The vaping market is constantly developing, and so are its compounds – vaping products, e-liquids and vaping devices. Each year, manufacturers announce some innovations. Often, however, they are just classical products modified to a certain extent. In this article, let’s look what are these classics, that are the backbone of the vape market.

NOTE: this article is part of our Vape Cartridge Knowledge Center, where – in one place – we have gathered for you all the relevant facts and background information you need to learn about the e-liquid industry and succeed in it as a manufacturer or brand owner.

Chapters:

1. E-liquids and vaping devices (You are here)
2. What are vape cartridges?
3. What types of e-liquids are used in vape cartridges?
4. Manufacturing and filling vape cartridges

It all began with e-cigarettes a few decades ago. Nowadays, the term “e-cigarette”, gathers, practically everything related to vaping:

• E-liquids
• Shortfills & longfills
• NicShots
• Refillable devices
• Disposable pods
• Replacement pods, so-called vape cartridges

Let’s give each of them a look!

E-liquids are the most common product on the vape market, with the name connected to their destination and structure. “E” in e-liquids relates to “e” in the “electronic cigarettes”, and “liquids” relates to the liquid form of the product.

Check also:

• Beginner’s Guide To Vaping
• What Are E-Liquids? History And Business Opportunities
• What Is Nicotine And How Is It Classified?
• From Leaves To Labs: A Brief Story About Nicotine’s Production

E-liquids and glycerin, and glycol, relationship

E-liquids contain the base which is propylene glycol, pharmaceutical glycerin, or both combined. Depending on the customers’ needs, different ratios of e-liquid bases are a common matter.

If you want to know more about PG/VG ratios and their impact on e-liquids, be sure to read these articles:

• Raw Materials In E-Liquid Manufacturing
• The Differences Between Glycol And Glycerine: When To Use Which?
• PG/VG Ratio: How To Find The Best For E-Liquids

Nicotine and nicotine salts in e-liquids

The next compounds of e-liquids are pure nicotine or nicotine salts. They vary among each other and are diluted in the PG and/or VG.

Similarly to glycol and glycerin, nicotine or nicotine salts in e-liquids vary from 3 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml.

The 20 mg/ml strength is the highest possible, according to the Tobacco Products Directive. However, keep in mind, that there are a lot of nicotine-free e-liquids on the market.

See also:

• What Is Nicotine And How Is It Classified?
• From Leaves To Labs: A Brief Story About Nicotine’s Production
• Hard To Handle, Easy To Vape: How To Work With Nicotine Safely?
• Synthetic Nicotine vs. Tobacco Nicotine
• 4 Nic Salt’s Features You May Benefit From
• Nicotine Absorption And Nicotine Salts

Flavorings and e-liquids additives

E-liquids may also contain flavorings and additives. The most common aromas used in e-liquid manufacturing are sweet, drinks, tobacco, mint, and fruit. However, to enhance the experience, e-liquid manufacturers may use some additives like coolers or sweeteners, to bring different effects.

Learn more:

• E-Liquid Flavors To Make Your Recipes Stand Out
• Additives For E-Liquids: What Do You Need To Know About Them?
• Natural Vaping Products: Bases, Nicotine, Flavorings

Chemnovatic is a chemical manufacturing and trading company offering a wide range of top-quality chemicals for various industries, along with laboratory, regulatory and private label services. We specialize in pure nicotine distillation, the supply of raw materials for e-liquids and nicotine pouches industries, and e-liquids production. We also provide other raw materials, including PG and VG for other industries, constantly developing our offer. Contact us at sales@chemnovatic.com.

Shortfills

Shortfills, also known as premixes, are typically 50 ml e-liquids with no nicotine content, sold in 60 ml bottles. These e-liquids are designed to be vaped as is or mixed with nicotine shots. While the most common shortfill option is 50 ml in a 60 ml bottle, there are various shortfill sizes available, including 100/120 ml, 20/30 ml, 40/60 ml, and 50/60 ml, allowing users to add 1 or 2 nicotine shots based on their preferences.

Check, how to use nic shots with shortfills.

Longfills

Longfills are liquids made of flavor concentrate and a base – propylene glycol (PG) – placed in bottles. They are destined for mixing with nicotine shots.

The most common option is the 10 ml volume in 60 ml bottles. However, you may find 5 ml in 15 ml bottles and 20 ml volume in 120 ml bottles.

NicShots

A nicotine shot, often called a nic shot, is a 10ml bottle containing concentrated nicotine blended with VG (Vegetable Glycerin) and PG (Propylene Glycol). It’s designed for mixing with nicotine-free e-liquids like shortfills or longfills, transforming them by adding nicotine to the mix.

NicShots appeared on the market in 2017, when authorities introduced Tobacco Products Directive, which limited diluted nicotine content in one bottle to 10 ml and restricted e-liquid nicotine strength to 20 mg/ml at the maximum.

Read more:

• E-Liquid and Vape Industry Regulations [Knowledge Base]
• Nicotine Shots: Dealing With TPD Regulations
• NicSalt Shots vs. NicShots: Final Comparison

There are various vaping devices, with different technical specification and mode of action. Consequently, various products fit better with certain types.

Refillable devices

As the name implies, these devices allow the refilling of the e-liquid. They have a built-in battery and a detachable pod, which allows filling with e-liquids.

At first, the most popular were mods – devices with big evaporators, enabling big clouds, used by passionate vapers.

Later the tide turned for pods – small, compactible devices that use less liquids than mods. They have built-in batteries and a tank for e-liquid. Pods’ coils are ready, so all one has to do is fill the e-liquids.

What’s curious is that when nicotine salts arrived, e-liquids based on them were usually recommended to vape with pods. However, nowadays, also vape liquid manufactured with freebase nicotine are commonly used with these vaping devices.

See also:

• POD Systems vs. Nicotine Salts And Their Growing Popularity

Disposable pods

Disposable pods are pre-charged and pre-filled with a certain amount of e-liquid. After being used, they are disposed of. It’s a common choice for those, who start their journey with vaping.

Replacement pods – vape cartridges

These are much more eco-friendly than disposable pods. They allow multiple uses and are chargeable. Instead of pods, one uses vape cartridges here. When they are emptied, one disposes of them.

Vape cartridges are more comfortable than pods because one does not have to carry e-liquid bottles, and using cartridges prevents leakage, which may take place with pods.

The e-liquid market is constantly growing, and the older it gets, the more products and devices arrive. Moreover, it’s a continually changing environment, due to the new laws and regulations being introduced.

Great, you have completed the first chapter of our guide! Now it’s time for the next one. Find out what vape cartridges are and how they work.