When you first take up vaping, you’re more than likely to have used a high-PG e-liquid in your vape device. That’s because most starter vape kits – think of the Vapouriz Fuze, Vpod Pro, Innokin Jem or Smok Nord – fire at low wattages which is ideal for high-PG, nic salts or 50/50 e-liquids.
But what exactly is PG, and by extension, what is its sibling: high VG?
What is PG and VG?
Nearly all e-liquids are made from just a few ingredients. This includes Propylene Glycol (that’s your ‘PG’), Vegetable Glycerin (your ‘VG’), nicotine and food-grade flavourings.
Generally speaking, PG carries flavour better and provides a stronger, more tactile ‘throat hit’ when inhaled, while VG helps with cloud production and is a lot more comfortable on the throat. It’s that careful balance of flavour, throat hit and cloud production that makes most ‘classic’ - or ‘high-PG’ - e-liquids great for newer vapers, and those just wishing to enjoy the benefits of vaping as a close (albeit far safer) substitute for their previous smoking habit.
For more experienced vapers who want to experiment with more advanced vape devices and create richer, bigger clouds, there exists a whole layer of vaping known as ‘sub-ohm’ vaping, and its for these enthusiasts that high-VG e-liquids are perfect for.
What is Sub-Ohm vaping?
Sub-ohming is perfect if you love dense vapour, rich, billowing clouds and delicious flavour. Traditionally the domain of intermediate to advanced users, these days many vape kits can accommodate standard, high-PG vaping as well as sub-ohm vaping with High-VG e-liquids for those who love to experiment.
‘Sub-ohm’ refers to the resistance of the coil. For advanced vape kits, the coils – the element that heats the e-liquid to an inhalable vapour – have a resistance below 1.0 ohms, so ‘sub’ ohm. A quirk of physics means that lower resistances require a higher current, in wattages, and this is provided by vape kits and mods with a higher capacity battery.
For more info, read our guide about Sub Ohm vaping.
What is Sub-Ohm, HIGH-VG E-Liquid?
Sub Ohm E-Liquid contains a higher percentage of VG (Vegetable Glycerin) to PG (Propylene Glycol). This means that the e-Liquid is thicker and in turn produces bigger, denser clouds of vapour. It’s softer on the throat than high-PG e-liquids and has to be for such high-powered vaping to be comfortable to the user.
The combination of high-powered vape device, low resistance coil and thick, high-VG e-liquid produces the rich flavour and satisfying clouds beloved by many vapers, and elevates vaping from a safe and enjoyable replacement for smoking into an endlessly fascinating and rewarding hobby.