Things You Need To Know About E-Liquids
Posted by Courtney McElligott on Sep 13th 2016
E-liquid is the solution a battery-powered atomizer turns into vapor. Two ingredients do most of the work: a base of PG and VG, plus flavoring. Some bottles include nicotine; some are 0mg for adult vapers who want the flavor and the draw without it. Understanding what goes into a bottle makes it much easier to pick one you'll actually enjoy.
The base: PG and VG
The base makes up roughly 80-90% of the bottle. The two diluents you'll see on almost every label are propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). Both are common food-grade additives recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. That is a fact about the ingredients as food additives, not a claim about vapor products.
PG is the thinner of the two. It carries flavor well and produces a more pronounced throat hit, which is why higher-PG blends taste sharp and direct. VG is thicker and slightly sweet on its own. Mix more of it in and you get denser clouds and a smoother draw. As sub-ohm tanks and RDAs took over, higher-VG blends became the more popular choice.
Common PG/VG ratios
Most pre-mixed e-liquids are sold in a handful of ratios. Each one leans a different way:
- 100% PG or 50PG/50VG — sharper throat hit, more forward flavor, thinner liquid. Suited to MTL pod and pen-style devices.
- 30PG/70VG — the modern middle ground. Smooth draw, big vapor, still plenty of flavor.
- 20PG/80VG — thick, cloud-focused, very smooth. Built for sub-ohm tanks and RDAs at higher wattage.
The right ratio comes down to your device and what you like. There's no single best one.
Flavors
Flavor is where e-liquid gets interesting. Beyond the vapor and the throat hit, the flavoring is what you actually taste on every draw.
Tobacco profiles run from cigar to American light tobacco to clove. Menthol is its own big category, with peppermint, spearmint, and straight ice variants. Then there's the entire world of fruit and dessert blends. Adult vapers tend to settle on two or three they rotate through, so it's worth trying a few before you commit to a big bottle.
Nicotine strength
E-liquids that contain nicotine come in different concentrations, listed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml), often shortened to just "mg" on the label. Freebase strengths usually run from 3mg to 24mg/ml; salt-nicotine bottles for pod devices can run higher.
Pick a strength based on the device you're using and the amount of nicotine you already prefer. Higher-power sub-ohm setups vaporize more liquid per puff, so they're typically paired with lower mg levels; smaller MTL pods pair with higher mg. The exact strength is always printed on the bottle. You can scale up or down from there as your preference changes.
Knowing what's in the bottle, what the ratio does, and how the strength is labeled puts you in a good spot to shop with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the PG/VG ratio actually change?
PG carries flavor and gives a sharper throat hit; VG is thicker, smoother, and makes bigger clouds. A higher-PG blend (like 50/50) reads sharp and flavor-forward, while a higher-VG blend (like 70VG or 80VG) is smoother with more vapor. Match it to your device and the draw you like.
Which ratio works best with my device?
MTL pod and pen-style devices generally pair well with higher-PG blends like 50PG/50VG. Sub-ohm tanks and RDAs run at higher wattage and handle thicker, higher-VG blends like 70VG or 80VG. Check your device's recommended range if you're unsure.
What nicotine strength should I choose?
It depends on your device and the amount you already prefer. Freebase strengths commonly run 3mg to 24mg/ml. Higher-power sub-ohm setups vaporize more liquid per puff and usually pair with lower mg; smaller MTL pods pair with higher mg or salt nicotine. The strength is printed on every bottle.
What's the difference between freebase and salt nicotine?
Salt nicotine is formulated to feel smoother at higher mg levels, which is why pod devices typically use it. Freebase nicotine has a more pronounced throat hit at the same strength and is common in larger-wattage setups. The label will tell you which one a bottle uses.
Are PG and VG safe to consume?
Both PG and VG are widely used food-grade ingredients and are recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. That status applies to their use as food additives and is not a claim about vapor products.
How should I store e-liquid?
Keep bottles upright in a cool, dark place, away from heat and direct sunlight, and sealed tight between uses. Store them out of reach of children and pets. Stored properly, most e-liquid keeps its flavor and color well for a year or more.
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.