Dumb question from a FNG why is Glycerin the norm as e liguid base ingretident?

[steved5600]

New to Vapor but long time cigar and pipe smoker. Why use Glycerin? I know among it's many uses it is used to make a smoke like vapor in movies and such. But when I've been around that smoke/vapor makes you tear up. I guess there is nothing better?
So far it is much less irritating than inhaling cigars (I have been inhaling for about 4 years our of my 20 smoking). So is it just a better trade off and is there something better. I am big on DIY so I'm researching now.

 

[klynnn]

Most people use a combination of pg and vg in different percentages. I have seen 70/30 mentioned a lot. Some others use vg exclusively. The pg tends to hold more flavor and give a better throat hit while the vg gives more vapor. It's a preference thing. Once you get 5 posts and wait about an hour for the reset you can got to the DIY sub-forum. Be sure to read the stickeys at the top of the page for safety info. You will be able to research for quite awhile.

 

[steved5600]

Thanks. The funny thing is that I make my own shaving oil and Glycerin is a big item in that. It also has to be 100% pure vegetable Glycerin. I buy the what ever it think it's UPC called grade. But I can't use any of the other stuff. Grape seed oil would not be good. LOL. I'm not making any until I do a lot more research. On my skin is one thing in my lungs is another. LOL

 

[klynnn]

It doesn't take long to get your posts in all you have to do is reply to some of the other threads and welcome others.

 

[rondasherrill]

PG and VG are a stable, and safe(although PG is recognized as being a mild irritant to some) carrier. The other ingredients will readily blend with it. The PG used in fog machines is not the same as the PG used in e-liquid. Well, not exactly the same. The PG used in e-liquid is USP(food safe) grade.

 

[vsummer1]

Grape seed oil has a pretty high smoke point. Doubt it would vape well.

My guess would be more along the lines of the fact that PG is used in inhalers so has been tested for years going into the lungs. Grape seed not so much.

 

[vsummer1]

HEY! Now I know what to tell those pesky store clerks when I ask for VG "I am using it to make shaving cream for my legs"

now, where do you buy yours from?

 

[Fiamma]

Oils should not be vaped, period.

 

[ShogaNinja]

Actually it's Propylene Glycol as the main ingredient in most commercial juices. Most people use combinations of both ingredients with the greater portion being PG. 100% Vegetable Glycerin users are uncommon because it's thick and hard to vape without thinning it. The people who vape 100% VG do so usually not because it's a better vape (it's more vapor but less flavor) but because they either have a PG allergy or a fear of vaping PG (because it's not as natural). Some people point to the fact that PG has a lower flashpoint than VG so it releases Acrolein, a biocide, but the amounts are so small that you don't even vape as much juice as you could drink of pure acrolein to get sick or die from it. It's just superstition.

Yes, we're vaping fog juice and KY liquid. Why? because it works and it has a proven history as GRAS with the FDA. Generally Recognized As Safe.

 

[ShogaNinja]

HEY! Now I know what to tell those pesky store clerks when I ask for VG "I am using it to make shaving cream for my legs"

now, where do you buy yours from?

I get my VG from walmart's pharmacy section called simply "Glycerin". I don't have to explain anything to anyone because the people that run the registers aren't very bright. They just look for a barcode to scan and ask you if you want the receipt in the bag or in your hand...

It's sold as a "hand softener" and it's USP grade. $3.12 last time for 177 ml, that's better than any price on the internet I have seen. Why they charge so much for that stuff online just makes me ill to contemplate.

 

[ShogaNinja]

Oils should not be vaped, period.

Agreed. When people use LorAnn oils to DIY I just facepalm.

 

[Hoosier]

Oils should not be vaped, period.

So, where's the damning documents on mint oils?

Or are you aiming toward the folks who extract the oils out of teas, coffee, and various fruits for flavoring?

Or is veggy oil and mineral oil being lumped into the same catagory as all other oils?