What Is Propylene Glycol & Vegetable Glycerin?
Posted by Courtney McElligott on Aug 9th 2016
Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin
Almost every e-juice is built on two base ingredients: vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). These are the liquids that carry the flavor and turn into the vapor you draw. The ratio between them is one of the biggest factors in how a juice tastes and feels, so it is worth understanding before you pick your next bottle.
Both VG and PG keep a juice full and flavorful, but they behave differently. VG is thicker and a touch sweeter, and it produces a bigger cloud. PG is thinner, carries flavor more sharply, and gives a more pronounced draw with less vapor per puff. So a VG-forward juice tends to taste smooth with some natural sweetness and thick plumes, while a PG-forward juice reads sharper and more flavor-defined.
How and Why We Use VG in E-Juice
Our Central Vapors flavored e-juices are built from just a few liquid ingredients. The most common blend across our e-cig juice line is 50% PG and 50% VG, while our Premium Prestige Collection uses 60% VG and 40% PG.
Different juices use different proportions of each. So what is VG, exactly? It is a common compound processed from plant sources like palm, coconut, or soybeans. You have probably consumed it without noticing, since it shows up in the ingredient list of plenty of foods and cosmetics.
Propylene glycol has a long industrial history. Going back to research from the 1940s, PG has been used in atmospheric and inhalant applications for decades, including air handling in large venues like theaters and restaurants. It is also the main ingredient in the fluid that fog and haze machines run on.
Vegetable glycerin is the component that makes an e-liquid thicker. It is a carbohydrate usually derived from plant oils, and it works as a sweetener in many foods. Most e-liquid makers, including us, now use USP-grade VG rather than food-grade.
Where Else You'll Find VG
VG also stands in for alcohol in many extracts. You will find it in a lot of everyday household items, including:
- Sugar substitutes
- Beauty products such as makeup, mousse, shampoo, bubble bath, aftershave, and deodorant
- Pet food
- Soap
- Skin and hand cream
- Baked goods, where it adds moisture
- Gel-based creams, gel-capsule pills, rubs, and jellies
- Eye and ear drops, toothpastes, and many dental care products
Glycerin is classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) for use as a food additive, and it meets the specifications of the Food Chemicals Codex. That classification refers to its long-standing use in food, not to any claim about vapor products.
Because VG carries a little natural sweetness, we lean into it with our Craft Collection. A flavor like Revolution picks up that subtle sweetness, and since VG also throws impressively large clouds, these flavors deliver thick plumes right in front of you.
Mixing PG and VG for DIY E-Juice
If you have ever thought about mixing your own e-juice, understanding the relationship between PG and VG puts you a step closer. Two things are worth keeping in mind.
First, you will most likely want both in your early mixes until you get a feel for how you personally like your juice. Second, PG is the flavor carrier; too much makes for a raspy draw, but it also brings out the taste notes in your blend. VG, on the other hand, slightly softens flavor while adding the clouds and smoothness that make a draw more pleasant. Mixing is not as complicated as it first looks once you know what each base does.
VG brings a lot to our e-liquids. To explore some of our VG-forward options, browse our full line of vape juices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PG and VG in vape juice?
PG (propylene glycol) is thinner, carries flavor sharply, and gives a more pronounced draw. VG (vegetable glycerin) is thicker, slightly sweet, and produces bigger clouds with a smoother feel. Most juices blend the two, and the ratio shapes the flavor, cloud size, and mouthfeel.
What does a 50/50 PG/VG ratio do?
A 50/50 blend balances flavor clarity, draw, and cloud production. It is the most versatile ratio and pairs well with mouth-to-lung devices, refillable pod kits, and pen-style setups that use higher-resistance coils.
Which PG/VG ratio is best for big clouds?
Higher-VG blends, like 70% VG / 30% PG, produce the thickest clouds and a smoother draw. They are designed for sub-ohm devices with lower-resistance coils, which are built to vaporize thicker liquid.
Can I use high-VG juice in a pod system?
A pod or MTL device usually runs best on a 50/50 blend. Very thick high-VG juice can struggle to wick in higher-resistance coils, which may lead to dry hits. As a rule of thumb, coils at about 0.7 ohm and up suit 50/50, while coils below 0.6 ohm suit high-VG blends.
Is VG or PG sweeter?
VG carries a mild natural sweetness, while PG is essentially flavorless. That is why higher-VG blends can read a little sweeter, and it is one reason we choose VG-forward ratios for flavors meant to taste rich.
What PG/VG ratios does Central Vapors use?
Our standard e-juice line is a 50/50 PG/VG blend, and our Premium Prestige Collection uses 60% VG / 40% PG. We use USP-grade VG across the catalog.
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.