Creating Perfect Aroma Blends: Mastering Base Ratios

Mixing your own e-liquid can be a fun and interesting process, and it can also save you money. The first step is to choose your base, which can be 100% propylene glycol, 100% vegetable glycerine, or a mix of the two. The ratio of PG to VG will depend on the characteristics you want from your e-liquid: PG gives more flavour and throat hit, while VG gives more vapour. You can then add nic salts or nicotine shots to your desired strength. Aromas are added in the form of flavour concentrates, with thousands of options available on the market. These can be added in any combination or volume to get your desired results.

The ratio of PG and VG

The ratio of PG (propylene glycol) to VG (vegetable glycerin) in an e-liquid has a significant impact on the vaping experience, influencing the flavour, cloud production, smoothness, and throat hit.

PG is a clear, odourless, and slightly sweet liquid with a thinner consistency than VG. It is an effective carrier for flavourings and nicotine and provides a stronger throat hit, similar to the sensation of smoking tobacco. PG also vapourises at a lower temperature than VG, making it suitable for low-wattage devices. However, due to its moisture-absorbing properties, it can cause throat and mouth dryness.

On the other hand, VG is a clear, odourless, sticky, and slightly sweet liquid with a thicker consistency. It produces bigger and denser vape clouds and provides a smoother throat hit. VG has a higher boiling point than PG and is more suitable for high-wattage or sub-ohm devices. However, it can clog up vape coils faster and is less effective at carrying flavours.

The ideal PG/VG ratio depends on personal preferences and the desired vaping experience. A 50/50 ratio offers a good balance between flavour, throat hit, and cloud production, making it suitable for low-voltage devices. A higher VG ratio, such as 70VG/30PG or 80VG/20PG, is ideal for cloud chasers who want denser and thicker vapour but may not be suitable for all types of e-cigarettes due to its thicker consistency. A higher PG ratio, such as 60PG/40VG, can enhance the flavour and throat hit but may produce less vapour.

It is recommended to experiment with different ratios to find the best combination for your tastes and vaping setup.

Nicotine strength

When it comes to nicotine strength, it's important to consider your smoking habits and preferences. If you're a heavy smoker, you might be inclined to go for the strongest nicotine option available (typically 20mg). However, this could result in an unpleasant sore throat, as the high nicotine concentration can intensify the throat hit. It's generally recommended that first-time vapers start with a lower strength, such as 12mg, to get comfortable with vaping while still satisfying their nicotine cravings.

The nicotine strength you choose will also depend on the type of vaping device you're using. If you're using a sub-ohm device for direct-to-lung vaping, you'll likely want a weaker nicotine strength since these devices produce larger volumes of vapour. On the other hand, if you're using a high-resistance device for mouth-to-lung vaping, you can go for a higher nicotine strength as you'll be absorbing less nicotine per puff.

If you're looking to add nicotine to a shortfill bottle, the process is fairly straightforward. Most nicotine shots come in 10ml bottles with a strength of 18mg. To achieve a desired nicotine strength, you simply need to add the appropriate amount of nicotine shot to your shortfill bottle. For example, to make a 30ml bottle of 3mg e-liquid, you would add 5ml of an 18mg nicotine shot. You can also use online calculators to determine the exact amounts needed for your desired nicotine strength, taking into account the volume of your shortfill and the strength of your nicotine shots.

It's important to note that nicotine is considered a toxic substance and should be handled with care. Always wear protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection, when handling nicotine. Additionally, make sure to keep nicotine products out of the reach of children and pets.

Mixing bottle size

When mixing your own e-liquids, it is important to have the right equipment. Empty mixing bottles are a necessity and come in a variety of sizes. A common size is 20ml, which is ideal for mixing your own e-liquids. These bottles are typically made of transparent PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) and come in three parts: the body, a stopper cap with an eye dropper end, and the bottle cap.

The Totally Wicked brand offers a set of 5 x 20ml empty mixing bottles. These bottles are perfect for making up your own fluids, whether you are mixing pre-mixed flavours or creating a new concoction from scratch using nicotine solutions, concentrates, and diluents. The bottles feature a specially designed silicone nozzle for easy refilling and a secure, child-resistant screw cap to prevent leakage.

The Electronic Cigarette Company (TECC) also offers a 20ml empty mixing bottle. Similar to the Totally Wicked bottles, the TECC bottle is made of transparent PET and comes in three parts. The bottle cap on this option has an eye dropper end, which is convenient for adding your desired amount of liquid to your vaping device.

Both the Totally Wicked and TECC 20ml mixing bottles are great options for creating your own e-liquid mixtures. With these bottles, you can experiment with different flavours and nicotine strengths to find your perfect blend.

Desired strength

The amount of base to add to 20ml of aroma will depend on the desired strength of the final product. The base usually constitutes 80 to 90% of the mixture, while the aroma makes up 5 to 20%. This means that for 20ml of aroma, you would need to add between 80ml and 180ml of base.

It is important to note that the strength of the aroma can vary depending on the type of aroma used and personal preference. Some aromas are stronger than others, so the amount added will depend on the desired strength and the specific aroma being used.

When creating your own e-liquid, it is recommended to start with a lower concentration of aroma and adjust as needed. It is also important to allow the mixture to infuse for a few weeks before using it, as this will give the flavours time to develop and mature.

Additionally, the choice of base can also impact the strength of the aroma. A 100% propylene glycol base will provide more flavour and a stronger throat hit, while a 100% vegetable glycerine base will produce more vapour but may affect the flavour and reduce the throat hit. A mixture of the two can be used to balance these characteristics.

Creating your own e-liquid allows you to personalise the flavours and strengths to your preferences. It can also be a fun and interesting process, allowing you to experiment with different combinations of flavours and additives.

Flavour volume

It is worth noting that different manufacturers have different recommended percentages for their flavour concentrates. For instance, Flavour Art recommends a concentration of 3-5%, whereas Flavor West suggests 15-20%. It is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's recommendations and then adjust according to your taste.

Additionally, the type of base used can also impact the flavour volume. If you are making a higher VG liquid, you may need to add more flavour concentrate as VG is not as effective at carrying flavour as PG.

It is also important to allow sufficient time for the flavours to infuse, which can take a few weeks. This process is known as steeping and allows the flavours to develop and mature fully.

Frequently asked questions