A friend of mine has tried vaping a lot.
He bought an eGo-style vape with a simple clearomizer and some e-liquid , but vaping irritated his throat so much that he gave up.
At first, he thought the problem was the nicotine concentration. However, cutting the nicotine concentration too early made the vape not satisfying enough, and it also did not solve the problem he was having.
Time and time again, he returned to cigarettes.
When I learned this, I pulled him into an experiment. I brought in a variety of e-liquids ranging in nicotine strength to PG/VG ratio and let him try each one. I didn’t explain the differences. It didn’t seem important, but I was in learning mode and hiding part of the experiment seemed like the right decision.
The results are clear.
The nicotine and VG e-liquids didn’t irritate his throat, the low nicotine, high PG e-liquids did. It was the PG that bothered him, not the nicotine. He was then ready to quit smoking and switch to a safer alternative.
He hasn't gone back to smoking since.
While nicotine can play a role in vapers’ throat irritation, it could also be the PG/VG ratio you’re using. In other words, you don’t have to give up vaping just yet.
But why do these two ingredients change the e-liquid? Why do most e-liquids still use a high PG ratio if vapers find it too harsh? What are PG and VG? And what is the difference between them?
Here are some explanations of PG and VG, and suggestions to help you choose the PG/VG ratio that's right for you.
5 Differences Between PG and VG
Previously, The Vape Club had many articles explaining the concept between PG and VG, you can read them here .
Based on their chemical properties and applications, PG and VG have a lot in common. They also have certain differences. That is essential when deciding on the ratio of these two substances in the e-liquid you intend to buy.
Here are 5 decisive differences when you choose to buy essential oils.
1. PG creates a stronger throat hit
One important thing to note is that PG creates a stronger, more pronounced throat hit. This may not sound like a good thing, but it is great for new vapers as it makes vaping more similar to smoking, making the transition easier for smokers.
Of course, not everyone likes PG or the feeling it gives. High VG e-liquids are more pleasant, so anyone who finds PG too harsh can choose high VG e-liquids. Most long-time vapers switch to VG e-liquids when the throat hit is no longer important.
2. VG essential oil produces stronger smoke
While VG may not produce a strong throat hit, its biggest advantage lies in its ability to create larger, thicker clouds. This is why cloud chasers often choose e-liquids with a high VG ratio.
For new vapers, high VG e-liquid or strong vapor production is not so important, but you still need to keep the ratio at a balance. If the VG is too low, the vapor will be weak and the e-liquid will not give the feeling of smoking.
This is why most beginner e-liquids tend to have a VG level of 40-60%. This allows for a moderate vapor production without being too thick.
3. PG absorbs cotton more easily
One of the biggest drawbacks of VG e-liquid is that it has poor absorption into the cotton. Because VG is thicker than PG, it takes longer for the e-liquid to penetrate the cotton and reach the coil. This can be a problem when you vape.
Every time you take a puff, some of the e-liquid in the cotton evaporates and is replaced by the e-liquid in the tank. When you take your next puff, if the cotton is still under-saturated, you get a “dry puff” that tastes horrible. Because PG is thinner and absorbs quickly into the cotton, you’re less likely to have this problem with e-liquids high in PG.
4. PG tastes better
PG can ensure the taste of e-liquid better than VG.
This difference is not huge, but it is still something to note. Part of the reason is that VG is slightly sweet and PG is almost tasteless, so VG will affect the flavor of the e-liquid a little more. You will notice this difference if you taste a high PG and high VG e-liquid. It should also be emphasized that this difference is very small and will hardly be noticeable without a direct comparison.
5. Some people are sensitive to PG
Finally, some people may be sensitive or even allergic to PG.
As my friend mentioned in the introduction, some people find PG too harsh. This reaction is rare, but you should still be aware of it if you have ever tried vaping and experienced a harsh throat. It may be because you need to use VG e-liquid to vape.
You don't have to completely eliminate PG from your e-liquid if you're allergic to it, just switch to e-liquids with a higher VG ratio.
What PG/VG ratio should you use?
Now that you know the pros and cons of PG and VG e-liquids, the question is: which ratio is best for you?
This decision is entirely based on personal preference. Do you want a strong vapor? Do you want a throat hit like smoking a cigarette? Or do you want to get the full flavor of the e-liquid? If you can answer these questions, you will be able to determine the ratio you need.
