Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine are two crucial parts of what makes vape juice so clever.
Vape juice is a liquid which is both simple and complex. This paradox comes from the simplicity of its use and the way it has been mixed to form this simplicity. Vape juice is heated up and inhaled as a vapour, or more to the point, an aerosol. It’s heating is very simple indeed, the electricity running through the coil heats up the atomiser head which in turn heats up the vape juice saturated around it.
But have you ever thought about what goes into an e juice? How does it retain that viscous texture and how do you get such distinct flavours in there? The answer is that it is made from a mixture of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, two organic compounds which act as the soluble liquids and the base for all e liquids. So what does each one do, and what is the best ratio for your perfect vape?
Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol is one half of the synthetic compounds which form e juices. It is a byproduct of petroleum and aside from being soluble in water, which is a key element to the “evaporating” of vape juice, propylene glycol is also responsible for carrying the flavour and the nicotine. Whilst it is less viscous than vegetable glycerine, it is the propylene glycol which carries the character of the juice, bringing with it stronger flavour and the nicotine hit which users liken to the throat hit from tobacco.
Vegetable Glycerine
Vegetable glycerine brings the thickness of the e juice. VG derives from vegetable oil and is therefore suitable for vegetarians. Whilst vaping VG heavy e juice can mean that you don’t get as much taste from the juice than you do from PG heavy juices, you get a smoother hit. This is the reason why most vape juices in shops are VG heavy, giving users bigger vape clouds and more of a chance to inhale larger amounts in one go.
Who vapes PG heavy vape juices?
PG heavy vape juices are used mostly to increase the taste and the hit from the nicotine. Being slightly hotter, the propylene glycol heavy juices are better if you want to really feel that throat scratch. With most of the original cigalike vape devices, you’d be looking at PG heavy vape juices, the design catering to those ex-smokers who want an experience resembling that of tobacco cigarettes. What’s more, PG heavy juices are great for those who want to vape discreetly.
Who vapes VG heavy vape juices?
Vegetable Glycerins prowess at creating huge plumes of vapour on the exhale means that it is the go to juice for the cloud chaser. Whether at home or taking part in a competition, VG juices are used for their smooth draw and thick clouds. This has a weighing on the taste, but when you’re inhaling direct to lung style this matters less due to the sheer amount of vape juice you are taking in. This vape juice is used in sub ohm devices and more complex vaping mods, VG heavy juices milder taste adding to the flexibility that the vape juice brings.