The VG/PG ratio is one of the most important things to think about when it comes to choosing e-liquids, since it controls the vaping experience and how it feels. Today, I will talk you through what this ratio is and how to choose the best ratio.
What is PG?
PG (short for Propylene Glycerol) is a thin tasteless liquid alcohol with a lightly sweet taste. This controls the throat hit you get when vaping.
What is VG?
VG (short for Vegetable Glycerin) is a clear, thick, sweet liquid, bringing you a sweeter taste. The VG also composes the big vapour clouds.
What is PG used for?
PG is used in many food products for a variety of reasons. It can hold food components together and thicken it, but can also used as an anti-caking agent to stop things like grated cheese from sticking and clumping together. It can also be used to stop food from separating, like oil from salad dressing.
PG can also extend a food's shelf life by stopping oxygen from making in decay. It can strengthen dough by modifying starch and gluten, while also preserving moisture for foods like marshmallows to stop them from drying out. It can be used as a texturizer, to change the appearance or mouthfeel of food.
PG is used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic form for products like toothpaste, perfumes, hand sanitisers and more. These products use a less concentrated version of PG and therefore are generally regarded as safe by the FDA for use by humans and most animals.
Industrial PG is used in antifreeze, paint, varnishes and as a solvent. PG replaced ethylene glycerol in antifreeze since dogs were being poisoned when licking up puddles of antifreeze. These solvents use a much stronger version of PG than what is used in e-cigarettes.
What is VG used for?
VG is also used in food for many reasons. It is used to help oil and water based ingredients mix, which sweetens and softens the final product. It can stop ice crystals from forming in frozen foods, like ice creams and frozen yogurts.
VG can help with skin care, moisturizing and softening the skin. It keeps toxins from entering the body and adds a barrier to lock the moisture in, stopping you from getting dry skin. It can improve the pH levels in stopping scars from being shown. It can also be an alternative to lip balm, to keep your lips soft and hydrated.
VG is found in household products like toothpaste, hair care products and shaving cream. It can also stop your hair from going frizzy.
What Ratio is Best for Me?
The ideal VG/PG ratio depends on what you're looking for with your vape.
If you want a smooth vape, you may want a high VG liquid, which gives a smooth feel in the throat and a thicker feel in the mouth. If you want a harder throat hit, a higher PG e-liquid would be best. Ex-smokers may miss the kick you get at the back of your throat, and a PG vape with nicotine can give you this. PG also enhances the flavour.
If you are a cloud chaser who wants to make lots of vapour, a high VG e-liquid would be best for you. This allows you to do vape tricks and enhance the vape experience. If you want to keep your vaping lowkey in public, a higher PG ratio would be better.
Things to be Aware of
There is a known allergy of PG. It is a rare illness but, if you find yourself getting a rash when vaping, you may have an allergy, so a high VG vape is best for you. If you continue to have these issues, it would be best to consult a doctor.
Both PG and VG can cause dehydration when you first start vaping, so be sure to keep hydrated for the first week, after which the body will have gotten used to it.
As VG is quicker, it can reduce the life of atomisers quicker, as it clogs up coils and may not work well with some tanks. If this happens, a higher PG ratio would be better.
Our e-liquids currently come in the ratio of 70% VG / 30% PG. This gives you the best of both worlds, with a throat hit and lots of vapour. Shop our e-liquids here!
