There are a variety of reasons as to why people choose to vape; for some, it could be to kick their smoking habit, others prefer it to traditional tobacco products, and some enjoy the experience without the nicotine. Whatever your personal reasons are for vaping, our guide will provide you with everything you need to know to make the most out of your vaping so that you can enjoy the whole experience.
What Is Vape Liquid?
Vape liquid, also know as e-liquid, vape juice, or e-juice, is a fluid that goes into the tank of a vape pen, e-cigarette, or other vaping tool and creates vapour when smoked. The vaping device heats the liquid, which changes the composition of the e-liquid, transforming it from a liquid into steam. Depending on the device you use, vape liquid can be heated to between 90°C and 200°C. As this process takes place, you can inhale the vapour, which will give you a hit of flavour and nicotine if you use a liquid with a nicotine content. If you want to know more, this guide from AquaVape has information that is important to know if you are wanting to vape.
E-liquid Ingredients
Typically, the ingredients in vape liquids are a mixture of nicotine, food-grade flavouring, and propylene glycol or vegetable glycerine. Some companies use a mix of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, but it’s not uncommon to find only one in your e-liquid; you can also find vaping liquids that have no nicotine.
Most people assume that nicotine is a dangerous chemical, which is not strictly true. However, nicotine is highly addictive. When you don’t provide your brain with the levels it has become used to, you can develop intense cravings; this is why giving up smoking is challenging and why many smokers have chosen to move to vape as an alternative.
If you’ve seen PG or VG on the front of bottles of vape liquids, you may have wondered what this meant; PG is propylene glycol, and VG is vegetable glycerine. It can be easy to become confused when choosing the right liquid for you when you’re not sure whether you should go for one with PG or VG. Both come with good benefits, and many manufacturers use a mix of the two in order to combine the benefits you get when vaping. Propylene glycol is an organic compound that is odourless and colourless with low viscosity; this means that it is a thin liquid which is the opposite of vegetable glycerine which is a much thicker liquid. This compound is not only found in vape liquid, and you can often find it in skin lotion or moisturiser. On the other hand, Vegetable glycerine is an all-natural liquid extracted from plant oil; it is odourless and mostly clear with only a hint of colour. Occasionally, this liquid has a slight sweetness to its taste and is a more viscous liquid than propylene glycol.
When it comes to the flavouring of your vape liquid, you are likely to see various other ingredients listed on the packet of your favourite e-liquid; these other ingredients are typically the scientific names for flavouring compounds that have been used. Mixing flavours can create unique combinations, which is what many people who vape like most about vaping.
Storage & Shelf-Life
Due to the ingredients found in vape liquid, the product has a shelf-life and needs to be stored correctly so that you are able to make the most out of each bottle. E-liquid should be stored in a dark and cool place to ensure that you get the full use out of the product before it reaches its expiry date. Sunlight and heat degrades vape liquid causing it to lose flavour and nicotine levels which is why storing it in the original cardboard box and keeping it in a cool, dark draw or cupboard is essential. This will allow unopened bottles to retain its integrity for the entire shelf-life. When stored properly, most vape liquids will be useable for two years, but this is only possible if the product is kept cool and the bottle has not been opened. Once a bottle of e-liquid has been opened, it needs to be used within a few weeks, or it will begin to lose its potency.
Using vape liquid that is past the expiry date is not advised, as you will most likely have a poor vaping experience due to a poor taste that has developed as the ingredients have degraded. The component in e-liquid breaks down easily, and this process is sped up when the solution is exposed to heat or sunlight. Expired vape liquid can be used as it may not have gone off, but most people ensure they use their e-liquids in plenty of time rather than risk an unpleasant experience by using a liquid that has lost its flavour.
