The popularity of vaping is due to many reasons, which include its various possibilities of use. Whether you’re a casual vaper using a disposable or a more seasoned vaper, the different types of vaping liquids offer a popular range of choices. Many vapers are completely happy using a pre-mixed e-liquid in their vape device, but others wish to explore the separate components of e-liquid and mix them to form e-liquids to their own specific tastes. This short piece will offer an introduction to mixing e-liquids by describing the different ingredients and how they affect the end product.
What Is E-Liquid?
The main ingredients of vape juice are fourfold, each with its own characteristics that lend themselves to creating the tasty e-liquids. These main components are –
- Propylene Glycol – known as PG, it is used in the food and medicine sectors. It is a thin liquid that is an excellent flavour carrier and has been in use for many years.
- Vegetable Glycerine – (VG) is produced from plant oils. It is a clear, odourless liquid used in food and cosmetic products and is thicker in consistency than PG.
- Nicotine – the nicotine element used in e-liquids is one of two different types – we will discuss this in more detail.
- Food-based flavouring – these are the standard flavours used in the food industry for many products.
Pre-Mixed Liquid Ratios
Many vapers use an e-liquid mixed with PG and VG levels at an even 50/50 split giving a nice even vape, but there are also e-liquids available mixed to different levels. E-liquids with a higher level of PG are known as 80/20 and produce a vape high in flavour and an exceptional throat hit. Another alternative is an e-liquid with a higher VG content, referred to as 70/30, designed to be used in conjunction with a vape device with a sub-ohm coil to produce large clouds of vapour.
The Nicotine In E-Liquid
Currently, there are two different types of nicotine used in e-liquid, Freebase nicotine and Nicotine Salt or Salt nic. The human body does not easily absorb nicotine in its standard form, so freebase nicotine was developed by tobacco manufacturers over fifty years ago. It uses a harsh chemical process to refine the nicotine to be more easily absorbed. Nicotine salt is a newer product that uses a much more natural process; it is becoming more popular as it produces a smoother vaping experience.
Mixing Your Own Liquids
To mix e-liquid, you should begin with what is called Shortfill and Shots. Most good vaping suppliers now stock both; in brief, shortfill e-liquid contains PG, VG, and the chosen flavour, and to this is added a separate nicotine element or the shot. Many shortfill e-liquids are supplied with bottles containing enough space, so it is easy to pour the shot into the shortfill to create your chosen e-liquid at your prescribed strength.
More On Mixing
You can also mix your e-liquids in more significant quantities using some basic utensils and larger amounts of shortfill liquids, and the number of shots. There is no fixed ratio for mixing more considerable quantities, so it’s the best process to start with smallish amounts and work upwards until you have a firm grasp of the process and the desired end product.
Take a look at your vaping supplier for more options and give mixing your own e-liquids a try today.
