What is VG and PG? A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Vaping is the process of inhaling and exhaling vapours, which are produced by the e-liquids. PG and VG are both considered the important ingredients of an e-juice. Therefore, understanding each of them is essential for all users, especially inexperienced users. PG and VG are the key factors that define your vape's flavour intensity, throat hit, and vapour output. This guide will provide a comprehensive guide about what PG and VG are, how they work, and how to select the best mix for your ideal vape.

What is Propylene Glycol?

Propylene Glycol (PG) is a basic yet important ingredient of e-liquids, which is an almost colourless, odourless and non-toxic substance. It delivers a satisfactory throat hit, many people claim that the throat hit is similar to the feel of smoking tobacco.

Also, the Propylene Glycol carries amazing e-liquid flavour, which greatly plays a significant role in making your experience pleasant and satisfactory. In e-liquids, PG is available in different ratios. For example, Hangsen Atom 10ml e-liquids come with a 70%PG and 30%VG. Whereas, 10ml e-liquids by Vampire Vape have 60%VG and 40%PG. You can choose the best one, depending on your vaping requirements.

Is PG Safe?

Propylene Glycol (PG) is widely regarded as safe, with the FDA classifying it as “generally recognised as safe” as a food additive. While most studies focus on oral ingestion, a 1947 experiment concluded that inhaling PG was completely harmless. Despite misleading claims linking PG to toxic anti-freeze, PG-based anti-freeze is entirely non-toxic. Although safe for humans and dogs, PG has been linked to anaemia in cats, so cat owners should exercise caution when vaping around their pets.

What is Vegetable Glycerin?

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a chemically classified and organic component, which usually has a sweet taste. It is much thicker than PG and takes more power to vaporise the e-juice into vapours. This is the reason for getting denser vapours with high VG e-liquids. For instance, 50ml shortfill bottles of Vampire Vape come with 70%VG and 30%PG. Similarly, 100ml Shortfills by Ruthless contain a high concentration of VG and offer a smooth vaping experience.

High-VG vape liquids deliver a mild inhale and can produce more big and fluffy vapours. This is the perfect choice for those who prefer to enjoy sub-ohm vaping and direct-to-lung vaping. Like Propylene Glycol (PG), VG is also safe to consume and is a non-toxic substance. One important thing to remember is that if you are a beginner or want to enjoy denser vapours, it is good to buy high-VG e-juices.

Is VG Safe?

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) has been classified by the FDA as “generally recognised as safe” as a food additive, and is widely regarded as one of the most harmless substances known. The SIDS assessment profile confirms low toxicity when consumed and minimal potential to irritate the skin or eyes. While its widespread use in food and medicine suggests it is safe for humans, research on inhaling VG in aerosol form remains limited. A 2008 study examining the toxicity of inhaled aerosolised glycerol found minimal health risks, suggesting that VG used in vaping has no serious impact on health, though more detailed research is welcomed. It is worth noting that allergic reactions to VG are extremely rare, making it a suitable alternative for those who experience issues with PG-based e-liquids, though those allergic to palm or coconut oil should exercise caution.

PG vs VG: Differences Between Them

PG and VG are the two main base ingredients found in every e-liquid. While both serve the same purpose, they each deliver a very different vaping experience, understanding the key differences will help you choose the right e-liquid for your needs.

PG Delivers a Stronger Throat Hit

One essential thing to consider among vapers is that PG offers a much harsher, cigarette-like throat hit. In normal cases, it might not be a good concern, but it plays a crucial role for ex-smokers and those who want to leave their smoking habit. It offers the feeling of vaping more like a smoking sensation, which might make the transition for them.

However, e-liquids with high PG are not a good option for all-level vapers. Most of them, especially beginner users, find more PG in e-liquid irritating and troublesome. Therefore, they prefer high VG content so that they can enjoy a smooth vaping experience for a long time.

VG Offers Denser Vapours Production

Unlike high-PG eliquids, the Vegetable Glycerin (VG) produces thicker and denser vape clouds while vaping. So, if you are a cloud chaser and searching for maximum vapour production, higher VG e-liquids are the best to choose.

It has been noted that many beginner-friendly vape juices have either 40%VG/60%PG or 50%VG/50%PG. For example, the Bar Juice 5000 Nic Salt E-liquid comes with an ideal ratio of PG and VG. These mixes provide ideal vaping sessions, typically the perfect balance of throat hit and vape cloud production.

PG Works in E-liquid More Efficiently

As PG is a more viscous substance than VG, it can travel from the vape tank more quickly and soak into the cotton wick more smoothly. Therefore, it is recommended to choose high-PG e-juices, which readily soak into the cotton wick and then reach the coil for smooth vaping. When you take a draw, you may deplete the juice in the wick and then be replaced by the e-juice in the tank. While having the next puff, if your wick hasn't re-soaked, you'll get a “dry puff”.

However, if you want to use high-VG e-liquids, there are more chances of dry hits because those vape juices take much longer to soak into the wick. To resolve such issues, modern sub-ohm tanks have been manufactured with large portholes and effective wicking materials. Instead of these tanks, if you like to use clearomisers, e-liquids with high VG may lead to performance issues.

PG Carries Better Flavour

One of the important differences is that PG e-juices often have better and more consistent flavour taste as compared to high VG vape liquids. Typically, if you have explored the vape liquids of different PG and VG ratios, you might notice that high-PG e-juices have better flavour but e-liquids with high-VG offer denser vape cloud production.

Which PG/VG Ratio is Preferable For Me?

Finding the right PG/VG ratio is key to the perfect vaping experience. From smooth, high VG blends to strong throat-hitting PG ratios, understanding your preferences will help you choose the ideal e-liquid every time.

Smoothness

For a smooth and satisfying vaping experience, a 70VG/30PG ratio is highly recommended. E-liquids with this high VG concentration offer a smooth and satisfactory throat hit while using the e-cigarette. The higher the VG content, the smoother the vaping experience. In these high VG vape liquids, the flavour is slightly muted, but the production of vapours is pretty good. One significant thing is to choose a vape kit carefully, as incompatible devices may cause severe inconveniences, such as dry or burnt throat hits.

Throat Hit

For a strong and satisfying throat hit, a 60PG/40VG or 50/50 ratio is highly recommended. E-liquids with high PG concentration deliver a stronger and more intense throat hit. If you are an experienced vaper and want to have a throat hit, it is suggested to take high PG e-juices. The harsher or severe throat hit is one of the important concerns of many ex-smokers or habitual users. Propylene Glycol, along with the right nicotine strength, can deliver the best throat hit. Also, a high PG ratio lets you enjoy a better and more consistent flavour throughout the vaping journey.

Cloudchasing

For impressive cloud production, an 80VG/20PG or MAX VG ratio is the ideal choice. E-liquids with an exceptionally high VG concentration produce the densest and most impressive vapour clouds. Cloudchasing is an activity of exhaling denser vape clouds in the air. The higher the vaper can blow vapours, the more fantastically the person can use the vape kit. This approach can only be achieved with the vape juice of high VG concentration, making a MAX VG or 80VG/20PG ratio the perfect choice for cloud chasers.

Stealthy Vaping

For discreet and low-key vaping, a 50/50 or 60PG/40VG ratio is the most suitable option. E-liquids with a higher PG content produce significantly less vapour, making them ideal for stealthy vaping. Everyone has a firm responsibility to take care of other individuals in public places. If you are interested in keeping your vaping low-key, a high PG ratio is the best choice as it produces minimal vapour and remains discreet. Vaping in certain places, such as waiting rooms and on public transport, is often prohibited and is simply bad manners.

How are VG and PG Ratios Displayed?

VG (Vegetable Glycerine) and PG (Propylene Glycol) ratios can be shown in several formats, including VG/PG, PG/VG, or VG. While different manufacturers may use different styles, the most common format today places VG first.
This is because most modern e-liquids contain at least 50% VG, with many high-VG blends designed to produce larger vapour clouds and a smoother vaping experience.
For example:

• 50:50 VG/PG contains 50% Vegetable Glycerine and 50% Propylene Glycol.
  
• 70:30 VG/PG contains 70% Vegetable Glycerine and 30% Propylene Glycol.

Always check the label carefully, as the ratio indicates the balance between vapour production, throat hit, and flavour delivery.

What Kind of Setups Do I Need For PG and VG?

• Sub-ohm Tanks: Sub-ohm tanks have been designed with coils of resistance below 1.0-ohm, offering a fine-tune sub-ohm vaping experience. These tanks, such as the Smok TFV9 Mini, Geekvape HorizonTech Sakerz Vape Tank, require much power and ideally deal with e-liquids of high VG strength.
• Rebuildables: If you are an experienced vaper and prefer to build the setup of your own choice, you are much more flexible in choosing the vape liquid according to your demands. But the basic rule of thumb is the same. Sub-ohm coils are designed for high VG, and the high-resistance coil is suitable for high PG e-juices or 50/50 vape liquids.
• Clearomisers: Clearomisers are the tanks which have been well-operated with devices of low wattage. They are incapable of high VG juices, which leads to unpleasant flavour and dry hits. Therefore, it is advised to use high PG fluid or a 50/50 ratio when using this kind of tank, like the Aspire Nautilus 3 Tank.

Recommendations to Follow

• If you are a newbie, it is suggested to go for high VG e-liquids. This is because they let you enjoy a smoother and denser vape cloud production.
• As PG carries a more efficient flavour, e-liquids with high PG deliver an impressive and consistent flavour, just after taking the first puff. So, a high PG ratio is a good choice for those who want an accurate and fantastic flavour delivery.
• Also, an increased level of VG in the vape juice is preferred for those who like a smooth and satisfactory sub-ohm vaping experience.
• If you are an ex-smoker and are looking for a tighter throat hit, similar to cigarette smoke, it is highly recommended to increase the amount of PG ratio in the e-liquids.

Summing Up Lines

To conclude the discussion, it is stated that the basics of PG and VG are quite easy and understandable, but they work in different ways. In the vaping market, varied PG/VG strengths are broadly available, and it is suggested that picking the right one requires your full concentration.

If you prefer a richer, more intense flavour, PG-based e-liquids are ideal. In terms of flavour choices, fruity, tobacco and beverage flavours are compatible with high PG e-juices. Also, creamy, custard and yoghurt flavours are perfectly operated with high VG because the thick mouth sensation adds to the dessert-like succulent taste.