Learn how to make vape juice easily at home with simple ingredients and clear steps. This guide covers everything you need to know to create your own custom e-liquids safely and effectively, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Making your own vape juice, often called e-liquid or e-juice, might seem a bit daunting at first. You see all sorts of flavors and nicotine strengths, and wonder if it’s really something you can do yourself. The good news is, it’s much simpler than you might think! With just a few key ingredients and some basic tools, you can start crafting your own delicious and satisfying vape liquids right in your kitchen. Forget confusing jargon and expensive pre-made bottles; we’re going to break down exactly how to make vape juice the easy, safe, and fun way. Get ready to discover a whole new world of flavor customization!
Why Make Your Own Vape Juice?
The world of vaping offers a vast array of flavors and nicotine levels, but sometimes finding exactly what you want can be a challenge. Or perhaps you’re looking for a more cost-effective way to enjoy your vaping habit. Making your own vape juice, or DIY e-liquid, unlocks a level of control and creativity that’s hard to match with store-bought options.
Cost Savings
One of the most significant advantages of making your own vape juice is the potential for substantial cost savings. When you break down the price of individual ingredients like propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavor concentrates, and nicotine, you’ll often find that creating your own e-liquid is considerably cheaper per milliliter than buying commercially produced juices. This is especially true if you are a regular vaper. While there’s an initial investment in supplies, the long-term savings can be quite impressive.
Flavor Customization
This is where the real fun begins! When you make your own vape juice, you become the flavor artist. You can mix and match from hundreds of available flavor concentrates to create unique blends that perfectly suit your palate. Want a strawberry cheesecake with a hint of menthol? Or a tropical fruit medley with a creamy finish? The possibilities are virtually endless. You’re not limited by what’s on the shelf; you can experiment and discover new favorite flavors that no one else has.
Control Over Ingredients
For many vapers, knowing exactly what goes into their e-liquid is paramount. By making your own, you have complete control over the quality and origin of your ingredients. You can choose high-purity USP/food-grade components and select flavor concentrates from reputable manufacturers known for their safety and quality standards. This can provide peace of mind, especially if you have concerns about specific ingredients or additives that might be present in some commercial e-liquids.
Nicotine Strength Control
Nicotine is a crucial component for many vapers, and controlling its concentration is vital for a satisfying experience. When you make your own vape juice, you can precisely measure and add nicotine to achieve your desired strength, whether it’s a strong hit or a mild dose. This allows for gradual reduction if you’re looking to wean off nicotine or simply maintain a consistent level that works for you. It’s important to handle nicotine responsibly, as it is a potent substance.
Essential Ingredients for Making Vape Juice
Creating your own vape juice requires a few core components. These are the building blocks that form the base of your e-liquid and carry the flavor. Understanding what each ingredient does is key to successful mixing.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
Propylene Glycol (PG) is a synthetic liquid that is nearly odorless and colorless. It’s a common ingredient in many food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, and is known for its ability to carry flavor concentrates well and produce a noticeable throat hit, which is the sensation felt in the back of the throat when inhaling vapor.
Purpose: Flavor carrier, throat hit.
Characteristics: Thin consistency, produces less vapor than VG.
Commonly found in: E-liquids, food flavorings, asthma inhalers.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a natural byproduct of soap making, derived from plant oils. It’s a thick, odorless, and colorless liquid that produces dense clouds of vapor and a smoother throat sensation. VG is often used to adjust the thickness of e-liquid and the amount of vapor produced.
Purpose: Vapor production, smoother throat hit.
Characteristics: Thick consistency, produces more vapor than PG.
Commonly found in: E-liquids, sweeteners, cosmetics.
Flavor Concentrates
These are the liquids that give your vape juice its taste. They are typically highly concentrated food-grade or tobacco-specific flavorings. Flavor concentrates come in an astonishing variety of profiles, from fruits and desserts to beverages and tobacco. Reputable suppliers offer a wide range of options, and it’s crucial to use concentrates specifically designed for vaping, as not all food flavorings are safe to inhale.
Purpose: To provide taste and aroma.
Characteristics: Highly concentrated, come in countless varieties.
Where to find: Specialized online vape shops and DIY e-liquid supply stores.
Nicotine Base (Optional)
For those who use nicotine, a nicotine base is essential. This is typically a solution of pure nicotine dissolved in either PG or VG, or a blend of both. Nicotine bases are available in various strengths, and it’s crucial to purchase from a reputable source that provides accurate concentration information. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and should be handled with extreme care, kept away from children and pets. Always use protective gloves when handling pure nicotine. You can learn more about nicotine safety from resources like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Purpose: To provide the nicotine effect.
Characteristics: Available in various strengths and bases (PG/VG).
Handling: Use protective gloves, store safely away from children and pets.
The Basic Ratio: PG/VG Mix
The ratio of Propylene Glycol (PG) to Vegetable Glycerin (VG) significantly impacts the vaping experience. Most e-liquids fall within a spectrum of ratios, each offering a different balance of throat hit, vapor production, and flavor intensity.
Here’s a general guide to common PG/VG ratios:
| PG/VG Ratio | Characteristics | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 80% PG / 20% VG | Strong throat hit, excellent flavor, less vapor. | Flavor chasers, those who prefer a stronger throat hit, mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices. |
| 70% PG / 30% VG | Balanced throat hit and vapor, good flavor. | Versatile, suitable for many devices and preferences. |
| 50% PG / 50% VG | Moderate throat hit, good vapor production, smooth. | Beginners, cloud chasers, sub-ohm devices, balanced experience. |
| 30% PG / 70% VG | Smooth throat hit, very dense vapor, slightly muted flavor. | Cloud chasers, sub-ohm devices, those sensitive to PG. |
| 0% PG / 100% VG | Extremely smooth, massive vapor clouds, very weak flavor. | Rarely used alone due to poor flavor and wicking issues; typically mixed. |
As a beginner, starting with a 50/50 or 60/40 PG/VG ratio is often recommended. This provides a good balance and is generally compatible with most vaping devices.
Essential Tools for DIY E-Liquid Mixing
While you don’t need a chemistry lab, having the right tools will make the process much smoother, safer, and more accurate.
1. Measuring Tools
Accuracy is key in DIY e-liquid mixing. You need to be precise with your measurements, especially when dealing with nicotine.
Syringes: These are indispensable for accurately measuring liquids. You’ll want a set of various sizes, typically plastic disposable ones. Glass syringes are also an option for more precise measurements, but plastic is generally sufficient and safer for beginners. Look for syringes with clear markings in milliliters (ml).
Pipettes: Similar to syringes, pipettes (especially graduated ones) can be very useful for adding small amounts of flavor concentrates.
Measuring Cups/Beakers: For larger volumes, small glass or plastic beakers with ml markings can be helpful.
2. Mixing Bottles
You’ll need clean, empty bottles to mix your e-liquid in and to store your finished product.
PET or Glass Bottles: Bottles made from PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) or glass are ideal. They should have secure, leak-proof caps. Many suppliers sell empty e-liquid bottles specifically for DIY mixing.
Size: Having a variety of sizes (e.g., 10ml, 30ml, 60ml, 120ml) is useful depending on how much you plan to mix at once.
3. Protective Gear
Safety first! Especially when handling nicotine.
Gloves: Disposable nitrile or latex gloves are essential to prevent skin contact with nicotine and flavor concentrates.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses or goggles are recommended to protect your eyes from splashes.
4. Other Useful Items
Paper Towels: For cleaning up spills.
Labels: To clearly label your finished bottles with the flavor, PG/VG ratio, nicotine strength, and date mixed.
Small Funnels: Can be helpful for transferring liquids into bottles without spills.
Digital Scale (Optional but Recommended): For advanced or highly precise mixing, a digital scale that measures to 0.01g can be more accurate than volume measurements, especially for nicotine.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Vape Juice
Now that you have your ingredients and tools, let’s get mixing! This guide focuses on a simple, volume-based mixing method, which is easiest for beginners.
Step 1: Decide on Your Recipe and Ratio
Before you start, you need a plan.
Flavor Profile: What kind of taste are you going for? Fruity, dessert, tobacco, menthol?
PG/VG Ratio: Choose a ratio that suits your preference and device (e.g., 50/50 for a balanced experience).
Nicotine Strength: Determine the desired nicotine level (e.g., 3mg, 6mg, 12mg). Remember that nicotine base strength is usually much higher (e.g., 100mg/ml), so you’ll be diluting it significantly.
Example Scenario: Let’s say you want to make 30ml of e-liquid with a 50/50 PG/VG ratio and a nicotine strength of 6mg/ml.
Step 2: Calculate Your Ingredients
This is the most crucial step for accuracy. There are many online DIY e-liquid calculators available that can simplify this process. For our example of 30ml at 50/50 PG/VG and 6mg/ml nicotine (assuming a 100mg/ml nicotine base):
Total Volume: 30ml
Desired Nicotine Strength: 6mg/ml
Nicotine Base Strength: 100mg/ml
PG/VG Ratio: 50% PG, 50% VG
Using an online calculator (or manual calculation), you would need approximately:
Nicotine Base: 1.8ml (This is calculated as `(Desired Nicotine Strength / Nicotine Base Strength) Total Volume`. So, `(6mg/ml / 100mg/ml) 30ml = 1.8ml`)
PG: To reach 50% of 30ml (which is 15ml total PG), and knowing that 1.8ml of your nicotine base is in PG (assuming a PG-based nicotine), you’d need `15ml – 1.8ml = 13.2ml` of pure PG. Note: If your nicotine base is VG-based, you would need 15ml of pure PG. The calculation becomes more complex if you have a blended nicotine base. For simplicity, let’s assume a PG-based nicotine and that the calculator handles the base’s PG/VG content.
VG: To reach 50% of 30ml (which is 15ml total VG), you would need 15ml of pure VG.
Important Note on Nicotine Base: Nicotine bases come in PG, VG, or a blend. This affects the final PG/VG ratio. Always check the base of your nicotine. For simplicity in this guide, we assume a PG-based nicotine and that calculators will adjust for this.
A simpler approach using a calculator will often just ask for your total volume, desired nicotine strength, desired PG/VG ratio, and the strength of your nicotine base. It then tells you exactly how much of each to add.
Step 3: Prepare Your Workspace and Gear
Put on your gloves and safety glasses.
Ensure your workspace is clean and well-lit.
Have your mixing bottle, syringes, ingredients, and labels ready.
Step 4: Add Nicotine Base
Using a clean syringe, carefully measure the required amount of nicotine base (e.g., 1.8ml).
Slowly and carefully dispense the nicotine base into your clean mixing bottle.
Step 5: Add Flavor Concentrates
Flavor concentrate percentages typically range from 5% to 20% of the total volume, depending on the flavor and manufacturer recommendations. For a 30ml bottle, a common starting point might be 10%, which is 3ml.
If you’re using multiple flavors, calculate the percentage for each. For example, for a 10% total flavor in our 30ml batch:
Flavor A (e.g., Strawberry): 7% = 2.1ml
Flavor B (e.g., Cream): 3% = 0.9ml
Use separate syringes or pipettes for each flavor concentrate to avoid cross-contamination. Add the calculated amounts to the mixing bottle containing the nicotine.
Step 6: Add PG and VG
Now, add the calculated amounts of Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) to the bottle.
If using our example: add 13.2ml of PG and 15ml of VG. Use separate syringes for accurate measurement.
Step 7: Secure and Shake
Close the mixing bottle tightly with its cap.
Shake the bottle vigorously for 1-2 minutes. You want to ensure all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. The liquid might look cloudy or have small bubbles – this is normal.
Step 8: Label Your Bottle
Immediately label your bottle with:
Flavor name (e.g., “Strawberry Cream”)
PG/VG ratio (e.g., “50/50”)
Nicotine strength (e.g., “6mg”)
Date mixed (e.g., “10/27/2023”)
Step 9: Steeping (Optional but Recommended)
Many e-liquids benefit from a steeping period. Steeping allows the flavors to meld and mature, often resulting in a smoother and more complex taste.
Short Steep: Store the bottle in a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours. Shake it once or twice a day.
Medium Steep: For 1-2 weeks.
Long Steep: Some complex flavors, especially custards or creams, can improve over 3-4 weeks or even longer.
You can vape your juice immediately after mixing, but you’ll likely notice a significant improvement after steeping.
Understanding Flavor Percentages and Calculations
Flavor concentrates vary in strength. Some are very potent and require only a few percent, while others might need 10-20% or more. It’s always best to check the manufacturer’s recommended percentage for each flavor.
Using a Simple Volume Calculation for Flavors:
If you want a 10% flavor in a 30ml bottle:
Total Volume = 30ml
Desired Flavor Percentage = 10%
Amount of Flavor = 10% of 30ml = 0.10 30ml = 3ml
If you are using two flavors to make up that 10%:
Flavor 1 (e.g., Strawberry): 7% = 0.07 30ml = 2.1ml
Flavor 2 (e.g., Vanilla): 3% = 0.03 30ml = 0.9ml
Total Flavor = 2.1ml + 0.9ml = 3ml (which is 10% of 30ml)
The Importance of a DIY E-Liquid Calculator:
While manual calculation is possible, using an online calculator is highly recommended for beginners. These tools remove the guesswork and ensure accuracy, especially when dealing with nicotine. You can find many free DIY e-liquid calculators by searching online. They typically look like this:
| Parameter | Your Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Total Volume (ml) | 30 | |
| Nicotine Strength (mg/ml) | 6 | |
| Nicotine Base Strength (mg/ml) | 100 | |
| Nicotine Base Type | PG | |
| PG/VG Ratio | 50/50 | |
| Flavor 1 Name | Strawberry | |
| Flavor 1 % | 7 | |
| Flavor 2 Name | Cream | |
| Flavor 2 % | 3 | |
| Calculated Nicotine Base Needed | 1.8ml | |
| Calculated PG Needed | 13.2ml | |
| Calculated VG Needed | 15.0ml | |
| Calculated Flavor 1 Needed | 2.1ml | |
| Calculated Flavor 2 Needed | 0.9ml |
These calculators are invaluable resources for anyone starting out. You can also find resources on reputable vaping forums that discuss mixing techniques and recipes. For example, the Vaping360 DIY E-liquid Calculators page offers a good starting point for finding tools.
Safety Precautions When Making Vape Juice
Handling nicotine requires diligence and respect for its properties. Always prioritize safety to ensure a positive DIY experience.
Nicotine is Potent: Pure nicotine is a highly toxic substance. Even diluted forms can be absorbed through the skin. Always wear gloves when handling nicotine concentrate or any mixture containing it.
Keep Out of Reach: Store all your DIY ingredients, especially nicotine, in a secure location away from children and pets. Accidental ingestion can be very dangerous.
Ventilation: Mix in a well-ventilated area.
Avoid Ingestion and Skin Contact: Do not taste ingredients directly. If you get nicotine on your skin, wash the affected area immediately and thoroughly with soap and water.
Cleanliness: Maintain a clean workspace and clean your tools thoroughly after each use to prevent contamination.
Proper Storage: Store your mixed e-liquids in a cool, dark place, preferably in their opaque or dark-colored bottles, to preserve flavor and prevent degradation.
Troubleshooting Common DIY E-Liquid Issues
Even with careful preparation, you might encounter a few hiccups. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:
Weak Flavor:
Cause: Flavor concentrate percentage too low, insufficient steeping time, or using a high-VG ratio which can mute flavors.
Solution: Increase the flavor percentage slightly in your next batch. Ensure adequate steeping. Consider a slightly higher PG ratio if flavor is a priority.
Harsh Throat Hit:
Cause: Nicotine strength is too high, PG percentage is too high, or a particular flavor concentrate is inherently harsh.
Solution: Reduce nicotine strength in future batches. Try a higher VG ratio (e.g., 60/40 or 70/30 VG/PG). Experiment with different flavor concentrates.
Too Thin/Too Thick E-Liquid:
Cause: Incorrect PG/VG ratio. High PG makes it thinner, high VG makes it thicker.
Solution: Adjust your PG/VG ratio in the next mix. For thicker liquid, increase VG. For thinner liquid, increase PG.
Separation:
Cause: Sometimes VG and PG can separate slightly.
Solution: This is usually harmless. Just shake the bottle well before vaping.
Chemical or Burnt Taste:
Cause: This can happen with certain flavorings if used at too high a percentage, or if the e-liquid hasn’t steeped properly. It could also indicate an issue with your vaping device (e.g., a burnt coil).
* Solution: Try reducing the percentage of the suspect flavor. Ensure proper steeping. Check your vaping device’s coil and ensure it’s saturated.
FAQ: Your DIY E-Liquid Questions Answered
Here are some common questions beginners have about making their own vape juice.
Q1: Do I really need to wear gloves when making vape juice?
A1: Yes, it is highly recommended, especially if you are using nicotine. Nicotine can be absorbed through the skin and is toxic. Gloves protect you from accidental spills and skin contact.
Q2: How long does vape juice need to steep?
A2: Steeping times vary. Fruity flavors might be good to vape right away or after a few days. Creamy, dessert, or tobacco flavors often benefit from steeping for 1-4 weeks to allow the flavors to develop and blend.
Q3: Can I use any food flavoring from the grocery store?
A3: No, it is not recommended. While some flavorings are derived from food sources, not all are safe to inhale. Only use flavor concentrates specifically made for vaping from reputable suppliers.
Q4: What is the safest way to handle nicotine?
A4: Always wear gloves and eye protection. Measure nicotine carefully using syringes. Keep all nicotine products securely stored away from children and pets. In case of skin contact, wash the area immediately with soap and water.
Q5: My vape juice tastes bland. What did I do wrong?
A5: This could be due to using too low a percentage of flavor concentrate, not steeping the juice long enough, or a high VG ratio which can sometimes mute flavors. Try increasing your flavor percentage slightly or allowing for a longer steep time.
Q6: Is it cheaper to make my own vape juice?
A6: Generally, yes. While there’s an initial cost for ingredients and supplies, the cost per milliliter for DIY e-liquid is typically much lower than buying pre-made bottles, especially if you vape regularly.
Q7: What’s the best PG/VG ratio for a beginner?
A7: A 50/50 PG/VG ratio is a great starting point for beginners. It offers a good balance of flavor, vapor production, and throat hit, and works well in most vaping devices.
Conclusion: Your Flavorful Journey Begins
Making your own vape juice at home is an incredibly rewarding experience. It puts you in control of flavor, cost, and ingredients, transforming vaping from a passive consumption activity into an engaging, creative hobby. You’ve learned the essential components, the tools you’ll need, and the step-by-step process to mix your first batch. Remember to prioritize safety, especially when handling nicotine, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations and ratios. Start simple, use those handy online calculators, and enjoy the process. With a little practice, you’ll be crafting delicious, custom e-liquids that perfectly match your taste. Happy mixing!