What Is E-Liquid? Vape Juice Need to Knows
If you're new to vaping or just making the switch from cigarettes, one of the first questions you'll have is: what is e-liquid? E-liquid, also called vape juice, is the fluid that goes inside a vape device. When heated by a coil, it turns into vapour that you inhale. That's the simple version. The longer version covers ingredients, nicotine types, VG/PG ratios, different formats, and how to choose the right one for your device.
This guide answers everything you need to know about what is e-liquid, what is in e liquid, and how to pick the best option for your setup and preferences. Whether you're using a starter kit, a pod vape, or a full advanced vape kit, understanding your e liquid makes a real difference.
What Is E-Liquid Made Of?
Every e-liquid contains the same core ingredients. Understanding what is e liquid made of makes it much easier to choose the right product for your device and preferences.
The four main components found in all e-liquids are:
- VG (Vegetable Glycerine): a thick, plant-derived liquid responsible for vapour production. Higher VG content means denser clouds and a smoother inhale.
- PG (Propylene Glycol): a thinner liquid that carries flavour and delivers a throat hit. Higher PG content means stronger flavour and a more cigarette-like sensation.
- Flavouring: food-grade flavour concentrates that give each e-liquid its specific taste profile, from fruit and menthol to dessert and tobacco.
- Nicotine (optional): either freebase nicotine or nicotine salts, or zero nicotine in shortfills and nicotine-free options.
That's what is in e cig liquid at its core. No tar, no combustion, and none of the thousands of harmful chemicals produced by burning tobacco. The VG and PG ratios guide at Vaping 101 explains how each ingredient affects your vaping experience in detail.
What Is VG and What Does It Do?
VG, or Vegetable Glycerine, is derived from vegetable fats sourced from soybean, coconut, or palm oils. It's thick, slightly sweet, and produces the vapour cloud when heated. The higher the VG content in your e-liquid, the denser and smoother the vapour.
Most shortfill e-liquids use 70/30 or 80/20 VG/PG ratios, making them ideal for sub-ohm devices designed for cloud production. VG is widely used as a food additive in everyday products.
What Is PG and What Does It Do?
PG, or Propylene Glycol, is a thin, clear liquid derived from petroleum. It carries flavour compounds more effectively than VG and delivers a throat hit similar to the sensation of smoking a cigarette.
Higher PG ratios suit mouth-to-lung vaping devices like pod kits and starter kits. This is why most nic salts and 50/50 e-liquids use a balanced ratio: the PG delivers both good flavour and a satisfying throat hit without requiring high wattage.
What Are the Different Types of Nicotine in E-Liquid?
Nicotine guideUnderstanding what is in e liquid when it comes to nicotine is one of the most useful things a new vaper can learn. There are two main types: freebase nicotine and nicotine salts. Each suits a different style of vaping.
Freebase Nicotine
Freebase nicotine is the traditional form of nicotine used in e-liquids for years. It provides a stronger throat hit at lower nicotine strengths and takes slightly longer to absorb into the bloodstream compared to nic salts.
Freebase e-liquids typically come in strengths from 3mg up to 18mg and suit vapers who want a harder-hitting, more pronounced throat sensation. The freebase 10ml collection at Vaping 101 covers this format, with Vampire Vape being the standout brand offering classic UK flavours in ready-to-vape bottles.
Quick guide:
- Freebase: Stronger throat hit
- Nic salts: Smoother at higher strengths
- Pod kits: Usually nic salts or 50/50
- Sub-ohm kits: Usually low-strength freebase
Nicotine Salts
Nic salts are a modified form of nicotine that delivers a smoother throat hit at higher strengths. Manufacturers combine freebase nicotine with benzoic acid, which lowers the pH and makes the nicotine more comfortable to vape even at 20mg strength.
This is what makes nic salts so popular for vapers switching from cigarettes. The nicotine absorbs into the bloodstream quickly, much like smoking, which satisfies cravings faster. The full nic salts collection at Vaping 101 covers hundreds of options from brands like Bar Juice 5000, Elfliq, Dinner Lady, and Just Juice.
Nic salts should always be used in low-wattage devices with coils above 0.8 ohm. Using them in a sub-ohm tank can deliver too much nicotine at once, causing dizziness and discomfort. The difference between nic salts and freebase guide covers this topic in much more detail if you want a thorough breakdown.
What Is an E-Liquid Format? Understanding the Different Types
Once you understand what is e-liquid made of, the next step is knowing which format suits your device. E-liquids come in several formats, each designed for a different style of vaping.
10ml Ready-to-Vape E-Liquids
These are the most straightforward option. A 10ml bottle comes pre-mixed with nicotine, flavouring, VG, and PG. You open it, fill your tank or pod, and vape. No mixing needed.
The 10ml e-liquid collection at Vaping 101 covers both nic salts and freebase options. These suit pod vapes, starter kits, and MTL devices with coils above 0.8 ohm. They're the easiest format for beginners and the most affordable way to try multiple flavours without committing to large quantities.
Shortfill E-Liquids
Shortfills are larger bottles of nicotine-free e-liquid with a gap at the top for adding nicotine shots. A 100ml shortfill in a 120ml bottle, for example, gives you room to add two 18mg nic shots for a 3mg final strength.
This format gives sub-ohm vapers excellent value and a much wider flavour choice. Browse the full shortfill collection covering 50ml, 100ml, and 200ml options from brands like Dinner Lady, Fantasi, Vampire Vape, and Doozy. The shortfill explained guide covers how they work in more detail.
50/50 E-Liquids
50/50 e-liquids use an equal ratio of VG and PG, making them more versatile than high VG shortfills. They work in both MTL devices and lighter sub-ohm setups, and deliver a stronger throat hit alongside good flavour clarity.
The 50/50 e-liquid collection includes ready-to-vape 10ml bottles and larger shortfill formats. The what is 50/50 e-liquid guide breaks down the balance of flavour, vapour, and throat hit that makes this format popular with beginners and experienced vapers alike.
What VG/PG Ratio Should You Choose?
Choosing the right VG/PG ratio is directly tied to your device type. Getting this wrong is one of the most common mistakes new vapers make. Here's a straightforward breakdown:
The right choice comes down to your device and vaping style:
- 50/50 (equal VG and PG): suits starter kits, pod vapes, and MTL tanks. Good throat hit and clear flavour.
- 70/30 (70% VG, 30% PG): suits sub-ohm tanks and advanced vape kits. Smoother throat hit and denser clouds.
- 80/20 (80% VG, 20% PG): suits cloud-chasing sub-ohm setups. Maximum vapour production with a very smooth inhale.
Using a high VG e-liquid in a pod system causes the thick liquid to wick poorly, leading to dry hits and burnt coils. Using a 50/50 liquid in a high-powered sub-ohm tank produces weak vapour and less flavour. The VG and PG ratios explained guide covers this topic comprehensively.
What Nicotine Strength Should You Choose?
Beginner guideNicotine strength affects how satisfying your vape feels. Choose too low and cravings persist. Choose too high and the throat hit becomes overwhelming. The right starting point depends on how much you smoked before switching.
A general guide for new vapers making the transition:
20mg nic salt: suits heavy smokers (20+ cigarettes daily). Common starting point for ex-smokers using pod vapes and starter kits.
10mg nic salt: suits moderate smokers (10 to 15 cigarettes daily). The midpoint that works for many vapers switching from cigarettes.
Starting points:
- 20mg nic salt: Heavy smokers
- 10mg nic salt: Moderate smokers
- 3mg to 6mg: Light/sub-ohm users
- 0mg: Nicotine-free vaping
3mg to 6mg freebase: suits light smokers and vapers who want lower nicotine in shortfill format. Works well with advanced vape kits and sub-ohm setups.
0mg: nicotine-free option for vapers who've reduced their intake to zero. Most shortfills are 0mg until you add nic shots.
The nic salts vs 50/50 vape juice guide covers the comparison between nicotine types and how they affect your experience.
What Flavours Does E-Liquid Come In?
This is where e-liquid genuinely shines. The flavour range available today goes far beyond what any cigarette brand ever offered. Every flavour category imaginable is covered across nic salts and shortfills.
The main categories are:
- Fruit: tropical, citrus, berry, stone fruit, melon, and exotic blends
- Dessert: custard, cookie, cake, doughnut, pastry, and cream profiles
- Menthol and ice: mint, menthol, iced fruit, and cooling blends
- Tobacco: classic RY4, creamy tobacco, and American tobacco profiles
- Drinks: fizzy soda, coffee, cocktail, and energy drink-inspired e-liquids
- Disposable-inspired: exact flavour matches to popular bar-style vapes in refillable nic salt and bar juice format
Some of the most popular brands at Vaping 101 for flavour variety include Dinner Lady, Vampire Vape, Doozy Vape, Fantasi, and Riot Squad. For disposable-inspired profiles, Bar Juice 5000 and Elfliq are consistently among the most popular choices.
Which E-Liquid Is Right for You?
Choosing the right e-liquid comes down to three questions: what device do you have, how much nicotine do you need, and what flavour profile do you enjoy?
If you use a pod vape or starter kit, start with nic salts in 10mg or 20mg. They suit low-wattage devices perfectly and deliver fast nicotine satisfaction without harshness. The best vape juice for pod kits guide covers specific recommendations.
If you use an advanced kit with a sub-ohm tank, shortfills in 70/30 or 80/20 VG are the right choice. Add a couple of nic shots to hit 3mg and enjoy excellent value per ml alongside a huge flavour range.
If you're still figuring out your style, 50/50 e-liquids in 10ml format are the most flexible starting point. They work across the widest range of devices and come in both freebase and nic salt options. You can also browse the complete e-juice collection at Vaping 101 to explore all formats side by side.
Quick Comparison
| Format | Use | Best for | Bottle | Strength | VG/PG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nic Salts | Ready-to-vape 10ml | Pod kits, starter kits and ex-smokers | 10ml | Usually 5mg–20mg | Usually 50/50 |
| Freebase 10ml | Ready-to-vape 10ml | Stronger throat hit and classic MTL vaping | 10ml | Usually 3mg–18mg | Usually 50/50 or higher PG |
| Shortfills | Nicotine-free large bottles | Sub-ohm kits and lower nicotine vaping | 50ml, 100ml or 200ml | 0mg until nic shots are added | Usually 70/30 or 80/20 |
| 50/50 E-Liquid | Balanced VG/PG e-liquid | MTL devices, pod kits and starter kits | 10ml or shortfill format | Varies by format | 50/50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
E-liquid is the fluid used in vape devices, made from VG, PG, flavourings, and optional nicotine. It produces vapour when heated by a coil. All e-liquids sold at Vaping 101 are TPD-compliant and produced to UK safety standards, containing no tar or combustion by-products from burning tobacco.
E-liquid contains VG, PG, food-grade flavourings, and nicotine salts or freebase nicotine. Cigarettes produce thousands of harmful chemicals through combustion. E-liquid produces vapour through heating, not burning, which removes tar and the vast majority of harmful compounds associated with smoking.
Nicotine strength refers to how much nicotine is in each millilitre of e-liquid. 20mg nic salts suit heavy smokers, 10mg suits moderate smokers, and 3mg to 6mg freebase suits lighter vapers using sub-ohm kits. Start at a strength that matches your previous smoking level and adjust from there.
A shortfill is a large, nicotine-free bottle of e-liquid designed for sub-ohm vapers who add their own nic shots. Nic salts are small, ready-to-vape 10ml bottles with nicotine already added, designed for pod vapes and MTL devices. The two formats suit completely different setups.
The throat hit mainly comes from PG content and nicotine type. Higher PG ratios deliver a stronger, more pronounced throat hit. Freebase nicotine produces a harsher hit than nic salts at equivalent strengths. Nic salts at 20mg feel smoother than freebase at 12mg, which is why they suit ex-smokers making the switch.
