E-Juice: What Is It and How Do They Differ?

Arnie Breazy

20th Jul 2015

E-Juice: An In-Depth Overview Of The E-Juice Used In An E-Cigarette

E-juice is the term used to refer to nicotine based vape juice that is used in electronic cigarettes to produce the vapor. The juice is also referred to as e-liquid. The typical e-juice consists of nicotine, flavoring, and a propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerin (VG) base. Regardless of the quality of the vaporizer being used, quality e-juice is necessary for a solid vaping experience. The consistency, vape juice flavor, nicotine concentration and throat hit of the e-juice can vary- and these are the key qualities advanced vapers focus on when selecting an e juice.

How Does E-Juice Get Its Flavor?

Depending on the ingredients used to make the e-juice and the flavorings that are added, the juice flavors can come out all over the taste spectrum. Unlike synthetic nicotine, nicotine that is naturally derived from organic plant sources is usually better and using it is much safer. Therefore, the juice in an e cigarette may have a distinctive flavor depending on the type of natural flavoring from a flavor concentrate contained in it. Usually, the flavors added to the juice are the same used to flavor candies and food. If you're looking for a solid organic brand, check out Velvet Cloud.

What Ingredients Does E-Juice Contain, and How Is Its Consistency Determined?

E-juice is primarily made up of a solution base consisting of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) either or a combination of both. Vapers prefer their ratios of each of these based on their personal preferences, note that some vapers may experience some sensitivity to PG. This is an indication you are allergic to it and should switch to an e-liquid that has a lower rate of PG in it. There are many lines that offer higher ratios of VG, and others that are completely PG free. Only in extremely rare cases do vapers tend to have to avoid PG altogether. As time passes some actually see improvements in how they handle PG and can eventually vape just about any e-juice in the market. Flavors for e-juice can be extracted in both PG/VG formulas, as can nicotine be diluted into both PG/VG. Almost all ingredients used to make an e-liquid are tested at bulk levels prior to distribution. Premium brands purchase their ingredients in bulk which is pre-tested.

E-Juice Basics: Propylene Glycol (PG) vs. Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

PG is the more popular of the two for a number of reasons. For one, PG has a lower density than VG so it makes it easier to clean your coils. PG is also less viscous, so it's easier to fill your tank than with VG. It also adsorbs quicker, so you can start vaping faster. PG is tasteless and odorless, so you should get richer flavors out of your e juice. The main con is that PG can cause allergic reactions, so please be aware of this!

VG has its benefits It produces much thicker vape clouds due to the higher viscosity. VG can also be easier on the throat than PG. On the flavor side, VG is inherently sweet so it can add a nice accent to certain sweet e juice flavors (especially fruits and desserts).

Throat Hit

The sensation that smokers feel in the back of their throat when they inhale the vapor is known as the throat hit. Most former analog cigarette smokers want that hard throat hit similar to smoking cigarettes. A greater throat hit ensures that the feel and taste of smoking an electronic cigarette are more like real smoking. Others just like a hard throat hit! The amount of nicotine, the juice base, and the voltage of the e-cigarette affects the throat hit of the juice.

Nicotine Concentration

Pure propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin is used to dilute the nicotine to a safe concentration of 0 milligrams to 24 milligrams per milliliter of juice. The quantity of nicotine in an analog cigarette is about 18 milligrams, which is the typical range of nicotine concentration that most smokers desire. You get a harder throat hit with a higher nicotine concentration.

Conclusion

E-juice solutions are sold in bottles or disposable cartridges. Currently, dozens of flavors are available on the market, such as those resembling the flavor of coffee, cola, menthol, vanilla, desserts, teas, and even yogurts and cereals. Be open minded when picking your juices, things you may be not think you'd be interested in might be the ones you end up not capable of getting enough of. It's happened to us and we are sure it will happen to you.