VG/PG refers to the ratio of Vegetable Glycerine (VG) to Propylene Glycol (PG) in e-liquid. These are the two primary base ingredients that make up the bulk of any e-liquid.
Vegetable Glycerine (VG): A thick, sweet liquid, VG is known for producing dense vapour clouds and giving a smoother throat hit. It is derived from vegetable oils and is also used in food and cosmetic products due to its properties as a humectant – it retains moisture.
Propylene Glycol (PG): A thinner, less viscous liquid than VG, PG carries flavour more effectively and provides a more pronounced throat hit, similar to that experienced when smoking tobacco. It's also used in various edible and pharmaceutical products.
The VG/PG ratio can significantly affect the vaping experience:
- Higher VG e-liquids (such as 70VG/30PG) are favoured for sub-ohm vaping, which involves using devices that operate at less than one ohm of resistance. These e-liquids are thicker, producing larger clouds and a smoother throat sensation, suitable for direct-to-lung (DTL) devices.
- Higher PG e-liquids (such as 50VG/50PG or 40VG/60PG) are generally used in mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices, which simulate the sensation of smoking more closely. These e-liquids are thinner, provide a stronger throat hit, and carry the flavour more intensely.
Understanding the VG/PG ratio is crucial for vapers to tailor their experience, whether they're looking for flavour, cloud production, or a particular throat hit. It also helps in choosing the right e-liquid for their device since some atomisers and coils work better with a specific VG/PG ratio.