E-liquid |Ultimate Guide to Vape Juice
Ultimate Guide to E-Liquid
Welcome to the vaping world! As a new vaper looking to explore the vaping scene, you might feel overwhelmed with the diversity of choices in both electric cigarettes and e-liquids.
People vape for all kinds of reasons.You may have decided to start vaping to kick your smoking habit.
Or you may have heard about just how pleasant trying different flavours of vape juice -- sometimes called e-liquid or e-juice -- is and how much it adds to making vaping a truly personal experience.
Whatever your reasons, if you want to get the most out of vaping and learn everything there is to know about vape juice, you're going to love this guide
By reading this guide, you will receive everything you need to start exploring the joys of e-liquids. Learn all you need to know when starting to vape, including ingredients and flavours, along with many answers to common questions about e-liquid.
And when you’re ready to dive in and take your pick, Blackstone Labs are here to help with a huge selection of e-liquids in every flavour and type you can think of.
What Exactly Is E-Liquid
The E-liquid fluid (also known as vape juice, or vape liquid) is then heated up in an e-cigarette device to produce a water-based vapour.
The purpose of vaping is essentially to replace traditional cigarettes and combat nicotine cravings. Therefore, e-liquid and vape kits are most commonly used by those looking to quit smoking.
The ingredients in conventional cigarettes such as carbon monoxide and tar are not found in e-cigarettes. The liquid nicotine solution used in e-cigarettes is composed of four ingredients: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings, and nicotine in some types of liquids.
Vape juice is also known as e liquid or e juice – is a fluid that is placed in the tank of an e-cigarette or vape that creates vapour.
This is what you inhale and exhale as part of the vaping process.
When liquid is heated, depending on its composition, its nature changes.
We know, for example, that when water is heated to a high temperature it evaporates, doing so by changing from liquid to steam.
Vaping juice acts in a similar way.
Depending on the vaping kit you have and your own temperature preference, vape juice is heated to anything between 90°C and 200°C causing it to change from liquid to vapour.
As it does so, you inhale, giving you a hit of flavour when you need it most.
The Four Main Ingredients of E-Juice
1. Propylene Glycol (PG) is an ingredient of e-liquids and pharmaceutical products. It is also commonly used as a preservative in many foods as a way to prevent the formation of mould or bacterial growth.
PG is both odourless and colourless containing just a subtle hint of sweetness for taste. The presence of PG in e-liquids is what gives the 'throat hit', which replicates the sensation of traditional smoking. Many vapers enjoy this as it enables them to enjoy an alternative solution that feels like inhaling tobacco but without the harmful chemicals or additives.
Some users may be sensitive or allergic to this ingredient. If you start to feel unwell, we recommend that you switch to a higher VG e-liquid.
2. Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is an ingredient that provides a smooth and satisfying vaping experience. In addition to being a derivative of vegetable oil, VG is also regarded as a safe food additive similar to PG. Essentially, it makes e-liquid thicker, which causes dense vapour clouds associated with sub-ohm vaping.
As yet, there has been no evidence to suggest that vegetable glycerin has directly caused any health complications for vapers.
3. Flavourings in e-liquid are similar to those used in foods to enhance flavours. They use a combination of both organic and artificial flavouring that mimic a variety of popular foods and drinks.
In the UK, all e-liquid must comply with TPD regulations to ensure that the product is safe to be consumed, produced by trusted vape companies and doesn't contain harmful ingredients (such as diacetyl).
4. Nicotine is a chemical taken from the tobacco plants - an addictive ingredient that is known to carry some health risks. Tobacco-related illnesses have long been wrongly associated with nicotine. Nic Salts is the natural state of nicotine. When you purchase Nic Salts, you add it to your chosen vaping liquid. It has a better absorption rate meaning you get a stronger hit of nicotine that lasts longer.
Many people think that nicotine in vape juice and in tobacco is the most dangerous chemical but this is not quite true. Nicotine is, however, very addictive, However, tar and carbon monoxide are the substances present in cigarettes that pose the the risk.
Nicotine is not a necessary ingredient to the typical formula of an e-liquid. In fact, many vapers can - and often do - opt for nicotine-free e-liquids. However, if you’re looking for e-liquids where nicotine is still very much a component, nicotine-infused e-liquid is available - great for those looking for a transitional vaping solution. Vapers can continue to get their nicotine fix through varying strengths of nicotine e-liquid: 3mg, 6mg, 10mg, 12mg, 18mg and 20mg.
Nicotine Strengths: How to Choose What's Right for You
When you're looking to transition from smoking to vaping, it is essential that you conduct research on the nicotine content in different e-liquids to determine the best option for you. The strength of your e-liquid can play a pivotal role in your ability to stick to vaping, as those that don't feel satisfied by the nicotine hit can be prone to returning to smoking.
You will find that the e-liquids available at Blackstone Labs come in a range of strengths: some might not contain nicotine at all, and some come with the option to add a nicotine shot for complete flexibility.
To put it simply, the higher the nicotine concentration, the bigger the nicotine hit you'll receive. Remember that vaping doesn't provide you with the nic-fix as quickly as cigarettes do, but your body will still absorb some depending on the strength of your chosen liquid.
The more times you consume nicotine, the more ‘hits’ your brain gets. When you stop smoking or use nicotine-free vaping juice, your brain is no longer getting the regular hits – and it starts to scream to tell you it needs it! This is what drives the addictive behaviour behind smoking and why giving up is so hard to do. You could follow the ‘cold turkey’ route so when you switch from cigarettes to vaping, you choose an e juice with a zero nicotine content.
Or you can take the little-by-little approach choosing a lower strength nicotine content vaping juice over several months.
If you want no nicotine, just-for-pleasure vaping juices, you can opt for shortfill e-liquids
Nicotine Content in E-Juice
But here’s the best bit: you can opt for no nicotine, the just-for-pleasure vaping experience that so many people enjoy. Or you have different nicotine options for when you need a nicotine hit.
The Different Types of E-Liquids and Nicotine Bases Available At Blackstone Labs
As we've now covered the basis of the make-up of e-liquids in our overview of PG and VG based e-liquids, we can now start to uncover some of the other options available.
The vaping world continues to evolve, whereby manufacturers identify new opportunities to introduce types of e-liquids for varying tastes and vaping styles. From the inclusion of nicotine salt to shortfill e-liquids and nicotine shots, there is something out there for every vaper, whether experienced or new.
Freebase Nicotine E-Liquid
Freebase nicotine e-liquids are the most common type of vape juice available All traditional vape liquids and alternative nicotine replacement therapies contain freebase. These liquids convert nicotine into it’s purest form, creating a strong hit for vapers.
Freebase is best suited to know that prefer the harshness and intensity of cigarette smoking and the ability to create large cloud production.
Freebase nicotine vape juice comes in different concentrations and strengths, the best selling one being 6mg.
Why are regular e-liquids a good choice?
These liquids are an excellent go-to for those struggling to quit smoking as they provide a similar sensation and feeling to smoking cigarettes but without the harmful chemicals.
50/50 E-Liquids
The 50/50 E-Liquid mixture is made up of 50% PG and 50% VG. This makes it perfect for those who are looking for a smoother throat hit than the traditional PG mixtures.
Designed to simulate a mouth-to-lung hit, these liquids can be used in classic and sub-ohm devices and can be used for both DL (direct lung) inhalation and MTL (mouth to lung) inhalation.
Why are 50/50 e-liquids a good choice?
This mixture of PG and VG makes for a proportional vaping experience, providing a satisfying throat hit (as a result of the PG) and optimum flavour. They are designed to be used in smaller, less complex vaping devices, but can be conveniently used in most refillable pens. This makes them ideal for those who want to be able to use their devices more discreetly - whether that's in or out of the home.
Shortfill E-Liquid
Shortfill e-liquids, as the name suggests, are larger bottles that are not filled to the maximum level. These liquids do not contain nicotine and are usually presented in 60ml bottles. More often than not, these liquids are usually high VG of 70% or greater. Generally, the nic-free liquid will make up to 50ml of e-liquid leaving a 10ml gap at the top of the 60ml bottle to allow space for an 18mg nicotine shot.
There is also the option to choose 100ml short fills, a bottle which allows space to add 2 nic shots for 120ml of 3mg e-liquid.
Shortfill e-liquids are designed with the added nicotine shot in mind, giving them a slightly stronger percentage of flavouring to ensure that the taste of the e-liquid does not become diluted.
Why are shortfill e-liquids a good choice?
Shortfill e-liquids offer many benefits. First of all, they tend to be more economical than buying 10ml bottles in the same quantity. Another benefit: 60ml bottles are much harder to lose than 10ml bottles, meaning you'll save money! Carrying one large bottle of e-liquid instead of many smaller bottles is easier when you're away from home.
What are nic shots, and how are they used with shortfill e-liquids?
Nicotine shots are essentially miniature bottles of nicotine that can be used with shortfill e-liquids. They come in 10ml bottles and are used to add nicotine to 0mg e-liquids. Adding a nic shot bottle into your favourite flavoured shortfill liquid will provide the nicotine fix you're looking for, without compromising quality or taste. For example, adding 10ml of an 18mg nic shot to a 50ml shortfill bottle will equate to 60ml of 3mg e-liquid.
Nic Salt E-Liquids
A nicotine salt (also known as a nic salt) is formulated differently to other regular e-liquids and has quickly become a craze on the vaping scene. They are a fantastic option for anyone looking to keep their nicotine cravings at bay for a prolonged period of time, or for those who don't wish to vape frequently throughout the day but want to feel the benefit of a long-lasting nicotine hit.
Vapers will enjoy a richer flavour and enjoyable experience from vaping nic salt liquids. These liquids may not be suitable for vapers who don't smoke much though.
Why are nic salt e-liquids a good choice?
A nicotine salt efficiently delivers nicotine to the bloodstream, as the substance is much more easily absorbed by the body due to the PH level of the liquid. Nic salts provide a smoother draw and work well with mouth-to-lung devices. Nic Salts is the natural state of nicotine As well as a better nicotine hit, Nic Salts are a better option for people who don’t vape regularly as they give a longer-lasting nicotine hit. Nic Salts are compatible with many mods and vapes, making them a cost-effective option too.
