If you’re new to the world of vaping, it can certainly be overwhelming when you realize that there are thousands of vape juices to choose from. Don’t worry — that’s just because there are so many unique combinations of flavors, nicotine strength, and concentration to choose from! Once you understand the basics of vape juice (which is sometimes also called e-juice or e-liquid), you’ll feel confident in purchasing the right one for you. In this blog, we’ll answer the top questions that our customers ask.
1. What is vape juice?
Vape juice is the concentrated liquid that is put into your e-cigarette and vaporized by you. Interestingly, it only contains three to four ingredients. It always contains vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), and flavoring, and sometimes it also contains nicotine.
2. How much nicotine is in vape juice?
It depends! You can buy different strengths of nicotine based on your wants and needs. For example, if you are trying to quit smoking, you probably want to start with a higher nicotine level and slowly wean down. If you’ve never smoked before, however, then you may want to start using vape juice that does not contain nicotine or that only contains a very small amount. The most common amounts you’ll see are as follows, according to vaping.com: “Commercial e-liquids often come in nicotine strengths of zero nicotine, 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, and 18mg, although the highest nicotine vape juice may reach 36mg. These values represent the amount of nicotine in each 1mL of e-liquid and are sometimes expressed as a percentage (such as 1.8% instead of 18mg/mL).
3. What are VG and PG?
Vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) are both carrier liquids that hold the flavor and the nicotine in your vape juice. PG is tasteless and odorless, and many everyday products like food, cosmetics, and medicine contain it. VG, on the other hand, is a good-grade additive that is a thicker liquid, usually derived from palm plants, and serves as a preservative.
4. Does vape juice expire?
Yes. Vape juice generally has a shelf life of one to two years, if stored in the proper conditions (out of direct sunlight and extreme heat). While the flavoring doesn’t necessarily “go bad”, the VG, the PG, and the nicotine all begin to break down around the two-year mark. If your vape juice has an odd smell or has begun to separate, then you probably shouldn’t use it. To dispose of it safely, do NOT dump it down the drain unless heavily diluted, as nicotine will get into the watershed. Instead, dispose of it in highly absorbent material (like coffee grounds or kitty litter). (Source)
5. My vape juice changed colors. Is it safe to use?
Yes, it should be safe to use even if it’s changed colors and as long as it hasn’t gone past its shelf life. The reason vape juice sometimes changes colors is because of a natural chemical reaction is known as oxidation, which occurs when the juice has been exposed to air, heat, or light. Note that nicotine is a very reactive substance, so the higher the nicotine level, the more likely you are to see the color-changing effects of oxidation.
Do you have any other questions about vape juice or need some support in finding the right bottle for you? Contact us anytime; we’d love to help!
