Understanding E-Liquid PG/VG Ratios
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Time to read 6 min
Learn about PG/VG ratios in e-liquids and how they affect your vaping experience. Explore the ideal mix for smooth hits and flavour.
The key to understanding and deeply appreciating your e-liquids lies in an array of hot takes. These factors might include the flavour itself, the rate at which it burns, and the consistency of the vapour produced. Two of those three things we contribute to the PG/VG ratio and therefore are important studies for anyone who wants to maximise their vaping experience.
Vape juice comes in all shapes and sizes, and that includes VG/PG strength ratios to suit everyone. PG (Propylene Glycol) is a component found in oral medications (we are not suggesting that vaping is medicinal, only summarising the science), which typically stabilises liquids. VG, or Vegetable Glycerine (or vegetable glycerin if you are American), is a similarly clear and odourless liquid which scientists produce using plant oils.
It is the ratio of which each of these elements exists within your vape juice which impacts how quickly and harshly your vape juice burns. It can also impact flavours and lessen the pleasure of your overall vaping experience.
What is the PG/VG Ratio?
As summarised in our excellent E-liquid guide: Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerine are two of the main ingredients found in e-liquids. Ever wandered what was in your vape juice? It is a percentage of these two ingredients combined with a little water and the flavourings used to make great tasting e-liquids. These flavourings are predominantly food grade and are commonly ingested.
It is worth noting that the UK government has extremely strict regulations about what cannot be an ingredient in your vape juice. The harmful chemical which causes ‘popcorn lung,’ for example, is not viable in the UK.
As to what is PG/VG ratio or a VG/PG ratio (mathematically speaking, the larger percentage should be expressed first), you can get different percentages, and these ratios mean different things. A stronger PG ratio will carry the features of PG as superior to those of VG, and vice versa.
Which PG/VG ratio is the right one? This depends entirely upon your personal vaping preference. The ingredients have different features which marks them apart and makes it easier to choose the right PG/VG ratio for you.
The Role of Propylene Glycol (PG) in E-Liquids
Propylene Glycol is the waterier of the two substances and it is the difference in viscosity which makes them so unique from each other. PG rich e-liquids will be slightly thinner than their counterpart, with a heftier throat hit as a result. This makes 70:30 or 60:40 PG:VG ratio mixes best suited to those vape device users who used to smoke. It will give a similar throat hit to what a cigarette might.
The thinner consistency of PG rich vape liquids makes them far better for wicking your tank. If you find you constantly need to prime your coil or that you are getting excessive dry hits on your vape, then you might consider opting for a higher PG than VG ratio to make wicking easier.
E-liquids with higher PG ratios give more of a throat hit while simultaneously acting as a flavour carrier. Without it, flavourings might not bind to the e-liquid nor last as long as the shelf life of vape juice allows.
Different types of vape device favour different ratios of vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol. PG heavy e-liquids go well with pod kit devices.
The Pros and Cons of High Percentage PG:VG Ratios
The pros of high ratio propylene glycol e-liquids include:
· Great flavour carrier and protector
· Excellent throaty hit on the vape.
· Easier Wicking
· Fewer Dry Hits
The cons of high ratio propylene glycol e-liquids include:
· Propylene Glycol burns up faster than VG rich e-liquids.
The Role of Vegetable Glycerine (VG) in E-Liquids
Vegetable Glycerine is an e-liquid ingredient which is generally used to add thickness to the vape juice. This helps to carry and preserve the flavourings, but more importantly leads to bigger clouds of vapour. This is because the higher viscosity of vegetable glycerine allows the vapour to emerge at lower temperatures.
VG rich juices make for thicker e-liquids. It has a smoother throat hit than a higher PG ratio vape juice does. The primary faculties of this liquid are its thickness and the increase in vapour production.
Higher VG:PG ratio e-liquids perform better at low temperatures produced by powerful vape devices. The more advanced your mod or vape kit, the better suited it is to a high VG percentage e-liquid.
The Pros and Cons of High Percentage VG:PG Rations
The pros of high ratio vegetable glycerine e-liquids:
· Smoother throat hit.
· Increased flavour intensity on the exhale
· Produces larger clouds of vapour.
The cons of a high ratio vegetable glycerine e-liquids:
· It burns slower than PG rich e-liquids, which leads to greater opportunities for dry hits.
How the PG/VG Ratio Affects the Vaping Experience
When it comes to Vape kits, there are correlations between the type of device you use, the type of coil you choose, and whether you require a higher PG or higher VG ratio of e-liquid. Both high VG and high PG ratio vape juices will have intense flavour hits. The main difference is that while VG-rich e-liquids have most flavour on the out breath, PG rich liquids have most flavour on the inhale, instead.
Different Vape Juice PG:VG Ratios and What They Mean
Typical ratios of PG/VG ratios include 70/30, 60/40, and the most common PG:VG ratio – 50:50.
50:50 VG:PG is a safe middle ground which encompasses most of the e-liquids available right now on the market.
70:30 VG:PG ratio vape juices go best with cloud chasing (competitive vaping). They will have a smooth throat hit, more taste on the exhale, and will require less heat to use. If you vape frequently and enjoy large clouds, this may be your favourite blend.
60:40 VG:PG ratio vape juices are the same as above, but less intense. They will still favour big vapour clouds of flavour exhalations. If you love big clouds but also don’t want to blind yourself while driving, this is the ratio you want.
70:30 PG:VG ratio vape juices are best for those who have just quit smoking. If you require a noticeable throat hit and value this over cloud production, then this mix is for you. We recommend this mixture to those who have just quit smoking. The throat hit can replace the missing nicotine presented by the government’s 20mg limit.
60:40 PG:VG ratio will do the same as the slightly stronger version. However, it might be more manageable for a new vape device user who has no experience with DTL or MTL vaping yet. It will *probably* make you cough less.
Additionally, the type of device you use can impact the performance of the vape juice. A low wattage, 500mAh battery pod kit will operate best with thinner vape juices.
Choosing the Right PG/VG Ratio for Your Vaping Style
If you are a newly quit ex-smoker, stick to a higher PG ratio. This also goes for those who want a vaping experience which features heavy throat hits – and for those who use a vape device for the nicotine buzz! New vape users will prefer pod kit models because they are cheaper to buy.
If you are an experienced vape device user, then higher VG ratio vape juices will suit you best. It takes a while to get the hang of vaping straight into your lungs. When you smoke a cigarette, you hold that smoke in your mouth, then breathe it in. It takes time to make the switch without choking.
If you use a low powered device then you should choose a higher PG e-liquid ratio. If you have a super high powered vape kit, then you will want to favour higher vegetable glycol ratio e-liquids because they will take longer to burn up and produce those massive vapour clouds.
Beginner vape kit users should consider going for a 50:50 blend. These evenly ratioed vape juices are aimed at ease of use. They are versatile enough for any type of device.
Let’s not discount the age of your vape device and the part it can play in whether or not it favours PG or VG rich e-liquids. The older your device, the more the battery has drained. The more wear on the battery, the less powerful the device becomes. What starts as an excellent 70:30 VG:PG e-liquid ratio vape device could lean towards a 50:50 blend over time.
Upgrade Your Vape Device to Stay Fresh!
In Conclusion: Getting it Right Enhances the Vaping Experience
Nobody would expect a brand new vaper to know all of this when they first start vaping. Perfecting your personal preferences means perfecting your vaping experience, making you get the most out of your new hobby.
Vaping isn’t just about quitting nicotine. It’s about finding your favourite flavours, then refining your vape juice to your device, then upgrading to a better device, learning more… and ultimately becoming an expert capable of chasing the biggest clouds.
