One of the best things about vaping is the host of flavours you have access to. From the traditional tobacco flavours to the wildest dessert flavours you can imagine, there's always a new flavour out there that you can try. That being said, if you're new to vaping, you'll have heard of something like a PG/VG ratio, usually showing up in 50:50 proportions.
Knowing that there are two types of e-liquids, free-base and salt-based, you might wonder whether a 50:50 version of these liquids are different from each other. This is what we're going to talk about today in this article—the difference between 50:50 salt-based e-liquids and free-based ones.
What Does 50:50 Mean?
As you may realise, the term 50:50 refers to the ratio of PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerine). These two ingredients are responsible for different things in the liquid. For instance, PG is used to give a throat-hit, while VG is used to create vapour. As such, the ratios can differ according to the vaper's preferences.
How Does Salt-Based 50:50 Differ from Free-Based 50:50?
Knowing what the 50:50 stands for, does it make any difference between salt-based e-liquids versus a free-based one? Not so much. The 50:50 means that both e-liquids still have a one to one ratio of PG and VG. However, one difference makes vaping a salt-based e-liquid different from a free-based one: the nicotine amount.
It doesn't matter what ratio you're going for. The type of nicotine you're vaping will differ depending on the type of e-liquid you're working with. With free-based liquid, you are enjoying free-based nicotine, which typically ranges from 3mg to 18mg of nicotine.
On the other hand, salt-based e-liquid have salt nicotine that can range up to 50mg, which sounds a lot. However, because of how salt-based e-liquids work, 50mg is not too much, although it is still relatively plentiful and preferred by smokers.
Which One Should I Pick?
With the difference being the nicotine type and amount, your choice should be based less on the ratio of PG and VG and more on the nicotine itself. However, if you value things like throat hit or cloud density, then you will look at the ratios themselves. For example, if you want more throat hits to your vapes, you will look for e-liquids with a higher PG count versus VG. On the other hand, if you want to maximise the clouds, you will look for something with a lot more VG in it.
Another factor to consider is the coils you are working with. However, this will most likely affect your nicotine levels. For example, a sub-ohm coil will give you a much stronger nicotine hit, along with a more powerful throat hit too. If you want a milder experience, then opting for a plus ohm coil is the way to go.
Conclusion
Confused? Don't worry—more often than not, it is the experience of trying out different combinations of ratios along with other coils that will help you understand exactly what happens with each variety. That said, always remember this, salt-based e-liquids work better with plus-ohm coils, while free-base versions work well with sub-ohms.
What you opt for in the end is entirely up to your personal preference. Don't be afraid to experiment, and over time, you're going to learn what combinations work best for you!
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