E-liquid is the fluid that is used to smoke vaporizers and electronic cigarettes. Almost all e-liquids consist of PG or VG bases. While both PG and VG are non-toxic and organic, the taste and overall experience of vaping with each varies greatly. As a result, the quality of a PG-based versus a VG-based e-liquid is hotly debated amongst the vaping community, with no clear winner.
Curious what PG and VG even mean? Well, PG stands for propylene glycol, and VG stands for vegetable glycerin. Each one can be found as additives in tons of commercially available food products, such as ketchup, salad dressing and soda. PG and VG are used as bases to dilute e-juice and contain the nicotine and flavor one inhales and tastes while vaping. Nicotine and flavorings need to be diluted, as they are highly concentrated. The e-liquid is held in suspension so that the vaporizer or e-cigarette will produce smoke-like vapor.
While a PG e-liquid base is the more popular of the two, this does not necessarily mean it’s ‘better’. PG-based e-liquids are tasteless and odorless, meaning they will not alter the e-liquid flavor. VG-based e-liquids are naturally sweet and can alter the e-liquid flavor so much that, at times, some find it overpowering.
To help differentiate the two substances, we have compiled the following list of pros and cons.
PG Pros:
- Does not alter flavor of e-liquid
- Produces a stronger throat hit similar to tobacco cigarettes
- Minimal gunk buildup in vaporizer or e-cig (i.e. less frequent cleaning is required)
PG Cons:
- Causes dry throat after consistent use
- Is known for potentially causing allergic reactions, like tingling sensations or serious irritations (if you experience anything unusual, stop using PG-based e-liquids)
- Less viscosity (thinner consistency) results in a faster burn
VG Pros:
- Produces billowing stacks of vapor
- Minimal likelihood of experiencing an allergic reaction
- Thicker consistency results in longer lasting flavor
VG Cons:
- The slightly sweet flavor could be considered a pro, but most consider it a con in that it alters the e-liquid flavor
- More gunk buildup requires more cleaning and upkeep of e-cigs
- Weak throat hit, unlike that of smoking cigarettes
- Known to potentially build up phlegm and cause a dry throat
So is vaping with PG or VG-based e-liquids better?
Though VG-based liquids are considered to have more cons than PG, some of their pros strongly outweigh the cons. Not to mention, many of the aforementioned pros and cons are subjective, like throat hit and flavor.
Those who are new to vaping are generally recommended to try PG-bases first in order to fully experience e-juice flavors. From there, you can experiment with PG versus VG to decide what suits you.
The flavoring you choose when making your own e-juice will typically come with a recipe, which includes instructions for how much of which type of base to use. Be sure to follow these suggestions until you’re confident enough to experiment with your own ratios.
Can PG and VG bases mix?
Absolutely! Mixing PG and VG-bases is incredibly common, allowing those who vape to enjoy the best of both substances. Popular ratios are 60/40, 50/50 or 70/30 of VG and PG respectively. There are plenty of benefits in mixing the two, such as creating even more opportunities to experiment with flavors or cutting down on the amount of e-cigarette cleaning that is necessary – not to mention lowering the risk of allergic reactions.
Let us know your PG/VG preference in the comments below!
