I've seen many questions lately asking preferences as far as what's better, Nicotine solution in PG or VG? And whats a better base, more PG or more VG. I though I would put my blog out here to maybe answer some of these questions.
Nicotine composition as it pertains to VG, PG and how they react with each other as it relates to Nicotine strength
Many believe VG reduces nicotine strength more then PG. You first have to understand that the VG and PG solutions are carriers for nicotine as well as flavoring. The nicotine will not change it's chemical composition regarding strength regardless of what carrier it's put in. The nicotine will still be nicotine and maintain it's calculated strength regardless of the base (PG/VG) so it does not matter what nicotine solution you start with (PG/VG) if your end result is going to be a 50/50 base. You will still have equal parts of PG and VG and the nicotine strength will not change.
So rule of thumb for me is:
If you want a VG heavy base get Nicotine in VG
If you want a PG heavy base get Nicotine in PG
If you want a 50/50 base it don't matter.
Nicotine composition as it pertains to VG, PG and how they react with each other as it relates to taste.
It starts making a difference in taste when you move away from the 50/50 ratio because VG has a natural sweetness and it is thicker. So if your mix is lets say 80VG and 20PG the mix will be thicker and sweeter but the nicotine chemical composition and strength will be the same and unaffected.
So in short If you mixed it down to 12mg it will be 12mg regardless whether the predominant carrier is PG or VG and the only difference with a higher VG base will be a slightly sweeter milder vape and thicker viscosity depending on the ratio of VG/PG but the Nicotine level will remain the same.
How flavoring effects VG/PG composition
How flavoring effects VG/PG composition is a very different story. Flavoring as far as I know will not affect nicotine composition regarding strength but in an indirect way it does affect pg/vg composition regarding taste.
Not so much in the steeped finished product, but in the freshly mixed product you will notice a difference. VG is thicker and it takes longer for the flavor molecules to move through and blend or bond with the molecules of the VG solution thus the final taste is slower to arrive then if the mixture was PG.
You also have to realize that PG is a better desolving agent then VG so solid flavoring molecules (Base solid compound all flavoring starts out as) will quickly disperse through a PG solution. But the final flavor intensity after it is steeped will be the same regardless of high VG or high PG. So I don't really agree with most that say higher VG mixes need more flavor then higher PG mixes. I believe the mix just needs more time to mature. Further you also have to consider the added sweetness when using a high VG base.
Compensating the base
It also should be noted when formulating a base that there are other factors that will also influence the final mix such as what the flavoring base carrier liquid is (PG/VG or alcohol). The additional PG/VG or alcohol contained in the flavoring itself is additive to the base and needs to be taken into concideration and compensated for when formulating the base in order to maintain the proper Nicotine level.
Nicotine composition as it pertains to VG, PG and how they react with each other as it relates to Nicotine strength
Many believe VG reduces nicotine strength more then PG. You first have to understand that the VG and PG solutions are carriers for nicotine as well as flavoring. The nicotine will not change it's chemical composition regarding strength regardless of what carrier it's put in. The nicotine will still be nicotine and maintain it's calculated strength regardless of the base (PG/VG) so it does not matter what nicotine solution you start with (PG/VG) if your end result is going to be a 50/50 base. You will still have equal parts of PG and VG and the nicotine strength will not change.
So rule of thumb for me is:
If you want a VG heavy base get Nicotine in VG
If you want a PG heavy base get Nicotine in PG
If you want a 50/50 base it don't matter.
Nicotine composition as it pertains to VG, PG and how they react with each other as it relates to taste.
It starts making a difference in taste when you move away from the 50/50 ratio because VG has a natural sweetness and it is thicker. So if your mix is lets say 80VG and 20PG the mix will be thicker and sweeter but the nicotine chemical composition and strength will be the same and unaffected.
So in short If you mixed it down to 12mg it will be 12mg regardless whether the predominant carrier is PG or VG and the only difference with a higher VG base will be a slightly sweeter milder vape and thicker viscosity depending on the ratio of VG/PG but the Nicotine level will remain the same.
How flavoring effects VG/PG composition
How flavoring effects VG/PG composition is a very different story. Flavoring as far as I know will not affect nicotine composition regarding strength but in an indirect way it does affect pg/vg composition regarding taste.
Not so much in the steeped finished product, but in the freshly mixed product you will notice a difference. VG is thicker and it takes longer for the flavor molecules to move through and blend or bond with the molecules of the VG solution thus the final taste is slower to arrive then if the mixture was PG.
You also have to realize that PG is a better desolving agent then VG so solid flavoring molecules (Base solid compound all flavoring starts out as) will quickly disperse through a PG solution. But the final flavor intensity after it is steeped will be the same regardless of high VG or high PG. So I don't really agree with most that say higher VG mixes need more flavor then higher PG mixes. I believe the mix just needs more time to mature. Further you also have to consider the added sweetness when using a high VG base.
Compensating the base
It also should be noted when formulating a base that there are other factors that will also influence the final mix such as what the flavoring base carrier liquid is (PG/VG or alcohol). The additional PG/VG or alcohol contained in the flavoring itself is additive to the base and needs to be taken into concideration and compensated for when formulating the base in order to maintain the proper Nicotine level.
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. So don't be afraid to join in on the conversation that's why were all here.
