Modified on: 29/05/2024
What vegetable glycerine (or glycerol) is, what it is for and why it is used in vaping liquids
One of the main components of e cigarette liquid is Vegetable Glycerin, also known as Glycerol.
If you are approaching the world of vaping, you will surely have heard of it and have seen its acronym VG (Vegetable Glycerine) many times, but perhaps you want to learn more about the subject in order to understand what this product is.
For this reason, we want to talk to you in detail about Glycerol and its role in vaping liquids. So you will know exactly what you vaporize with your e cigarette and in which cases it is better to lower or increase the VG dosage.
Are you ready? Then continue reading the article and find out what Vegetable Glycerin is!
Glycerol: what it is and what it is used for
Glycerol, or vegetable glycerin, is a colorless, odorless and transparent liquid obtained from vegetable fats. It has a slightly sweet flavor and a viscous texture and is widely used in various sectors due to its humectant, moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
Specifically, here are the major sectors of use of Glycerol:
- Vaping, or the electronic cigarette sector. In this case, Vegetable Glycerin is used precisely to compose e cig diy e liquid.
- Cosmetic, for example for the creation of creams, skin products, hair masks etc.
- Pharmaceutical and herbal, in particular for the production of syrups.
- Food, particularly in confectionery products and Energy drinks.
- Home care, mainly used in detergents.
In the sectors mentioned, Vegetable Glycerin is used as a moisturizing ingredient, as a food additive or as a wetting agent in order to make liquid products. In the vaping sector it is added to Propylene Glycol, flavours and possibly liquid nicotine to make electronic cigarette liquids.
Read also: Electronic cigarette atomizer: what it is, his characteristics and different types
The role of Glycerol (Vegetable Glycerin) in liquids for the electronic cigarette
As you probably know, Glycerol and Propylene Glycol make up the e cig liquid base, also called neutral base. This liquid is tasteless, odorless and transparent, but if we add vaping flavours, it takes on particular scents and tastes (as well as becoming amber in a more or less intense way).
When you order vaping liquids online on Terpy you can choose the VG / PG ratio, that is the ratio between Vegetable Glycerin and Propylene Glycol. For example, on a total of 100% vape base liquid, you can choose a balanced PG VG ratio or, alternatively, higher percentages of Glycerol or Propylene Glycol according to your preferences.
Liquids, that have a VG / PG ratio in which one of the two ingredients dominates the other, have particular characteristics.
Characteristics of liquids with higher quantities of Vegetable Glycerin than Propylene Glycol (and vice versa)
E–cigarettes liquids with or without nicotine that have higher quantities of VG than PG (for example 60/40 or 70/30) are perfect for those looking for cloud chasing, which is a vaping experience with very dense clouds of vapor .
That’s not all. Increasing the levels of vegetable glycerin allows you to:
- decrease the hit in the throat (HIT) when it is excessive;
- mitigate a too intense taste in liquids (perfect if, making your own DIY liquid, you have exaggerated with flavours!);
- as you have read just now, make dense, consistent and lasting vapor clouds (cloud chasing).
Consequently you can easily deduce that a vaping liquid with higher percentages of PG:
- gives you a very intense hit in the throat and could irritate your airways if you are not used to it;
- creates less dense clouds than a liquid with larger amounts of glycerol;
- has an intense taste, as Propylene Glycol is an excellent flavour carrier for electronic cigarettes.
It is up to you to decide which substance to use more in your e cigarette liquid or to choose a perfectly balanced 50/50 ratio! For example, if you are just starting, we recommend that you choose the latter solution (ie 50% VG and 50% PG liquids) in order to avoid any discomfort.
Alternatively, you can buy Vegetable Glycerin and Propylene Glycol separately and independently compose your e liquid base.
Read also: Electronic cigarette & denser smoke: this is the role of the liquid
Where to buy Glycerol and Propylene Glycol?
If you want to make your own electronic cigarette liquids at home, you canbuy Vegetable Glycerin and Propylene Glycol on Terpy, our online store of vape products!
For both products you can choose the following formats:
- 60 ml
- 120 ml
- 250 ml
- 500 ml
- 1000 ml
And you can mix them together with the concentrated electronic cigarette flavours (tobacco e liquid, fruit flavour, creamy and premium flavors) and any nicotine shots. We have written a special guide, so that you can know exactly how to make your own DIY vaping liquids with our products. Here you have it:
Best practices for vapers: how to dilute electronic cigarette liquids
Now you know everything about Vegetable Glycerin (and enough about Propylene Glycol): buy e liquid and the best e cigarette, nic shots and e-liquid bases at our Terpy.shop!