What Are E-Liquids and What You Must Be Aware of Before Vaping?
E-liquids are liquids used in vaping devices such as e-cigarettes, vape pens, or mods. They are also known as e-juice, vape juice, or vape liquid. E-liquids are the source of flavor and nicotine for vapers and are responsible for creating the vapor that is inhaled and exhaled.
Highlights
- E-liquids contain four main ingredients: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), water, flavorings, and nicotine.
- E-liquids are made by mixing the ingredients in precise proportions and steeping them for a few days to enhance the flavor and quality.
- E-liquids come in different types, depending on the ratio of PG and VG, the flavor category, and the nicotine strength.
The Main Ingredients of E-Liquids
E-liquids contain four main ingredients: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), water, flavorings, and nicotine. Each ingredient has a specific role and function in the e-liquid, affecting the vaping experience differently.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
PG is a synthetic liquid used as a base for e-liquids. It is thin, clear, and odorless, carrying the flavor and nicotine of the e-liquid. PG also provides the throat hit, which is the sensation of irritation or satisfaction that vapers feel when they inhale the vapor. PG is generally considered safe for human consumption and used in many food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
Vegetable glycerin (VG) is a natural liquid derived from plant oils, such as palm, soy, or coconut. It is a thick, sweet, viscous liquid that produces vapor in e-liquids. VG also adds sweetness and smoothness to the e-liquid, reducing the throat hit. Many food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products use VG, which is generally considered safe for human consumption.
Water
Water is a minor ingredient that dilutes the e-liquid and makes vaping easier. Water also helps prevent the e-liquid from being too thick or too thin, improving the vapor production and flavor delivery. Water is usually added in small amounts, ranging from 5% to 15% of the e-liquid.
Flavorings
Flavorings are the ingredients that give the e-liquid its taste and aroma. They can be natural or artificial and derived from various sources, such as fruits, herbs, spices, nuts, candies, desserts, beverages, tobacco, etc. Flavorings are usually added in small amounts, ranging from 1% to 10% of the e-liquid. Flavorings are the most diverse and subjective part of the e-liquid, and they can make or break the vaping experience for vapers.
Nicotine
Nicotine is an optional ingredient that is added to the e-liquid to satisfy the nicotine cravings of vapers. Nicotine is a stimulant that affects the nervous system, and it can have positive or negative effects on the body and mind, depending on the dose and the individual. Nicotine is usually added in varying amounts, ranging from 0 to 50 mg per ml of e-liquid. Nicotine is the most addictive and controversial part of the e-liquid, and it should be used with caution and moderation by vapers.
How E-Liquids Are Made
E-liquids are made by mixing the ingredients in precise proportions and steeping them for a few days to enhance the flavor and quality. Making e-liquids is simple; anyone can do it with the right equipment and materials. However, making e-liquids also requires some skill and knowledge, which can be challenging and risky for beginners. Here are the basic steps of making e-liquids:
Step 1: Acquire the Necessary Equipment and Materials
The initial phase of crafting e-liquids involves gathering essential equipment and materials crucial for the process. The required equipment encompasses a scale, syringe, pipette, funnel, beaker, bottle, cap, and labels. Materials include PG, VG, water, flavorings, nicotine, and gloves. Ensuring the cleanliness, sterility, accuracy, and safe storage of equipment and materials is paramount.
Step 2: Determine the Recipe and Ratios
The second stage in crafting e-liquids entails calculating the recipe and determining the ratios of the ingredients. These aspects hinge on personal preferences and the desired vaping experience, with adjustments made for taste, throat hit, vapor production, and nicotine strength. The recipe and ratios can be computed manually or with online calculators or dedicated apps.
Step 3: Measure and Blend the Ingredients
The third step involves meticulously measuring and blending ingredients according to the established recipe and ratios. Use precision instruments such as scales, syringes, pipettes, and funnels to measure the ingredients accurately. Ensure a thorough and uniform mixture using a beaker, bottle, and cap. Follow a specific sequence during the combining process, starting with PG, then VG, water, flavorings, and nicotine.
Step 4: Steep and Safely Store the E-Liquid
The concluding step revolves around steeping and storing the freshly crafted e-liquid. Steeping, a crucial process for enhancing flavor and overall quality, entails allowing the e-liquid to rest for a designated period—from days to weeks. Various steeping methods can be employed, such as shaking, heating, breathing, or aging. Proper storage involves placing the e-liquid in a dark, tranquil, and dry environment shielded from heat, light, and air. Both steeping and storage significantly contribute to an enhanced vaping experience, necessitating careful and patient execution.
What Are the Different Types of E-Liquids, and How Do They Affect Your Vaping Experience?
E-liquids come in different types, depending on the ratio of PG and VG, the flavor category, and the nicotine strength. Every kind of e-liquid has its characteristics and effects on the vaping experience, and they can suit different preferences and needs of vapers.
The Ratio of PG and VG
The ratio of PG and VG in e-liquids is one of the most critical factors determining the quality and performance of the e-liquid. The ratio of PG and VG can vary from 100% PG to 100% VG or anything in between. The most common ratios are 50/50, 70/30, and 80/20, where the first number represents the percentage of PG and the second number represents the percentage of VG. The ratio of PG and VG affects the following aspects of the e-liquid:
- The throat hit: PG provides a more robust and sharper throat hit, while VG offers a softer and smoother throat hit. Vapers who want a more intense and satisfying sensation may prefer higher-PG e-liquids. Vapers who wish for a more gentle and comfortable sensation may choose higher VG e-liquids.
- Vapor production: VG produces thicker vapor, while PG produces less thin vapor. Vapers who want to create large and dense clouds may prefer higher VG e-liquids, while vapers who want to be more discreet and stealthy may prefer higher-PG e-liquids.
- Flavor intensity: PG carries the flavor better and more clearly, while VG dilutes it and makes it more muted. Vapers who want to enjoy the full and rich taste of the e-liquid may prefer higher PG e-liquids, while vapers who wish for a more subtle and mild flavor may prefer higher VG e-liquids.
The Flavour Category
The flavor category of e-liquids plays a critical role in determining the taste and aroma of the e-liquid. We can divide the flavor category of e-liquids into various groups, such as tobacco, menthol, fruit, candy, dessert, and beverage. Each group has subcategories and variations that can appeal to different preferences and moods of vapers. Some of the typical flavor categories of e-liquids include:
- Tobacco e-liquids aim to replicate the flavor of traditional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. They can vary from simple to complex, incorporating notes of nuts, spices, caramel, vanilla, and more. These e-liquids are perfect for vapers who want to simulate the smoking experience or enjoy the earthy and robust taste of tobacco.
- Menthol e-liquids are crafted to deliver a refreshing sensation to the vaper. They can be pure and crisp or combined with other flavors like mint, fruit, or candy. They are ideal for vapers who seek to invigorate their senses or savor the icy and fresh taste of menthol.
- Fruit e-liquids capture the flavor of various fruits, such as apples, bananas, strawberries, and mango, offering sweet and juicy, sour and tangy, or a combination of both tastes. They are ideal for vapers who want to enjoy the natural and delicious taste of fruit's bright and vibrant flavor.
- Candy e-liquids recreate the flavor of various candies, such as gummy bears, bubble gum, and cotton candy, providing sugary and fun, sour and fizzy, or both tastes. They are ideal for vapers who want to indulge their sweet tooth or enjoy candy's playful and whimsical taste.
- Dessert e-liquids replicate the flavor of various desserts, such as cake, pie, and ice cream, offering rich and creamy, light and fluffy, or both tastes. They are ideal for vapers who want to treat themselves or enjoy desserts' decadent and satisfying flavor.
- Beverage e-liquids emulate the flavor of various drinks, such as coffee, tea, soda, etc. They can be hot and stimulating, cold and refreshing, or both. Vapers who want to quench their thirst or enjoy the diverse and versatile tastes of beverages will find beverage e-liquids ideal.
The Nicotine Strength
The nicotine strength of e-liquids is another critical factor that determines the level of nicotine that the vaper receives from the e-liquid. The nicotine strength of e-liquids can vary from 0 mg to 50 mg per ml of e-liquid or even higher in some cases. The nicotine strength of e-liquids affects the following aspects of the e-liquid:
- Nicotine satisfaction: The higher the nicotine strength, the more nicotine the vaper gets from the e-liquid, and the more satisfied they feel. Vapers who have a strong nicotine dependence or who want a more intense and satisfying sensation may prefer higher nicotine e-liquids. In comparison, vapers who have a low nicotine dependence or who want a more gentle and comfortable sensation may choose lower nicotine e-liquids.
- Nicotine addiction: The higher the nicotine strength, the more addictive the e-liquid becomes, and the more likely the vaper is to develop a nicotine addiction. Vapers who want to quit or reduce their nicotine consumption may prefer lower nicotine e-liquids. In comparison, vapers who want to maintain or increase their nicotine consumption may prefer higher nicotine e-liquids.
- Nicotine side effects: The higher the nicotine strength, the more side effects the e-liquid can cause, such as nausea, headache, dizziness, etc. Vapers who are sensitive or allergic to nicotine or who want to avoid the adverse effects of nicotine may prefer lower nicotine e-liquids. In comparison, vapers who are tolerant or immune to nicotine or who wish to enjoy the positive effects of nicotine may choose higher nicotine e-liquids.