The base of each e-liquid consists of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. Propylene glycol is referred to as PG, vegetable glycerin as VG. PG is a thin liquid, which provides more flavor and a kick in the throat. VG is a viscous liquid, which provides thicker vapor and feels softer in your throat. In addition, there is optional nicotine and flavoring in e-liquid. Nicotine is the addictive substance derived from the tobacco plant. Choosing the right nicotine strength is very important. Which nicotine strength is suitable for you depends on the e-cigarette you choose and what nicotine strength you are used to from the tobacco cigarette. So the ratio of PG and VG base along with the nicotine strength creates the final effect of a e-liquid. But not every type of e-liquid is suitable for every e-cigarette! Therefore, it is important to know which e-liquid is suitable for your e-cigarette.
Nicotine
Nicotine is the addictive substance in a cigarette of electric cigarette which comes from the tobacco plant. E-liquid is available both with nicotine and nicotine free. We do not recommend the use of e-liquid with nicotine for non-smokers.
The nicotine strength in a e-liquid is indicated in milligrams (MG). A e-liquid with a strength of 3mg nicotine is considered "light" and an 18mg e-liquid is considered "heavy." But this is not entirely true. In fact, this depends entirely on the e-cigarette in which you use it. There are two types of e-cigarettes, the DL e-cigarette and the MTL e-cigarette. The DL e-cigarette produces a lot of vapor and you will have to inhale directly into the lungs. A DL e-cigarette has a low coil resistance, say 0.2 Ohm. The MTL variety is similar to the effect of a tobacco cigarette and will require you to inhale from mouth to lung. MTL e-cigarettes have a higher coil resistance, for example 1.0 Ohm. Want to know more about DL and MTL inhalation? Then check out our article on MTL and DL.
It is true that there is less nicotine in a 3mg e-liquid than in an 18mg e-liquid. But the moment you use a DL e-cigarette you get more vapor per puff. As a result, you also ingest more nicotine per puff. Therefore, a 3mg e-liquid in a high-power e-cigarette can have the same effect as an 18mg e-liquid in an MTL e-cigarette. So it is very important to choose the right nicotine strength based on your e-cigarette. If you will use a e-liquid with 18mg in a DL e-cigarette it will be tremendously sharp in the throat. This is because the nicotine, like the PG, provides a kick in the throat.
Basic ratio
The basic ratio of e-liquid is given in percentages of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). At the beginning of the article, we explained a few things about PG and VG. PG is thin liquid which provides more flavor and a kick in the throat. VG is viscous liquid which provides thicker vapor and feels softer in the throat. The combined percentage of PG and VG in a e-liquid is always 100%.
Now that you know the effect of PG and VG, you will probably ask yourself what PG and VG are. Propylene glycol (PG) is an odorless and colorless viscous liquid with a slightly sweet taste. PG is used in food products as a preservative among other things of in medicines such as an IV drip. Vegetable glycerin (VG) is made from vegetable oils such as soybeans. Like PG, this liquid is odorless, colorless and has and slightly sweet taste. VG is also used, among other things, in food products for preservation of in cosmetics for skin improvement.
Choosing the right e-liquid
Now you know all about nicotine, PG and VG in e-liquid but ask yourself which e-liquid is suitable for your e-cigarette. In the table below we have listed the recommended e-liquids based on the coil resistance and inhalation method. The resistance can always be found on the coil itself and will be indicated in Ohm.
| Coil resistance | Way of inhaling | Recommended PG/VG ratio. | Recommended nicotine strength for smokers |
| 0.1 - 0.5 Ohm | DL | Minimum 70% VG | Maximum 3mg |
| 0.5 - 1.0 Ohm | MTL / DL | 50% PG / 50% VG | between 6 and 12mg |
| 1.0 - 2.0 Ohm | MTL | 70% PG / 30% VG | between 12 and 20mg |
Once you know which e-liquid is right for your e-cigarette, it's only a matter of taste. Every e-liquid and brand has a different flavor. We recommend going for a flavor that appeals to you. Flavors are very personal, therefore we cannot give you any advice on flavor. We have many different flavors in our assortment from fruit to dessert and tobacco flavors.
Consequences of incorrect e-liquid use
It is important to choose the e-liquid that works well in your e-cigarette. When you use the wrong e-liquid it can give you an unpleasant experience. The moment you use e-liquid with a VG percentage that is too high, it can be too thick for your e-cigarette. This can cause the coil to break down, giving a burnt taste. It can also clog up the e-cigarette. If you use e-liquid with too high a PG percentage, the e-cigarette may leak and appear very sharp in your throat. This makes it impossible to use your e-cigarette properly. So check carefully which e-liquid can be used in your e-cigarette and prevent problems.
Summary
- Nicotine is optional and not recommended for non-smokers
- PG is a thin liquid which provides flavor and a throat hit
- VG is a viscous liquid which provides thicker vapor and less throat hit
- The appropriate e-liquid depends on the PG, VG and nicotine ratio of a e-liquid in combination with the resistance and inhalation method of the e-cigarette
- It is important to use the appropriate e-liquid for your e-cigarette, as this can have other unpleasant consequences
- E-liquids are available in many different flavors
