Have you recently started vaping? Enjoying the extra money available as you are no longer buying cigarettes? Would you like to know more about the e-liquid in your device? If so, please read on while this short piece gives you all the information you need regarding the e-liquid in your device. A decent proportion of vapers have given up smoking and using vaping as a successful form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) but do not know too much about their e-liquid. We will look at the contents of e-liquids and how they work together to produce that satisfying vapour.
The Main Ingredients Of E-Liquid
The e-liquid in your vape device consists of four components, all of which play an important role in delivering that tasty vape you enjoy. Let’s break them down; they are –
- Propylene Glycol – known as PG, is a liquid used in the food and medicine industries for many years. Used in medicines that are inhaled, it is utilised in the vaping world as it is also a great carrier of flavour.
- Vegetable Glycerin – (VG) is an odourless, clear liquid sourced from plant oils, like palm oil; thicker in consistency than PG, it is a component of various food and cosmetic products; as a more viscous substance, it produces a more significant amount of vapour for those who want the super thick clouds of vapour.
- Food Flavourings – used to give your e-liquid its tasty distinctive flavour; they are the same flavourings that the food industry use in thousands of different products.
The fourth and possibly most important ingredient is nicotine; let us look at it separately now.
The Origin of Nicotine
A naturally occurring part of the Tobacco plant that originated in South and Central America and was brought to Europe in the 1500s, nicotine is a salt not easily absorbed into the body. In the early 1900s Tobacco manufacturers led by Marlboro devised a chemical process that created a form of nicotine called Freebase; this allowed the nicotine to be absorbed more easily in its cigarette form. The method uses ammonia to increase PH levels which means when burnt, the lungs quickly absorb it, but this also creates a harsh sensation as the strength of the nicotine increases. Until recently, Freebase has been the only option as the nicotine element of e-liquid, that is, until the development of a newer form called nicotine salt or salt nic. This newer form of nicotine is now highly prized as a kinder manufacturing process produces a smoother vape.
The Different Types of Vape Liquids
E-liquid is also mixed with varying levels of PG or VG, which are designed to heighten specific ways of vaping. These different types of e-liquid are referred to by the mix ratio of the two main components; the three main types of pre-mixed e-liquids are –
- 50/50 – with equal amounts of the main components, it is a good all-rounder with a smooth flavour sensation and good vapour production.
- 70/30 – used to describe e-liquid with a higher VG level; it is designed for use in vape devices with a sub-ohm coil. This combination produces greater vapour clouds for those who dream of being a cloud chaser.
- 80/20 – As a direct opposite to the above option, this type of vape liquid uses a higher proportion of PG for those who want a vape that prioritises flavour and the throat hit over vapour output; it is most suited to vape pens and pods.
So, there you have it; all you need to maximise your vaping enjoyment and confidently chart your journey.
