What is VG (vegetable glycerine)?

What VG actually is

Vegetable glycerine, also called glycerol or glycerin, is a clear, odourless, slightly sweet liquid extracted from vegetable oils (commonly palm, soy or coconut). It has been used in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medicines for over a century. The pharmaceutical grade (USP or BP grade) is the standard for e-liquid manufacturing.

• Chemical name: Glycerol (C3H8O3). A simple polyol compound.
• Source: Plant oils, typically palm, soy, coconut or rapeseed.
• Grade for vaping: USP (US Pharmacopeia) or BP (British Pharmacopoeia) grade. Highest purity available, food-safe and medicine-safe.
• Where else you find it: Toothpaste, lotions, baked goods (humectant), cough syrups, soaps, even some medicines as a sweetener and stabiliser.
• Vegan and vegetarian: VG used in e-liquid is plant-derived. Vegan and vegetarian friendly.

How VG behaves in vape juice

VG percentage ratios explained

E-liquids are labelled with their VG/PG ratio. The first number is VG percentage. Higher VG means more clouds, smoother inhale and slightly less flavour intensity.

Which ratio for your setup

1. Pod kit (MTL)

   50VG/50PG is the standard. Some pods accept 60VG/40PG. Avoid 70VG+ unless the pod is rated for sub-ohm.

2. MTL tank (above 1.0 ohm)

   50VG/50PG to 60VG/40PG. Lower VG wicks faster through the smaller MTL coil wicking holes.

3. Sub-ohm tank (below 1.0 ohm)

   70VG/30PG to 80VG/20PG. Thicker liquid suits the larger wicking holes and higher power.

4. High-performance sub-ohm

   70VG/30PG to 100VG. Cloud chasers often use max VG for maximum visual vapour.

5. If you have PG sensitivity

   Use 70VG/30PG or higher to minimise PG content. Some users use 100VG to eliminate PG entirely.

6. If you have lower throat hit preference

   Higher VG produces smoother inhale. Try 70VG or above.

The cloud connection

Visible vapour clouds come primarily from VG. Understanding why helps you choose the right e-liquid.

• Why VG produces clouds: When VG vapourises and meets cooler air, it condenses into tiny droplets that scatter light. That makes the visible “cloud”. More VG, more droplets, bigger cloud.
• PG vapourises clearer: PG vapour is less visible. A pure PG vape produces a thin, almost invisible mist. PG-heavy MTL setups are naturally more discreet.
• Wattage amplifies the effect: Higher wattage = more vapour. High VG + high wattage = big clouds. High VG + low wattage = modest clouds despite the VG.
• Cloud chasing setups: Use 100% VG, very low ohm coils (below 0.15 ohm), high wattage (80-150W+) and open airflow for maximum cloud production.
• Discreet vaping: Use higher PG, lower wattage, and tight airflow. The vapour you produce will be much less visible.

VG and coil life

Coil life is affected more by sweeteners and dark colourants in e-liquid than by VG ratio itself. But ultra-thick max-VG liquids can cause specific issues if not paired with the right coil.

VG safety

VG has a long safety history in food, cosmetics and medicine. The specific question of inhaled VG is newer and still being studied.

• Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) status: US FDA classifies VG as GRAS for food use. It has been in consumer products for over 100 years.
• Inhalation: The long-term effects of inhaled vapourised VG are less established than ingested VG. The Royal College of Physicians, NHS and Public Health England (now OHID) all consider vaping (which uses VG) to be substantially less harmful than smoking.
• Acute effects: Some users experience mild dry mouth or dehydration with high-VG vaping. Drinking water more frequently usually addresses this.
• Allergic reactions: Rare but possible. Symptoms include skin reactions or breathing difficulties. If symptoms appear, switch to higher-PG (or stop vaping and see a GP).
• Pregnancy: The NHS does not recommend vaping while pregnant unless it has helped someone quit smoking. Speak to your GP or midwife.

The bottom line