PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin) are the two most important ingredients of e-liquids.
But do you always have to use both of them to create a vape juice with an incredible flavor? No. And there are instances in which you will not use either of them and still end up with a great e-liquid.
Want to find out how? Keep reading as we list seven alternatives to the ubiquitous PG/VG vape juice blend.
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Make Vape Juice Without PG Or VG
1. 100% VG
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PG is an ingredient that carries the flavor in the e-liquid, giving it a sharper taste and a stronger throat hit.
However, some people are bothered by the throat hit, so they make e-juices where the VG/PG ratio is heavily on the VG side. There are also many individuals who are allergic to PG and therefore try to avoid it as much as possible.
So, if you want to go a step further, turn high VG into 100% VG or max VG, as this type of blend in e-liquid is called.
But going 0% PG does not mean that your own e-liquid will not have any flavor because you can buy and add flavor concentrate to the mixture (which you will have to dilute before use).
When buying, just pay attention to the fact that you are buying VG-based flavor concentrate because most of them are actually PG-based.
Another thing to keep in mind when making your vape juice with max VG is that VG is very thick and must be diluted with distilled water.
Diluting with distilled water is necessary since tap water contains certain chemicals and contaminants that could harm your body if inhaled through a vape pen.
Diluting VG with distilled water will also allow you to get the desired vapor output and reduce the possibility of experiencing a dry hit.
The portion of distilled water in the total volume should be between 5 and 20%.
2. 100% PG
VG thickens e-juices and, in doing so, creates a dense vapor that a lot of vapers definitely enjoy. Also, it contributes to the sweetness level of the e-liquid more than PG because it is sweeter than it.
But not everyone is interested in cloud chasing or the sweetness it provides. Some go a step further to claim that VG’s sweet aroma can mess up or distort the taste of delicate flavors. You also have a smaller number of people who have an allergy to it.
And then there are also those who simply adore the strong throat hit and intense flavor of the PG. And what better way to get that than making a DIY e-liquid with 100% PG?
This PG/VG ratio is especially recommended for tobacco cigarette consumers who want to quit smoking or make a full transition to vaping since it will give them almost the same experience as smoking cigarettes.
And if you would still like to see some vapor, do not worry – it is not like max PG vape juice does not produce any; it just does not produce as much as vape juice that contains VG.
PG is thinner than VG, so you will not have to use distilled water to dilute it. The only thing you need to watch out for when purchasing PG is to make sure it is truly 100% PG vape juice since a lot of base liquids contain small amounts of VG.
3. PEG 400
PEG 400 (Polyethylene Glycol 400) is a pharmaceutical-grade product with low toxicity used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, cannabis, and vape industry. It is a clear, colorless, viscous liquid that some people use as an alternative to PG.
Although there are claims that PEG 400 is more harmful than PG, research conducted in laboratories, which involved the inhalation of vaporized or aerosolized PEG, demonstrated that the inhalation did not cause lethal or dangerous amounts of PEG to be delivered to the animals involved.
Compared to PG, users have reported a number of differences, such as greater thickness and vapor production and a smoother taste.
However, there are those who claim that it gives less flavor.
Lastly, some users described it as being the same as PG and having the same throat hit.
If you are looking for an alternative to the most popular ingredients in e-liquids in the game and want to try making your own vape juice or blend, why not try PEG 400? In the worst-case scenario, you get the same effect as when using PG.
4. MCT Oil
If you want to make a DIY e-juice in which the base liquid does not contain either PG, PEG 400, or VG, we have something for you that you probably have not heard of before – MCT oil.
MCT stands for “medium-chain triglycerides” or “medium-chain fatty acids.”
MCT oil is colorless, odorless, and remains liquid at room temperature, making it the perfect fat to add to foods, beverages, and coffee for extra energy and improved brain function. It is mostly obtained from coconut oil but can also be found in palm, olive, sesame, soybean, and avocado oil.
It is a good alternative to PG and VG-based vape juices because it enhances the vapor’s texture, thickness, and overall pleasantness. MCT oil also has a neutral taste, meaning it will not try to impose itself or compete with other flavors in your e-liquid.
Another advantage that MCT oil has over PG and VG is that vaping e-liquids that contain it does not contribute to dry mouth and dehydration, which is sometimes the case with PG and VG-based vape juices.
As a base liquid, MCT oil is mainly used in CBD vape juices because it boosts the ability of hemp extract’s cannabinoids and terpenes to be absorbed by the body, which of course, increases their effectiveness.
5. Propanediol
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Propanediol (PDO) is a common ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products such as lotions, cleansers, and other skincare products.
In addition, it has versatile applications in industry and can be incorporated into a range of products such as composites, adhesives, laminates, coatings, and moldings, among other things.
This chemical, derived from corn and oil, is similar to propylene glycol but is considered safer. It is colorless or slightly yellowish, almost odorless, and viscous liquid.
In addition to being safer for consumption, it has some other advantages over ubiquitous PG. For example, propanediol does not cause allergic reactions and problems such as dry mouth or nausea.
It is more effective at delivering nicotine, which may be particularly appealing to individuals transitioning from smoking to using e-cigarettes and vape devices. Finally, it has better flavoring properties and gives a greater thermic profile.
6. Terpenes
Terpenes are aromatic molecules from the group of hydrocarbons found in almost all types of plants and are responsible for their aroma and smell.
But what is only a smell to us is an important defense mechanism for some plants that use them to ward off predators. Other plants, on the other, use them to attract insects for pollination.
Terpenes are used in medicine, aromatherapy, and food. They are also scientifically and technically important because they are the ingredients of most natural and artificial fragrances.
But their aromatic properties are not the only reason they are on this list. Terpenes serve nicely as agents for thinning herbal concentrates into vape oil consistency, which is why they are often found in e-liquids and are getting more popular with people who want to make DIY vape juice without PG or VG.
However, their most common application is in CBD vape oil. The biggest reason for this is the fact that there are over 150 terpenes in cannabis and which affect the taste and aroma. But researchers have also discovered that they work in combination with cannabinoids and enhance their effect.
7. Triacetin
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The last alternative to PG or VG we will mention is triacetin. It is a colorless, viscous, and odorless liquid (if you had a dollar for every time you read that in this article, you would not be rich but would have 4 dollars, which ain’t that bad) classified as a triglyceride and recognized as safe which is why you can find it not only as a food and fuel additive but also as a component of some pharmaceutical drugs.
Although some people do use it as a base liquid for e-juice to replace PG or VG, its more common use is as a flavor enhancer.
Before you decide to play around with it, you should know that this chemical is known to degrade plastic tanks, which is why you should consider storing it only in metal and glass tanks.
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Conclusion
So, there you have it – seven ways in which you can replace the good, old PG/VG blend.
The first two are not that big of a surprise since both 100% VG, and 100% PG are widely known and have been on the market for years.
The other five (PEG 400, MCT oil, propanediol, terpenes, and triacetin) are probably news for many of you.
We hope you will have fun making your own vape juice with some of them! Let us know in the comments how did it go! Or ask us for help!
