Ever taken a puff on your vape, watched a cloud roll out, and thought, “Wait, how does that actually work?” You're not alone. Whether you're new to vaping or you've been cloud-chasing since the box mod boom, it’s worth understanding what’s happening when you hit that fire button.
Because vaping isn't just puff and go — there's actual science at work behind those clouds. And knowing how vapour is created can help you:
- Choose the right juice
- Understand your device
- Avoid common issues like burnt hits or leaky pods
- And even improve your flavour game
Let’s break it all down — no lab coat needed.
What Is Vapour, Technically?
Despite the nickname “vape smoke,” what you’re exhaling isn’t smoke at all — it’s an aerosol.
Here’s what’s happening:
When you press the fire button (or inhale, if it’s auto-draw), your coil heats up the e-liquid, turning it from a liquid into tiny droplets suspended in the air — that’s your vapour cloud.
It’s made of:
- Propylene Glycol (PG)
- Vegetable Glycerine (VG)
- Flavour compounds
- Nicotine (if present)
- Water vapour
Unlike cigarette smoke, there’s no combustion. That’s why vaping produces fewer harmful by-products — and why the clouds smell like strawberry milkshake instead of a bonfire.
How Your Vape Device Creates Vapour
Let’s take a closer look at the components doing the heavy lifting:
🔌 Battery
The power source. When you press fire, it sends energy to the coil to heat up.
🔥 Coil
A metal wire (or mesh) that gets hot enough to vaporise the e-liquid. It’s usually wrapped in or surrounded by cotton that soaks up the juice.
🧃 Wicking Material (Cotton)
Holds your e-liquid. When the coil heats up, the liquid in the cotton turns to vapour — but only if it’s saturated. Dry cotton = burnt taste.
💨 Airflow
As you inhale, air passes through the coil and vapour is carried up through the mouthpiece. Devices with adjustable airflow give you control over the draw — tighter for MTL, looser for DTL.
Why PG/VG Ratio Affects Cloud Production
The PG/VG mix in your e-liquid plays a big role in how much vapour you get — and how it feels.
🧪 PG (Propylene Glycol)
- Thinner
- Stronger throat hit
- Carries flavour better
- Produces less vapour
🌿 VG (Vegetable Glycerine)
- Thicker
- Smoother on the throat
- Slightly sweet
- Produces big, dense clouds
So if you're all about flavour and stealthy puffs? Go for a 50/50 juice.
If you're chasing clouds in the garden? You’ll want a 70/30 VG/PG shortfill.
Why It Matters – Beyond the Clouds
Understanding how vapour is made isn’t just for science nerds (though we salute you). It can actually make your vaping life easier.
✅ Better Coil Life
If you know your e-liquid is high VG, you’ll avoid using it in a tiny pod coil — which could clog or burn out fast.
✅ Improved Flavour
Want flavour over clouds? Go with a setup that favours PG. Prefer a smooth, sweet exhale? High VG’s your vibe.
✅ Device Matching
Sub-ohm tank = big clouds, low nicotine
Pod system = smaller clouds, higher nicotine
Matching your device to your e-liquid and vape style means a better overall experience — less hassle, more satisfaction.
Cloud Chasing vs Stealth Vaping
Once you understand vapour production, you’ll realise there are two main types of vapers:
💨 Cloud Chasers
- Use sub-ohm mods (0.2–0.5 ohm coils)
- Run high VG juices (70/30)
- Vape direct-to-lung (DTL)
- Blow massive clouds like it's a sport
🤫 Stealth Vapers
- Use MTL pods (1.0 ohm or higher)
- Stick with 50/50 or nic salts
- Want minimal vapour and maximum hit
- Prefer something discreet
Neither is “better” — it’s just about choosing what works for you. I’ve got customers who are all about subtle 10mg salts at work… and big clouds in the garden after tea.
Final Thoughts from the Shop Floor
Vapour might look simple — but there’s a whole lot of clever engineering and chemistry behind every puff. And once you understand how it works, you can make smarter choices about your setup, your juice, and your vape style.
Still unsure what PG/VG ratio is right for you? Or why your pod isn’t producing enough vapour? Pop into the shop — I’ll happily walk you through it (and probably pull out a demo kit from under the counter too).
The more you know, the better you vape.