Are you up to date on the Vape Lingo?
Posted by Courtney McElligott on Apr 4th 2019
What are vapers talking about?
Vaping has grown its own vocabulary, and it moves fast. New to it? A few minutes with the right glossary saves you from guessing at a product page or a forum thread.
Below we break down the terms you'll run into most, from e-liquid bases to that gritty "vaper's tongue" feeling. Keep reading and you'll talk shop like a regular.
E-cig Lingo
Vaping has become a culture with its own habits, art, and language. If you're new to it, the terminology can feel like a wall. We'll get you over it.
Vape / Vaping
Using an e-cigarette or vape device to inhale and exhale vapor produced from e-liquid.
All Day Vape
The flavor you reach for over everything else. For example, "Watermelon Hard Candy is so good, it's my all day vape."
Vape Juice, E-Liquid, and E-Juice
Three names for the same thing: the flavored liquid your device turns into vapor. It's built on a VG or PG base (covered next), with flavoring and, in most cases, nicotine added.
VG (Vegetable Glycerin) E-Juice
VG e-liquids are thick. In the wrong device they can be slow to wick and may starve a coil, so they pair best with sub-ohm hardware built for higher-VG juice.
VG is faintly sweet on its own, so it rounds out whatever flavor it carries. It smooths the throat hit and produces bigger vapor. The trade-off some vapers notice is a little extra phlegm or a touch of vaper's tongue.
PG (Propylene Glycol) E-Juice
PG e-liquids are thin and runny, so they wick easily and are less likely to gunk up a coil.
PG gives a sharper throat hit and carries flavor a bit more crisply than VG, which is why higher-PG blends often taste more defined.
VG/PG Ratio
Most e-liquids are a blend of the two bases. Common ratios are 50/50, 70VG/30PG, and 30VG/70PG.
The ratio is worth understanding before you buy, because it changes vapor volume, throat feel, and which device the juice suits.
Maximum VG Blend
A Max VG e-juice is typically at least 85% VG, usually with a small amount of PG mixed in to keep the flavor balanced.
In plain terms, Max VG means maximum vapor. This is the juice for big clouds.
Cig-A-Like
A compact vape device shaped to look and feel like a traditional cigarette.
Clouds
How much vapor you can produce on the exhale. Chasing bigger clouds is its own hobby, with competitions and a dedicated following.
Nicotine
The nicotine strength is printed on every e-liquid label, shown either as a percentage or in milligrams (mg).
The two line up directly: 12 mg is the same as 1.2%, and 6 mg equals 0.6%. Our e-juices are rated in mg/ml.
Vaper's Tongue
Vaper's tongue is when your palate goes flat. Your tongue feels a little numb and nothing tastes the way it should.
The usual cause is vaping one flavor for too long. Your taste buds adjust and tune it out. Rotating between two or three flavors keeps each one tasting fresh.
Vaping Experts
We wouldn't call ourselves experts if we weren't fans of all things vaping. Every flavor in our e-juice selection is checked for taste and consistency before it earns a spot on our shelves.
We like sharing what we know about products and trends, so reach out anytime with a question.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between VG and PG in vape juice?
VG (vegetable glycerin) is thick and slightly sweet, gives a smoother throat hit, and produces more vapor. PG (propylene glycol) is thin, carries flavor crisply, and gives a sharper throat hit. Most e-liquids blend the two, and the ratio shapes the vapor and mouthfeel.
What VG/PG ratio should I choose?
It depends on your device and what you want. Higher-VG blends (70VG/30PG and up) suit sub-ohm tanks and bigger clouds. A 50/50 blend works well in smaller pod and cig-a-like devices and gives a more pronounced throat hit. Check your device's recommended range before buying.
How do nicotine mg and percentage compare?
They measure the same thing two ways. 12 mg equals 1.2%, 6 mg equals 0.6%, and 3 mg equals 0.3%. Our e-juices are rated in mg/ml, which is printed right on the label.
What causes vaper's tongue and how do I deal with it?
Vaper's tongue is when flavors taste muted because your taste buds have adjusted to one juice you've used for a while. Rotating between a few different flavors usually keeps each one tasting distinct. Staying hydrated helps too.
What does "Max VG" mean on an e-liquid label?
Max VG means the juice is built on a very high vegetable-glycerin base, typically 85% VG or more, usually with a little PG for flavor balance. It's made for the biggest vapor production and pairs best with sub-ohm hardware.
Is "vaping" the same as smoking?
No. Vaping uses an electronic device to heat e-liquid into an inhalable vapor, so there is no combustion or burning tobacco involved. The terminology in this guide is specific to vape devices and e-liquid, not cigarettes.
These products are intended only for adults 21+. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. This article is general product information and is not a smoking-cessation claim.