What Are PG and VG in E-Liquid? A Beginner's Guide

The vaping industry has witnessed exponential growth over the past decade, offering smokers a less harmful alternative and enthusiasts a customizable experience. Central to this customization is the e-liquid, a blend of ingredients that produce the vapour inhaled by users. Two primary components of e-liquids are Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). 

Understanding the differences between PG and VG is crucial for vapers aiming to tailor their experience to personal preferences. So, let’s take a look at the VG and PG meaning, the difference between the two, and their purpose in e-liquids. 

What is VG?

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a natural compound derived from vegetable oils. This clear, odourless, and viscous liquid has a slightly sweet taste. It belongs to a group of non-toxic compounds known as polyhydric alcohols. 

VG is used in the food industry as a sweetener and humectant and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics for its moisturizing properties. It is also found in toothpaste and soaps. In the context of vaping, VG serves as one of the base liquids in e-liquids.

What does VG do in e-liquid?

VG helps make big clouds with a mild inhale. It is crucial in determining the vapour production and overall smoothness of the vaping experience. It is classified chemically but is thicker than PG. Hence, it requires more power to vaporize, providing more vapour to users with high VG e-liquids.

High VG liquids generally contain 70% or more vegetable glycerin, which delivers mild to no throat hit with rich flavours. However, some bottles even contain as high as 90% VG, resulting in a significant drop in flavour because of the low volume of flavour-carrying PG. You can experience varied flavour intensity based on the VG level. 

Here is the break down of the significance of VG in e-liquid:

1. Vapor Production

It produces thick, dense clouds of vapour, making it a favourite among cloud-chasing enthusiasts.

2. Flavor Impact

VG provides a smoother vaping experience but can slightly mute the intensity of flavours compared to PG.

3. Smoothness

The viscous nature of VG provides a smoother throat hit, reducing the harshness that some vapers might experience.

4. Device Compatibility

High VG liquids are compatible with sub-ohm devices that can handle thicker liquids, ensuring efficient wicking and vaporization.

What is PG?

Propylene Glycol (PG) is a synthetic organic compound that is colourless, odourless, and has a slightly sweet taste. It is derived through chemical processes and is commonly used in the food industry as a flavour carrier and preservative and in pharmaceuticals as a solvent. In vaping, PG serves as the other primary base liquid in e-liquids.

What does PG do in e-liquid?

PG primarily carries flavour in e-liquids. It is thinner than VG, so flavours mix into it better, providing a complex and potent flavour profile. PG is also responsible for serving a strong throat hit and delivers the same feeling as smoking, making it ideal for users transitioning from smoking. 

Anyone switching from smoking to vaping will find the dry and scratchy feeling during inhaling familiar. E-liquids with higher PG have a thin consistency, delivering less vapour. Also, it requires less power and heat to vaporize. Vapers who like decent throat hit, modest vapour production, and good flavour prefer 50% PG in e-liquids. However, if you like a more potent throat hit, you can go for high PG levels. 

1. Throat Hit

It provides a stronger throat hit, similar to the sensation of smoking traditional tobacco, which can be appealing to transitioning smokers.

2. Flavor Carrier

It is responsible for carrying and delivering flavours, ensuring a more pronounced taste in e-liquids.

3. Allergic Reactions

Some individuals might experience allergic reactions to PG, such as throat irritation or dryness, necessitating careful consideration when choosing e-liquids.

4. Viscosity

Being less viscous than VG, PG allows for easier absorption in wicks and coils, making it suitable for devices with smaller wicking ports.

VG vs PG - What is the difference?

Understanding the distinctions between PG and VG can help vapers make informed choices:

PG- Stronger Throat Hit 

As a non-toxic component, PG has been used for more than 50 years in medicines, cosmetics, food, and vapes. It is flavourless and odourless and delivers a strong throat hit. Also, PG carries more flavour and produces larger clouds with less residue. PG helps prevent gunking in the atomizer quicker than VG.

VG- Smoother Throat Hit 

VG is an organic component derived from vegetable oils. This thick and sugar-free liquid is sweet in taste. The key aspect of VG is that it delivers mild to no throat hits while producing more vapour than PG. However, it leaves residue due to its thick consistency. If you want rich and flavourful e-liquid while increasing the lifespan of the atomizer, go for high VG. 

VG- More Clouds 

VG creates denser clouds than PG due to its thick consistency. Due to its smaller molecule structure, PG can carry more flavours than VG and carry more clouds. However, PG delivers a harsh throat hit, so if you like a mild hit, buy vapes with low PG.

VG- Sweeter Taste 

VG is known to have a sweeter taste and provides less harsh throat hits than PG. Additionally, VG produces rich flavours with less effort. Due to being flavourless and odourless, PG requires more chemicals to add taste, leading to an unpleasant aftertaste. 

Why Do We Add PG in E-Liquid? 

PG is a crucial component in e-liquid as it carries flavour and produces more vapour clouds. Additionally, it prevents clogging in the atomiser more quickly than VG. However, PG can deliver a strong or harsh throat hit, which is not the case in e-liquids with lower PG levels. 

Things To Know When Vaping

Before you decide on the right VG and PG ratio, you must know a few important things to make the right decision. Yes, an incorrect VG/PG ratio won’t cause any severe or lasting damage, but it can ruin your experience. So, here we go:

1. 50/50 E-Liquids

If you are a beginner, prefer using a 50-50 ratio freebase e-liquid or 50-50 nic salt e-liquid. 

Features of 50:50 VG/PG E-Liquid

• A stronger throat hit.

• Less vapour, so it is better for discreet vaping.

• It easily vaporizes in lower-powered kits due to its thin consistency.

• It is more flavourful due to an equal ratio.

• Suitable for higher nicotine levels.

2. High VG E-Liquids

High VG means anything of 70% or more. Vapers who opt for high VG e-liquids are generally more experienced. However, if you are a light vaper, you can start with this. 

Features of High Vg E-Liquids

• Mild to no throat hit.

• Higher VG levels create a thick consistency of e-liquid, so it might not be compatible with higher-powered kits and tanks.

• Not suitable for nic salts e-liquids.

• Prefer 30:70 for more flavour and 20:80 for more vapour. 

• When e-liquids are used with a sub ohm kit, they produce more vapour than 50-50 e-liquids. 

Which VG/PG Ratio Is Right For Me?

Selecting the appropriate VG/PG ratio depends on individual preferences and device compatibility:

1. 50/50 VG/PG: For a balanced vaping experience with moderate throat hit and vapour production. Suitable for most standard vaping devices.

2. High PG (e.g., 70PG/30VG): Offers a stronger throat hit with a more intense flavour. Good for users transitioning from smoking or using low-power devices.

3. High VG (e.g., 70VG/30PG): If you seek larger vapour clouds with a smoother throat hit. Best suited for sub-ohm devices and direct-to-lung vaping styles.

4. Max VG: Contains minimal PG, offering the smoothest inhale and maximum vapour production. Preferred by cloud chasers and those sensitive to PG.

Conclusion

Both Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) play integral roles in shaping the vaping experience. While PG offers stronger flavour delivery and a pronounced throat hit, VG provides smoother inhales and denser vapour clouds. Understanding their individual characteristics and how they interact in various ratios allows vapers to tailor their experience to personal preferences and device capabilities. As the vaping industry continues to evolve, being informed about these components ensures a satisfying and safe vaping journey.