Propylene glycol is a clear, colorless, slightly syrupy liquid when it is at room temperature. It can exist in air in the vapor form, although propylene glycol must be heated or briskly shaken to produce vapor.
Vegetable glycerin is a clear liquid that has a sweet taste but no odor, it is made from soybean, coconut or palm oils. Vegetable glycerin (VG) is combustible but it will take a lot of effort to get it to combust.
Both VG and PG have different purposes and that impacts how they are used. It means what substances are added to them and in which conditions (temperature). Both VG and PG turn into vapor when heated.
The advantages of using VG and PG are: vapor, flavors and sweetness when vaping. The disadvantages of using VG and PG in vaping are: dehydration and sore throat. Vaping involves consuming nicotine and nicotine is a highly addictive harmful substance. The best thing for your health would be to avoid all products containing nicotine.
This article will give an overview of VG PG, their purposes and usage. It will also instruct how to choose the correct PG VG ratio for yourself and what different rations need from the vaping device (ohms, watts).
What is Propylene Glycol (PG)?
Propylene glycol (C3H8O2) is defined as a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water by the National Library of Medicine (2023). Propylene glycol is a clear, colorless, slightly syrupy liquid when it is at room temperature. It can exist in air in the vapor form, although propylene glycol must be heated or briskly shaken to produce vapor. Propylene glycol is odorless and flavorless. Propylene glycol is used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as an antifreeze since it is a safer option than the alternatives. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is “generally recognized as safe” for using in food and medicines. It is used to get rid of unwanted water and keep moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, and food products. Propylene Glycol is used as a base liquid for e-liquids, it helps to create the vapor. Propylene Glycol in vape enhances flavors and vapor’s effect on the throat.
Read on to learn the purpose of propylene glycol.
Read more about Propylene Glycol E-Liquid.
What is the purpose of Propylene Glycol (PG)?
There are a lot of different purposes of propylene glycol (PG). Firstly, it creates vapor clouds (not that thick), increases flavor of the flavorings and throat hit when it comes to vaping. Secondly, propylene glycol (PG) acts as an antifreeze in food, medicine and chemical industries. Thirdly, propylene glycol (PG) helps to get rid of unwanted moisture in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, this helps to prolong their lifespan. Fourthly, propylene glycol (PG) is also used to make polyester compounds, and as a base for deicing solutions (for desserts, cakes). Fifthly, propylene glycol (PG) is used to create artificial smoke or fog used in fire-fighting training and in theatrical productions.
Read on to find out what Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is.
What is Vegetable Glycerin (VG)?
Vegetable glycerin is a clear liquid that has a sweet taste but no odor, it is made from soybean, coconut or palm oils. Vegetable glycerin (VG) is combustible but it will take a lot of effort to get it to combust. Vegetable glycerin is very popular in the cosmetic industry because of its natural origin and moisturizing effects. It is also a hugely popular ingredient in vaping e-liquid because it gives the vapor a sweet, well-balanced taste and produces big vapor clouds. Both of those make vapes attractive to consumers.
Read on to learn the purpose of vegetable glycerin (VG).
Read more about Vegetable Glycerin.
What is the purpose of Vegetable Glycerin (VG)?
There are many purposes of vegetable glycerin (VG): to add sweetness, combine substances, moisturize, basis for e-liquids and to remove unwanted moisture. Vegetable glycerin is a very useful substance that can be used for many different (sometimes opposing) purposes.
The next question’s answer will help you choose the correct PG and VG ratio for e-liquid.
How to choose the correct PG and VG Ratio for an E-Liquid?
For choosing the correct PG and VG ratio follow these instructions. Firstly, consider if you like sweet taste, balanced flavors and throat hit, thick vapor clouds, then add more VG to the mix. Secondly, consider how important is enhanced flavoring of the e-liquid and strong throat hit then add a bit more PG. Thirdly look at your vape machine watts, if it is below 80 then higher (50 % of or more) PG level is needed. When it works at higher watts then you can choose higher VG levels (more than 50). Fourthly, when you choose a higher VG level then your Ohms are smaller but you need to change coils more often. VG is thicker than PG so using higher VG causes more build up and clogging, it also means more work for coils so they need to be changed more often. Fifthly, to nod be afraid to change the ratios every so often, because some ratios work better with different added flavoring to the e-liquid. Sixthly, there is no permanent perfect level, there is only perfect level for your taste, and as we well know taste changes over time.
The following question’s answer will help to find the perfect PG and VG ratio for beginners.
Read more about E-Liquid.
What is the best PG and VG Ratio for beginners?
The best PG and VG ratio for beginners is 50 50. This way you can choose what you prefer and how to change the ratios. For example, more VG means: more sweetness, thicker clouds, flavors and hit more combined and balanced and more money goes into changing coils (VG will burn them through faster). Higher PG content means: stronger throat hit, less maintenance and lifespan of coils will be longer, and enhanced flavors.
Next question’s answer will give a more precise overview how PG and VG ratio affects the vaping experience.
How does PG and VG Ratio affect the Vaping experience?
The PG and VG ratio will impact flavor, hit, vapor clouds and machine maintenance. Higher VG ratio means that you are using thicker e-liquid which means that there will be more build-up and danger of clogging. It also means that you need to clean a vaporizer more often and also the lifespan of coils will be shorter due to harder work and more watts being used with higher VG ratio. On the other hand, VG combines e-liquid ingredients better than PG which makes the vapor and flavor more balanced. PG on the other hand gives a stringer throat hit. VG makes the vapor clouds thicker and bigger. VG balances flavors and adds a sweet taste, while PG enhances the flavorings that are added into the e-liquid. Zero VG e-liquid vaping experience is with weak vapor, strong flavors and massive throat hit. Zero PG e-liquid vaping experience is weaker flavors from flavorings but with sweet side taste, massive clouds, more expenses on coils and weak throat hit.
The next passage will give an overview if it is better to have more VG than PG.
Is it better to have more VG than PG?
Yes, it is better to have more VG than PG. Then the clouds will be fluffier and stronger. With higher VG content the ingredients of e-liquid will be better combined and the vapor is more balanced. In addition, VG adds the sweet flavor to vapor which makes it extra enjoyable.
Read on to learn whether 50PG and 50VG ratio is good.
Is 50PG and 50VG good?
Yes, 50PG and 50VG is good if you like smaller clouds, not too much sweetness, smaller throat hit and enhanced flavorings. It is a good starting point to see what you prefer- if you want more sweetness (add more VG), more flavors (add more PG), bigger clouds (more VG), or string throat hits (more PG). You need to decide what your perfect vaping experience needs and choose the ratio based on that. But use less than 80 watts with that ratio.
Is 60 40 VG PG better?
Yes, 60 40 VG PG is better. Firstly, the vapor clouds will be thicker and fluffier. The flavor will be better combined and the vapor will be more balanced. Thirdly, the vapor will have a sweeter taste that will add to the experience.
Read on to learn whether higher is good for clouds.
Is a higher VG good for clouds?
Yes, higher VG is good for clouds. VG in e-liquid makes the vapor clouds thicker and bigger. So if you enjoy fluffy, consistent clouds then the VG content in e-liquid should be bigger.
In the next passage you can read what wattage is better for PG and VG.
What wattage is best for PG and VG?
The best wattage for PG is lower (below 80 watts with 50 PG and VG) because it is more liquid than VG. It means it heats up easier and turns into vapor. The best wattage for VG is higher (more than 80 watts with more than 50% VG, 100 watts with 70% VG) because it is thicker and needs more work to heat it up into vapor.
Read on to learn if you can use 50PG 50VG with 0,8 ohms.
Can I use 50PG 50VG with 0.8 ohms?
Yes, you can use 50PG 50VG with 0,8 ohms. For this ratio 0,5 – 1 ohm are suitable. The higher the PG level is the higher the ohm number should be. It is so because PG is more liquid than VG and needs higher ohms (smaller molecules) and smaller watts for heating.
Can I use 70PG 30VG with 0.6 ohms?
No, you cannot use 70PG 30VG with 0,6 ohms. You should use 1,5 – 2,5 ohms with 70PG 30VG ratio. 0,6 ohms is suitable for 30PG and 70VG ratio. The smaller the VG level is the higher the ohm number should be. It is so because VG is thicker than PG and needs higher wattage and less ohms (larger molecules) for heating.
Read on to learn the safest PG VG ratio.
What is the safest PG VG ratio?
The safest PG VG ratio depends on the watts that you use, the higher the watts the smaller the PG part to avoid the hit being too harsh for your throat. 50 % PG and 50% VG if you use smaller watts (it also means smaller nicotine content- 3 to 6 mg per gram). If you use higher watts then 20 % to 40 % of PG and 80 % to 60% of VG are suitable. Keep in mind that higher VG makes the coil work harder since it is thicker which means you need to change coils more often.
Read on to learn the advantages of adding PG and VG to vape juice.
What are the advantages of adding PG and VG to Vape Juice?
The advantages of adding PG and VG to vape juice are:
- Combined ingredients: VG (vegetable glycerin) combines all the ingredients together to make the flavor and vapor have better quality.
- Enhanced flavor: PG (propylene glycol) enhances the flavoring in the e-liquid.
- Strong throat hits: PG (propylene glycol) in e-liquid gives strong throat hits to give a fiercer buzz to the vape.
- Balanced vapor: VG (vegetable glycerin) combines all the e-liquid ingredients together so the vapor is constantly balanced, there are no sudden hits for the throat.
- Thick, fluffy vapor clouds: VG (vegetable glycerin) in the e-liquid creates thick, fluffy desirable vapor clouds.
- Sweetness: VG (vegetable glycerin) has naturally sweet flavor which it adds to the vapor.
Now that you are aware of the advantages of adding PG and VG to vape juice, read on to also learn about the disadvantages of adding PG and VG to vape juice.
What are the disadvantages of adding PG and VG to Vape Juice?
The disadvantages of adding PG and VG to vape juice are:
- Dehydration: Both PG and VG dry up your mouth and cause dehydration in your body. Remember to drink extra water when you are vaping.
- Sore throat: Both PG and VG vapor cause harm to your throat, which may become painful or cause some other illnesses.
Read on to learn whether higher VG burns coil faster.
Does higher VG burn coils faster?
Yes, higher VG burns coils faster. VG (vegetable glycerin) is thicker than PG (propylene glycol) and it takes more work (effort) to heat it up which means that the coil does more work. That causes it to burn faster and you need to change coils more often when there is higher VG content in the e-liquid.
Read on to learn whether you can vape 100 % PG.
Can you vape 100% PG?
Yes, you can vape 100% PG. But it might not be the most balanced experience. VG (vegetable glycerin) is usually added to the e-liquid to make the vapor more balanced and combine the e-liquid ingredients together. In addition, pure PG (propylene glycol) does not create big fluffy vapor clouds, VG does that, so that takes away from the pleasure of vaping experience.