Can we talk PG and VG ?

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PapawBrett

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I dabbled with DIY until the Deeming Regs came out, then I went full-bore into supplies. Trying to find the best prices, I bought "4-Bys" (2 Gallon PG and 2 Gallon of VG) from Essential Depot.
It is USP Kosher Food Grade, I did at least look for that. But I don't think it is as smooth as some vendors might use as it can be slightly irritating if I start chain vaping (which I'm not supposed to do anyways).
So, just want to ask a few questions. Maybe some will get better info than I pursued prior to "looking for best price".
How many PG and VG Manufacturers are there ?
What Grade should you look for ?
Who makes a smoother base ? Or a sweeter base ?
Can you get Quality and Price ?

Add any comments or question you may think are relevant. Links to more information are Welcomed.
And maybe we can help someone towards the right direction on their next purchase. Thanks.
 

Opinionated

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DaveP

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I buy Essential Depot USP PG and VG from Amazon in quart sizes. Two quarts of PG and one quart of VG are empty at about the same time with 70pg mixes.

The gallon would be cheaper than 4 quarts, but the quart bottle is easier to pour from and lasts me several months of mixing. A gallon of each would last me a year or more and cost me less in the long run. I should probably change over for the cost savings.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/141-1941601-2804222?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=diy+ejuice
 
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28if

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Probably not helpful but I'm an Essential Depot customer also. I've tasted and vaped both their PG and VG and find no harness or odd flavor.

With that said it has been a few years since I vaped store bought liquid I don't have a very good comparison.

I mix 50/50 at 18 mg/ml and find it pleasant??

Sorry, I know, not much help.


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DaveP

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Papa, What other vendors have you used for VG/PG? I've gotten from Essentials depot, My Freedom Smokes and even Wal-Mart. I have not noticed a difference in my mixes either way.

My first PG and VG were from MFS since I bought my two liters of nic from them. I could tell no difference when I ran out of MFS PG/VG and changed to Essential Depot. I've also bought and tried Walmart's small bottle of VG from the cosmetics department. It was fine, but not as cheap as buying larger sizes.

I've been through several Essentials Depot PG and VG combos. People who vape 50/50 can buy one of each. My 70pg/30vg mix needs two bottles of PG to one bottle of VG to come out even in DIY. It all works out for the good in the end, though.
 
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Vicman

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I've ordered my PG/VG from both Essential Depot and Bulk Apothecary. Currently using Bulk Apothecary for the last year and have enough for another year or two (give or take a few months). It could be in my head but I like the PG/VG better from Bulk Apothecary. I say that as when I was using my PG/VG form Essential Depot, I could swear I would get a odd taste every once in a while. Almost reminded me of a Halloween makeup taste. Have to clarify, I did not vape just the PG or VG to see if it was the product. It could have just been my taste buds were still recovering from the years of abuse from smoking. However, I have not had that taste with this Bulk Apothecary. The only way for me to find out is to order some more from Essential Depot and test it, but I am set for a while and have enough of a problem with storage for my vaping hobby as it is.

I vape everything between 50/50 to 60/40 PG/VG; have been doing that since I started vaping (when I had the option, some store bought had no options).
 

Wheelin247

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I get my VG from Bulk Apothecary. 1 gallon bottle last me a while and I vape max VG. Cost isn't bad. They get you on the shipping but if you order 2 gallons it's not bad, they only charge $2 more for shipping the second gallon.


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PapawBrett

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Papa, What other vendors have you used for VG/PG? I've gotten from Essentials depot, My Freedom Smokes and even Wal-Mart. I have not noticed a difference in my mixes either way.

I started with small bottles from Wizard Labs which are outrageously high priced, but I also get my flavors and syringes from there. Then someone told me of a sale at Essential Depot, 2 gall. of PG and 2 gall. of VG for $40. They nailed me on the shipping cost, but still a decent price.
I mix at 30/70 PG/VG, but I also do my own Tobacco extractions with PG (cold maceration) so it seems to work out.
 

numsquat

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I buy Essential Depot USP PG and VG from Amazon in quart sizes. Two quarts of PG and one quart of VG are empty at about the same time with 70pg mixes.

The gallon would be cheaper than 4 quarts, but the quart bottle is easier to pour from and lasts me several months of mixing. A gallon of each would last me a year or more and cost me less in the long run. I should probably change over for the cost savings.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/141-1941601-2804222?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=diy+ejuice

I go through Amazon for Essential Depot USP PG and VG get the 1 gal/each set (around $50) and then get gal VG as needed since I do 70/30 vg until the next need for 1 gal/each set. I originally did 1 quart each, still use the bottles, refill from gal bottles, keep quarts in fridge, gal in freezer, and refill 100ml squeeze bottle from quarts.
 

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Wha... that was an informative post with several goo links. Why erase it ?

Oh.. I decided maybe that post was rather off the mark of your intentions for your thread, so I deleted it.

I can put those links back up if you like.
 

JCinFLA

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I've been buying/using exclusively Bulk Apothecary PG & VG for about 1.5 years now. Their quality is terrific, IMO - never has any kind of "off taste", stays great quality for easily more than a year, etc. BA also has frequent coupon codes for sales on it. Even with S/H from them in OH to me in FL...it's usually right around $42 for a gallon of each when not on sale, but their sales are usually from 10-16% off. Recently got 2 gallons of VG, and with a sale the total (including UPS Ground shipping which recently went up)...was $33.94.

In fact, their prices are so good, that even though Essential Depot is located in FL, and I am, too...it's still less for me to order it from BA in Ohio! Since I really like BA's quality, too, it's a win-win for me!
 

numsquat

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I've been buying/using exclusively Bulk Apothecary PG & VG for about 1.5 years now. Their quality is terrific, IMO - never has any kind of "off taste", stays great quality for easily more than a year, etc. BA also has frequent coupon codes for sales on it. Even with S/H from them in OH to me in FL...it's usually right around $42 for a gallon of each when not on sale, but their sales are usually from 10-16% off. Recently got 2 gallons of VG, and with a sale the total (including UPS Ground shipping which recently went up)...was $33.94.

In fact, their prices are so good, that even though Essential Depot is located in FL, and I am, too...it's still less for me to order it from BA in Ohio! Since I really like BA's quality, too, it's a win-win for me!

That's cool. The reason I buy through Amazon for Essential (besides it's a quality product for me) is that when I get gift $$ for birthday or Christmas it's for Amazon because I order a ton from Amazon and family/friends know it. So I usually have several 100$'s in May and December to buy vg/pg.

Not had any issues with Essential through Amazon, no flavor issues and never an issue with clouds at high VG which I vape. Not being an ex-smoker (ex-smokeless user) throat hit has always been an issue with me (not liking it) and eve some VG from places at 70/30 has been to much throat hit, never had that problem with Essential.
 

dc99

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Ive never had any issue with ED and I buy 2gal of VG about 3 times a year. I cant vouch for the PG since I don't use it. To be honest I have used VG from quite a few places and cant tell the difference. Ive had more odd taste issues from nic than anything.
 

Str8vision

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I've bought PG and VG from Essential Depot and Bulk Apothecary, both taste great, about the same to me, never a problem or complaint. Last year BA ran some -outstanding- sale prices on bulk purchases of PG and VG so I stocked up.

I've only had one bad experience since I started vaping, it involved a highly rated "off brand" of USP PG. Purchased in 2013, it sat for months (unopened) in my vape cabinet. When I opened it I noticed It had a strong chemical odor similar to acetone (fingernail polish remover) and tasted as bad as it smelled, I ended up pouring it out. I've read where others had similar experiences with off brand PG. Needless to say that was my one and only off brand purchase, I've only bought from ED and BA since.
 

PapawBrett

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Oh.. I decided maybe that post was rather off the mark of your intentions for your thread, so I deleted it.

I can put those links back up if you like.

Yes, please do. I thought it was very informative, and pretty much what I was looking for.
 

Opinionated

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Yes, please do. I thought it was very informative, and pretty much what I was looking for.

I have edited my first post and added back two of the three links. I cannot manage to find that third link, and I'm having tons of problems with my browser history. So those two will have to suffice for now..

To reiterate what I had said.. if your having breathing or coughing difficulties now, it might be because what your inhaling is food grade, and there is pharmaceutical grade.

The best grade is something that is difficult for anyone but a manufacturer to obtain, and that is a synthetic pharmaceutical grade. (Which is called Dow Optim)

I'll post those two links here too, so you don't have to look up again. :)

First, the sticky:

https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/threads/purity-of-pg-vg-and-peg-the-short-version.277267/

And discussion of pharmaceutical grade

https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/f...ients-around-town.509008/page-3#post-11837335
 
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