VG (vegetable glycerine) and PG (propylene glycol) are the two base liquids in every e-liquid. VG is thick and produces bigger, smoother clouds; PG is thin and carries flavour with a stronger throat hit. A higher-VG blend (like 70/30) suits high-power sub-ohm devices, while a balanced or higher-PG blend suits pods and nic salts. Match the ratio to your device.
The two ingredients behind every e-liquid
Set aside nicotine and flavouring for a moment, and every e-liquid is built on a base of two liquids: vegetable glycerine (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). The ratio between them, written like 70/30 or 50/50, shapes how your vape feels, tastes, and clouds. Understanding it helps you match liquid to device and avoid disappointment.
What VG does
VG is a thick, slightly sweet liquid. In a vape it produces:
- Bigger clouds of denser vapour.
- A smoother, softer inhale with less throat hit.
- Slightly muted flavour sharpness compared with PG.
Because it is thick, high-VG liquid needs a device that can handle it, typically a sub-ohm coil with larger wicking ports. In a small pod it can wick too slowly and cause dry, burnt hits.
What PG does
PG is thin and nearly flavourless on its own. In a vape it produces:
- A stronger throat hit, closer to the sensation of smoking.
- Sharper, more defined flavour, since it carries flavouring well.
- Thinner liquid that wicks quickly, ideal for small coils.
PG is why pod liquids and nic salts feel crisp and satisfying at higher strengths without needing huge airflow.
Common ratios and where they fit
- 50/50: balanced. Wicks well in pods and MTL devices, decent flavour and throat hit, modest clouds. Most nic salts and MTL freebase liquids sit here or near it.
- 70/30 VG/PG: cloud-focused. Smooth, big vapour, best in sub-ohm DTL devices. Too thick for most small pods.
- Max VG: very thick, maximum clouds, softest throat hit, needs high-power hardware.
How the ratio interacts with your device
This is the practical takeaway. A tight, low-power pod wants a thinner, higher-PG or balanced liquid so the wick stays fed. A high-power sub-ohm kit wants a thicker, higher-VG liquid that can produce clouds without flooding. Putting max-VG liquid in a tiny pod is a recipe for burnt hits, while running thin high-PG liquid through a powerful sub-ohm coil can flood it and cause spitback.
Throat hit and comfort
If you find a liquid harsh, a higher-VG ratio softens the throat hit. If a liquid feels weak or lacks a satisfying catch, more PG sharpens it. Nicotine strength and type interact here too, which is why nic salts, designed for smoothness, often use higher-PG bases while still feeling comfortable.
A note on sensitivity
A small number of people find high-PG liquids drying or slightly irritating to the throat. If that describes you, a higher-VG blend on suitable hardware may feel more comfortable. This is about comfort and preference, not a health claim.
Not sure what your device wants?
If you are unsure which ratio suits your setup, bring the device in. Our Edmonton staff can match the right VG/PG blend to your coils and draw style, in store or for same-day pickup, so you get clean flavour without burnt or flooded hits. And as always, these liquids contain nicotine, which is addictive, and are sold to adults 18+ only.
Frequently asked questions
What does 70/30 mean on an e-liquid?
It is the VG/PG ratio: 70 percent vegetable glycerine and 30 percent propylene glycol. That higher-VG blend produces bigger, smoother clouds and suits high-power sub-ohm devices. It is usually too thick to wick properly in small pod systems.
Which VG/PG ratio is best for pod systems?
A balanced 50/50 or higher-PG blend works best in pods. It is thin enough to wick quickly through small coils, carries flavour sharply, and gives a satisfying throat hit. Most nic salts use these ratios for exactly that reason.
Does higher VG mean more clouds?
Yes. VG is thick and produces denser, larger vapour, so higher-VG liquids cloud more. They also feel smoother with less throat hit. The trade-off is that they need higher-power sub-ohm hardware to wick and vaporise properly.
Why does PG give a stronger throat hit?
PG is thin and carries both flavour and the sensation of a throat hit more strongly than VG. That crisp catch feels closer to smoking, which is why higher-PG and balanced blends are popular in MTL pods and nic salts.
Can PG cause irritation?
A small number of people find high-PG liquids drying or slightly harsh on the throat. If that is you, a higher-VG blend on suitable hardware may feel more comfortable. This is a matter of personal comfort, not a health claim.