Well, as this topic does not show up in a title search, I decided to create one. The question is, is PG really the "Flavor Carrier". How did this concept come about. And if you agree, what PG/VG ratio do you find best for flavor? Reference to studies if they exist please.
Flavor Carrier
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I think it's because many say that vg already has a slight sweet taste so can alter the flavor of juices
it could also I guess be the thickness of vg...
I honestly don't know why...haven't ever really found anything posted to explain it, lol that's just the way it is
I vape 80% vg 20% pg
it could also I guess be the thickness of vg...
I honestly don't know why...haven't ever really found anything posted to explain it, lol that's just the way it is
I vape 80% vg 20% pg
I'm not aware of any studies or references available. In my opinion, Propylene Glycol (Pg) got the reputation of being a better "flavior carrier" by the simple fact that it is thinner in consistancy and therefore is more soluable to better absorb flavoring concentrates than the thicker and less soluable Vegetable Glycerin (Vg). Vg can absorb flavor as much as Pg, it just takes longer to do so.
I tend to dismiss the notion that Pg is a better flavor carrier. A few years ago I decided to run a simple test to test that theory. I purchased two bottles of my favorite e-liquid flavor at the time. One was a 50/50 pg/vg; the other was 100% vg. They both tasted just the same when vaped and were virtually indistinguishable flavor-wise. The 100% vg bottle produced a larger volume of vapor; I didn't notice a lack of throat hit in the 100% Vg bottle because of the nicotine that was present in both bottles.
If you mix your own e-liquids, you may find that an all Vg e-liquid may take longer to "steep" or mature than a Pg/Vg mix. Again, that's my observation that Vg is less soluable as Pg to absorb flavors.
IMHO, Pg is purely an "optional" component of e-liquid. It is useful to help thin a too thick e-liquid to make it easier for some coils to wick. And it does provide a secondary source of "throat hit" because of its tendency to provide some mild harshness. Nicotine is the primary source of "throat hit".
I tend to dismiss the notion that Pg is a better flavor carrier. A few years ago I decided to run a simple test to test that theory. I purchased two bottles of my favorite e-liquid flavor at the time. One was a 50/50 pg/vg; the other was 100% vg. They both tasted just the same when vaped and were virtually indistinguishable flavor-wise. The 100% vg bottle produced a larger volume of vapor; I didn't notice a lack of throat hit in the 100% Vg bottle because of the nicotine that was present in both bottles.
If you mix your own e-liquids, you may find that an all Vg e-liquid may take longer to "steep" or mature than a Pg/Vg mix. Again, that's my observation that Vg is less soluable as Pg to absorb flavors.
IMHO, Pg is purely an "optional" component of e-liquid. It is useful to help thin a too thick e-liquid to make it easier for some coils to wick. And it does provide a secondary source of "throat hit" because of its tendency to provide some mild harshness. Nicotine is the primary source of "throat hit".
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I believe "flavor carrier" is a turn of phrase meant to describe how flavors are soluble in PG. As DIY enthusisasts know, most flavors are sold already in PG solution. Therefore the ratio of PG in your final mix isn't a direct factor in flavor outcome, except by reducing the amount of (slightly sweet) VG required. PG is mostly in there to thin out the mix and provide some sensation of throat hit by way of its hygroscopic properties. That's also why vaping makes you thirsty.
My extent of chemistry goes about as far as pouring 2 ounces of whisky into a 16 ounce glass, drink and smile! But here is my take.
PG is the base of the majority of flavours used in e-juice. It will mix a lot easier and more consistent with additional PG. Water mixed with water as an example. When mixing your own ejuice you can see the separation of PG and VG prior to shaking/stirring them together. Water mixed with oil as an example.
As for the percentage – given VG does have its own flavour, I am open to that could work toward the final flavouring of a juice. But that maybe depended on the actual mix, and not a definite outcome all the time. I have sampled 50/50 compared to higher VG of the same flavour %, and have subjectively felt the 50/50 tasted better. Some companies such as Five Pawns, which is renowned for their mixes, only use 50/50 mixes (just looked at the Five Pawns site – the majority is 50/50 but some newer juices are 70/30).
PG is the base of the majority of flavours used in e-juice. It will mix a lot easier and more consistent with additional PG. Water mixed with water as an example. When mixing your own ejuice you can see the separation of PG and VG prior to shaking/stirring them together. Water mixed with oil as an example.
As for the percentage – given VG does have its own flavour, I am open to that could work toward the final flavouring of a juice. But that maybe depended on the actual mix, and not a definite outcome all the time. I have sampled 50/50 compared to higher VG of the same flavour %, and have subjectively felt the 50/50 tasted better. Some companies such as Five Pawns, which is renowned for their mixes, only use 50/50 mixes (just looked at the Five Pawns site – the majority is 50/50 but some newer juices are 70/30).
I am inclined to go along with Baditude in that PG is the preferred steeping agent of producers, hence the flavor carrier concept. However, when there's a dripper in my future, I'll have to do some taste tests. Thanks.
And then there's the black magic that is 'steeping'. To be quite honest, I'd harbored suspicions that the whole concept was imaginary, until recently. When I mixed up a batch of 70/30 Pink Lemonade juice featuring Lorann Lemonade, TPA strawberry and TPA raspberry, it smelled and tasted like acetone. The raspberry seemed to be the culprit. To my surprise, when I tried it again a couple weeks later it was palatable. It's like some kind of Maillard reaction that we don't understand yet.
I mix my ratios to suit my atties, some mtl do better with 50/50 or 40pg/60vg and my dl do better at 75% vg and up.
I make any recipes at any ratio and it all tastes the same. But I agree, the higher the vg, the more important shaking and steeping are. Also, I got one of those tiny immersion blenders for like $10. That eliminates the shaking entirely, and cuts steep time significantly. Some of my mixes are now ready in a week to 10 days rather than 4 weeks. Highly recommend that blender.
I make any recipes at any ratio and it all tastes the same. But I agree, the higher the vg, the more important shaking and steeping are. Also, I got one of those tiny immersion blenders for like $10. That eliminates the shaking entirely, and cuts steep time significantly. Some of my mixes are now ready in a week to 10 days rather than 4 weeks. Highly recommend that blender.
PG or water are traditionally the main carriers for flavours. VG is less stable, has a distinct sweet taste and due to its nature simply isn't as suitable for making solutions with all flavour agents. It's high viscosity finally makes it hard to dose flavour solutions correctly, mainly because dropsize is not as close to the standard of 20 drops/ml (water).
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