E-Liquid is the flavoured mixture that is added to your e-cigarette. The vape juice is added to the vape tank component of your kit, and when heated the flavoured liquid evaporates and creates a water based vapour that is inhaled and exhaled.
Made up of four ingredients (rising to 5 with the addition of nicotine); the core ingredients used are:
Each of these ingredients are safe to be vaped, however the liquids can be dangerous if swallowed directly or if it comes into contact with skin. Each of the ingredients used will be listed on the packaging.
Two core ingredients used in making e-liquid are PG and VG. Within each bottle of e-liquid 95% of the liquid solution is glycerin/glycol (PG & VG), the remaining 5% is made up of the flavouring and nicotine.
Most e-liquid is a mix of PG and VG in different proportions, with common mixtures including 80 percent PG and 20 percent VG, 70 percent PG and 30 percent VG, and 50/50.
When buying e-liquid you’ll see that the PG/VG is marked as a ratio.
Propylene Glycol is a clear, flavourless additive that has a similar viscosity to that of water. PG is the ingredient within e-liquid that gives a throat hit and also serves to carry the flavour.
Higher PG e liquid is usually used in lower powered, mouth to lung pen devices as its thinner consistency is easier to vaporise than VG. High PG liquids are typically higher in nic strength, and will give a closer replication of a traditional cigarette therefore are most popular with first time vapers.
PG is used in a variety of different day-to-day items, including food products and medicine.
Vegetable Glycerin is a much thicker consistency and is made from a vegetable base. Non toxic, Vegetable Glycerin has a sweet taste and is the ingredient within the liquid mixture that’s responsible for producing the vapour itself.
High VG e liquid is designed for more powerful e-cig kits, as the thicker liquid consistency means it takes more heat to evaporate. Vaping a high VG e-liquid will give you much larger and denser clouds of vapour.
Common items that VG can be found in include toothpaste, pet food and even beauty products.
There are a wide range of e-liquid types, and with so many to choose from it can sometimes prove difficult to decide which type is right for you, and best for the vape kit you’re using.
The types of e-liquid available to vapers are:
50/50 or 60VG/40PG – (or High PG)
Best suited to lower powered MTL style kits, for instance pod kits or MTL starter kits. For plus ohm MTL coils (1 ohm or more), we recommend to always use a high PG ratio e-liquid. These are the most popular types of e-liquid for beginner vapers, as they closely replicate the sensation of a cigarette and are available in strengths of up to 18mg. 50/50 liquids are sold in a 10ml bottle size only.
70VG/30PG (or higher VG)
Designed to be used with sub-ohm tanks and higher powered vape kits. VG is a thick, sweet liquid and will provide you with denser clouds of vapour and intense flavour. The thicker consistency of high VG liquids means that a plus ohm (MTL) coil cannot properly absorb the liquid, and in turn will give a poor vaping experience. Sub-ohm liquids generally will not come in a strength higher than 6mg.
Nic Salts
Salts vaporise at a lower temperature, so are also great in lower powered MTL kits. Nic salts are made with using nicotine salts in place of conventional freebase nicotine. The salts help to give a much softer throat hit even at higher strengths.
Nic salts are commonly available in either 10mg or 20mg strengths, and TPD limited to a 10ml bottle size.
Shortfills
These are nicotine free e-liquids and come in larger bottles which are only 80% filled with liquid. With the remaining space, you can add a nicotine shot to the bottle to create a nicotine e-liquid.
Another of the ingredients used is nicotine, this is the most well known chemical found in tobacco and is added to e-liquid at a variety of strengths.
The majority of vapers will opt to vape with nicotine, with the most popular e-liquids being either a 3mg or 6mg strength. However, strengths up to 20mg are available which is the maximum legal limit within the UK.
Choosing the right nic strength is an important decision when buying e-liquid for the first time. To choose the right strength, you need to consider your smoking habit.
Light smokers who only have a few cigarettes a day should go for a 3mg or 6mg strength.
Moderate smokers who get through up to a pack a day should start at a 12mg level.
Heavy smokers going through a pack a day and over should look at 18-20mg strengths.
Nicotine found within the vape liquid is available in two forms; freebase and salt based.
Conventional (freebase) is what you would typically find in your standard e-liquid, it is nicotine in it’s purest form making it more potent when heated.
Nic Salts not only contain nicotine but various other organic components, such as Benzoic acid. The addition of benzoic acid reduces the pH level, which means when vaping the liquid is less harsh and in turn allows you to vape at higher strengths.
Vaping nicotine free liquids does not make them less or more safe.
If you’re an ex-smoker that is looking to start to vaping, therefore likely still requiring nicotine, we would recommend you begin with an eliquid that does contain nicotine. Otherwise, due to you not receiving your hit you are at risk of smoking traditional cigarettes to get your fix.
Start with nicotine containing liquids, you can then gradually lower the strength over time.
There is a huge array of mouth-watering flavours available to accomodate for the varying tastes of vapers. Finding your all time favourite flavour is one of the best and most exciting parts of vaping. There are a huge variety of vape liquids available in flavours ranging from tobacco to menthol and fruity to dessert flavours. Ultimately which is the best flavour is down to personal preference, a flavour that someone may enjoy might not necessarily be enjoyed by someone else.
Whilst you may begin with a tobacco or menthol vape flavour, as these will be a closer taste to what you’re used to, you can now really branch out and try some unique flavour blends. E-liquids will generally fall into one of these flavour groups; Tobacco, Menthol, Fruit, Dessert or Sweet/Candy. Once you’re more experienced, you can also mix your own complimentary flavours to find the perfect flavour for your taste.
For maximum flavour and to ensure the longevity of your e-liquid, store in a cool, dark place. Keeping the bottles away from direct sunlight and heat. Likewise, don’t go too cold. However for long-term storage some vapers store their e-liquids in the fridge.
Providing the bottle is stored correctly and the lid is tight, once opened the liquid can last up to two years.
Always keep the bottle sealed and away from children or pets.
All e-liquids sold in the UK must comply with TPD regulations, and are required to be submitted to the MHRA for approval. Discover what TPD compliance is and how we comply.