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How to mix e-liquid? Variants and procedures

Warning: In no way do we encourage or support smoking or nicotine addiction. If you are a non-smoker, do not start. Nicotine is extremely addictive. This article is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. 

VG/PG ratio

Each e-liquid is made up of a basic component - the base. This liquid is colourless and odourless and consists of two raw materials, namely monopropylene glycol (PG) and food grade glycerin (VG). These ingredients can be combined in different proportions. The PG/VG ratio determines the density of the base. This means that the higher the proportion of VG in the base, the denser it will be. A liquid with a higher VG content produces a denser smoke and is generally used in more powerful equipment.

When selecting a base, always pay attention to the VG/PG composition. VG is much more viscous, so a maximum of 50% is appropriate for devices that use the MTL ("mouth-to-lung") method of vaping. Sub-ohm vaporizers can have VG contents of up to 70%. Each base contains the corresponding information, e.g. 70/30 (VG/PG), which means that it contains 70 % VG and 30 % PG. If the label is 50/50, it means 50 % VG and 50 % PG.

Table of VG/PG ratios and their characteristics

 
VG/PG ratio Characteristics
50/50 Excellent taste, lower vapour density
70/30 Pleasant taste and solid steam production
80/20 Stronger steam, less pronounced flavour
30/70 Strong flavour but less intense steam

 

Self-mixing liquids

To mix your own liquid, you need:

  • A base or booster (or both), with 70 VG / 30 PG being suitable for more powerful low resistance vaporizers using the DL vaping method, and 50 VG / 50 PG for higher resistance devices using the MTL vaping style.
  • Flavour (aroma).
  • Refill bottle as required.
  • Syringe - can be used for easier drawing of thicker e-liquids/base.
  • Protective gloves.
  • Paper wipes.

How to proceed? You need to calculate the ratios of each ingredient to drops. Then mix the specific ingredients according to the desired ratios into the vial using a pipette or dropper. A syringe can be used to determine the exact amount of ingredients to make the job easier.

  • Pour approximately half of the prepared base into the vial.
  • Add a flavouring, or a combination if necessary.
  • Cap the bottle and shake the liquids.
  • Top up the remaining base to the desired amount and shake thoroughly again.

To achieve a specific nicotine strength, a calculator can be used to calculate the ingredients needed, which can be found at most e-liquid and e-cigarette retailers on their websites. 

Done, now what?

If you have finished mixing the liquid, leave all the ingredients at room temperature for 24-48 hours. After that, the liquid needs to mature in a dry, dark and cool place, such as the refrigerator. This will allow the substances in the liquid to break down and develop its flavour. The ageing time depends on the manufacturer and the specific flavour. In general, tobacco flavours need a week, sweet dessert flavours need about a month.

Ideal for beginners: „Shake & Vape“ – shortfill variant

This technique translates as "shake and vape". This is the easiest type of product to prepare liquid, so it is suitable for beginners. You buy the whole kit - a flavoured bottle into which you pour just the base or booster. 

For example, a 60 ml bottle (shortfill) containing 10 ml of flavour is included. Subsequently, you need to purchase a 50 ml base with the desired density and nicotine and add the flavour bottle. After adding the base to the bottle, a 60 ml liquid is created, which is shaken for 1 minute, and vaping can start straight away. This technique is also called "shortfill flavouring".

Classic flavours sometimes need to be left to mature for up to a month, but with this method you can start inhaling straight away. For some, a few days is sufficient.  

In addition to the classic "Shake and Vape" e-liquid mixing, the "Shake and Vape liquid" technique can also be used. This means e.g. 50ml of filtered liquid without nicotine in a 60ml bottle, to which a 10ml dose of nicotine (nicotine shot) is added. How to do it?  

Follow the necessary calculation to get the final nicotine liquid. For example, a 50ml shake and vape liquid needs to be mixed in a 60ml bottle in the way shown in the table below.

„Shake and Vape liquid“ table – nicotine dosage

 

Nicotine Amount of nicotine added Total amount in final liquid Total volume of liquid
18/20 mg/ml 10 ml approx. 3 mg/ml 60 ml
12 mg/ml 10 ml approx. 2 mg/ml 60 ml
6 mg/ml 10 ml approx. 1 mg/ml 60 ml
 

This method of mixing liquids provides users with the following advantages:

  • No need to wait for the maturation period.
  • There is no need to wait for the maturation period to mature.
  • Mixing is easy.

The disadvantage for the user may be that a maximum of 3 mg/ml of nicotine can be achieved in the finished liquid.

 

Easy to mix e-liquid „Shake & Vape“ – longfill flavour variant 

The "Shake and Vape" mixing variant with so-called longfill flavours contains a large empty bottle. You only add the flavouring to the large bottle and top up with the desired base. The flavours are dosed to match each other. This method is also suitable for beginners.

For example, if a longfill flavour is labelled 10/120, it contains 10ml of flavour and a 120ml bottle. This means that you need to add 110ml of base to get a finished liquid that has a volume of 120ml. If the flavour is labelled 20/60, you will need to add 40ml to get 60ml.

If you want to add nicotine, use the online calculator to calculate.

CBD liquid mixing

When CBD liquid is inhaled, the vapour goes directly into the lungs where it enters the bloodstream through the lung chutes, making this the highest bioavailability method of CBD use. What does this mean? During vaporization , the body is able to use CBD easily and efficiently, even though it is a lower dose. The effectiveness is greater than oral use because the substance does not have to pass through the digestive tract. Unlike THC, CBD does not have psychoactive properties. Therefore, if you inhale CBD, you will not be on a high.

When taking CBD capsules or oils , the bioavailability is around 20 %, whereas when inhaled it is more than 50 % and the effects take effect almost immediately.

To prepare a CBD liquid blend you need:

  • Based on 
  • CBD booster (nicotine free)
  • Flavor (aroma)
  • Bottle with cap
  • Pipette/cap or syringe 
  • Protective gloves
  • Paper wipes

CBD booster contains CBD in different strengths, namely 100-1,000 mg CBD, and can be found at cannabis retailers. It is a liquid that has no taste and is not meant to be vaped alone. CBD booster can be diluted in a homemade blend of neutral base and concentrated flavors or in a flavored e-liquid without nicotine. 

Procedure:

  • Fill the vial with approximately half the volume of the base.
  • Add flavourings - can be combined, but keep the final amount in the same proportion to the base.
  • Close the bottle and shake well.
  • Top up the bottle with a dose of booster.
  • Close the bottle again and shake it.

Allow to mature at room temperature for 3-7 days for optimum flavour development. Want to save time? We offer liquids such as Euphoria CBD E-Liquid Silver Haze with 100mg CBD in a 10ml size, Harmony CBD Liquid Original Hemp with 30-600mg CBD in a 10ml size or Kanavape CBD with 500-1,000mg in a 10ml size in various natural v různých přírodních terpenes that you just need to add to the cartridge.

 

The benefits of mixing

Why do users actually choose to mix their own liquids? One of the undeniable advantages is cost savings. Another advantage is the individual approach, i.e. mixing your own e-liquid according to your requirements with a wide range of bases and your own nicotine content. Liquids are often prepared in 3-4 different nicotine strengths, where they are usually mixed with a base that is 50% VG and 50% PG.

What to avoid

Only use products from vetted suppliers every time. Avoid home-made ingredients, don't risk your health or your equipment.

Always buy flavourings only from specialist shops, as only there can you be sure that the flavour you purchase is suitable for use in an e-cigarette/vaporizer. Never use flavours that contain oil.

If you use too much flavour when mixing e-liquid, the final liquid will have an unpleasant taste. "The more the merrier." Follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage when mixing. If you're new to this, you can get advice directly from a brick-and-mortar store.

Conclusion

NMixing your own e-liquid is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. For beginners, the most suitable technique is the "Shake & Vape" technique, where you simply fill the bottle with the necessary ingredients, shake it and get right down to vaping. Sellers of e-liquids and e-cigarettes often have online calculators on their websites that can be used for calculations. In any case, buy only from verified vendors.

 

Photo: Shutterstock

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