The Ultimate Guide to E-liquids

Checking out the world of vape juices and feeling a bit overwhelmed with the extensive flavour choices (fruity, icy, and sweet) and various nicotine strengths. We understand the challenge, and therefore, we have prepared a detailed guide to educate you on e-liquids, covering everything from basics, types, nicotine strengths, flavour profiles, and safety tips.  So, let's hop through the details to make the next best e-liquid purchase.

If you’ve ever wondered what vape juice is, it is the material your vape kit turns into vapour when you take a puff. It is also known as vape juice or e-juice. The magic mix delivers flavour, nicotine (if you want it), and satisfying clouds. Every vape kit, from sleek disposables to powerful mod setups, uses e-liquid so that you can enjoy multiple flavours.

E-Liquid (or vape juice) is mainly comprised of four ingredients, i.e., Propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavouring, and nicotine(optional). Each ingredient plays a different role in shaping your vaping experience.

For those wondering, “What are PG and VG?” These are the two main base liquids in e-juices. If you expect a strong throat hit, high PG e-juices are best. High VG liquids are ideal for vapour chasers. The flavouring component varies a lot since there’s a vast range, i.e., fruity, tobacco, ice, menthol, or custard. All add a unique touch to the vapes, allowing you to enjoy your vaping experiences.

Nicotine is something optional, as some e-juices come with 0mg nicotine strength. Even in nicotine-infused e-juices, there are strength variations like 5mg/ml, 10mg/ml, and 20mg/ml (TPD compliant to satisfy vapers' requirements.

E-liquid isn’t one-size-fits-all; it has different types to comply with different vape kits and users’ preferences. Some popular ones are listed below:

• 50/50
These offer a balanced mix of VG and PG, providing a good blend of flavour, throat hit, and vapour production. They’re perfect for beginners and work best in basic vape pens or pod systems.
• High-VG
These are thicker juices made mostly with VG and effective in producing bigger, smoother clouds and a gentler throat hit. They’re usually sold as shortfills bottles with space left to add your desired nicotine shots. High-VG e-liquids work best with advanced kits and are great for sub-ohm/DTL vaping.

VG/PG Ratio Cheat Sheet

• Nicotine/Nic Salts
Nic salts are made with a different type of nicotine that absorbs faster and hits smoother, even at higher strengths. Perfect for people switching from cigarettes and wanting a quick nicotine fix without the harsh throat hit of regular e-liquids. They’re best used in low-power devices like pods.
• Shortfills
Shortfills are large bottles (usually 50ml or 100ml) of nicotine-free e-liquid that let you add a nicotine shot if you want. They normally have high VG content and are perfect for cloud chasers and sub-ohm users.

There is a distinct difference between nicotine salts and e-liquid. Nicotine salts (nic salts) and regular e-liquids differ mainly in how they deliver nicotine. Nic salts use modified or pure nicotine that absorbs faster and feels smoother on the throat, even at higher strengths. Meanwhile, e-liquids use freebase nicotine, which gives a stronger throat hit and works better at lower nicotine levels in high-power or sub-ohm devices.

Choosing the right e-liquid nicotine strength is easier when you know your smoking habits, or you decide how strong a hit you want to feel. For example:

• 0mg: If you are a flavour lover or someone who has quit nicotine but still wants to enjoy vaping.
• 3mg–6mg: A suitable choice if you are a light smoker or sub-ohm vaper who wants a mild nicotine buzz.
• 10mg–12mg: Ideal if you are a moderate smoker or use a basic vape kit and want a noticeable throat hit.
• 18mg–20mg: Best for heavy smokers switching to vaping, especially using nic salts or MTL devices.

Choosing the best e-liquid brand depends on your needs. Some brands, like LYC and IVG, offer blends perfect for starter kits, while others, like Doozy Vape Co. and Elux, are better suited for sub-ohm devices. Try Hayati and Maryliq for budget-friendly options, while premium flavours can be found in Elfliq and Bar Juice 5000. Don’t be afraid to experiment, mix and match to find your favourites!

Flavour is one of the most personal and fun parts of vaping. Here are some experts’ suggestions on finding the right e-juice flavour:

If you're just starting, go for options like tobacco or menthol as they give a cigarette-like feel, suitable for a smooth transition from smoking. Some people also prefer going the opposite way and opt for fruity or sweet flavours that don’t remind them of smoking. This can be a clever way to break the mental link between cigarettes and satisfaction.

Moreover, you can grab a few 10ml options and experiment, trying something different greatly helps finding the best out of the rush. Once you have found your flavour, you can stock up on larger shortfills (50ml, 100ml, and 200ml) and customise with a nic shot based on your preferred e-liquid nicotine strength.

The longevity of the bottle depends on your vape kit and habits. Here is a detailed chart to help you understand.
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Yes, e-liquid bottles come with an expiration date (1 to 2 years) after production. While legally required, this date is more about quality than safety. It reflects when the flavour and performance are at their best, similar to a food's best-before label.

For detailed information on vape juice’s life, read our blog on “Does Vape Juice Expire?”

To conclude, finding the right e-liquid is a personal journey, but with a little knowledge under your belt, purchasing becomes seamless. Always buy from trusted resources and choose an e-liquid nicotine strength that aligns with how much you used to smoke. Remember that by making informed choices, you’re well on your way to a smoother, more enjoyable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

What is VG PG?

How do I add Nic Shot into a shortfill?