What does VG and PG in Vape Liquids Mean?

You might have come across the terms PG and VG and probably vaped e-liquids labeled as such, but you have no idea what that means.

PG and VG are liquids that make the most of an e-liquid or vape juice. PG means propylene glycol, and VG stands for vegetable glycerin. Both are food-safe liquids that, together with other vape juice ingredients, are vaporized into an inhalable aerosol. Different e-liquid brands have varying PG/VG ratios.

Read on to learn more about PG and VG, and how they affect your vaping experience. We will also recommend the best ratios for both liquids and the right vaping devices to use in different PG/VG concentrations.

While PG and VG form the bulk of an e-liquid, other ingredients are equally important.

Other E-liquids Ingredients

PG and VG: Different e-liquids brands contain varying PG/VG ratios.
Flavorings: There is no limitation of flavors that an e-liquid can have. Vape juice can have fruit flavors, candy flavors, menthol, cool mint, tobacco, and many other flavoring options. However, different PG/VG ratios are suited for certain flavor types.
Nicotine: This is an optional ingredient in e-liquids. Those with nicotine have it in two forms; freebase nicotine and nicotine salts (also known as nic salts).

What is Propylene Glycol (PG) in E-liquids?

PG stands for propylene glycol. It is a food-safe petroleum byproduct found in e-liquids and other food and medical uses.

PG and VG are the base ingredients in vape juices that carry flavor concentrates and nicotine in either form. PG is responsible for the throat hit feel when vaping, a similar sensation experienced when smoking cigarettes.

Most MTL vapes use e-liquids with a higher concentration of PG. It has a lower viscosity than VG and a lower vapor density, almost similar to cigarette smoke. Since it is much thinner than VG, it requires

Vaping beginners transitioning from smoking to vaping will benefit the most by vaping high-PG concentrated e-liquids. Both throat hit and vapor density simulate the smoking experience.

Is PG Safe?

The FDA and WHO regard propylene glycol as generally safe. It has been approved for use in food preservatives and asthma aerosols. Different regulatory bodies have approved PG for inhalation, mostly for medical purposes.

PG has been used in vape juice for a long time, and there have not been any reports regarding its harmful effects among vapers. However, some of its chemical traits like its hygroscopic nature can cause dryness of the throat.

Some people also have high sensitivity to PG, which may cause ocular and respiratory complications. Such users should use VG-based e-liquids.

Besides allergic complications in some people, PG is generally safe for vaping.

What you should know when vaping PG

You won’t get huge clouds from vaping high-PG e-liquids. Cloud chasers should consider high VG e-liquids.
Someone trying to quit smoking will get a better throat hit with PG.
PG carries flavors more effectively.
Do not use high PG e-liquids in sub-ohm devices.
PG is recommended for MTL vaping.
Taking more water and liquids during the first few weeks of vaping PG will help minimize dehydration, and throat dryness and quench thirst stimulated by vaping high propylene glycol based e-liquids.

What is Vegetable Glycerin (VG) in E-liquids?

VG is a colorless liquid used in e-liquids and the food industry as a sweetener or a thickener. Using VG in vape juice utilizes its high density and viscosity to make huge clouds in sub-ohm vaping.

Vegetable Glycerin is a natural chemical derived from processing vegetable fats. The crude oil from coconut, soybean, rapeseed, and more when refined via distillation produces high-quality vegetable glycerin. VG is non-toxic and favorable for vegetarians and those allergic to PG.

E-liquids are made in different VG concentrations. A high VG concentration means a thicker and denser liquid. VG provides a smoother throat hit and a characteristic subtle sweetness.

VG’s thicker consistency and higher density make it a poor carrier of flavors. It can even overwhelm more subtle flavors. Besides diminished flavor delivery, VG produces dense vapor clouds making it the perfect choice for use in sub-ohm vaping, dripping, and temperature control vaping.

VG will clog devices with higher resistance, especially those used in MTL vaping. PG would be the best alternative for these devices.

Is VG Safe?

VG is a plant-based product and a natural chemical. It is widely used in the food industry as a sweetener and a thickener. FDA classifies VG as generally safe and has low toxicity potential.

While Vegetable Glycerin is widely used in food and medicine, like in PG, there aren't enough studies investigating its health impact when inhaled rather than ingested.

What you should know when vaping VG

High VG e-liquids are the best for sub-ohming and produce huge vapor clouds.
You won’t get a good throat hit or maximum flavor from high VG e-liquids.
Vapers allergic to PG should use maximum VG e-liquids.
A VG/PG balance is needed to have the best vaping experience.
Do not use high VG e-liquids in high-resistance devices. It will clog the devices.

PG/VG Ratio in E-liquids

The PG/VG ratio defines how much of each diluent is in an e-liquid. Each of these liquids has a unique characteristic that makes it a good choice for use in e-liquids. Combining the two brings together their strengths and neutralizes their weaknesses.

For instance, VG is poor in carrying flavors and does not have a throat hit that users switching from smoking to vaping need. However, using e-liquids with a considerable amount of PG provides this missing experience.

Different PG/VG ratios alter the throat hit, flavor, and amount of cloud produced by vaping these e-liquids.

Here are some of the popular PG/VG ratios found in different e-liquids brands:

50:50 PG/VG: Equal volumes of PG and VG deliver a medium throat hit, medium flavor, and medium vapor clouds.

High PG 60%+: More than 60% PG content delivers a strong throat hit, strong flavor, and small vapor clouds.

High VG 60%+: More than 60% VG content delivers a mild throat hit, medium flavor, and huge vapor clouds.

When buying e-liquids, you will find labels in percentages expressing the PG/VG ratio. While most e-liquids are blends of PG and VG, there are some 100% VG vape juices ideal for vapers allergic to PG.

Choosing the Best PG/VG Ratio

There is no specific ratio that is considered ideal for vaping. It all comes down to personal preference. However, certain PG/VG ratios have particular characteristics that make them ideal for specific uses.

For instance, high VG e-liquids are ideal for sub-ohm coils, and high PG vape juice will go well with devices with higher resistance.

Vapers without much experience in e-liquids would benefit more from the 50:50 PG/VG ratio. They are the perfect e-liquids for beginners, offering a more neutral vaping experience. The overwhelming VG and PG properties cancel out when blended in equal volumes.

For a throat hit, use high PG e-liquids. They simulate a throat sensation experienced when smoking a cigarette. VG provides a smoother throat sensation.

For cloud chasers, high VG e-liquids give denser vapor and a thicker mouthfeel.

If you want more stealth vaping, use high-PG vape juice that does not produce dense vapor. You will find the most popular 70/30 PG/VG e-liquids for sale in Kenya at Vape Lab e-liquids shop.

Best vape coils for different PG/VG Ratios

The coil resistance determines the types of e-liquids you should buy. Sub-ohm coils (with a resistance of less than 1 ohm) should use high VG e-liquids.

Devices with coils with a resistance of more than 1 ohm are suited for high PG e-liquids. These include regular disposable vapes and some pod systems used in MTL vaping.

When using devices with adjustable voltage or wattage, you may need to change the settings when using different e-liquids PG/VG ratios.

What is AG in E-liquids?

AG stands for Aqueous Glycerin. It is a less common diluent similar to Vegetable Glycerin (VG) but diluted with distilled water. AG is mostly found in DIY e-liquids.

AG e-liquids have been watered down into a thinner consistency that makes them easier to pour.

Summary

PG and VG are diluents in e-liquids that carry flavors and nicotine.
PG and VG are generally regarded as safe for human consumption and have been extensively used in food and medicine. There are no sufficient studies on their use as inhalable elements in vapes.
PG is less viscous, lighter, and carries flavors better than VG.
The best PG/VG ratio for flavor is e-liquids with a higher PG concentration.
VG offers a smoother throat hit than PG. Ex-smokers would benefit more from vaping high PG e-liquids that have a better throat hit similar to cigarette smoking throat sensation.
Sub-ohm vaping uses high VG e-liquids, while PG e-liquids are suited for MTL vaping.

Now that you know what PG and VG mean and how to use them with different coils, you can buy the best e-liquids that fit your vaping needs.

Vape Lab online e-cigarettes shop is a renowned e-liquids dealer in Nairobi selling the top-quality vape juice brands at the best prices in Kenya. You can order your favorite e-liquids and we will deliver them to you within Nairobi in minutes. For those outside Nairobi, we will ship to your location within 24 hours.

VG vs PG in E-liquids