E-liquid is mostly two substances: vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). Flavour concentrate and nicotine make up a small fraction. The VG/PG ratio printed on the bottle — 70/30, 50/50, 100% VG — determines viscosity, and viscosity determines what hardware the liquid works in.
What each base does
Vegetable glycerin is thick and slightly sweet. It produces dense, visible vapour and gives a smooth, soft draw. Because it is viscous, it wicks slowly and needs large wicking ports to move through cotton at a useful rate.
Propylene glycol is thin and nearly tasteless. It carries flavour compounds more effectively than VG and produces a sharper throat sensation. It wicks fast, which makes it suitable for small coils with narrow ports.
Common ratios and their hardware match
| Ratio | Characteristics | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| 70/30 VG/PG or higher | Thick, dense vapour, muted throat hit, softer flavour edge | Sub-ohm tanks, mesh coils, 0.15–0.4Ω, 40W and above |
| 60/40 VG/PG | Balanced — the most common ratio for sub-ohm liquid | Sub-ohm tanks, 0.3–0.6Ω |
| 50/50 VG/PG | Thin, pronounced throat hit, sharp flavour, modest vapour | Pod systems, MTL tanks, 0.8–1.5Ω, under 20W |
| 30/70 VG/PG or lower | Very thin, strong throat hit | Older cigalike and low-power MTL hardware only |
What goes wrong when the ratio is mismatched
High-VG liquid in a small pod coil: the liquid is too thick to travel through narrow wicking ports fast enough. The cotton runs dry mid-puff, and you get a burnt hit within the first tank. This is the most frequent cause of "my new pod tastes burnt immediately".
High-PG liquid in a large sub-ohm tank: the liquid is too thin and floods through the oversized wicking ports faster than it can be vaporised. Result is leaking out of the airflow slots, gurgling, and liquid drawn into the mouth.
The rule of thumb: small coil, thin liquid; large coil, thick liquid.
Nicotine salts and why they pair with 50/50
Nicotine salt formulations use benzoic acid to lower the pH of the nicotine, which reduces the harshness normally felt at higher concentrations. Because they are designed for low-power, high-resistance hardware, they are almost always mixed at 50/50 to match the wicking rate of small pod coils.
Putting a nicotine salt liquid into a 0.15Ω sub-ohm tank at 70W is a mistake — the nicotine delivery per puff scales with vapour volume, and high-strength salt liquid in a high-output device delivers far more nicotine per puff than intended.
Steeping
Some liquids, particularly complex dessert and tobacco profiles, change over the first one to two weeks as flavour compounds react and homogenise. Store bottles upright, sealed, away from direct light and heat. Fruit and menthol profiles generally do not need steeping and can degrade if left too long.
Any liquid should be kept out of sunlight — UV degrades both nicotine and flavour compounds, and heat accelerates oxidation, which is what turns clear liquid amber-brown.
General technical information about e-liquid composition. Nicotine-containing products are for adults of legal purchasing age only. Store all e-liquid securely and out of reach of children and pets.
How VG and PG Work Together
Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG) are the two base ingredients in all e-liquids. Understanding their properties helps you choose the right formulation:
- VG (Vegetable Glycerin): Derived from vegetable oils, produces thick, dense vapor clouds. Has a slightly sweet taste. Also plays a role in the wicking system — higher VG = thicker liquid that wicks slower but produces more visible vapor.
- PG (Propylene Glycol): A colorless liquid that carries flavor effectively and produces the characteristic throat hit. Thinner than VG, meaning it wicks faster. Higher PG ratios create a sharper, more satisfying draw sensation.
Common Ratios and What They Offer
| Ratio (VG/PG) | Best For | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 50/50 | Pod systems, MTL | Balanced flavor and vapor |
| 70/30 | Disposables, general use | Our Papaking standard — smooth vapor, strong flavor |
| 80/20+ | DTL, cloud chasing | Maximum vapor production, requires low-ohm coils |
| 30/70 | High throat hit | Intense flavor delivery, cigarette-like draw |
Matching Ratio to Your Device
Papaking disposables come pre-filled with 70/30 VG/PG e-liquid, calibrated perfectly to our 0.8-1.2Ω coil range. This ratio ensures consistent wicking, rich flavor, and a satisfying amount of vapor without straining the device's atomizer.
Learn more about our coil resistance recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What VG/PG ratio does Papaking use in its pre-filled disposables? Papaking's pre-filled disposables use a carefully balanced 70/30 VG/PG ratio, designed to produce smooth vapor while maintaining strong flavor delivery.
- Does higher VG make e-liquid thicker? Yes — VG (vegetable glycerin) is significantly thicker than PG (propylene glycol). Higher VG ratios require coils with larger wicking ports to prevent dry hits.
- Can I mix different VG/PG e-liquids? While technically possible, we don't recommend custom mixing in disposable devices as it may affect performance, flavor consistency and safety.
- Is PG less healthy than VG? Both VG and PG are recognized as safe for inhalation use when heated properly. Some vapers report sensitivity to PG — if you experience discomfort, look for higher-VG formulations.
Browse our disposable vape devices, each pre-filled with our premium 70/30 VG/PG e-liquid.