E-cigarettes - vape properly with PG and VG

More and more smokers are now switching to e-cigarettes. The advantages are impressive, not only because it is significantly less harmful, as current studies show, but also because the surrounding area is hardly disturbed. E-cigarettes produce vapor rather than smoke like traditional cigarettes. In addition, the many harmful substances from the combustion process of conventional cigarettes are missing. However, some smokers who would like to switch are concerned about the vapor. What is it made of? Why do some liquids produce more vapor than others? Do you particularly like dense clouds of steam and would you like to create more of them? Find out more about e-cigarette vapor here.

The e-cigarette principle

Basically, an e-cigarette is a battery carrier with an atomizer and an evaporator head. Flavored liquids, the so-called eLiquids, are vaporized in these vaporizers. The vaper inhales or puffs the nicotine-free or nicotine-containing flavored vapor, which gives him the corresponding pleasure experience. The combustion process typical of classic smoking is missing. Instead, the characteristic wet steam is created, sometimes more intense and sometimes slightly weaker. What does this vapor contain?

Water does not create a satisfying steam and enjoyment experience

If only water were vaporized in electric cigarettes, the enjoyment experience would be rather disappointing. On the contrary, the water would spray hot into your mouth as it evaporated. That would be very unpleasant for the steamer. The eLiquid wouldn't taste good and you wouldn't get vapor like we know from e-cigarettes. Many aromatic substances do not dissolve sufficiently in water. One can say that water alone is a very poor carrier. Therefore, other carrier substances are needed that dissolve well and vaporize satisfactorily.

Propylene glycol as a flavor carrier

One of them is PG. The abbreviation stands for propylene glycol . This colorless and odorless substance is also known to chemists as 1,2 propanediol . This material has a highly hygroscopic effect, meaning it removes moisture from its surroundings. This is why wet steam is created. PG also does that signature lunge hit, the flash. In addition, PG is a very potent carrier and is therefore largely responsible for the aroma of an e-cigarette. The more PG, the more intense the taste. However, with PG alone you can't really uncover the secret of steam.

Vegetable glycerin creates steam

The vapor substance per se is VG. Behind it stands the Anglo-Saxon word Vegetable Glycerine, a vegetable glycerin. This distinguishes this form of glycerin from forms that are obtained from animal fats. Chemically speaking, it is an alcohol that is used in food, household medicine and cosmetics, among other things. VG is not a perfect carrier, so it doesn't have as convincing a flash and taste as PG. But VG makes a lot of steam in the e-cigarette and is even approved as a food additive E 422. VG is considered to be no more harmful to health than PG.

VG also binds water.

It is not uncommon for traditional smokers to have to cough hard when switching to an electric cigarette because it tickles the back of their throat. This cough does not come from the lungs, but rather results from increased dryness in the mouth. Don't worry, a glass of water and everything will be fine again.

VG and PG in proportion

It depends on the ratio of PG and VG in the liquid how intense the vapor is when vaping. For the classic Shake & Vapes, a ratio of 70VG/30PG is usually used for optimal vapor development and taste. The VG has another important function. It also ensures that the liquid has sufficient viscosity. If the liquid is too thin or contains too much PG, it can "pop" when vaping or possibly leak "sniffing" . Propylene glycol is relatively thin, while Vegetable Glycerine has the texture of liquid honey. You can also shift the ratio of PG and VG in favor of Vegetable Glycerine so that it contains little or no propylene glycol because its residues are replaced by water. This is where the spectrum of really huge and malleable vapor clouds begins, which so excites many e-cigarette fans. A new hobby can arise here. In rare cases there are people who don't do well with PG. Who either feel some kind of reaction to the PG or have to cough because of the PG. In this case, you can, for example, buy pure 100% VG and mix it with a little distilled water or vodka. About a 90/10 or 80/20 ratio. The VG always has the higher share.

Modding for a particularly intense vaping experience

However, how intense the steam is does not only depend on the proportions of VG and PG. This depends on the mod, the model of the e-cigarette. Their properties like - the electrical resistance of the evaporator - the airflow control/air quantity switch - the wattage of the battery carrier (variable wattage ensures variability) - the relationship between electrical voltage (volts) and resistance (ohms) also determined the intensity of the steam and its density. Here some steamers become hobbyists and create their very own mod - but at their own risk when it comes to the safety of these creations. If you don't tend to build your own mod brand, you can buy various combinations of VG and PG at the pharmacy. These combinations are called bases. The corresponding flavors are also available in a large selection. Add nicotine and a standard mod of your choice - immediately there is hardly anything standing in the way of producing impressive vapor formations.

Pulling VG/PG correctly means vaping properly

When choosing a mod, choose models with low adjustable resistances between 0.10 ohm and >1.0 ohm, these are the so-called sub-ohm evaporators. To do this, you also have to use the correct pulling technique and pull more forcefully than gently. You will then have a convincing inhaling experience and an interesting vapor development. As in many cases, the same applies to vaping: In addition to propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, practice and, above all, experience makes perfect!