What is E-Liquid or Vape Juice?
E-liquid, which is also called vape juice, is the liquid that you use in e-cigarettes and vape kits to make vapour. When your device heats the e-liquid, it turns into vapour that you can breathe in, and it gives you the flavour and nicotine if the e-liquid has nicotine in it. Most of the time, e-liquids are made from a mix of Vegetable Glycerin and Propylene Glycol and flavourings. Sometimes the e-liquids have nicotine in them. You can get e-liquids in flavours like fruits, sweets, menthol or tobacco. The e-liquids also come in different nicotine strengths. You can even get the e-liquids with no nicotine, so they are good for people who are new to vaping. For people who have been vaping for a long time, e-liquids are still a good option because you can choose the e-liquids that you like.
What Is In Vape Juice?
Vape juice, also called e-liquid, is the liquid that you use in your vape device to create vapour. It is made with basic things that together help make the vapour, flavour and nicotine. The key ingredients are: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavourings and sometimes nicotine.
The 4 Main Ingredients in Vape Juice
1. Propylene Glycol (PG)
PG is a thin liquid that has flavour and provides the throat hit that many users look for. It helps deliver a sharper, more cigarette-like sensation and works well in compact devices.
2. Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
VG is thicker and slightly sweet, responsible for producing dense vapour clouds and a smoother inhale. Higher VG blends are ideal for users who prefer a softer vaping experience.
3. Flavourings
Food-grade flavourings are added to create a wide range of vape juice flavours, from fruity and menthol to dessert-inspired blends.
4. Nicotine (Optional)
Nicotine can be included in different strengths or removed entirely. Options like nic salt vape juice provide faster absorption and a smoother experience.
Different E-Liquid Types Explained
It is important to choose the right type of e-liquid for a satisfying experience. Sometimes it becomes difficult to choose what kind is perfect for us, even when we know the kind of experience we are looking forward to. Therefore, it is important to understand the types before purchasing them:
1. Nicotine Salt E-Liquids
- Smooth and fast-absorbing
- Ideal for pod kits
- Available in higher nicotine strengths
2. Freebase E-Liquids
- Traditional form of nicotine
- Stronger throat hit
- Suitable for standard vape kits
3. Shortfills
- Large bottles (often 100ml e-liquids)
- Designed for sub-ohm vaping
- Can be mixed with nicotine shots
4. 50/50 E-Liquids
- Balanced VG/PG ratio
- Compatible with most beginner devices
What Are VG/PG Ratios?
The VG/PG ratio in e-liquids UK refers to the balance between vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) in the liquid.
Common VG/PG Ratios
50/50 (Balanced)
- Equal mix of VG and PG
- Best for pod kits and beginner devices
- Balanced flavour and vapour
70/30 (High VG)
- More vapour production
- Smoother inhale
- Ideal for advanced kits
High PG
- Stronger throat hit
- Sharper flavour
- Works well in low-powered devices
The VG and PG ratio directly affects the vapour production and flavour intensity along with the throat hit.
Understanding VG/PG Ratios
The e-liquids are made using a base of Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). The balance between these two ingredients is known as the VG/PG ratio. This ratio has an impact on how your vape feels. It affects vapour production, throat hit and the overall performance.
High PG blends, like 50/50 ratios, are thinner and they vaporise easily, which makes them perfect for mouth-to-lung vaping. They work well in pod kits or devices that have resistance coils, typically these are point eight ohms and above.
The high VG e-liquids, the ones that are 70% or more, are thicker. These are designed for sub-ohm devices that have resistance coils, which are usually below point six ohms. High VG e-liquids make larger vapour clouds, and they give you a much smoother inhale, but they need higher wattage to work properly.
A common mistake new vapers make is using high VG liquid in small pod devices. Thicker liquids do not soak into coils quickly. This can cause hits or burnt coils. Choosing the VG/PG ratio for your device helps ensure consistent flavour. It also ensures performance and a better overall experience, with your e-liquids and VG/PG ratio.
Choosing The Right Nicotine Strength
Selecting the right nicotine strength is as important as choosing your VG/PG ratio. It impacts how satisfying your vaping experience will be. In the UK, nicotine-containing e-liquids are usually limited to 20mg (2%) strength and sold in 10ml bottles.
General Starting Guide:
- Light smoker (1 to 5 cigarettes a day): 3mg (freebase) or 5mg (nic salts)
- Moderate smoker (up to 10 to 14 cigarettes a day): 6mg (freebase) or 10mg (nic salts)
- Heavy smoker (15+ cigarettes per day): 12mg (freebase) or 20mg (nic salts)
- Non-smoker: 0mg (nicotine-free)
How To Choose The Right E-Liquid?
While choosing the right e-liquid, it is important to understand nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, and flavour choices. These factors directly affect how your vape feels, tastes, and performs:
- If you are switching from vaping, higher strengths offer faster satisfaction
- Lower strengths are usually good for casual vapers
- 50/50 blends provide balanced flavour and vapour
- A high PG gives a stronger throat hit
- A high VG gives a smoother inhale with dense clouds
How To Use E-Liquids
Using vape e-liquids correctly ensures better performance, flavour, and device longevity.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Choose the Right Device
Different e-liquids are designed for different devices. For example:
2. Fill Your Device Properly
Open your tank or pod and carefully fill with your chosen vape juice UK, avoiding overfilling.
3. Prime Your Coil
Let the e-liquid soak into the coil for a few minutes before vaping. This prevents dry hits and improves flavour.
4. Start at Low Power
Begin at a lower wattage and gradually increase for optimal performance.
5. Maintain Your DeviceReplace coils regularly and avoid mixing incompatible vape juice strengths or ratios.
The Relation Between Different Vaping Styles And E-Liquids
The different styles of vaping need different types of e-liquid. It is important to match the two correctly as it improves flavour delivery, vapour production, and overall performance.
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL)
This gives the feel of drawing a cigarette. It works best with 50/50 or high PG e-liquids, which are thinner and deliver a stronger throat hit with higher nicotine strengths.
Direct-to-Lung (DTL)
This vaping involves inhaling vapour directly into the lungs. This style pairs with high VG e-liquids, producing large clouds and a smoother inhale with lower nicotine levels.
Restricted Direct-to-Lung (RDL)
This offers a balance of airflow and vapour. It works well with slightly thicker 50/50 or mid-range VG blends.
E-Liquids And Vape Kits
E-liquids and vape kits are meant to be used together. If you choose the wrong combination, it will not work well. Pod kits and beginner devices work best with 50/50 or nicotine salt e-liquids. These e-liquids are thinner and get absorbed easily into the coils. They give a consistent flavour and deliver nicotine efficiently. Sub-ohm kits need VG e-liquids and are thicker and made for higher wattages. These setups produce larger vapour clouds and smoother inhales but typically use lower nicotine strengths.
The reason behind this compatibility lies in how coils function:
- Thinner liquids wick faster in smaller coils
- Thicker liquids need more power and airflow
Using the correct e-liquid for your device helps:
- Prevent coil damage and dry hits
- Improve flavour consistency
- Extend coil lifespan