What is E-Liquid? Your Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Vape Juice

Stepping into the world of vaping can feel like learning a new language, with words like “e-liquid,” “vape juice,” and “e-juice” flying around. It can seem a bit confusing at first, but don’t worry. It’s all much simpler than it sounds, and this guide is here to break it all down for you.

So, What is E-Liquid, Exactly?

Think of e-liquid as the fuel for your vape. Its whole job is to carry flavour and nicotine (if you choose to use it) in the form of a tasty vapour. Whether you call it e-liquid, vape juice, or e-juice, it’s all the same stuff!

What Are the 4 Core Ingredients of Vape Juice?

Understanding what’s in your juice is the key to finding one you’ll love. Here are the four main players:

Propylene Glycol (PG) – The Flavour Carrier

 

This is a thin, flavourless liquid that’s great at carrying flavour. It also provides that “throat hit” sensation that feels similar to smoking a cigarette.

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) – The Cloud Maker

 

VG is a thicker, slightly sweet liquid that’s responsible for producing those thick, satisfying vapour clouds. The more VG, the bigger the cloud!

Flavourings

These are all food-grade concentrates, the same kind used in sweets, drinks, and foods. This is what gives you that incredible range of flavours, from simple apple to fancy caramel cheesecake.

Nicotine

This is what makes vaping such an effective alternative to smoking. It’s added in various strengths, so you can choose exactly what you need, or go for 0mg and enjoy it nicotine-free.

A Guide to the Different Types of Juice

So, we’ve covered the main components of a vape juice. You’re probably asking if all e-liquids are the same. Well, they are not! Here’s a quick rundown of the different types of vape juice you’ll come across in your vaping journey:

• 50/50: A 50/50 blend gives you a perfect balance of flavour, throat hit, and clouds, making it ideal for most starter kits.
• High VG juice: High VG e-liquids like 70/30 is for cloud chasers using powerful devices like a sub-ohm vape
• Freebase: Freebase is the classic nicotine vape juice but it can feel a bit harsh in high strengths.
• Nicotine Salts: This vape juice type offer a smoother hit even at high nicotine levels. They’re perfect for pod vapes and people fresh off the cigs.
• Shortfills: These are big bottles of nicotine-free juice with a bit of extra space at the top. Why? So you can add your own “nic shot” to create a large bottle of low-strength e-liquid. It’s all about giving you more control (and more juice!).

How to Choose the Right E-Liquid for Beginners

Choosing your first e-liquid is fun, not a chore. Just follow this simple advice:

1. Match the Juice to Your Device

Got a simple pod vape or starter kit? Stick with 50/50 but you can go as high as 60VG. Rocking a big, powerful sub-ohm kit? Go for High VG juice. This is the most crucial step to prevent leaks and achieve optimal performance.

2. Pick Your Nicotine Strength

If you were a heavy smoker, starting around 12-18mg is common. Lighter smokers might prefer 3-6mg. If you need a high strength but want it to be smooth, grab some nic salts or bar salts at 10mg or 20mg.

3. Start with Simple Flavours:

You don’t have to dive into “Unicorn Rainbow Sherbet” just yet. Start with a flavour you know you like, such as tobacco, menthol, or a simple fruit like strawberry. Once you know what you enjoy, you can start exploring the wilder stuff!

How E-Liquid Is Used (and How It’s Made)

How to Actually Use E-Liquid: This is the easy part. Just open the fill port on your tank or pod and squeeze the juice in, making sure to avoid the little chimney in the middle.

Crucial Tip: After filling a new coil for the first time, allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes to soak. Seriously, don’t skip this! It prevents a nasty burnt taste. Read our A Guide to Filling Vape Pods (Without Leaks) for more tips!

How It’s Made: Don’t worry, it’s not cooked up in a shed! E-liquids are made by professionals in sterile labs called “cleanrooms.” They mix everything precisely to ensure it’s safe, consistent, and tastes exactly as it should.

E-Liquid FAQ: Answering Common Questions

What’s the difference between a vape and e-liquid?

A vape (or e-cigarette) is the hardware device you hold and inhale from. E-liquid is the consumable fluid that goes inside it to create vapour.

What does vape juice look like?

E-liquid ranges from perfectly clear to light yellow or amber in colour. Its thickness depends on VG content – high VG liquids are noticeably thicker and pour more slowly than high PG liquids.

What liquids can you vape?

Only use commercially produced e-liquid designed for vaping. Never attempt to vape water, essential oils, alcohol, or other fluids – doing so is dangerous and can cause serious harm to your lungs and vaping device.

And That’s It!

E-liquid isn’t so mysterious after all, is it? It’s just a simple mix of a few key ingredients, designed to give you a satisfying and flavourful experience. Now that you know the basics, you can go out and confidently explore the amazing world of vape juice. If you want to try new e-liquids, you can shop different vape juice flavours here at MIST.