Depending on where you are on your vaping journey, you may not know too much about the e-liquid you are using in your vape device. This article will change that by giving you some excellent information about all things e-liquid, what it contains, the different types of e-liquid and their characteristics. As vaping is now firmly established as a viable form of nicotine replacement therapy for those who wish to give up smoking, it is a crucial component of the process, and it is always good to be well-informed.
The E-Liquid Components
Your e-liquid, vape sauce or e-juice comprises four main ingredients, although some vapers wish to purchase e-liquid with no added nicotine and mix in the nicotine to their desired strength. Vape liquid free from nicotine is referred to as shortfall e-liquid, and the individual nicotine elements are called the shots. Back to the four main components, these are –
- Propylene Glycol – known as PG, is a naturally occurring compound used in the food and medicine industries; it is a great carrier of flavour and e-liquid with high PG has an outstanding level of taste.
- Vegetable Glycerin – VG is a clear liquid sourced from plants like soy or coconuts; it has applications in food and cosmetic products. Thicker than PG, it produces larger clouds of vapour.
- Food-based flavourings – used to give your vape juice its excellent flavour- are the common flavouring ingredients used today in food manufacturing.
The nicotine portion of your e-liquid is one of two different types. Tobacco producers developed freebase nicotine using a chemical process over 60 years ago to enable the body to absorb nicotine more easily. A second more modern type of nicotine becoming increasingly popular is nicotine salt or salt nic; more naturally occurring, it doesn’t use the harsh process freebase does. The outcome is a much smoother vape. Manufacturers of e-liquid are gradually moving from freebase to salt nic as vapers find the smoothness a quality that heightens their vaping experience significantly.
Specific Liquids for Different Ways to Vape
A good proportion of vapers use a pre-mixed e-liquid with an even 50/50 PG and VG split, an excellent all-rounder with good flavour and vapour production. Other e-liquid options are available to enable the vaper to vape in a specific manner by changing the PG/VG levels; their different qualities are enhanced in a particular direction. Two alternative types of vape juice are available from most good vaping suppliers; they are –
- 70/30 describes a vape juice with a higher VG content; the thicker liquid is designed for use in sub-ohm machines, and an ultra-smooth vape with enormous vapour clouds is the end product.
- 80/20 – this term is for an e-liquid with a higher ratio of PG; ideal for starter kits, vape pens and newer vapers, it delivers a vape with an excellent flavour, and a more significant throat hit.
The throat hit is the sensation on the back of the throat similar to smoking cigarettes, and it is sometimes an essential element for the new vaper for clearly obvious reasons.
So, that is the low down on the vape liquid you are using in your device; armed with this information, you choose where your vaping journey takes you.
