Whether you’re an old hand at vaping or you’ve just made the switch, having made the life-changing decision to quit smoking, you may not know too much about the e-liquid in your vape device. I aim to change that by giving you some quality information about all things e-liquid, what it contains, the different types of e-liquid and their characteristics. Vaping is now firmly established as a viable form of nicotine replacement therapy for those who wish to give up smoking; an increasing amount of case studies are finding it is 95% better for you than smoking cigarettes.
What’s In Your E-Liquid
Known by its various names, your e-liquid, vape sauce or e-cig juice comprises three or four ingredients, the difference being whether you vape a liquid with nicotine already pre-mixed or mix your own. Vape juice free from nicotine is called shortfall e-liquid; the vaper then adds individual nicotine elements called the shots to obtain their required strength. Back to the 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 contents and a great 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 its excellent flavour, they are the common flavouring ingredients used today in foodstuffs.
The nicotine element of your e-liquid is one of two different types. Freebase nicotine was developed using a chemical process over 60 years ago by tobacco producers 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 improves their vaping experience enormously.
The Different Types of E-liquid
A good proportion of vapers, myself included, 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. It gives a satisfaction level that explains why its popularity. Other options are available to the vaper who want a more specific type of vape; by changing the PG/VG levels, their different qualities are enhanced in a certain 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 obvious reasons.
So, there we are, the vape liquid basics. Hopefully, you’re now more informed about how you might improve your vaping experience, happy vaping!