoo
- Baby wipes
What is VG and how is it used?
VG, or Vegetable Glycerine, is a derivative of vegetable oil and is used in vaping to thicken the e-liquid. It is the VG that produces the dense vapour clouds associated with sub-ohm vaping.
The VG content also has a slightly sweet taste and provides a vaping experience than PG. If you prefer sub-ohm vaping, e-liquids with a higher content of VG is advisable.
Is VG safe to vape?
Similar to it's counterpart PG - VG is also considered safe to consume and it too is found in everything from cough remedies to ice cream. We discuss this in a bit more detail over at the guide below:
Can you vape just PG and VG?
As strange as it may seem, you can vape just PG and VG, and many do. When you vape just PG and VG there is obviously no flavour and no nicotine, which for those who simply want to get rid of the nicotine habit and don't have a taste bud for inhaled flavours, then unflavoured zero nicotine is what you end up with.
If it helps those vapers quit smoking and saves them a truck load of bank notes, then that is no bad move.
So, if you just want to vape PG and VG with nothing else, it's not our bag but be our guest.
How to choose the right PG v VG ratio
When you’re choosing your first e-liquid, the best option is to go for a 50-50 split between PG and VG. This will give you an idea of what you most want from your vaping experience.
If you enjoy the sensation of smoking cigarettes, you may prefer the throat hit you can get with vaping. A higher PG percentage is better for this. Other vapers will find that too much PG will irritate your throat.
The typical symptoms you feel after smoking e-liquids with a higher PG ratio are dry mouth, increased thirst and possible a sore throat. You may also notice symptoms of dehydration so drink plenty of water between vapes.
The advantages of a higher PG are they produce less plumage which is more acceptable for smoking e-cigarettes in public. If you want to produce vape clouds, a higher VG content is needed.
Higher levels of VG fluid also provide a smoother vaping experience albeit the flavour is less muted. Remember PG helps carry the flavour.
What is better to vape PG or VG?
There is a lot of niche areas that vapers can talk about, but this is really one of the main things we think is well worth learning. Just in this guide alone, if you wondered what is better to vape, is it PG or VG - you can see yourself, it really comes down to what you want to get out of it.
- Quitting smoking? Maybe PG
- Want some clouds? Try that VG
It may take you a couple of attempts before you find the right blend of PG and VG that you enjoy, so don’t be put off on your first attempt at vaping. If you need any more advice, drop us a message on the webchat, we’re here to help!
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