Evolution of E-Liquid | Going from High PG to High VG

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Evolution of E-Liquid | Going from High PG to High VG

Vaping sure has come a long way in a short amount of time. Looking back to our previous blog on The Evolution of Vaping Devices we have moved from carto-tanks to sub-tanks in the span of just 4-years. It is really outstanding to watch how fast this industry moves. After doing the blog over the evolution of vaping devices it would only make since to explain how e-liquid also evolved with the ever-changing technology of devices.

High Propylene Glycol E-Liquid

In the beginning vaping devices were not as powerful as they are today and carto-tanks did not have very efficient wicking ability.  Because of the less powerful devices and use of cartomizers; most e-liquid available was very high PG (Propylene glycol).

The reason higher PG juices worked so well during the cartomizer era is because the e-liquid was thinner and these devices required a thinner viscosity in order to wick efficiently . Cartomizers have much smaller coils and significantly less wicking material within the coil; so if a vaper turned the power up too high they would vaporize the e-liquid faster than it could re-wick, this lead to a lot of dry burnt hits when the device power increased.

80/20 (PG/VG): Little vapor production, and a moderately strong throat hit.

70/30 (PG/VG): A little more vapor, a little less throat hit.

60/40 (PG/VG): Decent vapor with a noticeable, but not to overwhelming throat hit.

Smack in the Middle of 50pg / 50vg E-Liquid

As vaping devices and tanks advanced so did the e-liquid. Evolving from cartomizers to clearomizers and standard voltage batteries to variable voltage batteries e-liquid developed to 50pg and 50vg blends.

The popularity of 50/50 was the ideal e-liquid for many vapers for quite a while, and for some vaper’s, 50pg/50vg still is their desired ratio. The benefit of the 50pg/50vg e-liquid is that there is a perfect balance of flavor, smoothness, and cloud production.  

50/50 (PG/VG): An even mix, with quality vapor clouds and a soft throat hit.

High Vegetable Glycerin E-Liquid

The more advanced devices became the higher the Vegetable Glycerin to Propylene Glycol ratio became. The devices advanced and the wattage vaper’s where vaping at got higher, so the need for a higher VG e-juice became even more important.

Propylene Glycol has a lower boiling point than Vegetable Glycerine and I believe this is the reason why the higher Vegetable Glycerine e-liquid’s perform and taste better out of more powerful devices. Vaper’s using some of these more powerful devices have had complaints about the harshness of Propylene Glycol and around 2014 many e-liquid manufacturers started to release their e-juice in a higher VG blend.

Today 30pg/70vg e-liquid is one of the most common ratios of VG to PG because it works comfortably for most vaper’s using the majority of devices on the market.

40/60 (PG/VG): Noticeably larger vapor clouds and a reduced throat hit.

30/70 (PG/VG): Good vapor production and a minimal throat hit.

20/80 (PG/VG): Excellent vapor production and a very small throat hit.

Expert Note:

PG (Propylene Glycol) 

Propylene glycols are chemicals made by the reaction of propylene oxide with water. For more than five decades propylene glycols have had an excellent reputation for safe use in a wide range of consumer products, including foodstuffs, animal feed, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, as well as industrial applications.

Boiling Point: 370.8°F (188.2°C)

VG (Vegetable Glycerine)

Vegetable Glycerine is a simple polyol (sugar alcohol) compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations.

Boiling Point: 554°F (290°C)

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