E-Liquid – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

E-Liquid—also called e-juice or VapeJuice“>vape juice—is the fluid that fuels every vaping device. It is a precisely blended solution that, when heated inside an E-Cigarette or E-Shisha, turns into an inhalable aerosol. Composed mainly of food-grade propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), optional nicotine, and flavour concentrates, e-liquid carries flavour and (if desired) nicotine to the user without the tar or combustion found in tobacco. Available in thousands of flavours and multiple nicotine strengths, it allows Australian vapers to tailor Hit“>throat hit, vapour volume, and taste to personal preference, making the switch from smoking more enjoyable and customisable.

Technical Details

Inside a tank or pod, wicking material (usually Cotton“>organic cotton) draws e-liquid toward a metal coil. When the device fires, the coil reaches 150–315 °C, instantly vaporising the absorbed juice. E-liquids are mixed to a specific PG/VG ratio: high-PG (50/50 or 60/40) gives stronger throat hit and clearer flavour, ideal for low-wattage eGo Style pens; high-VG (70/30 or max VG) produces dense clouds for sub-ohm tanks and external-battery mods. Nicotine is measured in mg/mL or per cent; Australia permits up to 100 mg/mL nicotine concentrate for personal mixing, while pre-mixed bottles sold locally must be nicotine-free. Additive variations include nicotine salts (smoother, faster uptake), CBD/terpene blends, and iced or sweetened formulations using sucralose or menthol crystals.

Usage & Tips

  • Priming: Before first use, drip a few drops directly onto the coil and wait 5–10 min after filling to avoid dry hits.
  • Storage: Keep bottles in a cool, dark place away from children and pets; nicotine oxidises faster in heat and light, darkening colour and altering taste.
  • Shake & Steep: Shake well before every refill; complex dessert flavours often improve after 1–2 weeks of steeping with occasional airing.
  • Common Issues: Spit-back usually means over-dripping or low wattage; reduce liquid level or increase power slightly. Leakage can stem from worn O-rings, thin high-PG juice in a hot car, or missing coil seals—check components and consider thicker VG blend in summer.
  • Safety: Never ingest or skin-contact high-strength nicotine base; use nitrile gloves when DIY mixing and label all bottles clearly.

History & Context

The first e-liquids emerged in 2003 alongside Hon Lik’s original e-cigarette, using simple PG and nicotine from tobacco extracts. As vaping spread to Australia around 2007, local vendors pioneered fruit-forward flavours to suit Aussie palates, while TGA regulations shaped today’s nicotine-import scheme. Over two decades, e-liquid evolved from basic tobacco replicas to artisan blends, nic-salt pods, and CBD infusions, becoming the creative backbone of the global vape industry.

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