DIY E-liquid Creation: A Comprehensive Guide for Experienced Vapers

Vaping has become a popular alternative to traditional smoking, and making your own vape juice allows for customization and cost savings. Making your vape liquid, also known as DIY e-liquid, is not only possible but also quite straightforward with the right ingredients and equipment. Whether you're looking to experiment with flavours, save money, or have more control over what you're inhaling, DIY vape juice offers flexibility and customization.

In this guide, we'll explore the process of creating your vape liquid, including ingredients, methods, and safety considerations.

Mastering the Mix: Essential Ingredients and Tools for DIY E-Liquid

In the simplest terms, making your own e-liquid involves mixing together the main elements that make up e-juice: base liquid of PG and VG, nicotine, and flavor concentrates. You don’t necessarily need all of these, for instance, if you prefer your e-liquid to be nicotine-free or even unflavored. This might all seem overwhelming, but it’s not as bad as you might think. You don’t need advanced knowledge of chemistry. If you can make a cocktail, you can make your own vape juice.

For the simplest way to make vape juice, give this a try:

• Visit an online DIY vape shop (like Ecigexpress, Wizardlabs, etc).
• Get some VG and PG (or get a bottle of pre-made base); get at least 100 mL of each (which should barely be more than a few dollars).
• Add a few 50 mL plastic bottles and a couple of plastic pipettes to your cart.
• Have a look at the DIY vape juice flavorings and pick a few that appeal to you.
• When you get your package, use the pipettes to drip about 10-20 drops of flavoring into one of your empty bottles.
• Fill your bottle up to the middle with PG and the rest with VG.
• Shake and set aside for a few hours to let the bubbles settle.
• Try your vape juice, and adjust to taste.

Calculating Nicotine Strength and Flavor Ratios

• Give your recipe a name

Start by specifying the name of your recipe.

• Amount to Produce

Start by specifying the volume of e-liquid you aim to produce in milliliters (ml). You can adjust this quantity at any stage of your e-juice recipe creation. 100ml is a good starting point, with this, 1% = 1ml and makes for a relatively easy mix throughout.

• VG/PG Liquid Ratio

Select your preferred VG/PG ratio. This balance is crucial for achieving the appropriate liquid for your vaping device, MTL liquids are generally mixed around 50VG/50PG, whilst DTL liquids have a higher VG proportion such as 80VG/20PG.

• Nicotine Strength

Define the required nicotine strength that you would like to make your DIY e-juice into (mg). MTL users typically use higher Nicotine levels such as 20mg/18mg/12mg/9mg. While DTL users typically have much lower levels of Nicotine, such as 3mg/6mg. If you do not require Nicotine, please leave this section blank.

• Nicotine Base Strength/Ratio

Firstly specify which strength Nicotine you will be using. Most Nicotine Shots are either 18mg or 20mg, while for professional use 72mg is most common , Then specify which Nicotine Base (PG or VG) you will be using in your Mix. Most will be either 100% VG or PG, but some Salts are 70/30. Please check bottle for details.

• Flavour Concentrate

Add the flavour concentrates of your choice. These will be represented as percentages in your final e-juice recipe. Most One Shots are designed for use at 20%. We recommend starting at this point for any new mixes, adjusting accordingly thereafter. Or build your own complex recipe, with the ability to add as many flavours as you would like.

• Results

Once you've input all details, our calculator will display the measurements for your e-liquid in both ml and percentages. Follow these guidelines to concoct your very own DIY vape juice blend, but don’t forget to save or print!

After Crafting Your E-Liquid: Your Next Steps Unveiled!

Labelling: As soon as your e-juice blend is complete, be diligent in labeling it with the VG/PG ratio, nicotine content, flavor percentages, and the date it was mixed. Many newcomers to mixing overlook this crucial step, only to later stumble upon an unbeatable mix with no means to replicate it. Avoid this common pitfall by making labeling an integral part of your mixing process.

Steeping: Steeping is a process that allows the vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), and flavor concentrates in e-liquid to blend together into a uniform mix. Similar to aging wine, steeping helps to evaporate, chemically breakdown, and infuse the flavors, PG, VG, and nicotine in order to enhance the taste. This results in reduced or removed off-notes, chemical tastes, harshness, and balanced flavors.

Testing: After giving your e-juice ample time to steep, the exciting moment to savor your creation arrives. For the purest taste experience, opt for a high-quality dripper or rebuildable atomizer over a standard tank. This choice not only provides a clearer sense of your juice's flavor profile but also conserves coils from the fate of less successful experiments, enabling swift transitions between different flavors for testing. Keep in mind, the nuances of resistance and temperature play a pivotal role in flavor perception. Dive into the testing phase with an open mind and ready palate to fully explore the spectrum of your e-liquid's taste.

Preservation Tip: To maintain the integrity of your e-juice, shield it from the degrading effects of sunlight, heat, and air by storing it in a cool, dark spot. Additionally, prioritize safety by keeping your homemade blends well out of pets' and children's reach. This ensures both the longevity of your e-juice and the safety of your household.

Unlocking Advantages: The Benefits of DIY E-Liquid Creation

Buying many e-liquid bottles may cost you a lot in the long run. Moreover, you are less likely to use them all as you may have a few favourites that you’ll use more, and others not. Instead, choosing a few basic vape juice bottles and learning how to create new flavours will result in different combinations that you'll enjoy. The cost of the blend may also depend on the nicotine strength you're looking for. However, it'll still be more efficient when making your own blends.

When you make your own recipes, you'll realise this is a rewarding part of DIY e-liquid creation. Making a basic mix can be a great and exciting activity for beginners. If you aren't new to vaping, making your custom vaping blends will reignite your vaping pleasure.. You'll experience joy once you get down to perfecting flavours with unique tastes that will create something no else has ever experienced before. You may also boast off your creations among your friends.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the journey into DIY e-liquid creation is not just about mixing ingredients; it's about embracing a full-scale customization of your vaping experience. The cost-effectiveness paired with the ability to control and fine-tune every drop of e-liquid ensures that both novices and seasoned vapers can enjoy high-quality results tailored precisely to their tastes and needs. As you master the craft, each batch becomes a reflection of your evolving palate and expertise.

Moreover, the DIY approach fosters a deeper connection to the vaping community, sharing recipes, techniques, and experiences that enrich everyone involved. Whether you're seeking to perfect your personal all-day vape or experimenting with new and exciting flavor combinations, the world of DIY e-liquid is a creatively rewarding space that offers endless possibilities. Embrace the mixer's journey, and let your creativity lead the way to exceptional vaping experiences.