No matter what era the electronic cigarette is in, its uniqueness lies not only in the external things such as aesthetics, body material, burner ..., but also in the small things such as coils or essential oils. If the battery is the heart of the electronic cigarette and the burner is the brain, then the essential oil is the soul of the device.
Without essential oils, you are left with a useless vape device . So among a vast forest of flavors, how can you choose a flavor that suits your needs? Follow the article below for more details!
Flavor: New or familiar?
If you are new to vaping, start with simple, refreshing flavors that can be used all day, because these flavors are just as diverse as complex flavor mixes. Most stores will let you try the product before buying, which makes it easy for you to choose the flavor you like.
New users of e- cigarettes often choose essential oil flavors that are similar to the flavors of traditional cigarettes they have used before or according to their own preferences. Essential oil manufacturers understand the psychology of customers when creating flavor combinations based on familiar scents from fruits, cakes, cigarettes and cigars...
Familiar flavor combinations like fruit are a great start for beginners.
After using vape for a long enough time, you can confidently start your journey to experience scents that are mixed into many layers of scents such as fruit or mixed candy. Some users prefer rich flavors such as milk biscuits, lemon cake or vanilla. On the contrary, there are users who do not like rich scents so they will tend to prefer fruit flavors such as apple, grape, mango,... And of course, in the world of vape essential oils Extremely diverse, there will be flavor mixtures you have never heard of before, seemingly incompatible but surprisingly compatible.
In general, when you first start out, you should choose scents that you like and stick with them. As you get used to them and feel ready for new experiences, don’t hesitate to delve deeper into your scent exploration.
Nicotine: How much is enough?
Once you have chosen your favorite flavor, the next step is to choose the right nicotine level for your needs. Nicotine is one of the main ingredients in traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Using e-cigarettes can help you control the amount of nicotine you consume, thereby minimizing the harmful effects compared to smoking traditional cigarettes.
The nicotine content of vape juice varies widely, allowing users to choose the level that best suits their needs. Common concentrations in freebase juice include 0%, 0.3%, 0.6%, and 1.2%. This nicotine percentage represents the amount of nicotine in each puff, while the rest is water, PG (propylene glycol), VG (vegetable glycerin), and flavorings.
Common e-liquid concentrations in salt nicotine are 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%, 3.5% 5.0% and 6.0%.
For salt nicotine , this e-liquid has added Benzoic Acid to help reduce the feeling of throat irritation when using high levels of nicotine, while also helping the body absorb nicotine more easily. Common concentrations in salt nicotine include 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%, 3.5%, 5.0% and 6.0%.
If you choose an e-liquid with a nicotine concentration of 1.2%, then only 1.2% of the e-liquid is nicotine, the remaining 98.8% is PG, VG and flavoring. Some companies often use the nicotine unit in milligrams, instead of stating the concentration as 1.2%, they will write 12mg.
So what nicotine strength is right for you? This depends on how many cigarettes or packs of cigarettes you have smoked in a day. If you are a regular cigarette user, choosing a high nicotine e-liquid at first can help you maintain balance when switching from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes.
You can then gradually reduce your nicotine intake by switching to lower strength e-liquids, or even eliminate nicotine completely without experiencing any resistance. This process will not only help you reduce your nicotine dependence but also help protect your long-term health.
PG and VG: What is it?
PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin) act as solvents to create a complete bottle of e-liquid. PG, also known as Propylene Glycol, is a laboratory-produced liquid that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers safe for use in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It is also used to create artificial smoke for performances.
Next is VG, which stands for Vegetable Glycerin – VG is a colorless, odorless liquid with a slightly sweet taste. Like PG, it is also considered safe by the FDA. PG is found in many products, including foods and drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter.
Paying attention to the ratio of VG (Vegetable Glycerin) and PG (Propylene Glycol) on the e-liquid packaging is also a very important note. These ratios determine the viscosity of the e-liquid as well as the performance and user experience on different vape devices.
Common rates and characteristics:
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70/30 VG/PG: Essential oils with this ratio will be thicker, suitable for devices with high burning capacity. It helps create a lot of smoke, ideal for those who like to play with smoke.
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60/40 VG/PG: Also suitable for high wattage devices, however there will be less smoke than the 70/30 ratio but still ensures good flavor.
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50/50 VG/PG: E-liquids with this ratio have a moderate liquid consistency, suitable for devices with low power consumption. They provide a clear flavor and can produce little smoke, suitable for those looking for a balance between smoke and flavor.
Benefits of choosing the right VG/PG ratio:
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Device performance: Ensures the essential oil can be completely vaporized, without causing "dry hits" or affecting the coil.
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User Experience: Delivers satisfaction and optimizes flavor and smoke output according to user desires.
Experience is everything
Just the numbers and the ingredients can sometimes give experienced users a headache. If possible, try to taste the e-liquid before deciding to buy. The importance of experience must be emphasized, because not all e-liquids are mixed according to the same formula. With the diversity of flavors and nicotine concentrations, manufacturers will have different ways of preparing to create their own unique flavors.
For example, a bottle of butter cigar flavored e-liquid, although both bottles are labeled with the same nicotine concentration, when you experience it, you will feel that one bottle is stronger than the other, in terms of flavor, some brands have more cigar flavor than butter flavor. Therefore, real-life experience is extremely necessary and also a prerequisite to find the true love for your vape.
Read part 2 here: Essential oil selection guide for new vape users (part 2)
