There is a lot to know about vaping, whether it’s your first time or if you have lots of experience. From the varied flavours and brands to understanding the impact and effect of the PG/VG ratio, there are lots out there to learn and try. In this article, we zero in on the meaning of an e-liquid’s PG/VG ratio and how these affect the vaping experience. This number matters if you’re not yet familiar with the PG/VG ratio.
What Is PG/VG?
PG/VG refers to two essential ingredients used in vape juice. ‘PG’ refers to propylene glycol. ‘VG’ refers to vegetable glycerine. Both are food-safe ingredients that, in addition to any flavourings used, form the base ingredients of vape juice. Almost all vape juices contain some percentage of both, which is where the ratio comes in.
Is Propylene Glycol Safe?
Propylene glycol is frequently used in the food service industry and food packaging as a preservative. It is also used in medical settings and is a key element of asthma inhalers. Propylene glycol, of PG, is colourless, with less viscosity than vegetable glycerin, and has a slightly sweet taste when consumed on its own.
Is Vegetable Glycerin Safe?
Vegetable glycerin, or VG, is also frequently used in the food industry, except its purpose is predominantly as a sweetener or to thicken up something. VG is colourless and is used as a sweetener in vape juices. It can be derived from plants and animals or created synthetically. Vegetable glycerin is notable for producing more dense vapour than propylene glycol.
How Do You Read A PG/VG Ratio?
A PG/VG ratio may read as ’80/20′ or ’80/20 PG/VG’. Unless otherwise stated, the first number indicates the percentage of PG in vape juice, and the second relates to the VG content. Why it’s important to read the PG/VG ratio correctly because adjusting the ratio will impact the type of throat hit you get, the strength of flavour, and the amount of cloud.
What PG/VG Ratio Is Best For Me?
PG/VG ratio affects three things on a vape: the throat hit, flavour, and vapour. Here are the basics of PG/VG ratio characteristics.
- High PG (60% or higher) has a strong throat hit, strong flavour, and low vapour.
- High VG (60% or higher) has a low throat hit, medium flavour, and high vapour.
- An even 50/50 PG/VG ratio has a medium throat hit, medium flavour, and medium vapour production.
Does My Vaping Device Matter For PG/VG Ratio?
The vaping device you use can affect what PG/VG ratio is right for you. High VG liquids can quickly burn out coils on MTL vape kits, for example. For MTL vape kits, always go with a medium-to-high PG vape juice. For DTL kits, a high PG e-liquid can clog up the coils due to its thickness, so medium-to-high VG vape juices are best for these kits. If you aren’t sure what’s best for your specific vape device, going with a 50/50 PG/VG ratio is your safest option.
Best PG/VG Ratio For Different Ohm Coils
The coil’s resistance will also influence the best PG/VG ratio. Low-resistance coils, i.e. below 1 ohm, are best suited to high VG vape juices. Coils with resistance above 1 ohm are better suited to high PG vape juices. Try not to go above 70% PG on coils at 1.5-2.5 ohm, as the throat hit will be very thin and harsh. If you aren’t sure what’s best for your coil, a reliable and versatile choice is always an even 50/50 PG/VG ratio.
What Does ‘Max VG’ Mean?
‘Max VG’ refers to a vape juice having a maximum amount of vegetable glycerin. Your vape juice may still have some propylene glycol in it. However, it would be a very small amount. The product would predominantly be VG in design.
Does PG/VG Ratio Affect Nicotine Level?
No, PG/VG ratio is different from nicotine levels and flavourings. The PG/VG ratio will not affect the nicotine in a vape juice or the experience of consuming what nicotine is available in a given e-liquid. That said, if you need or want a lot of nicotine, an even PG/VG ratio through a regular vape device like a pod or pen is recommended, as you can better measure the amounts of nicotine consumed here compared to vaping with a stronger device.
What PG/VG Ratio Is Right Is Personal Preference
So long as your vape device can handle the PG/VG ratio you choose, at that point, it comes down to personal preference. A substantial throat hit is going to need more PG. For significant clouds of vapour, you need more VG. If you haven’t tried a variety of PG/VG ratios, you may want to experiment a bit and see what resonates. You may find your first experience differing in the PG/VG ratio to have mixed results. That’s alright! You’re just discovering what you like.