A Beginners Guide To E-Liquids | What is vape juice?
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  • A Beginners Guide To E-Liquids | What is vape juice?A Beginners Guide To E-Liquids | What is vape juice?

    A Beginners Guide To E-Liquids | What Is Vape Juice?

    E-liquids come in a variety of different bottle sizes, nicotine strengths, flavours and more - this can be confusing to anyone who has just made the switch to vaping.

    Here at House of Vapes - London, we have put this blog post together to breakdown everything you need to know as a beginner about e-liquids and their contents, to help you find the right e-liquid for you!

    Are you based in London and running low on e-liquids or other vaping supplies? Check out our same day vape delivery service within most London boroughs - see if your postcode is covered and at what price on our same day delivery page.

    What is e-liquid?

    E-liquid, also known by other names such as e-juice, e-liquids, vape juice, vape liquids and more, is an oil like substance which is used within an e-cigarette to produce vapour and deliver nicotine to the user. 

    E-liquids may contain nicotine, but do not always, and come in a variety of bottle sizes, flavours, VG/PG ratios and nicotine strengths.

    If you need further help choosing your first e-liquid then we would recommend consulting our customer service team or reading our how to choose your e-liquid guide.

    What is in e-liquid?

    E-liquid is made up of four main ingredients, with nicotine being optional in some cases:

    • Propylene Glycol (PG)
    This ingredient is thin in consistency, odourless and a colourless liquid, known by the acronym 'PG' is used in a variety of food and cosmic products as it works great as a bonding agent.

    • Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
    Known by the acronym 'VG' is thicker in consistency and is used by both the food and pharmaceutical industry in a variety of products.

    • Flavourings
    These consist of a combination of both natural and artificial flavourings used to replicate the taste of foods and drinks. 

    • Nicotine (not always included)
    Nicotine is found naturally in plants such as the tobacco plant and is a highly addictive substance. Nicotine strengths vary from brands, with some containing none.

    What are the different types of e-liquid?

    50/50 e-liquids
    A popular VG/PG ratio within e-liquids, 50VG/50PG refers to an even ratio of VG and PG.

    These e-liquids tend to be thinner in consistency as they are are designed to be used in starter vape kits, pen-style vape kits and pod-style vape kits. 

    These e-liquids also produce a small amount of vapour and have a stronger throat hit as they are designed to replicate the experience of traditional cigarette smoke.

    High VG e-liquids
    High VG e-liquids feature a higher ratio of VG, making them thicker in consistency. These e-liquids create a denser vapour cloud and are designed to be used within sub ohm vape kits.

    Low VG e-liquids
    These are the generally e-liquids with 50% VG or lower and tend to be used in starter kits or pod kits.

    A variety of different size e-liquid bottles on a wooden table

    What are shortfill e-liquids?

    Shortfill e-liquids come with no nicotine and the bottle will have a small amount missing, as these e-liquids are designed to be topped up with nicotine shots to create a strength of your choice.

    By offering the option of adding a nicotine shot, it allows vapers to create the strength of their preference, or use them as they come, without any nicotine.

    Shortfills tend to come in 60ml bottle sizes with 10ml missing, or 120ml bottles with 20ml missing.

    Selection of different nic salt e-liquids on a wooden table

    How long does e-liquid last?

    The life-span of e-liquid is predominantly down to how much you use your device, the higher the use the faster your device will vaporise the e-liquid.

    Generally e-liquids have a 1-2 year use by date due to the constituents present in the e-liquid such. as VG, PG, nicotine and flavourings. Once e-liquids have passed the use by date the nicotine and flavourings reduce in strength gradually.

    If your e-liquids begin to change colour, generally going darker in colour, this is known as steeping. This is where the components of the e-liquid gradually bind more and more over time and is completely safe to use.

    Generally the more an e-liquid is steeped the stronger the flavour and sweeter the taste.

    An Aspire PockeX AIO and Innokin Endura T20-S pen-style vape kit on a wooden table, with a grey background.

    What is the best e-liquid for sub ohm vaping?

    The best e-liquid for sub ohm vaping is dependant on what you’re trying to achieve.

    The higher the VG ratio of an e-liquid generally the sweeter it will taste and it will produce thicker, denser clouds than high PG e-liquids. 

    High VG e-liquids are available in a variety of flavours and VG / PG ratios such as 70VG/30PG or 80VG/20PG. 

    Someone pouring e-liquid into their vape devices tank.
    A selection of low VG e-liquids on a wooden table

    50/50 & Low VG E-Liquids

    Browse our range of low VG e-liquids from a variety of premium brands such as Fuu Original Silver, Ohm Brew 50/50 and more.

    All these e-liquids are perfect for starter kits such as pen-style vape kits or pod-style vape kits. 

    Browse All Low VG E-Liquids
    A selection of high VG shortfill e-liquids on a table

    High VG E-Liquids

    Choose from a huge range of high VG e-liquids from premium brands such as Ohm Brew, Rope Cut, Ohmly Juice and more.

    These e-liquids are designed to be used with sub ohm devices, such as intermediate or advance vape kits.

    Browse All High VG E-Liquids