mixing_e-liquids_shortfills

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Mixing E-Liquids & Shortfills

When venturing into the world of DIY vaping with E-Liquids and Shortfills, there’s an art to creating the perfect blend.  
 
Mixing can offer a personalised touch, allowing vapers to tailor flavours and nicotine strengths to their preferences. However, this process can be tricky, and small mistakes can ruin the entire experience.  
 
Below, we explore some common pitfalls and offer tips on how to avoid them, ensuring a smooth, enjoyable vape experience. 

1. Choosing the Wrong Ratios

One of the most critical aspects of mixing E-Liquids and Shortfills is understanding PG (Propylene Glycol) and VG (Vegetable Glycerin) ratios. PG provides a stronger throat hit and more flavour, while VG produces thicker clouds and a smoother hit. For example: 

  • High VG ratios (70% VG and above) are ideal for sub-ohm devices and direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping. 
  • High PG ratios (50% PG or more) work best for mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices and a stronger throat hit. 

Using the wrong ratio for your device may lead to a lacklustre vape experience or clogging issues in your coil. To find the right balance, consider the vaping style you prefer, and if in doubt, opt for a balanced 50/50 ratio for versatility.  

2. Neglecting Nicotine Compatibility

When adding nicotine to Shortfills, it's crucial to understand the compatibility of nicotine shots with the liquid you’re using. Nicotine shots come in different strengths and compositions, so selecting the wrong one could lead to an uneven mix or unpleasant taste.   

For a smooth, consistent blend match strengths carefully. For example, adding a 10ml 18mg nicotine shot to a 50ml Shortfill creates a 3mg nicotine strength. 

Without carefully calculating these ratios, you might end up with either too much or too little nicotine, affecting both the strength and flavour of your vape. 

3. Overlooking Storage Needs

Proper storage is essential in maintaining the quality of your E-Liquids and Shortfills. Exposure to sunlight, heat, or air can degrade nicotine, affecting both potency and flavour. 

Storage tips: 

  • Keep E-Liquids in cool, dark places to preserve their quality. 
  • Always cap your bottles tightly to prevent air exposure. 

Not following these simple steps can lead to diminished flavour, reduced nicotine effectiveness, or even changes in colour and consistency. 

4. Using Non-Compatible Devices

Another common issue is mixing liquids without considering your device’s compatibility. Not all devices handle high VG liquids well, while some are incompatible with thicker, more viscous blends.  

To avoid this issue: 

  • Check your device specifications for recommended VG/PG ratios. 
  • For high-power sub-ohm devices, higher VG ratios (around 70% VG) work best. 

Using the wrong liquid in your device can lead to issues like spit-back, reduced coil life, and leakage, ultimately costing you more in replacements. 

Tips for better flavour pairing: 

  • Start with flavours that complement each other—for instance, fruit and menthol or dessert and cream blends. 
  • Avoid mixing more than two or three flavours until you’re comfortable with balancing different profiles. 

Experimenting gradually will help you learn what combinations work well together and ensure you’re not wasting E-Liquids on mixes that might disappoint. 

6. Not Measuring Properly 

Accurate measurements are crucial in DIY mixing. Even slight miscalculations can throw off the entire balance, leading to too much or too little flavour, nicotine, or VG/PG ratios.  

To mix correctly: 

  • Use proper measuring tools like syringes or droppers. 
  • Note down your quantities so that you can replicate successful blends or avoid repeating mistakes. 

Without precise measurements, achieving a consistent mix each time becomes a gamble. 

 7. Skipping Bottle Hygiene

Reusing old bottles without proper cleaning is a common mistake that can lead to contamination and unwanted residual flavours. Leftover traces of previous E-Liquids can alter the taste and quality of new blends. 

  • Rinse thoroughly: Wash out bottles with warm water and mild detergent, then rinse to remove all soap residue. 
  • Air dry completely before refilling. 

Neglecting hygiene can spoil your new blend or, worse, introduce harmful bacteria or chemicals into your vape. 

8. Not Seeking Professional Advice 

If you’re new to DIY E-Liquids, seeking advice can help you avoid common pitfalls. If you are in the UK, Tidal Vape’s in-store staff are always ready to assist with mixing advice, as are many online vaping communities. The team at Tidal Vape offers guidance on the right products, ensuring you get the best out of your vaping experience.

Mastering the art of mixing E-Liquids and Shortfills is rewarding, but avoiding these common mistakes is key to a satisfying DIY experience. Whether you're new or experienced, maintaining quality ingredients, being mindful of measurements, and practising good storage habits can greatly improve your mixes. For those seeking a dependable source of quality vaping products, Tidal Vape offers a wide range of E-Liquids, Shortfills, and vaping accessories across their 27 UK stores and online shop. Happy mixing! 

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