Short version: thicker vape juice for sub-ohm hardware and bigger vapour production.
VG stands for vegetable glycerine. It gives e-liquid its body and accounts for much of the vapour you see on the exhale. PG, or propylene glycol, is thinner and carries flavour with a more noticeable throat hit. Raise the VG content and the liquid becomes denser, the inhale feels softer, and the cloud becomes fuller.
There is no single legal ratio that defines “high VG”. In practice, 70% VG or above is the usual starting point. A 70/30 blend is the everyday choice because it balances vapour production with manageable wicking. Ratios such as 80/20 are thicker again and need coils with generous inlet ports.
That thickness matters. A narrow MTL pod can struggle to draw high VG liquid into its cotton quickly enough, especially during repeated puffs. Dry cotton leads to a burnt taste. Sub-ohm tanks are built with larger wicking openings and higher power, so the liquid can keep up.
Where To Start
High VG is less about chasing the highest number and more about matching the liquid to the kit.
• 70/30 Shortfills: The dependable middle ground for most sub-ohm tanks and DTL kits.
• 50ml bottles: Easier if you like changing flavour often or only want to add one shot.
• 100ml bottles: Better suited to a flavour you already know you will use regularly.
• 0mg options: Ready for anyone who wants the liquid without added nicotine.
• Shortfills with shot space: Designed to make mixing cleaner and easier without needing a separate bottle.
Check the stated ratio on each product. “Shortfill” describes the packaging format, not the VG content, so the two terms are not automatically interchangeable.
High VG vs 50/50 E-Liquid
Putting the wrong ratio in a kit usually shows up quickly. High VG can feel sluggish in a small pod, while thin 50/50 liquid may flood a large sub-ohm coil.
High VG e-liquid is thicker, normally lower in nicotine and intended for an airy DTL inhale. It suits low-resistance coils, higher output and larger wicking ports. Expect more visible vapour and a gentler throat sensation.
50/50 e-liquid moves through cotton faster. That makes it a better fit for compact refillable pods, MTL tanks and lower wattages. Nic salts commonly use this ratio because those devices produce less vapour per puff.
Do not choose on resistance alone. Coil design, inlet size and the manufacturer’s recommended liquid ratio all count. The manual or coil packaging wins if it gives a specific recommendation.
Choosing Your Nicotine Strength
Most high VG shortfills start at 0mg. The bottle is deliberately left with empty space so nicotine can be added without decanting the liquid first.
Want 3mg? A common 50ml shortfill arrives in a 60ml bottle. Add one 10ml, 18mg nicotine shot and the finished 60ml mix works out at 3mg. A 100ml shortfill in a 120ml bottle normally takes two of the same shots to reach 3mg across 120ml.
Use the bottle’s stated shot allowance rather than guessing. Adding extra nicotine can overfill the bottle, thin the mix and mute the intended flavour concentration. If you vape at a strength above 3mg, pick a liquid format made for that level instead of forcing several shots into a shortfill.
Our Nicotine Shots collection covers the standard add-on bottles used with shortfills. In the UK, nicotine-containing refill bottles are limited to 10ml per container and 20mg/ml maximum strength. High VG shortfills can be sold in larger bottles because they contain no nicotine before a shot is added.
Flavours
Fruit covers the widest ground. Berries, citrus, mango, apple and tropical mixes all work well at higher wattages, where each inhale produces more vapour and carries plenty of flavour. Ice versions add a cold finish, useful if straight fruit starts to feel too sweet.
Dessert liquids are where high VG really earns its place. Custard, cream, pastry, biscuit and caramel profiles benefit from the softer inhale and dense vapour. They can leave residue on a coil faster than simpler blends, though. Keep a spare coil nearby if rich dessert flavours are your usual order.
Drinks sit somewhere in the middle. Lemonade, cola and fruit-punch profiles tend to feel brighter than bakery flavours without being as plain as a single fruit. Tobacco blends are less common in shortfill ranges, but they are available for vapers who prefer dry, nutty or lightly sweet notes.
New to the category? Start with a 70/30 fruit blend. It is easier on coils than a heavily sweetened dessert and works in a broad range of sub-ohm setups. Once the ratio is right, flavour is simply personal taste.
Which Devices Work With High VG E-Liquid?
The right setup has a low-resistance coil, broad liquid inlets and enough power to vapourise a thicker blend cleanly. That usually means a DTL Tank paired with one of our Vape Mods, or a sub-ohm kit designed as a complete unit.
Many coils around 0.5ohm and below are made with 70/30 liquid in mind, but that figure is a guide rather than a rule. A 0.6ohm pod with large wicking ports may handle high VG perfectly well, while another may not. Look for “DTL”, “RDL”, “sub-ohm” or a stated 70/30 recommendation on the device or coil information.
Small MTL pods, tight-draw starter kits and high-resistance coils are generally better with 50/50 liquid. Prefilled pods are closed systems and should never be opened to add bottled e-liquid.
Buying replacements? Match the exact coil family first, then choose a suitable resistance from the Vape Coils range. Compatibility prevents leaks and connection problems. Ratio decides whether the cotton can keep up.
Adding a Nicotine Shot
No complicated mixing kit needed.
- Check how much empty space the shortfill bottle provides.
- Remove the cap and nozzle carefully. A shortfill cap-removal tool helps if the nozzle is tight.
- Pour in the recommended number of nicotine shots.
- Refit the nozzle and cap firmly.
- Shake the bottle hard for around a minute, then turn it upside down and shake again.
- Let the liquid settle before filling. Rich cream or dessert blends may taste more rounded after a little extra time, but follow the brand’s guidance.
Write the final strength and mixing date on the bottle if several liquids are in rotation. It saves the inevitable “did I add the shot to this one?” problem later.
Filling and Priming
A fresh sub-ohm coil needs time to saturate. Rush it, and the first puff can scorch the cotton permanently.
For a replaceable coil, add a few drops of e-liquid directly to the exposed cotton openings before fitting it. Fill the tank through its fill port, keeping liquid out of the central airflow tube. Close everything securely and leave the coil to stand for five to ten minutes.
Start at the lower end of the printed wattage range. Take a few gentle draws, then raise the power gradually until the vapour and flavour feel right. Constant chain vaping can still outrun the wick, even with the correct coil, so give the tank a short pause if the flavour starts to dry out.
Choosing a Bottle Size
A 50ml shortfill makes sense for flavour rotation, occasional DTL use or trying a new range without committing to a large bottle. One standard shot usually completes the mix, which keeps the process simple.
A 100ml shortfill cuts down on repeat orders and suits an all-day flavour. It normally needs two shots for a 3mg result, provided the bottle has 20ml of free space. Some brands use different fill volumes, so read the label before adding anything.
How long will either last? There is no honest universal answer. Wattage, coil size and puff length change consumption considerably. A DTL kit running at high power can use far more liquid than an RDL setup, even when both are filled from the same bottle.
Getting More From High VG E-Liquids
• Read the ratio first. A product title cannot tell you how thick the liquid is.
• Shake after every shot. Nicotine needs to disperse through the full bottle, not sit near the top.
• Respect the coil range. Too little power can cause flooding; too much shortens coil life and risks a burnt wick.
• Top up before the tank runs dry. Exposed cotton can scorch quickly in a warm sub-ohm coil.
• Store bottles upright. Keep them at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, children, and pets.
Every order is handled through an age-verified checkout. Pirate Vapes also offers same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4 pm and Free Pirate Post over £40. Over 18s only.
