How Temperature, PG/VG Ratio, and Coil Type Affect Vapour and Flavour

By shane margereson

If you've been vaping for a while, you'll have noticed that the same juice can taste completely different depending on what device you're using, what settings you've got, and even what the weather's like outside.

There's a lot of science behind your vape experience, and understanding it can help you get the perfect setup for your tastes.

I'm going to break down how temperature, PG/VG ratio and coil types affect what you taste and the clouds you blow, without getting too bogged down in technical jargon.

Temperature: Finding Your Flavour Sweet Spot

Temperature is probably the most important factor in determining both flavour and vapour production. Different compounds in your e-liquid vaporise at different temperatures, which means changing your wattage or using temperature control can completely transform your vaping experience.

How Temperature Affects Flavour Notes

Your typical e-liquid contains multiple flavour compounds, and each one has its own ideal temperature range:

Lower temperatures (15- 25°c on standard coils): Brighter, sharper flavours come through more clearly. Fruits, menthols and light desserts often taste better at lower temps. The inhale will be cooler and gentler.
Mid range temperatures (25-40W): This is the sweet spot for most balanced flavours. You'll get the full spectrum of notes without any single element dominating.
Higher temperatures (40W+): Deeper, richer notes become more prominent. Custards, creams and bakery flavours typically shine at higher temps. The inhale will be warmer and more intense.

I've found that with most fruit flavours, lower temps bring out the tartness and acidity, while higher temps can make them taste sweeter but less distinct. For dessert flavours, it's almost always the opposite, with higher temps needed to really bring out those rich, creamy notes.

One reason I appreciate Vaporesso devices is that their precise wattage control lets you dial in what works for specific juices.

Finding Your Own Sweet Spot

The beauty of modern vape devices is that you can dial in exactly what works for you. Start at the lower end of your coil's recommended range and take a few puffs, noting what flavours you detect. Then bump up the wattage by 2-3W, wait a minute for the coil to adjust, and try again.

Keep going until you find the point where the flavour is exactly how you like it. This sweet spot will be different for every flavour and device combination, which is why it's worth experimenting.

PG/VG Ratio: The Balancing Act

The mix of PG to VG in your juice makes a massive difference to your vape. It's not just about clouds vs flavour - it affects everything from how it feels in your throat to how long your coils last.

PG: Flavour Delivery System

PG is the thinner of the two liquids and it carries flavour better. It also gives you that throat hit that reminds you of smoking. Juices with more PG (50/50 or 60/40 VG/PG) tend to give you:

Sharper flavours with more definition
A proper throat hit
Less cloud production
Better wicking in smaller coils
Work better in pod systems and MTL setups

I use higher PG juices in my pod systems like the XROS when I'm after flavour clarity rather than big clouds.

VG: Cloud Creator

VG is thicker and slightly sweet. It's what creates those big plumes of vapour. Juices with high VG content (70/30 or higher) will give you:

Smoother vape with less throat hit
Big clouds for days
Slightly rounded flavours
Slower wicking (needs bigger juice ports)
Better for sub-ohm tanks and DTL vaping

If you've ever seen someone blowing massive clouds, they're definitely using high VG juice in a device designed to handle it.

Different Flavours, Different Ratios

Over the years, I've noticed certain flavour types just work better with specific VG/PG balances:

Fruit flavours often pop more in higher PG mixes where the sharpness comes through
Dessert flavours usually taste better in higher VG mixes where the natural sweetness helps
Menthols feel icier and more refreshing in higher PG blends
Tobacco flavours often need a balanced 50/50 to taste authentic

If you've tried a juice and it just doesn't taste right, it might be worth trying it in a different ratio before giving up on it completely.

Coil Types: The Flavour Foundation

Your coil choice makes a massive difference to how your vape tastes and performs. It's not just about resistance - the design and materials matter too.

Mesh vs Traditional Wire

Most modern devices now use either mesh or traditional round wire coils, and they perform very differently:

Mesh Coils :

Heat more evenly with fewer hot spots
Give a more consistent flavour
Usually produces better flavour
Last longer in most cases
Heat up quicker from cold

I've been particularly impressed with how Vaporesso's coils handle flavour - they seem to bring out more notes than similar coils from other brands.

Traditional Wire Coils :

Can sometimes produce more concentrated heat
Give a warmer vape at the same wattage
Often use less juice
Can be better for certain flavour profiles

In my experience, mesh is usually the way to go for most vapers these days, unless you specifically prefer the characteristics of traditional wire.

Resistance and What It Means

The resistance of your coil (measured in ohms) makes a huge difference to your vaping experience:

Higher resistance coils (0.8Ω and up) :

Run at lower wattages
Make less vapour
Often give crisper, more defined flavours
Save your battery life
Perfect for MTL vaping and salt nics

Lower resistance coils (under 0.5Ω) :

Need more power
Chuck bigger clouds
Give fuller, warmer flavour
Drain batteries faster
Better suited to direct lung hits

For flavour fanatics, resistance isn't always the deciding factor. I've had cracking flavour from both high resistance MTL coils and low resistance sub-ohm coils. It's about finding what matches your style and juice.

Putting It All Together

The real trick is understanding how all these factors work together. Here are some winning combinations I've found over the years:

For Maximum Flavour Definition

50/50 or 60/40 e liquid
Mesh coil around 0.6-0.8Ω
Mid-range wattage
Slightly restricted airflow

This setup gives you crystal clear flavour without sacrificing vapour. It's what I use when I want to properly taste a new juice.

For Maximum Vapour Production

70/30 or 80/20 high VG juice
Low resistance mesh coil (0.15-0.3Ω)
Higher wattage settings
Wide open airflow

This combo will have you blowing clouds for days, though you might lose some of the more subtle flavour notes.

For All Day Vaping Efficiency

60/40 VG/PG juice
Mid-range mesh coil (around 0.4-0.5Ω)
Moderate wattage
Moderately restricted airflow

This balanced setup gives you good flavour, decent clouds, and won't drain your battery or e-liquid too quickly. This kind of balanced setup has made Vaporesso devices popular for everyday use.

Environmental Factors That Affect Your Vape

Your device settings aren't the only things that affect your vape. The world around you plays a big part too:

Weather and Temperature

Vaping in different weather can completely change your experience:

Cold weather : Makes your juice thicker, wicking gets slower, flavour can be muted
Hot weather : Thins your juice out, can cause flooding, spitting, and sometimes overpowering flavour

I adjust my setup slightly between seasons - higher wattage and thinner juice in winter, lower wattage and thicker juice in summer.

Humidity

Humidity affects how we taste (which is why food tastes different in dry vs humid places). High humidity can make vapour feel heavier and flavours more muted, while dry air can make throat hits feel harsher.

Altitude

If you're vaping up a mountain or on a plane yes i know people do quick secret flush the vapour down the toliet, the lower air pressure can mess with your device. You might get more leaking, different flavour, and changes in wicking. Most noticeable if you're travelling to places much higher or lower than you're used to.

Practical Tips for Getting It Right

Based on all this science, here are some down-to-earth tips for getting the best out of your vape:

Finding Your Perfect Temperature

Start low in your coil's recommended range
Take a few puffs and make a mental note of the flavour
Go up by 2-3 watts
Try again and see if it's better or worse
Keep going until you find your personal sweet spot

Matching Juice to Your Setup

Use 50/50 or 60/40 VG/PG in pod systems and MTL setups
Go for 70/30 or higher VG in sub-ohm tanks and DTL devices
If you're using thick juice in a small device, give it longer to wick between puffs

Dealing with Different Weather

In cold weather, bump up your wattage a bit or use thinner juice
In hot weather, turn the power down a notch to prevent leaking
Keep your vape and juice at room temperature when possible

Choosing the Right Coil

For pure flavour chasing, 0.4-0.8Ω mesh coils usually work best
For cloud production, go for sub-ohm mesh coils under 0.3Ω
For battery life without giving up performance, the 0.5-0.6Ω range is the sweet spot

Final Thoughts

Understanding how temperature, PG/VG ratio and coil types affect your vaping isn't just nerdy knowledge - it's the key to getting a satisfying vape every time. There's no one "best" setting, just what works best for you and your tastes.

The beauty of proper vape devices is being able to tinker with all these variables. Don't be afraid to experiment, and don't give up on a juice if you've only tried it one way. Sometimes a small change in wattage or device makes all the difference.

Whether you're after big flavour with a Vaporesso pod or massive clouds with something more powerful, these principles will help you nail exactly what you're looking for. And that's what makes proper vapes so much better than disposables - you're in control of your experience.

Stay safe and happy vaping!

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