What Is VG And PG In E-Liquids?
The vape world is full of acronyms, VG and PG are two that continue to puzzle new switchers and long-time vapers alike. You’ll see these terms printed on e-liquid bottles, referenced on our product pages and even on reviews. But, what are they?
VG (Vegetable Glycerine) and PG (Propylene Glycol) are the two base ingredients used in e-liquid and they’re very important. Basically every e-liquid will contain a mix of the two of them – whether you’re vaping a shortfill, a nic salt, a prefilled pod or even a disposable vape. They’re used in different quantities and for very different reasons – which affect exactly how your e-liquid and vape work.
This guide will take you through exactly what VG and PG are and what ratio you need in your e-liquid to experience the best vape possible.
What Is VG?
Let’s kick things off with VG. Vegetable Glycerine is a sweet, clear liquid that’s derived from plant matter like palm or soy. It’s thick and better at producing vapour than PG – so, the higher the VG concentration, the more vapour your e-liquid will produce. It also delivers a milder throat hit. Outside of vaping, VG is used in a wide range foods and drinks as a preservative and is also used in medicine.
What Is PG?
Propylene Glycol is almost the exact opposite of VG, it’s a thin and flavourless liquid that doesn’t produce much vapour. However, it is excellent at carrying flavour and nicotine – the two other ingredients in your vape juice. PG is also responsible for the sensation known as “throat hit” – that feeling on the back of your throat when you inhale vapour. PG is also used in medicines such as asthma inhalers, as well as food and drink.
Why Do E-Liquids Use VG & PG Together?
Now that you know what VG and PG are, you might be wondering why manufacturers use both. Simply put, it’s so you get the best of both worlds! You’ll want an e-liquid that creates vapour as well as one that can carry nicotine and flavouring adequately.
The ratio or concentration of both VG and PG is what’s really important and it will always equal 100%. For example, if your vape juice is 70% VG it will be 30% PG too. The same is true in reverse, 70% PG e-liquids are also 30% VG. This makes it much easier to work out concentration – even if a manufacturer only labels their bottle with one percentage.
You might be thinking, what about flavour concentrate and nicotine, wouldn’t they muck up this concentration percentage? Actually, both nicotine and flavouring are suspended in PG and this means they are part of the same calculation.
Which VG/PG Concentration Should I Choose?
Aside from creating vapour and carrying flavour/nicotine, VG and PG also affect how thick your juice is and exactly how much vapour it produces. This is why picking the right balance of VG and PG is so important, it will radically alter how your vape feels and also what kit you can use.
Picking your right concentration isn’t tricky when you know how, and e-liquid manufacturers have made this job even easier. Essentially, VG/PG ratios fall into three categories: High PG, high VG and 50/50. The concentration you’ll want to pick depends on what kind of vape kit you’re using.
VG/PG Ratio For MTL Kits
50/50 E-Liquids
If you’re using an MTL vape kit – one of those devices that creates a small amount of vapour and feels like a cigarette – you’re going to need a thin liquid that produces a small amount of vapour. With this in mind, a 50/50 e-liquid will do the job perfectly. They require less power to heat, because of how runny they are, and the 50% PG content means they produce a more discreet amount of vapour.
High PG E-Liquids
After a stronger, noticeable throat hit and the most discreet vape possible? That’s where high PG e-liquids come in. Since PG is good at carrying flavour, you’ll find that these vape liquids have a bold, punchy taste. High PG e-liquids are often some of the most budget-friendly, so they’re ideal if you’re looking to save money.
VG/PG Ratio For DTL / Sub Ohm Kits
High VG E-Liquids
If you want plenty of vapour, a high VG e-liquid (70% VG or more) is the one to go for. A sub ohm kit with a 30W or higher power output will do the job nicely - and when it comes to choosing your coil, anything lower than 0.8 Ohm is ideal.
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Heisenberg by Vampire Vape
100ml Shortfill£14.99 2 For £25 -
Blue Razz Berry by Seriously
100ml Shortfill£14.99 2 For £25 -
Boulevard by Wick Liquor
100ml Shortfill£14.99 2 For £25 -
Crispy Coffee by Large Juice
50ml Shortfill£10.00 2 For £20 -
Raspberry Sherbet by Double Drip
Freebase Nicotine£3.99 3 For £10
Summing Up?
Now that we’ve covered VG and PG ratios and what they mean, you might want to learn a thing or two about nicotine types before choosing a vape juice. So check out our Ultimate E-Liquid Guide for a full breakdown Ready to pick an e-liquid? With over 5000 to choose from, there’s plenty to explore. If you have any questions, you can always contact our Customer Service Team for a little help via email, phone or even live chat.
