Making your own vape juice means combining a PG and VG base, a flavour concentrate, and optionally a nicotine shot, in ratios you choose yourself rather than buying a pre-mixed bottle. In the UK, any bottle containing nicotine is legally capped at 10ml with a maximum strength of 20mg/ml, which shapes almost every part of how DIY mixing works here.
This is a full, step by step guide covering the legal limits, how to choose your ratio and nicotine type, a complete 12 step mixing method, steeping and labelling, troubleshooting common problems, and every question a first time UK mixer is likely to have. For over-18s only.
UK Legal Limits For DIY E-Liquid
Vaping products sold in the UK are regulated under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), introduced in 2016 and carried forward after Brexit through the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations. Three limits matter most for anyone mixing their own e-liquid.
- Any e-liquid bottle containing nicotine is capped at 10ml. This applies to nic shots, nic salts and pre-mixed freebase e-liquid alike.
- Nicotine strength is capped at 20mg/ml. Anything sold above this strength is not TPD compliant and cannot legally be sold in the UK.
- Refillable tanks and pods are capped at 2ml capacity.
Because nicotine-containing bottles are limited to 10ml, most UK e-liquid brands sell larger nicotine-free base bottles, known as shortfills, in sizes like 50ml or 100ml. You then add a separate 10ml nic shot to bring the mix to your preferred strength. Any nic shot you buy for this purpose should already be TPD tested and MHRA notified, meaning the regulatory work on the nicotine component has already been done for you before it reaches your mixing bottle.
What You Need Before You Start
Ingredients
- PG (propylene glycol). Thinner base liquid, carries flavour well and produces most of the throat hit.
- VG (vegetable glycerine). Thicker and sweeter, produces the bulk of the vapour.
- Flavour concentrates. Made specifically for vaping, usually PG-based, used at a small percentage of total volume.
- Nicotine shot (optional). A TPD-compliant 10ml bottle at a fixed strength, typically 18mg/ml or 20mg/ml, used to bring a nicotine-free base up to your target strength.
Equipment
- Empty bottles with child-resistant caps for your finished mix, in glass or PET plastic.
- Graduated syringes, or a digital scale accurate to 0.01g for measuring ingredients precisely.
- Nitrile or latex gloves for handling nicotine and flavour concentrates directly.
- Labels and a permanent marker for recording every mix's ratio, strength and date.
- An e-liquid calculator to convert your target recipe into exact volumes or weights.
- A funnel, useful for larger batches poured into narrow-necked bottles.
Water is not a substitute for PG or VG. It doesn't carry flavour, doesn't vaporise the way a coil expects, and can affect device performance. Ordinary cooking oil isn't designed for inhalation and shouldn't be used either.
The one exception some experienced mixers use is a very small amount of distilled water, generally under 2% of total volume, added purely to thin an unusually thick high-VG mix. That's a minor adjustment technique, not a way to build a base liquid from scratch.
Choosing Your PG/VG Ratio
Your PG/VG ratio determines how the finished juice behaves in your device. There's no single correct ratio, it depends on what you're vaping with and what you prefer.
| Ratio | Best suited to | Throat hit | Vapour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50PG/50VG | Pod kits, mouth-to-lung devices | Balanced | Moderate |
| 30PG/70VG | Sub-ohm, direct-to-lung devices | Soft | High |
| 20PG/80VG | High-output sub-ohm tanks | Very soft | Very high |
| 70PG/30VG | Older or high-resistance coils | Strong | Low |
Freebase Nicotine Vs Nic Salts For DIY Mixing
Nic shots come in two forms, and the choice affects how a given strength actually feels.
- Freebase nicotine shots. The traditional form, delivers a sharper throat hit as strength increases. Better suited to lower strengths, typically 3mg to 6mg, in sub-ohm or direct-to-lung setups.
- Nic salt shots. Chemically buffered to feel smoother at higher strengths, so 10mg to 20mg feels less harsh than the same strength in freebase form. Better suited to pod systems and mouth-to-lung vaping.
Both are sold as TPD-compliant 10ml shots up to the 20mg/ml legal limit, so the choice comes down to your device and how strong a throat hit you want at your target strength, not legality.
Flavour Concentrate Percentages
| Flavour type | Typical percentage |
|---|---|
| Fruit | 10% to 15% |
| Dessert and bakery | 15% to 20% |
| Menthol and ice | 8% to 12% |
| Tobacco | 12% to 18% |
| Beverage | 12% to 18% |
These are starting ranges, not fixed rules. Layering more than one flavour concentrate is common, but track each one's individual percentage so a good result can be repeated in your next batch.
Mixing By Volume Or By Weight
There are two accepted methods for measuring your ingredients, and both are used across the UK DIY community.
- By volume (millilitres), using graduated syringes. Simpler to start with, though small measuring errors have more impact on very small total volumes.
- By weight (grams), using a digital scale. More precise, since PG and VG have different densities, a calculator converts your target ratio into an exact weight for each ingredient. Preferred for larger batches or when consistency between batches matters.
Either method works well for a beginner's first few batches. Weight-based mixing becomes more worthwhile once you're mixing larger volumes or trying to reproduce a specific recipe exactly.
The Full 12 Step Mixing Step By Step Method
Set up a clean, well-ventilated workspace
Wipe down your surface and lay out every ingredient and tool before you start, so you're not reaching for something with wet hands or an open nicotine bottle nearby.
Put on gloves
Nitrile or latex gloves protect your skin from concentrated nicotine and flavour concentrates, both of which can irritate skin with repeated contact.
Calculate your recipe
Use a dedicated e-liquid calculator with your target volume, PG/VG ratio, nicotine strength and flavour percentage to get exact figures, rather than estimating by eye.
Sanitise your mixing bottle
Rinse empty bottles with hot water and let them air dry fully before adding anything, so residue from a previous mix doesn't contaminate your new batch.
Measure your base liquid
Add your PG and VG, or your shortfill base, into the bottle first, using a syringe for volume or a scale for weight, following the figures from your calculator.
Add your nicotine shot
If using one, add it next, at the exact calculated amount. Nic shots are already diluted to a fixed strength, so this step sets your finished mix's nicotine level directly.
Add your flavour concentrate
Measure and add your chosen flavour, or flavours, at your calculated percentage. If layering multiple flavours, record each one's individual percentage separately.
Cap tightly and shake
Secure the cap fully and shake vigorously for around 60 seconds, until the mix looks uniform with no visible streaks or separation.
Label the bottle immediately
Record the PG/VG ratio, nicotine strength in mg/ml, flavour and percentage, and the date mixed. This is the step most beginners skip, and the one they regret skipping most.
Steep according to flavour type
Store in a cool, dark place and steep for the appropriate time for your recipe. See the steeping guide below for timings by flavour category.
Burp the bottle during longer steeps
Opening the cap briefly every few days during a long steep lets some of the sharper, alcohol-like notes from the flavour concentrate evaporate off, which can smooth out the final taste.
Test and adjust
After steeping, vape a small amount and note the result against your recipe. Adjust the flavour percentage or ratio on your next batch rather than trying to fix an already-mixed one.
Steeping Times By Flavour Type
Steeping is letting a mix rest so the flavour settles and develops. How long it needs depends heavily on the recipe.
| Flavour type | Typical steep time |
|---|---|
| Simple fruit, menthol | 0 to 3 days |
| Beverage, citrus | 3 to 7 days |
| Dessert, bakery, custard | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Tobacco, complex layered blends | 3 to 4 weeks or longer |
Store steeping juice in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, and shake the bottle every few days. Some mixers speed up a simple mix by placing the capped bottle in a warm, not hot, water bath for 15 to 20 minutes, then letting it cool fully before opening. This isn't a substitute for a full steep on a complex recipe, but it can take the edge off a simple mix that needs to be ready sooner. Never place a mix near an open flame or direct heat source.
Labelling Your Homemade E-Liquid
Label every bottle before it leaves your workspace, not after. A clear label should include the PG/VG ratio, the nicotine strength in mg/ml, the flavour name and percentage, and the date it was mixed. Store finished bottles in child-resistant, tamper-evident containers, clearly marked as containing nicotine where relevant, and kept well out of reach of children and pets, consistent with how UK nicotine products are expected to be stored and labelled.
Storage And Shelf Life
Keep finished e-liquid in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Stored well, most homemade e-liquid remains usable for around 1 to 2 years, though nicotine strength and flavour can drift gradually over time. As a practical guide, mix in quantities you expect to use within 6 to 12 months rather than building up a large long-term stockpile. Amber or opaque bottles reduce light exposure and help slow this drift compared to clear containers.
Nicotine Handling And Storage Safety
Nicotine shots are concentrated. Undiluted nicotine liquid can be genuinely hazardous if it's absorbed through skin in any quantity or swallowed, and even a small amount poses a real risk to children and pets. This isn't a formality, it's the most important safety point in this entire guide.
Always wear gloves when handling nic shots directly. Keep all nicotine-containing liquid, whether it's an unopened nic shot or a finished mix, in child-resistant, clearly labelled bottles, stored well out of reach of children and pets. Never decant nicotine-containing liquid into an unmarked container, a food container, or a drinks bottle.
If nicotine liquid is swallowed, or causes skin or eye irritation that doesn't settle quickly, treat it as a genuine medical situation. Contact NHS 111 for guidance, or call 999 in an emergency.
Troubleshooting Common DIY Mixing Problems
- Taste is thin or muted. Check your flavour percentage isn't too low for that concentrate, confirm the mix had long enough to steep, and rule out a coil that's due for replacement.
- Throat hit feels too harsh. Try a higher VG ratio, or switch from freebase nicotine to a nic salt shot at the same strength.
- Throat hit feels weaker than expected at your intended strength. Re-check your calculator inputs, confirm the nic shot's labelled strength matches what you used, and re-verify your measuring accuracy.
- Liquid tastes burnt or off after steeping. Over-steeping, or an old flavour concentrate past its best, is the most common cause. Discard the batch and remix with fresh concentrate.
- Liquid looks cloudy or has separated. This is common with high-VG mixes and isn't necessarily a fault, shake before use. Separation that persists after a thorough shake can indicate incompatible ingredients.
OrderVape stocks TPD-compliant nicotine salts, Elux legend Nic Salt and e-liquids and nic salts if you'd rather start from ready-mixed options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to make your own vape juice in the UK?
Yes. Mixing your own e-liquid at home for personal use is legal, provided any nicotine-containing components you buy, such as nic shots, are TPD-compliant products sold in 10ml bottles at a maximum strength of 20mg/ml.
What's the difference between freebase nicotine and nic salts for DIY mixing?
Freebase nicotine gives a sharper throat hit as strength rises and suits lower strengths in sub-ohm or direct-to-lung setups. Nic salts feel smoother at higher strengths and suit pod systems and mouth-to-lung vaping. Both are sold as TPD-compliant 10ml shots up to 20mg/ml.
What PG/VG ratio should I use?
50/50 is a common starting point for pod systems, giving a balanced throat hit and vapour output. Sub-ohm and direct-to-lung setups typically use a higher VG ratio, such as 30PG/70VG, for more vapour and a softer throat hit.
How much flavour concentrate do I need?
It depends on the flavour type. Fruit is typically 10% to 15%, dessert and bakery flavours 15% to 20%, menthol and ice 8% to 12%, and tobacco or beverage flavours 12% to 18% of total volume.
Should I mix by volume or by weight?
Both are used across the UK DIY community. Volume mixing with syringes is simpler for beginners. Weight mixing with a digital scale is more precise, since PG and VG have different densities, and is preferred for larger batches or exact recipe repeats.
How long does homemade vape juice need to steep?
It depends on the flavour profile. Simple fruit or menthol mixes need 0 to 3 days. Beverage and citrus mixes need 3 to 7 days. Dessert, custard and tobacco-style blends can need 2 to 4 weeks or more in a cool, dark place.
Can I make vape juice with water or vegetable oil?
No, not as a base. Water doesn't carry flavour or vaporise correctly, and cooking oil isn't designed for inhalation. A very small amount of distilled water, under about 2% of total volume, is sometimes used only to thin an especially thick high-VG mix, which is different from using water as a substitute base liquid.
Is DIY vape juice cheaper than buying it ready made?
It can be, particularly for larger volumes, since buying base liquid, concentrate and nic shots separately is often cheaper per ml than pre-mixed bottles. That gap has narrowed since the October 2026 Vaping Products Duty, since DIY components are taxed at the same per ml rate as ready-mixed e-liquid.
Does the October 2026 Vaping Products Duty apply to DIY e-liquid ingredients?
Yes. The duty applies at 22p per ml to vaping liquid sold from 1 October 2026, including nicotine-free base liquid, shortfills and nic shots. It doesn't apply to hardware such as batteries, tanks or empty pods.
Why does my homemade e-liquid taste burnt or different after steeping?
This is most often caused by over-steeping or by using a flavour concentrate that's past its best. If a batch tastes off after steeping, it's generally best to discard it and remix with fresh concentrate rather than trying to correct it.
How do I label homemade e-liquid correctly?
Record the PG/VG ratio, nicotine strength in mg/ml, flavour name and percentage, and the date mixed on every bottle, and store it in a child-resistant, clearly marked container kept out of reach of children and pets.
How long does homemade vape juice last?
Stored in a cool, dark place, most homemade e-liquid stays usable for around 1 to 2 years, though nicotine strength and flavour can drift gradually over time. Mixing in quantities you'll use within 6 to 12 months is a practical way to avoid that drift.
This guide is intended for adults aged 18 and over and is provided for general information only. It doesn't replace manufacturer guidance on your specific ingredients or official regulatory advice. Current TPD and Vaping Products Duty details can be confirmed at gov.uk.
