WARNING: This product contains nicotine.
Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

What Does PG & VG In Vape Juice Mean?

Suorin Team

Feb 27, 2023

pg-vs-vg

Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) are the most important ingredients in vape juice. Most e-liquids have one of these as their primary ingredient, but not both. At first glance, these two ingredients seem to have nothing in common. However, both of them are commonly used to create e-liquid for vapes. If you're new to vaping, you might be confused by the different kinds of vape juice on the market today. You may even wonder what PG & VG in vape juice mean, what is PG, what is VG, PG VS VG, the best PG/VG ratio, and the difference between PG and VG. Read on to learn more about PG vs. VG in e-liquid.

PG and VG in E-Liquid

E-liquid is an essential component of vaping. There are two main ingredients in e-liquid: Propylene glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). Both have different uses and have varying effects on the body.

They're all safe ingredients that help create the experience of vaping. Understanding what they do, why they're used in e-liquid, and how much of each is safe to use can help you make better choices when buying e-liquid and mods such as Suorin vape mods.

1. What is PG?

Propylene glycol is a colorless and odorless synthetic liquid. It's used in many products, including e-liquid for e-cigarettes. PG is a non-toxic, water-soluble substance that is FDA-approved for use in food and drink.

It's also approved for use in inhalation therapy. The properties of PG make it ideal for use in e-liquid.

For example, it's thin and watery. It makes PG suitable for use with a wide range of flavorings. It's also less viscous than vegetable glycerin (VG). It makes it easier to vape and creates a stronger flavor.

What Does PG Do in E-Liquid?

PG evaporates quickly and delivers a strong throat hit. It also carries flavor well. PG is often used in strong e-liquids. These are typically high in PG and low in VG. E-liquids with a high PG level are often used for sub-ohm vaping.

PG-heavy e-liquids have a strong throat hit. They're also very flavourful. PG-heavy e-liquids are also thin and easy to vape. These e-liquids create large clouds of vapor.

Is PG Safe to Vape?

PG is safe to vape. PG e-liquids have been around for many years. They are considered safe and well-researched. Nicotine is a dangerous part of tobacco smoke. Nicotine is not found in e-liquid. PG is the main ingredient in e-liquid. It's what creates vapor.

Products that contain nicotine are regulated. Many e-liquids have been thoroughly tested and found to be safe. PG is widely considered safe for use in food and drink. It's even used in some baby products. PG has been studied for years and is generally considered safe.

2. What Is VG?

Vegetable glycerin is a sweet-tasting, viscous liquid made from plant extracts; it's also referred to as VG. It is used in many e-liquids, including 12 mg nicotine-strength e-liquids. VG is often used as filler in e-cigarettes and e-liquids.

VG is used because it's thick, sweet, and cheap. VG is commonly used in e-liquids with a low PG level.

E-liquids with a low PG level are typically used for mouth-to-lung vaping. VG e-liquids are also ideal for people who are new to vaping. They provide a less intense vaping experience. E-liquids with a low PG level are thick. It makes them easier to wick and vape.

What Does VG Do in E-Liquid?

VG is used in e-liquids with a low PG level. VG is used because it produces less vapor and a milder throat hit. It's ideal for MTL vaping. VG e-liquids are often recommended for people who are new to vaping. They provide a less intense vaping experience. VG e-liquids are thicker than PG e-liquids. It makes them easier to wick and vape.

Is VG Safe to Vape? VG is safe to vape, but it depends a bit on how much of it you choose to use. VG is a natural compound in many plants, including vegetables and fruits. It's safe for people to ingest VG in moderate amounts, but it can cause serious issues for people with diabetes. VG can cause issues for vapors who use high amounts of it.

Also, VG can change flavor over time and break it down into other chemicals. Therefore, some vapors prefer to avoid VG. pg-vs-vg

What's The Difference Between PG and VG?

Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are both common ingredients used in e-liquid. They are carriers for the flavors, providing sweetness and a diluted flavor.

They are also known as carrier oils because they dilute the flavor and act as a carrier for the nicotine and main flavoring agent.

These two ingredients have different functions in e-liquids but can serve the same purpose at different times. Understanding their differences is key to making the best e-liquid.

Features of PG

Pure Propylene Glycol is tasteless, odorless, and colorless. It is commonly used in food and drink products to enhance flavor and improve consistency. PG is used in e-liquid because it is highly flammable, allowing large clouds to be produced.

It also has a high boiling point, which allows you to vape at higher temperatures with less vapor. A small percentage of PG is converted into propylene carbonate, which is a chemical that is used to dissolve a variety of substances. PG has a higher chance of creating a harsh throat sensation.

Pros of PG

A high boiling point allows for high-wattage vaping.
Low-temperature vaping produces a more flavorful e-liquid.
It is less viscous than VG.
Acts as a solvent to extract flavoring agents more effectively.
It is used in food, drinks, and pharmaceutical products.

Cons of PG

Has a lower flavor threshold than VG.
May have a harsher throat hit than VG.
Less flavor stability than VG.
It is less suitable for vaping than VG.
May irritate the throat and cause coughing fits.

Features of VG

Pure Vegetable Glycerin is viscous, sweet, and has a long shelf life. VG is used in e-liquid because of its high viscosity and sweet taste; VG is commonly used in food and drink products for a thicker consistency.

VG is used in e-liquid because it has a high flavor threshold and is easier to flavor than PG. VG is also used in e-juice because it has a low flavor impact, making it perfect for mixing and creating complex flavors. VG also creates more vapor than PG at lower temperatures.

Pros of VG

A high flavor threshold makes it easier to flavor.
More flavorful than PG.
Thicker consistency than PG.
It can be used at lower temperatures.
Great for complex flavors.
More suitable for vaping than PG.
Does not produce as harsh of a throat hit as PG.

Cons of VG

Higher viscosity than PG.
Creates a lot of thick, gooey buildup in the coils. You need to clean coils and cartridge or change it more frequently!
It may clog the coil and produce a burnt taste.
It may make e-liquid less suitable for high-wattage vaping.
It is less suitable for food and drink products than PG.

What's The Difference Between PG and VG Nicotine (Nicotine Shots)?

E-juices with high amounts of VG are thicker and have less flavor than e-liquids with low VG. Therefore, VG is better for nicotine shots because it is easier to absorb.

E-juices with high amounts of PG are thinner but have a stronger flavor. PG is best for flavor-rich e-juices. However, it's harder for nicotine shots to be absorbed into your bloodstream due to the viscosity of the e-liquid.

Therefore, many manufacturers will add VG to e-juices with high PG content to make it easier to absorb nicotine.

How Does The PG/VG Ratio Affect Nicotine Strength?

The PG/VG ratio does not affect the nicotine content of your e-liquid. But, it does affect the way it is absorbed into your body. The PG in e-juice acts as a binder and helps trap the nicotine inside the e-liquid.

Therefore, if you want a higher nicotine content in your e-liquid, you can opt for a higher PG amount in your e-liquid. However, you should remember that the higher the PG content, the thicker your e-juice will be.

It can be problematic for sub-ohm tanks, such as small coils. Suorin pod mod kits are designed for this kind of e-liquid with low to 0.2 coil resistance. You can check it below! Therefore, it might be necessary to "thin out" your e-juice with VG to avoid clogging your coils.

Most Common E-Liquid Ratios

Vape juice is a mixture of PG and VG with flavoring. All e-liquids have these two major ingredients, but they can be made with different ratios of these ingredients to change the consistency and flavor. People prefer different VG/PG ratios based on their smoking habits, flavor preferences, price, and other reasons. The most common PG/VG ratios for e-liquids are 50/50, 40/60, and 30/70.

What Is the Best PG/VG Ratio?

Actually, there is no best PG/VG ratio because it depends on the user's preferences. But there are some common PG/VG ratios for specified flavor tastes recommended.

50/50 - This is the most popular PG/VG ratio used in e-liquids. It's the best ratio if you're looking for a sweet and flavorful vape with strong cloud production. The 50/50 ratio is the most common ratio when creating nicotine shots.
60/40 - This ratio is the industry standard for creating tobacco blends. If you're creating a tobacco-flavored e-liquid, this is the ratio that you'll want to use.
A 70/30 is an ideal blend if you're looking for a thicker e-juice with a strong throat hit. A 70/30 ratio is also great for nicotine shots.
80/20 and 90/10 - These ratios are suitable for thicker e-liquids.

But keep in mind that these are only general guidelines. There are no steadfast rules when choosing an e-liquid and if you're new to vaping, experiment with different ratios to figure out which one you like best.

What Is the Best PG/VG Ratio for Flavor?

The best PG/VG ratio for flavor will differ from person to person. The best PG/VG ratio for flavor is the one that you enjoy the most.

The flavor of your e-liquid depends on the PG/VG ratio. The VG in the e-juice creates flavor and sweetens the e-liquid. Therefore, if you want a less intense flavor, you can opt for a higher PG amount in your e-liquid. It can give you a stronger throat hit as well. You can refer to the best PG/VG ratio we mentioned above.

However, you should note that a higher VG level will decrease your e-juice lifespan because VG is a natural preservative. Fortunately, almost all e-liquid manufacturers have reduced the amount of VG in their e-juices to extend their shelf lives. For example, a 70/30 VG/PG ratio has been reduced to 65/35 VG/PG.

In Conclusion

While VG/PG ratios are all e-liquids, some juices are mostly VG or mostly PG. VG/PG ratios will change the flavor of the e-juice and how it vapes. Both are carriers for flavoring, nicotine, and other ingredients.

They are also known as carrier oils because they dilute the flavor and act as a carrier for the nicotine and main flavoring agent. Both are useful in different ways, but it is important to use them appropriately. With the right e-liquid, you can enjoy all the benefits of vaping.

Of course, whatever the best PG/VG ratio you choose, a vape device is also important to help you to get that flavor test. Suorin vape starter kits which won a great reputation on the e-cigarette market are really great choices to help you to get that flavors.