Understanding PG/VG Ratios In E-Liquid

The world of vaping may seem pretty overwhelming and hard for newcomers to understand; trying to interpret what all of the numbers and acronyms mean can be a pretty grueling task.

Perhaps the most confusing and commonly asked about topic for beginner vapers is the PG/VG ratio found on every e-liquid bottle. Luckily, you'll be able to decrypt the code and understand what you're looking for after reading this.

PG, or propylene glycol, and VG, or vegetable glycerin, are liquids that are combined with flavor and nicotine to create e-juice. When heated, they produce vapor which can then be inhaled. Most e-juice uses a combination of the two liquids, but usually have varying ratios. Some vaping set-ups, specifically those designed for mouth-to-lung vaping that have a more restricted airflow, will work best with high PG ratios, though clearomizers and tanks with a more open draw can accommodate most PG/VG ratios.

Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable glycerin is derived naturally from a plant base, usually soy or palm. When you vape a juice with a higher VG level, you'll notice that the e-juice is a bit more thick and dense. It gives off a milder throat hit, but produces thicker clouds than a PG-heavy e-juice. Because of this, VG is best for vapers who use mods or are into sub-ohm vaping, cloud chasers particularly.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is an organic compound that is less dense than VG. It's primarily favored by those who enjoy throat-hits, as some vapers claim it feels similar to smoking, and strong flavor, as some also believe it delivers flavor more effectively than VG.

If you're vaping higher levels of PG, you may feel an irritation in your throat. Some people may have an intolerance, while a select few may even have an allergy. While uncommon, this isn't unheard of - as many as one in ten vapers experience PG sensitivities, while VG-related reactions are much rarer, close to 1-in-1000.

Everyone's different, though, and your preferences can be fulfilled by selecting the proper PG/VG ratio to suit your tastes.

If you're more into throat hits and intense flavor, your best bet is to get a juice with a high PG level. The throat hit is something that most ex-smokers prefer, so if you're just getting into vaping due to your smoking habit, your best bet is to get a juice with a higher PG level. It'll also wick better with tight-airflow tanks that mimic the mouth-to-lung vaping style reminiscent of smoking.

Throat Hits

If you enjoy a smoother throat hit, a deeper draw, or thicker clouds, high VG levels are recommended. The flavor is a bit muted, but can be fixed by adding more power to your vape. Always make sure, though, that you're staying in the wattage limits of your atomizer.

Many vapers change up their ratio depending on what they are doing. It can also depend on what type of flavors you're using. Most fruit and drink flavors work better with PG, as the sharpness of PG blends well with the tart of the flavorings. Cream and yogurt flavors do well with high VG as the thickness of VG adds to the dessert profile you desire. All in all, though, you're better off just picking what tastes better. Just remember to check that your device can handle the ratio you're about to use.