7 E-Liquid Additives and What Each One Does

I check the device match first, then the flavour. For existing adult vapers, a 50/50 PG/VG liquid is often suited to pods, while 70/30 VG/PG often suits sub-ohm tanks – but your device instructions come first. This helps when comparing nicotine salts and freebase e-liquids for your setup.

Here’s how I separate the seven entries: PG and VG are bases, not additives. The other ingredients change sweetness, flavour or cooling.

Quick Comparison

I check nicotine strength in mg/mL separately from the base ratio, and keep power within the coil’s stated range. If mixing, I measure accurately, change one ingredient at a time and record the result. In Bahrain’s heat, I keep bottles cool, out of sunlight and locked away from children and pets.

<u>Food-grade does not mean safe to inhale.</u> Smooth, sweet or cool vapour is not safer vapour. Stop use if irritation persists, and replace burnt coils.

E-Liquid Bases and Device Compatibility

A 50/50 PG/VG blend contains equal parts PG and VG. A 70/30 VG/PG blend contains 70% VG and 30% PG. PG carries flavour, while VG is thicker, feels smoother and produces denser vapour. Many concentrates use PG as a carrier, so they increase the final PG content. The ratio matters: each ingredient below affects flavour, throat hit, cooling or how the vapour feels.

Thinner, higher-PG mixes suit refillable pods and mouth-to-lung (MTL) coils. Thicker, higher-VG mixes suit sub-ohm tanks. A mix that’s too thick can wick slowly and taste burnt; one that’s too thin can flood or leak.

Follow the device manufacturer’s instructions and stay within the coil’s printed wattage range. Let new coils saturate fully before vaping, and replace burnt coils. Salt nicotine uses an acid, often benzoic acid, and higher strengths usually suit low-power MTL pods.

Keep within the supplier’s mixing limits for each concentrate, and avoid household oils or unverified flavourings. Once the base suits the device, the ingredients below adjust sweetness, cooling, flavour and texture.

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1. Propylene Glycol (PG)

PG is a base liquid that shapes flavour, throat hit and wicking.

Flavour and sweetness effects

PG is a thin, colourless liquid that helps keep flavour notes distinct. Higher-PG blends sharpen fruit, tobacco and menthol notes. It improves flavour clarity, not sweetness.

Throat sensation and vapour feel

PG generally gives a sharper throat hit and less dense visible vapour than VG. Higher-PG liquids can feel drier or harsher, particularly with strong nicotine, concentrated flavourings or high power. If coughing or irritation continues, stop use and seek medical advice.

Device and nicotine-blend compatibility

PG changes how nicotine feels and how flavour comes through – not nicotine strength. Nicotine format affects harshness more than the PG percentage does. Check nicotine strength in mg/mL separately from the PG percentage.

Formulation cautions and coil impact

If a thin liquid leaks, check the pod seals or fix the leak before changing the ratio. In Bahrain’s heat, store e-liquid somewhere cool and dark, as thin liquids leak more easily.

PG also helps liquid wick faster and gives sharper flavour, especially in thinner mixes.

2. Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

Flavour and sweetness effects

VG is thicker and slightly sweet. That sweetness can work well with creamy or dessert-style flavours, but it may soften delicate fruit notes. More VG doesn’t automatically mean better flavour.

Throat sensation and vapour feel

VG-rich blends usually create denser vapour with a softer throat feel. Nicotine strength, flavouring and device settings also shape how each puff feels.

Device and nicotine-blend compatibility

Higher-VG liquids need wicking that can keep up with their thickness. Match salt-nic liquids to low-power pods, and follow your device’s guidance on nicotine strength and viscosity.

Formulation cautions and coil impact

After filling a new coil, wait 5–10 minutes for the wick to saturate, or follow the manufacturer’s stated waiting time. Dry or burnt hits may mean the wick isn’t absorbing liquid fast enough. Stop using it, switch to a thinner blend that suits the device, and replace the coil if it’s scorched. Strong sweeteners make residue build up faster.

Treat the table as a guide; follow the coil specifications first.

Once the base ratio is set, the next additives fine-tune sweetness, cooling and flavour.

3. Ethyl Maltol

Flavour and sweetness effects

Ethyl maltol adds soft candyfloss sweetness with a light caramel edge. In fruit, bakery and dessert blends, it smooths sharp or mismatched notes rather than serving as the main flavour. A little smooths the mix; too much flattens it.

Throat sensation and vapour feel

Ethyl maltol can slightly soften the flavour profile, but it has little direct effect on throat hit or vapour volume.

Device and nicotine-blend compatibility

Ethyl maltol works best in fruit and dessert mixes for low-power pod systems, including salt-nic blends. Only use it when the base ratio and nicotine strength already suit the device, following safe vaping practices. For stronger sweetness rather than smoothing, the next additive does that job.

Formulation cautions and coil impact

Use only ingredients labelled for e-liquid formulation. Higher flavour loads can darken the liquid, weaken the flavour or cause coils to lose performance sooner, depending on the recipe and device.

Measure accurately – not by eye – and test small batches. A common guide is about 0.25%–1% of the finished mix. Check whether the recipe calls for ethyl maltol or a diluted premix, as they aren’t interchangeable.

Shake, let the mix rest, then reassess before adding more. Cream, bakery and dessert blends may need 2–4 weeks to steep; adding more too soon can mute their flavours.

4. Sucralose

Flavour and sweetness effects

Sucralose delivers strong sweetness in small doses. Unlike ethyl maltol, it doesn’t smooth flavour. Ethyl maltol softens; sucralose sweetens. It works well in fruit, dessert and candy profiles, making fruit taste riper and desserts taste richer. Too much can flatten tartness, hide delicate notes and leave an artificial aftertaste. High vaping temperatures can cause sucralose to break down.

Throat sensation and vapour feel

Sucralose adds sweetness, not throat hit or cooling. It can soften a harsh or dry-tasting fruit blend, but vapour feel still depends on the base, power, airflow and nicotine type.

Device and nicotine-blend compatibility

Light sweetness suits refillable pods and salt-nic blends. Heavier sweetness shortens coil life in sub-ohm tanks. Match the sweetness level to your coil and wattage range. Lower power helps, but poor wicking can still cause coils to overheat.

Formulation cautions and coil impact

Watch for fading flavour, dark residue and a burnt taste. Replace burnt coils or pods.

Laboratory studies report sucralose breakdown, increased solvent degradation and chloropropanol formation during heating. These studies don’t establish a safe level for every liquid. Long-term inhalation effects remain unclear. Avoid household sweeteners and unnecessary extra sucralose.

For cooling rather than sweetness, menthol is next.

5. Menthol

Flavour and sweetness effects

Unlike sucralose, menthol changes both flavour and throat feel. It adds mint flavour and cooling, not sweetness. It suits mint, menthol tobacco, fruit and “ice” profiles when you want a clear mint note. Too much can mask delicate flavours or taste bitter and medicinal. For cooling with little or no mint taste, a non-mint coolant is usually a better fit.

Throat sensation and vapour feel

Menthol activates TRPM8 receptors, producing a cooling sensation without changing the vapour’s temperature. It can make nicotine feel less harsh, but it can also sharpen the throat sensation.

In one sensory study, 0.5% menthol did not increase irritation, while 3.5% did at low nicotine levels. These were study levels, not mixing targets. Cooling does not reduce nicotine strength.

Device and nicotine-blend compatibility

Moderate menthol suits low-power MTL pods and salt-nic liquids, where the cooling stays controlled. Sub-ohm tanks produce more vapour per puff, which can make both the mint flavour and cooling feel stronger.

Start at the low end of the coil’s wattage range. If the hit still feels sharp, reduce the menthol rather than increase the power.

Formulation cautions and coil impact

Use only menthol intended for e-liquid formulation, and follow the supplier’s dilution instructions. Never add household peppermint oil or cosmetic menthol products.

Menthol can linger in coils and wicks. Replace the pod or coil if the mint note persists.

For cooling without mint flavour, move to the next section on Koolada and WS-23.

6. Koolada and WS-23 Cooling Agents

Koolada- or WS-23-based additives add cooling without a mint flavour.

Flavour and sweetness effects

Koolada is a trade term; WS-23 is a specific coolant. Koolada products may contain WS-3, WS-23 or a blend, so they aren’t interchangeable.

These additives cool without menthol’s mint note. They work with fruit, iced-drink and ice-cream profiles, but too much can dull fruit, vanilla and cream notes. The main difference is how they cool, not how sweet they taste.

Throat sensation and vapour feel

WS-23 delivers a clean, fast cooling effect, usually felt most on the tongue and at the front of the mouth. Koolada and WS-3 products often linger longer or feel stronger in the throat, depending on the blend.

At modest levels, cooling can make vapour feel smoother. Stop use if cooling feels harsh, numb or irritating.

Device and nicotine-blend compatibility

Modest cooling can work with compatible refillable pods and salt-nicotine blends. Higher-VG fruit-ice mixes can suit sub-ohm tanks, where the extra vapour makes cooling more intense.

Follow the same PG/VG ratio and wattage rules as for any other mix. Cooling strength changes how the vapour feels, not which device suits it.

Formulation cautions and coil impact

Before mixing, check the exact compound, dilution strength and carrier. Follow the supplier’s recommended range rather than copying the percentage used for another concentrate. Test a small batch and compare it with the uncooled version. Count any PG carrier in your final PG/VG calculation.

Sweeteners, dark concentrates, high power and poor wicking affect coils more than cooling agents do. Use only prepared e-liquid concentrates; never add undiluted crystals. Food-use status does not establish inhalation safety.

The next additives change flavour differently: vanillin and creamy flavourings add vanilla and cream notes.

7. Vanillin and Creamy Flavour Additives

Flavour and sweetness effects

Unlike menthol or coolant additives, vanillin adds warmth rather than cooling. It adds a clear vanilla flavour, not just sweetness, giving dessert, bakery, coffee and tobacco profiles a warm, rounded finish. Creamy blends suggest milk, custard, cream or butter. They may contain vanillin or ethyl vanillin alongside other flavourings.

Throat sensation and vapour feel

Vanillin adds more to a smooth, warm flavour profile than to throat hit. Creamy blends can give vapour more body, especially in high-VG sub-ohm mixes. But smooth flavour does not always mean a mild throat hit: PG, nicotine strength and the complete formula still matter.

Device and nicotine-blend compatibility

Lighter vanilla flavours suit refillable pods and salt-nicotine blends, while richer creams suit compatible sub-ohm tanks. For that extra body, the device needs to wick thicker liquid well. Thick cream liquids may wick poorly in small pods.

Formulation cautions and coil impact

Cream concentrates can leave deposits faster than simple flavours, especially when sweeteners are involved. Residue depends on the whole recipe, not vanillin alone. Choose the best vape coils for your device and replace them if a burnt taste persists.

Heat, light and storage conditions can darken the liquid and increase residue. Stop using it if a colour change comes with an off smell, separation or altered taste. Colour alone cannot tell you whether a liquid is safe. Store bottles in a cool, dark place, away from Bahrain’s heat and direct sunlight.

Long-term inhalation safety remains unclear. Start with a low amount, increase gradually, and track vanilla flavour, creaminess and sweetness separately.

Ingredient and Device Comparison Table

Compare how each ingredient affects flavour, throat hit, cooling and vapour feel, and see which devices it tends to suit.

Read ratios carefully: 70/30 VG/PG means 70% VG and 30% PG. Check the manufacturer’s recommended liquid range, coil resistance and wattage. The wrong viscosity can cause leaking or poor wicking.

Salt nicotine is a nicotine type, not a device type. Match strength, airflow and wattage to the device.

These are comparison notes, not mixing instructions or safety guarantees.

Next, use the mixing and device-matching checklist to check your ratio, coil and wattage together.

Mixing and Device-Matching Checklist

Use the comparison table’s device notes, then check your mix against the steps below. Before measuring, check each label’s stated use, concentration range and warnings. Use a graduated measure or precise scale – not drops – and double-check nicotine calculations before adding anything.

Start small and change one thing at a time. Make a 10–30 mL test batch, adjusting only one variable between trials. Record each ingredient’s percentage, total volume, VG/PG ratio, nicotine strength, mixing date, rest time, device and coil. This helps you identify which flavor profiles work best with specific additives.

Match liquid thickness, nicotine strength, coil resistance and wattage before filling. Use salt nicotine at higher wattage only when both the liquid label and device specifications support it. Follow the filling and coil-priming instructions. Stop if you notice flooding, dry hits, unusual heat or unexpected harshness. Do not increase power to compensate.

Label bottles, close them tightly and lock them away. Include the contents, additive concentrations, nicotine strength, VG/PG ratio and mixing date on each label. Store bottles in a locked cabinet away from children and pets, parked cars and direct sunlight. Wash nicotine spills off skin with soap and water. Seek medical or veterinary help immediately for swallowing, eye exposure or any exposure involving a child or pet.

Conclusion: Match Ingredients to Your Device

Use the table above to match each ingredient to your coil, wattage and VG/PG ratio. Match the base to the device: higher-PG liquids suit tighter pods and MTL setups, while higher-VG liquids suit sub-ohm tanks with stronger wicking. Follow the device maker’s guidance – there’s no single best ratio.

Once the base suits your device, use additives only to fine-tune flavour, sweetness or cooling. Ethyl maltol smooths flavour, while sucralose adds sweetness. Menthol gives mint cooling; Koolada and WS-23 provide cooling with little or no mint flavour. Vanillin adds vanilla depth and creaminess, not cooling.

Keep adjustments small to control flavour and keep coil life predictable. Avoid sweetening the same e-liquid repeatedly. Record each change and test it over time. Sweeteners can speed up residue build-up and dull coils. Cooling can also change how harsh the vapour feels, so check performance as well. Replace the coil if you notice a burnt taste or persistent flavour fade.

Smooth, sweet or cool vapour is not safer vapour. These effects can mask harshness, but they don’t remove nicotine or other inhaled chemicals.

FAQs

How can I tell if an e-liquid contains added sweeteners?

Keep an eye on coil performance and flavour. Heavily sweetened e-liquids can leave dark, sticky residue (‘gunk’) on coils. If your coils burn out within 5 days instead of the typical 7–14 days, that strongly suggests high sweetener content. Less vapour or a muted, burnt taste can also point to residue build-up.

Before buying, check product reviews for comments on how long coils last. This can help you gauge sweetener levels.

Can I reduce cooling without changing nicotine strength?

Yes. Cooling additives are separate from nicotine, so you can reduce the cooling effect without changing your preferred nicotine strength. Choose e-liquid blends with no cooling agents, or flavours based on sweetness or other taste profiles rather than menthol or synthetic cooling compounds.

How can I distinguish additive irritation from a burnt coil?

A burnt coil usually produces a dry, acrid, scorched taste caused by poor wicking or coil wear. Stop vaping immediately to prevent permanent coil damage.

Irritation from additives, such as sensitivity to PG, may cause persistent throat irritation, dry mouth or an allergic reaction rather than a scorched taste. If a new, properly saturated coil still causes discomfort, the e-liquid’s ingredients or nicotine strength may be responsible.

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