Whether you are relatively new to vaping having given smoking the boot or vape veteran, an excellent question to ask yourself is the e-liquid in my vape pen, pod or mod right for me and the way I vape? A good proportion of vapers (myself included) find a vape liquid that they like and stick with it, but there may be better options available to you.
The Basics
There are four main components in pre-mixed e-liquid, they are –
- Vegetable Glycerin or VG
- Propylene Glycol – PG
- Food-based flavourings
- Nicotine
The first two of the elements have characteristics that define what type of vapour is produced; Vegetable Glycerin is a by-product of Palm or Coconut oil and has a high viscosity allowing more vapour to be produced in a suitable vape device. Propylene Glycol is an additive that has been in use for over 60 years in the food and medicine industries. It is a thinner liquid. It is an excellent carrier of flavour, giving a more flavoursome vape. The food-based flavours used are industry-standard ingredients that provide the e-liquid with its specific taste.
The Good Stuff
The nicotine in the e-liquid you’re using will be one of two different types, the more common type is freebase nicotine which was created over 50 years ago; it is produced in a process using ammonia which makes it easier for it to be absorbed in the lungs. The other type of nicotine is referred to as Nicotine Salt or nic salt. It is made using a different refining method that allows the body to absorb nicotine at a lower temperature. The result is a smoother nicotine hit when used in the e-liquid.
Different Types of Vaping
You may not be aware, but there are different types of vaping, your more than likely a Mouth-To-Lung or MTL vaper; this method means you draw the vape into your mouth and then inhale, similar to drawing on a cigarette. The other way to vape is called Direct-To-lung (DTL) vaping; the vaper draws directly into their lungs; this requires a particular type of vape device and enables the production of larger clouds of vapour.
The Different E-Liquids on Offer
Most e-liquids in use by newer vapers will be mixed at a 50/50 ratio of VG and PG and use freebase nicotine; it gives a good even vape with flavour, a good nicotine throat hit and a decent amount of vapour. There are e-liquids available with mix ratios tailored with a leaning further to one aspect of vaping than the other, they are –
- 70/30 is a high VG e-liquid giving a smooth vape with large clouds.
- 80/20 – Higher in PG, this gives superb flavour, and higher throat hit.
The 70/30 e-liquid is used in primarily high-end vape devices using a sub-ohm coil; this burns the thicker liquid at lower temperature giving the super large clouds. E-liquids mixed with an 80/20 ratio is typically used in vape pens for those who want their vaping experience to be closer to the cigarettes they left behind. It is also then possible to choose an e-liquid that uses nic salt instead of regular freebase nicotine if a smoother vape is high on your list of priorities.
Whatever your next steps in vaping, I hope this has given you some valuable information when looking at your next e-liquid, you may even progress to mixing your own liquids, but that’s a whole new ballgame!!