Can High VG Juices Damage Certain Vape Coils?

Vapers today are spoiled for choice when it comes to e-liquids. From complex flavors to various nicotine strengths, customization is everywhere. One of the most important distinctions in e-liquid composition is the ratio of Propylene Glycol (PG) to Vegetable Glycerin (VG) — and many users prefer high VG juices for their dense vapor production and smooth throat hit.

But while high VG liquids are great for cloud chasing and a mellow inhale, they may not be suitable for all devices or coil types. In fact, using high VG juices with incompatible coils can lead to poor performance and even premature coil damage.

So, can high VG juices damage certain vape coils? The short answer is yes — but it depends on the coil design and the type of device you’re using. In this blog, we’ll explore how VG impacts coil function, which coils are best suited for high VG e-liquids, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

1. Understanding VG and Coil Compatibility

First, let’s break down what VG (Vegetable Glycerin) is and why it matters.

• VG is a thick, viscous liquid that produces large vapor clouds and offers a smooth, mild throat hit.

• PG (Propylene Glycol) is thinner and is better at carrying flavor and producing a stronger throat hit.

High VG juices typically contain 70% VG or more, and while they’re great for sub-ohm vaping and cloud chasing, their thickness presents challenges to certain types of coils, especially those with smaller wick ports or higher resistance.

2. How High VG Affects Coil Performance

Coils function by heating a metal wire wrapped around a wick (usually cotton), which soaks up e-liquid from the tank. When you fire the device, the e-liquid vaporizes. The wick must stay saturated with juice; otherwise, dry hits or burnt coils occur.

Here’s how high VG can cause issues:

• Slow Wicking: High VG juice moves more slowly through the cotton. If your coil’s wicking ports are small or the cotton is too tightly packed, the juice can’t keep up with your puffs. This leads to dry hits and can burn the wick.

• Overworking the Coil: When the wick can’t stay saturated, the coil overheats and degrades faster, shortening the coil’s lifespan.

• Gunk Build-Up: VG is naturally sweet and sticky. Over time, it leaves more residue on the coil, causing gunking, which affects flavor and performance.

• Poor Flavor Delivery: In coils not designed for high VG, the juice may not vaporize efficiently, resulting in muted or inconsistent flavor.

3. Which Coils Are Vulnerable to High VG Damage?

High VG juices aren’t inherently dangerous, but they can cause issues if paired with the wrong hardware. Here are some coil types that may struggle with high VG:

• High Resistance Coils (Above 1.0Ω)

These coils are typically designed for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping, which mimics the draw of a traditional cigarette. MTL devices use tighter airflow and lower wattage, and their coils have smaller wicking ports. High VG juice is too thick to flow efficiently through these small openings, leading to dry hits.

• Old or Worn-Out Coils

Even coils designed for VG-heavy juices can be affected if they’re old, damaged, or already gunked up. The thickness of VG accelerates residue buildup, which can clog the wick and impair juice flow.

• Ceramic Coils with Small Wick Holes

Ceramic coils are popular for their durability and clean flavor delivery, but not all ceramic coils are built for thick juices. Those with small wick holes can struggle with VG-rich e-liquids.

• Pod System Coils

Some closed pod systems or low-wattage refillable pods aren’t built to handle thick juices. High VG can cause wicking delays, poor vapor production, or even leakages due to slow absorption and backpressure.

4. Which Coils Work Best with High VG Juices?

If you’re using high VG juice, it’s crucial to use coils designed to handle the viscosity. Look for the following:

• Low Resistance (Sub-Ohm) Coils

These coils (typically below 0.8Ω) are built for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping and higher wattage. They often feature larger wicking ports and use thicker wire, both of which are ideal for managing high VG juices.

• Mesh Coils

Mesh coils offer larger surface area, which leads to better heat distribution and faster vaporization. They also wick more evenly, reducing the risk of dry hits. Mesh coils are particularly well-suited for high VG juices.

• Coils with Organic Cotton

Organic cotton wicks are highly absorbent and better able to keep up with the slower flow of thick VG liquids. Many high-quality sub-ohm coils use Japanese organic cotton specifically for this reason.

5. Tips for Using High VG Juices Without Damaging Coils

If you love high VG for its cloud production but want to protect your coils, here are some key strategies:

• Prime Your Coils Properly: Before using a new coil, drip e-liquid directly onto the cotton and let it sit in the tank for a few minutes. This ensures the wick is fully saturated before firing.
• Use Proper Wattage: Follow the manufacturer’s recommended wattage range for your coil. Using too low of a wattage with high VG can lead to under-vaporization, while going too high can burn the juice and gunk the coil.
• Allow Time Between Puffs: Chain vaping with high VG can outpace the coil’s ability to wick. Taking short breaks between hits gives the cotton time to re-saturate and prevents overheating.
• Clean or Replace Coils Regularly: VG builds up residue faster than PG. Clean your coils (if they’re rebuildable) or replace pre-built ones more frequently to maintain performance.
• Avoid Cold Weather: VG becomes even thicker in low temperatures. If you’re vaping outdoors during colder months, your juice may wick even slower, increasing the risk of coil burnout.

High VG juices can absolutely damage certain vape coils — but only if those coils aren’t designed to handle thicker liquids. Using high VG with small, high-resistance coils, pod systems, or unprepared setups can lead to dry hits, gunk buildup, poor flavor, and shortened coil life.

However, when paired with the right coil type — especially mesh or low-resistance sub-ohm coils — high VG juices perform beautifully, delivering big clouds and smooth draws.

To protect your hardware and get the best possible vaping experience, always match your e-liquid to your coil and device. With the right combination, high VG can be a cloud-chaser’s dream — not a coil’s nightmare.