Two abbreviations turn up on almost every vape juice label: PG for propylene glycol and VG for vegetable glycerin. Newcomers tend to skip past them. Experienced vapers read them first, because the balance between the two shapes the flavor, the thickness of the vapor and how a puff feels in the mouth and throat.
Both are printed as percentages, and that split is what people use to judge whether a juice suits them. Here is what each ingredient does and how to choose between them.
PG and VG compared
| PG-heavy juice | VG-heavy juice | |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Thin and runny | Thick |
| Flavor and hit | More flavor; potent without being too intense | A strong hit and big clouds |
| How fast it goes | Quickly | Slowly |
| Cleaning | Easy | Harder, because residue builds up |
What propylene glycol does
PG is a common base in e-juice and it thins the liquid. That thin consistency gives a more flavorful hit. People who used to smoke cigarettes often favor PG-based juice, since the hit resembles tobacco smoke. PG is also the better carrier of nicotine.
The drawback is consumption. Runny liquid reaches the wick and atomizer fast, so a PG-heavy juice disappears quickly, which many vapers regard as wasteful. On the plus side, a thin juice does not cling to the e-cig and cleaning is simpler.
Allergic reactions to propylene glycol have been reported by some users. They are rare, though PG is known to irritate the throat. Anyone who suspects a PG allergy should move to a VG-based juice.
What vegetable glycerin does
Juices led by VG are a frequent pick among people just starting out. The liquid is thicker, you do not burn through it as fast, and a bottle lasts longer. Some hardware suits it better as well; sub-ohm mods, for one, perform better on VG-based juice.
That thickness has a cost. VG juice can accumulate inside the e-cig and the atomizer, and cleaning becomes a chore.
VG is the choice for large clouds, because a small pull yields a lot of vapor. Expect the hit to be strong, so be careful and keep your first pulls small. If the intensity is not for you, go back to a PG-based juice.
Choosing your ratio
- Lean toward PG for an easy hit, simple clean-up and a feel close to smoking tobacco.
- Lean toward VG to make a bottle last and to produce big clouds.
- Undecided: plenty of manufacturers sell 50/50 juices.
Whichever way you lean, trying a few PG/VG splits is the surest way to learn which one you prefer.