An e-liquid is basically the liquid that’s heated by your electronic cigarette. Once heated to the right temperature, the e-liquid is transformed into the vapour that you end up inhaling and exhaling. But even though it’s really easy to understand what an e-liquid is, there are so many choices on the market that also make it easy to become confused by e-liquids.
In order to better understand e-liquids in general, as well as the differences between vegetable glycerine (VG) e-liquids and propylene glycol (PG) e-liquids, continue reading.
What ingredients are an E-Liquid?
The great thing about e-liquids is the fact that they only contain a handful of ingredients. They also don’t produce the same toxic chemicals that are found in cigarette smoke and that are so harmful to the body and the environment. This is why vaping has become so popular in such a short span of time, and it’s also why so many tobacco cigarette smokers are turning to vaping every day.
So what are the ingredients in your typical e-liquid? Put simply, they are vegetable glycerine and/or propylene glycol, nicotine, natural or artificial flavouring, and water. But many vapers are concerned about the main ingredients: propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine. How do you determine which one is right for you? What are the differences between these two main ingredients, and how do these differences affect the quality of the vapour that’s produced by your electronic cigarette?
What is Propylene Glycol?
Propylene glycol is a very common ingredient used in a variety of everyday items, including foods, medications, and cosmetics. It’s deemed safe for consumption, and is often referred as PG in the e-cig market.
Below are some of the ingredient’s main characteristics so that you can quickly get to know what its features are and how it affects the vaping experience:
- Because propylene glycol doesn’t have a taste of its own, it doesn’t affect the flavours that are added to it. It’s also odourless.
- For those who prefer thinner clouds of vapour, propylene glycol is the ingredient of choice because it’s relatively thin. This, in turn, can also serve to extend the life of the cartridge of your e-cig device.
- It may cause allergic reactions, such as a tingling sensation in the throat, in some vapers. In this case, it’s best to avoid PG and opt for a vegetable glycerine based e-liquid instead.
- It creates a powerful throat hit that’s similar to a real tobacco cigarette.
- It may dry out the mouth and throat.
- It can be combined with vegetable glycerine for an even better vaping experience.
What is Vegetable Glycerine?
Vegetable glycerine is popular amongst vapers who are looking for e-liquids that contain more natural, plant-based ingredients. It, too, is found in a variety of everyday items, including household items, cosmetics, medicines, and foods. It’s safe for consumption and also referred to as VG.
Below are some of the main characteristics of vegetable glycerine so you can get to know what it is and how it may affect your vaping experience:
- Because vegetable glycerine has a thicker consistency when compared to PG, it will be able to produce larger vapour clouds, which are popular amongst some vapers. But because of this thickness, it can actually shorten the life of the cartridge of an e-cig device, especially when it isn’t combined with PG.
- It has a mildly sweet flavour that may affect the taste of the added flavours in an e-liquid. This, along with the fact that it’s very thick, is why it’s often mixed with propylene glycol for a better vaping experience.
- It produces a weaker and smoother throat hit so it will not irritate the throat like PG can. But it can produce a phlegmy build-up in the throat and mouth because it is so thick.
- It causes fewer allergic reactions than PG.
Flavours for Everyone
Whether you decide to purchase e-liquids that are propylene glycol based, vegetable glycerine based, or a combination of the two main ingredients, you can rest assured that there are a multitude of delicious flavours to choose from. To see what some of the flavours are, and to pick and choose what flavours you will enjoy on their own, as well as the flavours that you can combine together to make a yummy flavour of your own, see here.
Both are Safe
Whether you choose to go with an e-liquid that’s made up solely of propylene glycol, only of vegetable glycerine, or a combination of the two ingredients, you can rest assured that they are both safe for use in electronic cigarettes. Try both and see which one you like better. You may be surprised to find that you like one much more than the other, or that you prefer sticking with e-liquids that combine the best of both.
