How to Make Your Own E-Liquid?

When it comes to vaping, individuality and personalisation are valued as much as great taste and variety. Whether you’re new to vaping or have been at it for a while, you’ll likely find yourself thinking, “I wish I could find a flavour that tastes like…” or perhaps, “I wonder if I could create something myself that’s just as good as…” Discovering a vape you enjoy is challenging and this is why there’s always an opportunity to make your own version. The art of making e-liquid offers you the opportunity to customise your experience to perfection.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the essential ingredients, the required equipment, safety precautions and the meticulous mixing guide from our vaping experts here at NZVAPOR.

Ingredients Needed for Your DIY E-Liquid

Creating your e-liquid masterpiece begins with understanding and acquiring the right ingredients and tools. Let’s delve deeper into each component:

Base Liquids:

Vegetable Glycerin (VG): Known for its thickness, VG contributes to vapour production and adds sweetness to your e-liquid. Opt for high-quality, food-grade VG.

Propylene Glycol (PG): This thinner liquid enhances flavour delivery and carries nicotine efficiently. Select pharmaceutical-grade PG to ensure purity.

The majority of e-liquids contain a combination of both PG and VG, presented as a ratio. Common ratios include 70/30, 50/50, or 30/70. Flavour concentrates are usually diluted with PG, which is why you often see Max VG in the description instead of 100% VG. While both PG and VG are suitable for vaping, experimenting with different ratios, especially if you’re just starting, is recommended to find what suits your preferences.

Flavour Concentrates:

The world of flavour concentrates is vast. Explore various options, including fruits, desserts, menthol, and tobacco. High-quality, concentrated flavourings are essential for a rich and satisfying taste in your vape juice flavour. Make sure you opt for reputable brands to ensure high-quality and safe flavourings. Research customer reviews and testimonials for insights into flavour potency and authenticity.

Nicotine:

This can be regular nicotine or nicotine salt. Consider your nicotine tolerance and preference for a smoother hit. You can even omit this as it’s totally optional.

Different strengths cater to various preferences. Beginners may start with lower concentrations (3-6mg), while experienced vapers might go for higher strengths.

Additional Tools:

Graduated Cylinders: Essential for precise measurements, graduated cylinders come in various sizes to accommodate different batch sizes.

Mixing Bowls: Non-reactive mixing bowls prevent unwanted chemical reactions that may alter the composition of your e-liquid.

Syringes or Pipettes: These tools ensure accurate dispensing of nicotine and flavour concentrates, critical for maintaining consistency across batches.

Gloves: Gloves play a crucial role in the DIY process, serving as a valuable safeguard for your skin against spillages. Given that nicotine can be absorbed through the skin, it’s essential to always protect your hands. Go for powder-free and chemical-resistant gloves to avoid contaminating your liquid and to ensure your safety.

Ingredients to Avoid When Creating Vape Juice

Creating a safe and enjoyable vape juice involves steering clear of ingredients that may compromise your vaping experience. Here’s a closer look:

Unsafe flavourings:

Compounds like Diacetyl and Acetyl Propionyl pose risks when inhaled. Choose diacetyl-free and acetyl-propionyl-free flavourings to prioritise your respiratory health. Also, stay away from adding essential oils or any other type of oils.

Low-Quality Nicotine:

The source of your nicotine significantly influences the overall quality of your e-liquid. Choose an accredited vape shop known for its commitment to purity and safety standards.

Safety Precautions

Protective Gear:

As mentioned above, always wear gloves and safety glasses to shield your skin and eyes from nicotine exposure. While nicotine in e-liquid is diluted, handling concentrated nicotine requires caution.

Consider using a well-fitted apron to prevent accidental spills, especially when handling nicotine solutions.

Ventilation is Key:

Work in a well-ventilated area to disperse concentrated fumes and promote a safe working environment. Consider using a dedicated workspace with good airflow to minimize exposure.

Secure Nicotine Storage:

Store nicotine in a cool, dark place. Nicotine is sensitive to light and heat, so proper storage ensures its stability.

Keep away from pets and children to prevent accidental ingestion. Consider storing nicotine in a locked cabinet or a designated area.

The Recipe

Finally, here are the instructions for creating vape juice. The critical aspect of the recipe lies in its reproducibility. If you create a blend you love, ensuring that you can recreate it is essential! Achieving the perfect flavour might not happen on your first try, and it could take several attempts to get it just right. The keys to making your formula reproducible are correct notes and precise measurements. Detailed notes will also assist you in revisiting previous versions as you explore new variations. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Measure your Vape Fluids

Start by determining how much vape liquid you want to make today. Consider the desired nicotine strength and whether you prefer a thin PG vape juice or a thicker VG one.

Before you begin, ensure you have a vape juice calculator open. Numerous calculators are available for download or can be accessed through a web browser. These calculators typically have fields for various information, including your intended volume, nicotine strength, VG/PG ratio, and more. Simply input these values, and the calculator will provide you with the precise amounts of each fluid you’ll need.

Gradual Introduction of Ingredients

Start with Base Liquids: Begin by combining your VG and PG base liquids in the desired ratio (You can use the calculation results you just made!). This ratio affects the viscosity, throat hit, and overall feel of your e-liquid.

Add Nicotine Gradually: Introduce nicotine with care, adjusting to achieve the desired strength. The nicotine strength should be considered about the overall volume of vape juice you’re making. A gradual approach allows you to fine-tune your recipe according to your nicotine preference. For instance, adding a single 10ml shot of 18mg nicotine solution to 50mls will result in 60mls at 3mg. However, if you’re aiming for 180ml at 3mg, you’d need to add 3 of those 10ml shots to 150ml.

Flavour Concentrates: Then, incorporate flavour concentrates slowly, tasting and adjusting as needed.

Thorough Mixing:

Use a stirring rod or magnetic mixer to ensure an even distribution of ingredients. Proper mixing is crucial for a consistent flavour profile and nicotine dispersion.

Vigorous shaking of the e-liquid post-mixing helps in homogenisation. Allow your e-liquid to sit for a short period after mixing to minimise air bubbles and promote a smoother vaping experience.

Steep for flavour Enhancement:

Allow your e-liquid to steep for a recommended period so that the flavours can meld and mature. Steeping involves letting your vape juice sit in a controlled environment, typically in a dark, cool place, to enhance flavour complexity.

Consider using dark glass bottles to protect the e-liquid from light exposure during steeping. Transparent bottles may allow UV light to degrade certain flavour compounds.

Craft, Experiment, and Savour the Satisfaction of DIY Vape Liquid

Making your e-liquid is a deeply satisfying journey that allows you to tailor your vaping experience to perfection. By following our comprehensive guide, you’ll unlock a world of flavours and customisation. Create, explore, and enjoy the satisfaction of vaping your very own masterpiece. Happy crafting!

Shop for your DIY E-Liquid Kits at NZVAPOR

Embark on your DIY vaping journey with NZVAPOR’s exceptional DIY vape juice kits. These kits have been designed by world-renowned brands to cater to both beginners and experienced mixologists. This includes high-quality ingredients, and an extensive selection of flavour concentrates to suit every palate. Enjoy the convenience of creating your vape juice without compromising on quality.Need assistance or advice on your DIY journey? Our customer support team is always ready to help. Whether you’re a beginner seeking guidance or an experienced vaper with specific queries, we’re here to answer all your questions with regards to buying vapes, liquids, accessories and more.