How To Ensure The Quality Of Your Next E-Liquid Purchase?

Have you ever been disappointed with your e-liquid when it didn't meet your expectation or didn't give you the right level of satisfaction? What could have gone wrong with it? Was it the flavour that displeased you or the throat hit that irked you? When it comes to e-cig liquids there are thousands of brands and flavours that are available at your disposal but selecting one is a mammoth task because your choice of e-liquid can both make and break your vaping experience. People always want to purchase the cream of the crop, and most e-liquid brands market their products as premium e-liquids, but what is it that actually makes them premium?

What Really Determines The Quality Of An E-Liquid?

The quality of an e-liquid doesn't always come down to flavour because vaping is a full spectrum experience, and it caters to almost all our senses, from taste to smell and even sight. So if not flavour, then how do you determine the quality of your e-liquid? Of course, you can't visit the production facilities of your vape store and see if they are following health compliances, but these things can make a huge impact on your overall vaping experience in one way or another.

Does The Quality Of The Nicotine Matter?

For starters, your e-liquid should be pharmaceutical and USP grade. Some people say that the quality of nicotine doesn't make a huge difference, but it does., and it is one of the constituents that also affect the flavour of your e-liquid. Higher quality nicotine is delivered to your body smoothly and efficiently and would never give you a weird peppery taste. Whereas e-liquids that contain oxidized nicotine lack strength and flavour and usually leave a peppery taste in your mouth. If your e-liquid has a higher concentration of nicotine and flavours it could turn the colour a bit darker than usual. The dark colour is also an indicator of a higher sweetener level, which could gunk up your coil faster than lighter e-liquids.

The Pg And Vg Content Of An E-Liquid

The answer also lies in the recipe. PG and VG are two of the core ingredients that constitute your e-liquid, regardless of its type. VG, i.e. vegetable glycerin causes more vapour production and is much less harsh on the throat. If your e-liquid has a much more natural and smoother blend of VG, then it will give you more mellow and smooth throat hits. PG, i.e. propylene glycerol, works as the carrier of flavour and has a much thinner and light consistency. It can be very harsh on the throat, and if your e-liquid has an excessive amount of PG, it could lead to dry and harsh throat hits. Most people like to strike a balance with these two ingredients and go for a ratio of 50:50 or go for more VG than PG for maximum vapour production.

Is Flavor Really The Ultimate Criterion?

For most people, the flavour of the e-liquid is the ultimate yardstick that determines their purchase. But what they forget is that flavour is not an objective measure, and each person has their own reason and subjectivity behind the flavour they choose to consume. You judge the flavour of your e-liquid in more or less the same way as you judge your food, beverages, wine or tobacco. But if you really want to form your judgement on that end, you can look for layers of flavours and blends, the complexity of those flavours, and how much they taste as they are advertised. Ask yourself if the nic strength is too harsh for your throat or if the flavour of an e-liquid only pops once and then fades rapidly. If its complexity and uniqueness justify it, then there's no harm in investing in it.

It's okay to reach out to vape shop vendors and customer care to inquire about the quality of a certain product and its reviews. But you can't expect them to know what each and every flavour they're selling tastes like. It's hard to keep track when they have thousands of products on their shelves. But you can always ask them to give you samples to try out the flavours of your choice. Consistency is what matters. Some shops only have basic best sellers because no one can mess up with those flavours; they are either hit or miss. In contrast, other vape shops have a lab set-up meant for large productions of each flavour and strength. The large batches ensure consistency and show they take things seriously.

Steeping And Its Effects On Flavor:

Some e-liquids, upon purchase, would taste different and give you a chemical-like pungent smell. It's not because they are expired, but it's a sign they need to be steeped before use. Freshly made e-liquids have the same issue, but upon steeping, they actually give you the best results and flavours. Each e-liquid has its own steeping time ranging from 1-3 weeks, after which you can use them without getting a bad taste. But if your pre-steeped e-liquid is giving you a chemical-like aftertaste, then it probably has some imbalance in its composition.

Remember that the price of an e-liquid doesn't necessarily vouch for its quality and is definitely not a good indicator of it. It all comes down to vaping what you like. When you buy a premium or good quality e-liquid, it should only mean that it's made in the best quality and temperature-controlled environment with a team of people who are aware of ISO/GMP. Coming up with remarkable blends takes time and effort, with constant remodelling and countless reiterations. But afterwards, it's only a matter of branding and the way the product is marketed.