Juice – What is it in Vaping?

Definition: Juice

Juice—also called e-liquid, Vape Juice”>vape juice, or simply liquid—is the flavoured fluid that powers every vaping device. Stored in a tank, pod or juice well, it is drawn through an atomiser where heat from a coil turns it into inhalable vapour. In Australia, nicotine-containing juice is regulated as a Schedule 4 substance, so most local retailers sell 0 mg nicotine “doublers” or ready-to-vape flavours. Regardless of nicotine level, the purpose of juice is identical: to deliver flavour, Hit“>throat hit and visible vapour without the combustion of tobacco.

Technical Details

Juice is a blend of four main ingredients in varying ratios:

  • Propylene Glycol (PG) – carries flavour and provides throat hit; thin viscosity.
  • Vegetable Glycerin (VG) – produces dense vapour clouds; thick viscosity.
  • Flavour Concentrates – food-grade additives (fruit, dessert, menthol etc.).
  • Nicotine – optional, measured in milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL) or percent (%).

Common PG/VG ratios range from 50/50 for mouth-to-lung (MTL) tanks to 30/70 or 20/80 for sub-ohm setups. Bottles are sold in 10 mL, 30 mL, 60 mL, 100 mL and 120 mL sizes; juice capacity of a tank or pod is usually 2–8 mL. Within rebuildable atomisers, juice channels and juice control rings regulate how much liquid reaches the wick, preventing dry hits or flooding.

Usage & Tips

Always prime a fresh coil by dripping juice onto the cotton and filling the tank; let it sit 5–10 minutes before vaping. Shake the bottle before each use to homogenise nicotine and flavour. Store juice in a cool, dark place—UV light and heat degrade nicotine and flavour over time. If your tank gurgles or spits, reduce airflow or close the juice control slightly. For rebuilders using Japanese cotton, trim tails so they just touch the juice well to balance saturation and avoid leaks. Never vape juice that has turned dark brown, smells off, or exceeds its expiry date.

History & Context

Early e-cigarettes in the mid-2000s used simple PG-based liquids with tobacco flavours. As sub-ohm tanks arrived around 2013, high-VG blends and complex dessert profiles surged. Australia’s nicotine importation scheme (2021) further shaped the market, popularising “doublers” and DIY mixing to meet strict regulations.

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