Vaping is one of today’s hottest trends. There are many types of e-cigarettes and flavors of e-liquids available. The heart of the e-cigarette is the e-liquid, also known as e-juice. This is where the flavor is produced. It is also where the amount of nicotine, if any, is controlled.
The e-liquid is made up of only a few ingredients. These include the base, the flavor and, if any, nicotine level. The main part of an e-liquid is the base. This is generally made up of a combination of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). Propylene glycol is a liquid used as a flavoring carrier in processed foods. It is also used as an ingredient in food coloring, and as an additive to some medications. Vegetable glycerin is a thick, vegetable-based liquid. Due to the thickness of the vegetable glycerin it needs to be mixed with the propylene glycol to be a good base for vaping.
The base of the e-liquid can be with or without nicotine. The nicotine levels can vary from 0mg up to 24mg. Food grade, natural or artificial flavorings are added to the e-liquid to create the various flavors. The taste of e-liquid flavors can vary among manufacturers. Starting out with a small batch of a new flavor will help insure you don’t end up with large quantities of flavors you don’t like. The flavors of an e-liquid can be just about anything. They can range from fruity such as strawberry or blueberry, to savory such as double fudge brownies. For the traditional tobacco smoker e-liquids can also come in flavors such as tobacco or menthol. For coffee lovers there is also a caffeinated e-cigarette. According to Vape Magazine the three main ingredients are ginseng, taurine, and guarana. The levels of caffeine can vary depending on the manufacturer. Generally there is about two milligrams per e-cigarette.
E-liquids are light sensitive. They should be kept in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight to keep them fresh. Many brands come in colored bottles to reduce light exposure. There is also generally an expiration date and a manufacture date on the container. The refillable cartridges in e-cigarettes should be refilled when the vapor that is being produced by your e-cigarette is reduced. This can also happen when the battery is low. When changing flavors it’s recommended you change cartridges to reduce carry-over tastes.
Although there are many available flavors and types of ready to use e-liquids, making your own is an option. For do-it-yourself e-liquids it’s best to buy quality products and have an expert show you how before trying it yourself. The base mixture of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are not considered toxic. Nicotine can be considered toxic and should be added with caution.
The variety of flavors and types of e-liquids in the vaping market continue to expand as the popularity of e-cigarettes increases. The best ways to find trending new flavors is to ask other vapor lovers or the knowledgeable employees at your local vapor store.
References:
- Vape Magazine. “Is Vaping Caffeine The Next Big Trend?”
3 May 2016