I recently was on the SSA website for usage % when I noticed that some of the new concentrates, such as Margarita Cocktail have no PG or Ethanol. They are using Triacetin as the carrier liquid.
I’ve seen the few posts over on VU regarding this, but the opinions seem to greatly vary. Flavor makers say that it’s GRAS (generally regarded as safe), but DIYers seemed to be more cautious of its use due to its lower flashpoint than PG (I believe it’s something like 155 degrees vs 186).
Does anyone here have any experience using flavors with Triacetin as the carrier? Is there anything I should be wary of beyond what I may have already read? Is it safe to vape, or not?
This Margarita is plenty strong at 1.5-2% in a mix, but as the carrier is Triacetin, wouldn’t that be quite a bit of it in my mix? Opposed to day using a drop or two of MTS Vape Wizard, which is made to smooth things out, but that compound is approximately 90% PG with 10% Triacetin. Wouldn’t the Margarita be the other way around? 90% Triacetin and 10% Flavor?
TL;DR I guess what I’m trying to ask is, if it is safe to have approx. 2-3% Triacetin in a mix? Sorry for babbling.
Triacetin is derived from VG and is used as a carrier instead of PG for some flavors like Honeysuckle and Cherry Blossom from Flavour Arts. Triacetin is believed to be the agent that causes plastic tanks to crack. Use it with caution and only use in metal and glass tanks unless the plastic tank is the newer triacetin resistant plastic. It is considered safe for consumption and used as a food additive. vaping it should not be a problem either but it seems to not like plastic much.
The triglyceride 1,2,3-triacetoxypropane is more generally known as triacetin and glycerin triacetate. It is the triester of glycerol and acetic acid, and is the second simplest fat after triformin.
It is an artificial chemical compound, commonly used as a food additive, for instance as a solvent in flavourings, and for its humectant function, with E number E1518 and Australian approval code A1518. Triacetin is also a component of casting liquor with TG and as an excipient in pharmaceutical products where it is used as a humectant, a plasticizer, and as a solvent.
Triacetin can also be used as a fuel additive as an antiknock agent which can reduce engine knocking in gasoline, and to improve cold and viscosity properties of biodiesel.
In a 1994 report released by five top cigarette companies, triacetin was listed as one of the 599 cigarette additives. The triacetin is applied to the filter as a plasticizer.
It has been considered as a possible source of food energy in artificial food regeneration systems on long space missions. It is believed to be safe to get over half of one’s dietary energy from triacetin.
How much is safe in a vape? That probably is yet to be determined…
Thanks @Rocky02852 ! That plastic info is quite useful, as at the moment I was vaping on a citadel with the plastic “air space reducer” thing still in it, and a PE top cap. Will maybe remove the plastic part and switch to the OG (ss316) top cap when vaping this mix.
Same topic, kind of, but just wanted to add that the SSA Watermelon Bubblegum is really good. It also contains Triacetin as a carrier, but as an addition to the PG. I think it’s made out of the compounds in SSA Sweet WM + MB Bubble Gum. At least that’s what it tastes like to me, so if you have those two, this one is unnecessary.
@IggyZ I don’t know how that would work as a carrier. Last time I checked Triacetin was used as an emulsifier, and it was also used in “Smooth” “Magic Mask”, and other enhancers, and it worked by numbing some of your flavor receptors. Taking the rough edges off a mix is one thing, but to use it as a base carrier ??
Could be that these flavors are harsher with PG so they used Triacetin. Im not sure why they would use Triacetin . Triacetin isnt new as a flavor carrier just something we arent use to.
@IggyZ how arr the flavors ?? How do they hold up over a steep ? Can you add one of the flavors into an existing recjpe and see what it does?
one of the most popular flavors that use Triacetin is TPA Whipped Cream and baded on the SDS we dont know what its used for so could be as a carrier in conjunction with the PG
Interesting… Triacetin is sometimes preferred over propylene glycol as a flavor carrier, particularly for fat-soluble flavors, because it’s a better solvent for these types of compounds and can improve the stability of flavors during baking and cooking.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Solubility:
Triacetin is a triester of glycerol and acetic acid, making it a good solvent for fat-soluble flavorings like essential oils, which can have limited solubility in propylene glycol.
Stability:
Triacetin can improve the stability of flavors that are “heat stressed” in baking and cooking, and it can also render flavorings dispersible in fat, making it suitable for use in chocolate.
Specific Applications:
Triacetin is used in chewing gum manufacturing to facilitate the addition of flavor, and it can be used in biscuit products to enhance the dispersal of flavors like vanillin.
Other Considerations:
Triacetin can become bitter at high dosages, so its use should be carefully considered.
While both are effective carriers, they have different solubility properties and applications, making one more suitable than the other in certain situations.
I think one thing we often forget is that these flavors we use are used in other industries and on a much larger scale.
I like the flavors. At least the two that I’ve tried so far.
The Margarita is absolutely superb, and that’s all Triacetin as the carrier.
The Watermelon Bubblegum, not so much. I get no watermelon at all, but the bubblegum part is tasty. This one has both PG and Triacetin as carriers.
I believe that Triacetin is used when PG or Ethanol don’t give a strong enough flavor. I read something similar about TPA honeysuckle, and a user said that the Triacetin version outright tastes better than the PG version. Unfortunately I only own the PG one, so i can’t say for myself.
But I do own every SSA melon, and the WMBG says that it’s the sweet watermelon mixed with their bubblegum flavor. I have the OG sweet watermelon, and I absolutely love it. But the Triacetin WMBG gives me no watermelon taste at all. Maybe Triacetin can be good in some flavors, but I’m not sure about its interaction with watermelon.
When I used WMBG in a mix, I got terrible results (IMO). The mix was as follows:
2.5% SSA Double WM
4% Cap Sweet WM
2% SSA WM BG
0.5% Cap Super Sweet
Off the shake, I got candied watermelons with a bit of bubble gum. After 7 days, the watermelon was completely overpowered by bubble gum. But I do have to say that the bubble gum flavor is really good. It’s like 1:1 to what I remember a Bazooka gum to taste like. You know, the ones with the little comic strip in the wrapper.
Re: using it in an old mix, I put 1% of WMBG into 10ml I had left of my SSA Melon mix, and 3 days later the melon has all but disappeared. All I taste is bubble gum. Will report back if this changes in a few days.
Triacetin (also known as glyceryl triacetate) is used in e-liquids for several reasons, primarily related to its properties as a solvent and its effects on vapor production and flavor delivery. Here’s why it’s commonly included:
1. Thickening Agent & Smooth Vapor Production
Triacetin is a slightly viscous liquid that helps create a smoother, denser vapor compared to just propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG).
It can enhance the mouthfeel of the vapor, making it feel richer.
2. Flavor Carrier & Enhancer
Like PG and VG, triacetin is a good solvent for flavorings.
Some flavor compounds dissolve better in triacetin than in PG or VG, improving flavor intensity and stability.
It’s particularly common in bakery, creamy, and dessert-flavored e-liquids because it helps carry rich, complex flavors.
3. Cloud Production (VG Alternative/Booster)
While VG is the main ingredient for thick vapor clouds, triacetin can contribute to increased vapor density without making the e-liquid overly thick (high-VG liquids can be too viscous for some coils).
4. Preservative & Stabilizer
Triacetin can help prevent flavor separation and extend shelf life by keeping ingredients well-mixed.
Safety Considerations
Triacetin is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for food use, but inhalation safety is less studied.
Some users report mild throat irritation or a slightly sweet aftertaste when triacetin is used in high concentrations.
At very high temperatures (e.g., in sub-ohm vaping), triacetin may break down into acetic acid, potentially causing a harsh or sour taste.
Controversy & Alternatives
Some vapers prefer PG/VG-only e-liquids due to concerns about long-term inhalation effects.
Certain manufacturers avoid triacetin, especially in pod systems or low-wattage devices, where it might not vaporize efficiently.
Conclusion
Triacetin is used in e-liquids mainly for better flavor delivery, smoother vapor, and improved texture, but its use depends on the formulation and device compatibility. If you experience irritation or odd tastes, you might try a triacetin-free e-liquid.
