What is the Difference Between VG and PG E-Liquid?
22 April 2016
If you’re new to vaping, you may be a little daunted by some of the terminology and abbreviations which get thrown around in the vaping community. What’s an “analogue”? As in a clock? And what on earth is a "mod"? And don’t even get me started on cloud-chasing (a tame, English equivalent of storm-chasing, perhaps?).
You might have also come across VG and PG, which stand for Vegetable Glycerin and Propylene Glycol. It's these two ingredients which provide the base for e-liquids. Combined with nicotine and flavouring, they make the juice what it is and allow it to be successfully transformed into yummy vapour!
Many e-liquids have equal amounts of VG and PG in their content, but this balance can be adjusted depending on your individual preference.
So what's the difference between what PG and VG can deliver, I hear you ask?
Well, both are odourless, colourless substances found in many common food and personal care products, like soap, and are generally regarded as safe. However, the two ingredients have different consistencies, as well as a slightly different tastes. This means they produce their own distinctive mouth and throat sensation when inhaled. We’ve drawn up the differences below for you to compare!
Comparison Chart
PG
VG
Petroleum by-product
Natural chemical derived from plant oil
Slightly higher risk of allergic reaction than with VG
Natural – less likely to cause allergic reaction
Provides a stronger “throat hit” similar to a traditional cigarette
Provides a smoother hit
Carries flavour more effectively
Slightly sweeter than PG
Thinner than VG – will not clog your vaping device
Thicker than PG – gives denser sensation to the liquid and produces larger clouds but can clog atomiser
So which ratio of VG to PG do you go for? There’s no right answer – it all depends on personal preference.
If you enjoy a sharper throat hit, for instance if you want to simulate the sensation of smoking as closely as possible, you’ll probably want a higher PG liquid. PG also carries flavour a little better than VG and produces less vapour, ideal if you want to be less conspicuous when vaping in public.
If a smoother delivery is important to you, higher VG may be more suitable. It produces a thicker cloud which feels slightly heavier in the mouth, as well as enabling denser, larger clouds of vapour. If you’re interested in cloud-chasing, the activity which involves competing to create impressive plumes of vapour, definitely favour VG over PG.
If none of this means that much to you then best go for a 50/50 PG/VG liquid – the best of both worlds! Have a browse of the e-liquids available at Vape Mountain now.
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