Mixing DIY vape juice at home can be a great way to experiment with new flavours and fine-tune your vaping experience to your preferences.
However, it’s important to be clued up on DIY e-liquid safety before you get started. In this guide, we will take beginners through everything they need to know about safely making their own e-liquid.
What is Vape Juice and How is it Made?
Vape juice is the liquid inside your vaping device that usually contains flavours and nicotine. To vape, the e-liquid must be heated by the coils, which turns it into vapour that the user breathes in through the mouthpiece.
The ingredients of vape liquid include:
Base Liquid
The base liquid of your vape juice is a mixture of vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). The ratio used will determine the type of vaping experience you have.
Homemade vape juice with a high VG ratio gives a smoother throat hit and high cloud production. The liquid will be thicker and is better suited to sub-ohm systems and DTL vaping.
A high PG ratio will have less cloud production. However, it will have a stronger throat hit and flavour. These e-liquids are better used in pod kits and low-powered starter kits.
Investing in a good supply of VG and PG base mix when you make homemade e-liquid will ensure you always have the essential components at hand. Note: these bottles contain only VG OR PG, so you’ll need to buy one of each.
Nicotine
Nicotine is an optional ingredient of e-juice. UK regulations limit the nicotine strength to 20 mg per ml for pre-made e-liquids. Making your own allows you more freedom in deciding how much nicotine you want to add. However, it’s important to remember that 20mg is already quite a high amount, so be careful that you don’t add more nicotine than your body can handle!
To get your desired nicotine content, you can buy either a nicotine e-liquid base or a nicotine-free base liquid and then add nicotine shots to achieve your preferred strength.
Freebase nicotine nic shots typically deliver a harsher nicotine hit. Nic salt shots are a great option for people looking for a smoother vaping experience.
Vape Juice Flavour Concentrate
The next ingredient is your vape juice flavour concentrate. Always ensure the flavour concentrates you use in your homemade e-liquids are designed for vaping. Do not use essential oils during vape juice DIY projects.
Benefits of DIY Vape Juice
Being able to make large batches of homemade vape juice is a great benefit in itself. Large volumes of homemade vape liquid save you from having to regularly order more and minimises the risk of running out. Creating e-juice in large volumes can also offer great value for money.
You won’t be restricted by bottle size or nicotine level regulations. You can also explore a wide world of wonderful flavours by becoming an expert mixologist.
Finally, you will have the power to tailor your e-juice to your preferred vaping method with the precise ratio of VG to PG you prefer. Having complete control over your vaping experience is something that many vapers desire.
Safety Precautions when Making Vape Juice at Home
- Protective clothing and eyewear are recommended, especially when working with nicotine.
- Only use supplies designed for vape juice mixing. Having the necessary vaping DIY supplies on hand will stop you from taking shortcuts that can affect the production of safe e-liquid.
- You must ensure that the ingredients you plan to use are designed to be vaped. Only food-grade ingredients should be used, and all types of oil should be avoided.
- Storing DIY e-liquids and ingredients correctly is essential. Keeping them in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight should prolong their potential expiration dates.
Equipment and Ingredients Needed for DIY Vape Juice
The following equipment is required to make vape juice:
Storage Bottles
Having a selection of nozzle-tipped squeeze bottles for your base liquid will make adding them simple. Using a soft plastic bottle makes it much easier to use.
Vape Juice Bottles
Using large e-liquid bottles for storing your finished batch will help to protect it and allow for long-term storage solutions.
Using a glass or plastic bottle to see the DIY juice can help identify degradation over time.
Sticky Labels
Labelling your plastic or glass bottles of e-liquids is advisable. Use sticky labels to clearly explain the contents and production dates.
Syringes
If you are measuring your e-liquid ingredients by volume, using a selection of 10 to 30-mL syringes is useful. 14-gauge needles are great for working with thicker concentrations of base liquids.
Scales
If you plan to measure your ingredients by weight, invest in an electronic scale for accurate results.
Ingredients
The ingredients required to make e-juice have already been covered in detail. These include:
- A base liquid made up of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine
- Flavour Concentrate
- Nicotine (Optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Own Vape Juice
Step 1: Preparation
Gather all the equipment and ingredients you need to make the process easier.
You should ensure you also have protective eyewear and gloves, as well as a kitchen towel in case of spills.
Step 2: Measurements
Measure the ingredients required for your vape juice. Either follow the recipe for your desired e-liquid or use a vape juice calculator to determine the correct measurements.
Step 3: Base Mixture
Use syringes or a scale to measure your desired VG/PG ratio for your base liquid. This should then be added to the bottle or beaker you are using to mix your liquid.
Step 4: Flavour
After creating your base liquid, you will need to add the flavouring. Use a vape calculator to determine how much flavour to add.
Vape juice with 5% flavouring will be relatively subtle. 20% is about as strong as you should go before it gets too sweet or strong.
Step 5: Nicotine
This step is optional. If you add nicotine, it is important you use a vape juice calculator to get the specific amount for your desired strength.
Step 6: Mix & Store
Now all your ingredients have been added you must stir the liquid, so it has completely mixed together. You can then transfer it to a storage bottle and label it.
Step 7: Steep
The steeping process allows the liquid to improve and produce a more enjoyable vaping experience. Storing it in a dark room with a cool temperature for around 4 to 5 days is typically sufficient.
Conclusion
Learning how to make vape juice offers the freedom to explore different flavours and strengths. It can be a lot of fun and a great way to tailor your vaping experience to your preferences.
However, you always must follow safety precautions while making your own e-liquid for your own safety and to guarantee a successful blend.
If you have any vape-related questions, contact us today. Our team of experts will be happy to help.