Whether you are new to electronic cigarettes or you are already an amateur, this guide, which will be updated often, is made to accompany and advise you.  

A little reminder for our dear beginners, e-liquid is the product that powers your electronic cigarette. When the resistance heats up, the e-liquid turns into a vapour that you inhale. Only, the Vape market is a universe that is developing very quickly and we are seeing the appearance of more and more technical terms such as PG/VG for example, in the face of which vapers can get lost… In this file, we will explain the main terms and we will guide you in the choice of your e-liquids about your profile and your equipment. 

What is an e-liquid?

How is an e-liquid for an electronic cigarette made? 

The e-liquid is a flavoured mixture allowing to produce a vapour to be inhaled. It is composed of food flavourings, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, alcohol and water.   To enlighten you on these elements, here is a small recap of the vocabulary: 

• Distilled alcohol:

This represents 0% to 5% of the composition. It is generally used to provide more hit in the throat and better fluidity. It is an element used less and less. 

• Pure water : 

Present from 0 to 5%, pure water is a thinning agent used to soften the vape. 

• Food flavourings:

They represent 3% to 15% of the composition. They can be natural or artificial. The combinations of aromas bring an infinite palette of flavours. These flavours are generally used in food (yoghurt for example), stabilized with propylene glycol and diluted in a PG/VG mixture.

• Purified Nicotine: 

Present in a concentration of 0mg/ml to 18mg/ml, it is in liquid form and is purified to be inhaled. It is an alkaloid which, in low doses, has a stimulating effect and is quickly eliminated by the body. Today you can find e-liquids based on nicotine salts for a more effective sensation because it is less processed. 

• PG or Propylene Glycol:

It is one of the main elements of e-liquid, it represents between 0% to 80% of the composition. This aroma enhancer perfectly restores the taste of the latter. It produces a fine and light vapour. This additive is classified as non-hazardous when used for food (E 1520). For the vape, this very fluid liquid produces little vapor but, associated with nicotine, it has the effect of accentuating the sensation in the throat (“Hit”) and fixing the aromas in the mixture. 

• VG or Vegetable Glycerin:

Vegetable glycerin is also a food additive. It produces a dense and abundant vapour when consuming the e-liquid, perfectly simulating cigarette smoke. Its slightly sweet taste brings roundness and reduces the spicy side of propylene glycol. Vegetable glycerin is of natural origin used in a wide variety of food products (E422) and does not present a health hazard when used correctly by following the pre-required dosages. The latter has the characteristic of being viscous.

What PG/VG ratio should I choose?

When we talk about PG/VG proportion, we are talking about a ratio. This PG/VG ratio will inevitably have an impact on the way you vape, as well as on the material used. When you see a ration displayed in this XX/XX format, the reading is always as follows: XXPG/XXVG. 

• Balanced e-liquid:

For those who are new to the world of vaping, we generally recommend a PG50/VG50 or PG60/VG40 dosage, that is to say a balanced dosage that offers a good compromise between vapor production and sensation in the throat. (hit). Its viscosity is light. The advantage is that it can be used on any type of material.

• E-liquid with a predominance of vegetable glycerin:

These e-liquids are composed of 100% to 70% VG. They are called “fat”. Indeed, glycerin produces a lot of vapour and simulates traditional cigarette smoke. It is denser and tends to dissipate slowly in the air. However, the fatty e-liquid slightly alters the aromas with a sweeter taste and the hit (sensation of the passage of vapour in the throat) is limited. Relatively viscous, the use of e-liquid with a predominance of glycerin requires suitable atomizers that do not clog. They can provide a lot of e-liquid to the resistance, thanks to relatively large cotton arrivals.

• E-liquid with a predominance of propylene glycol: 

These liquids can be composed of PG80/VG20 and PG70/VG30. These are fluid e-liquids providing a significant hit and a satisfactory amount of vapour. This e-liquid base will be perfect for beginners.

What nicotine level to choose in your e-liquid?

The choice of nicotine level is very important, because it allows you to find the sensations expected when faced with an addiction. 

Indeed with an electronic cigarette, the sensation is different from the classic cigarette, because the administration of nicotine is absorbed more in the mouth than in the lungs, unlike cigarettes. Assimilation is, therefore, weaker and more diffuse. 

Nicotine has two functions when vaping:

• Filling a lack felt by the addiction
• The impact on the hit (the feeling in the throat when inhaling). The higher the nicotine level, the stronger your hit.   Conversely, the less nicotine you have, the softer the hit will be.
  

Overall, the more heavy cigarette smokers you are, the more nicotine you need.

Here are some indications, which may vary depending on the equipment used: 

• 0mg: nicotine-free
• 3mg: for smokers < 6 cigarettes per day
• 6 mg: for smokers < 6 cigarettes per day
• 11-12 mg: for smokers < 13 cigarettes per day
• 16-18 mg: for smokers > 13 cigarettes per day
  

Do not hesitate to seek advice from a professional.

Which e-liquid to choose when starting the electronic cigarette? 

There are four major families of flavours which are as follows: 

• Tobacco flavors: These do not match the flavors of traditional cigarettes (if that’s what you’re expecting). They may taste like tobacco leaves. We cannot give you a specific choice because it is personal.
  

• Fruity flavours: Very pleasant, they allow you to vape mono-aromas or mixtures of flavours.
  

• Gourmet Saviors: More recent, they represent tastes of confectionery, cakes or sweets that you are used to consuming in your diet.
  

• Mint flavors: Very appreciated for the freshness in the mouth, mint is known to provide a natural hit. 

How to choose your e-liquid according to your material?

Choosing your e-liquid according to your material is important. Most of the problems encountered come from the choice of liquid which is not necessarily suitable.  It all depends on the arrival of cotton from the resistance. The more important they are, the more you can go for glycerinated e-liquids.

On the contrary, the smaller they are, the more fluid the liquid must be. Indeed, if the latter is too viscous, the cotton will not be able to soak up the liquid completely. You risk burning your resistance.

Some tips 

1. How to store my e-liquid The conservation of an e-liquid depends first of all on the environment in which it is packaged. It is recommended to be stored in its packaging away from light and in a dry place, at a maximum temperature of 20°. Under these conditions, an e-liquid can easily be kept for more than a year.

2. Mixing e-liquids It is not forbidden to mix your e-liquids, very often when you fill your tank with a new liquid, and that it has already been used, you realize that mixing flavors seems interesting to you . So you can do this to get a new flavor. For example, you can mix a gourmet flavor with a tobacco flavor, and adjust both to your liking according to your tastes or to perfect your nicotine dosage.