Guide to Choosing Your New Favourite Vape Juice
If you’re new to e-cigarettes, then choosing the right e-liquid may seem a little intimidating. From nicotine levels to flavours, there are a number of choices to make before you buy. Thanks to the rising popularity of vaping, as more and more smokers make the switch, there are now more options than ever in the world of e-juice. Never fear – keep reading to learn how to make the choice much easier and end up with some new e-liquids that you’ll love.
What is vape juice?
If you’re a complete vaping beginner, you may not even be sure exactly what vape juice is. Vape juice is the liquid used in e-cigs that transforms into vapour. You may hear vape juice called by many different names, including:
- E-liquid
- E-juice
- Vaping Liquid
- E-cig Juice
- Vape Juice
You may also hear vapers refer to it simply as “juice” or “liquid.” All vaping devices, regardless of size, shape, or complexity, require the presence of vape juice to make vapour. E-liquid comes in a huge variety of flavours, viscosities, and nicotine strengths.
What is vape juice made of?
All e-liquids are made out of some essential ingredients and some optional ones. These ingredients can be broken down into three main categories: base liquids, nicotine, and flavourings and sweeteners.
- Base liquids: The base of e-liquid is made of a combination of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). 100% VG and 100% PG liquids do exist, but they’re rare. Almost all e-liquids contain both VG and PG, albeit in varying ratios. Generally, when you see a ratio listed, such as 70/30 or 50/50, this refers to the ratio of VG to PG (with VG often being listed first). At ePuffer we list PG first as our brand is specialized in Tobacco eliquids and devices using thinner (more PG to VG ratio) liquids.
- Nicotine: Most vape juices contain some amount of nicotine, although zero-nicotine liquids do exist for people who want to enjoy the experience of vaping without the addictive substance. However, most vapers using vaping as a nicotine delivery method, and therefore, you’ll find nicotine in most liquids in varying strengths. In general, a heavier smoker will do best with a higher nicotine strength, while a lighter smoker will probably enjoy the lower-strength juices just fine.
- Flavourings. The flavour concentrates in vape juice are water-soluble and typically made by companies that also make flavourings or fragrances for food products. These flavours range from tobacco flavours to fruit, desserts, chocolate, coffee, and more or less anything you can think of. Many of them also contain sweeteners to make the flavour even tastier.
Does vape juice go bad or expire?
Technically, vape juice can go bad. However, this isn’t the same as food spoiling. Vape juice is highly shelf-stable. You may notice that yours changes colour over time, but this doesn’t mean that it’s unsafe to use. A good rule of thumb is that your vape juice should be fine for one to two years after its date of manufacture. You can get the most out of your juice by:
- Storing it in a cool, dry place. A dry, cool cupboard or cabinet is a great place to keep your liquids.
- Keeping it out of direct sunlight. Vape juice does not like direct sunlight. Wherever you keep it, make sure it isn’t exposed to UV rays.
- Making sure your bottles are tightly closed. Keep your liquids in their original bottles, always closed firmly to keep oxygen out.
How can I choose the right vape juice for me?
One way to choose a good vape juice is simply to use disposable electronic cigarettes (also known as cigalikes) or prefilled vape pods that come with the juice already inside and ready to use. Just pick the flavour you think you’ll enjoy the most and try it out.
When you’re ready to try a device that requires you to refill the liquid yourself, it’s time to choose an appropriate e-liquid (or a variety to sample). Here’s the fun part: the best way to find your favourites is to experiment with different products. Trying new e-juices is one of the most fun parts of vaping, and many vapers look forward to opening their latest bottle and taking that first puff. Finding the right vape juice is part of an ongoing journey, and you may even find that your tastes evolve over time as you try more and more new flavours. On the other hand, you may be more of a purist and prefer to stick to the tobacco flavours, and that’s perfectly fine, too.
At the end of the day, your vaping experience is yours alone. Everyone prefers different flavours, nicotine strengths, VG to PG ratios, and even devices. So don’t hesitate to start exploring. If you have any questions or comments, we’re here for you.
