Suppose you’re a smoker considering using vaping as a form of nicotine replacement therapy to give up smoking or a new vaper just starting your vaping journey. In that case, you may not be aware of the vast range of different e-liquids available to you, from vape liquids specifically designed with characteristics to mimic smoking to more involved advanced vapes that highlight flavour or vapour production. We’ll look into all the different components and tastes of e-liquid, specific vape machines that can heighten your vaping experience and the correct vape juices to use with them.
The Main Ingredients
The basic facts of vaping are that a liquid fills a tank containing a coil; inside the coil, a cotton wick soaks up the liquid, and when heated by the device’s coil, the vapour is produced. The e-liquid sold today consists of three main components, which are –
- Propylene Glycol (PG) is an organic material used in the food and medicine industries for many years, an excellent flavour carrier for vaping e-liquids.
- Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is an odourless thick liquid obtained from plant oils used in cosmetics and foodstuffs. E-liquids with a high VG content produce a super smooth vape and higher than usual vapour output.
- Food-based flavourings are the standard tasty ingredients used in many foods and drinks.
A fourth and possibly most essential component in e-liquids is the nicotine element, available pre-mixed into ready to use vape liquids or as a stand-alone nicotine shot for the vaper who mixes their own e-liquid. E-liquids without nicotine already mixed in are referred to as shortfill.
The Different Types Of E-Liquid
There are many different e-liquids available today from the increasing number of vape shops or online suppliers. The varied e-liquids range from fruity flavours to delightful desserts or drinks and even traditional tobacco-related tastes; my advice is to try new vapes continually; you can always return to a favoured taste. E-liquid is also available in different nicotine strengths; the highest nicotine level allowed is 20mg. This high strength liquid is used by newer vapers needing the hit to replicate the sensation of smoking cigarettes. From that high point, standard e-liquids are then available with nicotine levels of 18mg, 12mg, 10mg, right down to 6mg or 3mg; some vapers choose to slowly reduce their nicotine levels through the different strengths until they are no longer nicotine dependant.
What Works Best
While a lot of e-liquids are mixed to a standard 50/50 PG/VG mix, some e-liquids have different levels of both PG and VG tailored specifically to a certain way of vaping, and there are two main types which are –
- 70/30 is an e-liquid with a high ratio of VG and is designed for use in a specific advanced sub-ohm device that burns the thicker liquid at a lower temperature, and this produces a superb smooth vape with large vapour clouds.
- 80/20 e-liquid is its direct opposite. High in PG delivers a vape with excellent flavours and an exceptional throat hit similar to smoking. Ideally used in starter devices and vape pens, it is a great choice for the newer vaper.
Whether you are new to the game and still using your starter vape or a seasoned vaper who has moved onto a more advanced machine, there is always a fresh, tasty vape juice out there for you to try. It may take your vaping journey to new heights!
