The Benefits of Making Your Own Vape Juice: A Complete DIY E-Liquid Guide
With thousands of e-liquid flavours available on the market, many experienced vapers eventually find themselves craving something more personalised. That’s where DIY vape juice comes in. Creating your own e-liquid is not only easier than you might think, but it also offers full control over flavour, nicotine strength, and VG/PG ratios—all while saving you money in the long run.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the benefits of making your own vape juice, what you’ll need, how to mix, and key tips to perfect your homemade blend.
Why Make Your Own Vape Juice?
- Custom Flavours: Mix and match flavour concentrates to create your own signature e-liquid.
- Nicotine Control: Choose your exact nicotine strength—or make it nicotine-free.
- Save Money: DIY e-liquid is more cost-effective, especially if you vape regularly.
- Tailored VG/PG Ratios: Adjust your VG/PG mix to suit your device and vaping style.
- Creative Freedom: Enjoy the satisfaction of crafting something unique to your taste.
What Do You Need to Make DIY E-Liquid?
Here’s a breakdown of the essential ingredients and equipment:
- Base Liquid (VG & PG).
Your base mix typically contains Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG). You can buy them pre-mixed (e.g., 50VG/50PG or 70VG/30PG), or purchase VG and PG separately to customise your own ratio.
🔹 Tip: Choose high-quality VG/PG for better flavour and vapor production.
2. Flavour Concentrates
These determine how your e-liquid will taste. From fruity blends to dessert-inspired profiles, you can combine multiple concentrates for a complex flavour or follow tried-and-tested DIY recipes online.
🔹 Popular Categories: Fruit, candy, menthol, tobacco, bakery, and beverage flavours.
3. Nicotine Shots (Optional)
Nicotine is not essential but can be added using nicotine shots. These are typically available in 10ml bottles and various strengths.
⚠️ Always wear gloves when handling nicotine, and store it safely out of reach of children and pets.
4. E-Liquid Bottles
Use PET or LDPE-grade plastic bottles in sizes like 30ml or 100ml. These are durable, squeeze-friendly, and won’t degrade when storing e-liquid.
🔹 Consider dark-coloured bottles for nicotine to extend shelf life.
5. Labels
Clearly label each bottle with:
- Flavour name
- VG/PG ratio
- Nicotine strength
- Date of creation
This helps track steeping time and avoid confusion when testing multiple blends.
6. Gloves & Safety Gear
Protect your skin from strong concentrates and nicotine by using disposable gloves.
7. Pipettes, Syringes, or Measuring Cylinders
For precise measurement when mixing by volume.
8. Digital Scale (If Mixing by Weight)
Use a scale with at least 0.01g precision for accuracy and easier cleanup. Mixing by weight is often cleaner and more efficient.
9. E-Liquid Calculator
A reliable DIY vape juice calculator (like E-liquid Recipes) will calculate the exact quantities of each ingredient based on your target volume and percentages.
10. Kitchen Roll or Wipes
Accidents happen. Keep paper towels or wipes handy for spills and cleanup.
Ingredients to Avoid in DIY Vape Juice
Not everything that smells good should be vaped. Avoid these at all costs:
- Essential oils: Can cause lipoid pneumonia.
- Household products: Never add scented cleaning agents or non-food-safe flavourings.
- Unregulated ingredients: Only use vape-specific concentrates from reputable suppliers.
- High-strength nicotine (above 18mg): Stick to TPD-compliant nicotine shots.
Choosing the Right VG/PG Ratio
The VG/PG blend affects everything from flavour to vapor production,
🔹 Device Compatibility: Use higher VG with high-powered or sub-ohm devices. Higher PG works better with low-wattage kits.
How to Mix DIY E-Liquid: Two Methods
1. Mixing by Volume (ml)
You’ll need syringes or pipettes to measure each component:
- Add flavour concentrate(s).
- Add VG/PG base.
- Add nicotine shot.
- Cap the bottle and shake thoroughly.
2. Mixing by Weight (grams)
Using a digital scale:
- Place your bottle on the scale and tare.
- Add each ingredient by weight, taring after each.
- Shake well once all ingredients are added.
Advanced Tips for DIY Vape Juice
- Steeping
Letting your e-liquid sit for a few days to weeks helps flavours mature and blend, especially for dessert and tobacco flavours. - Testing
Always test your new juice on a clean coil and reliable device to assess the flavour accurately. - Storage
Store your DIY vape juice in a cool, dark place away from sunlight, heat, and air exposure. - Start Small
Begin with smaller 10ml test batches before scaling up to avoid wasting ingredients. - Use Online Tools
Leverage free resources like YouTube tutorials, Reddit communities, and online recipe databases.
Ready to Start Mixing?
Making your own vape juice is a fun, creative, and cost-effective way to enhance your vaping experience. Whether you're looking to replicate your favourite flavours or create something totally new, the DIY route puts you in complete control.
Shop our full range of:
- High-quality VG/PG base liquids
- Delicious flavour concentrates
- Easy-to-use nicotine shots
- DIY tools and starter kits
Start experimenting today and find your perfect vape flavour!