If you're a real cloud chaser using a sub-ohm device, you've figured out by now that the bigger the clouds, the more e-liquid you go through. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative than the ready-to-use 10ml bottles, making your own e-liquid is a good option. It may seem intimidating at first, but if you can mix a cocktail you can make your own e-liquid. It's all about finding the right balance, and of course, personal preference.

What you need

Aroma & Base e-liquid
Base e-liquid contains VG, PG or a pre-mixed PG/VG ratio. Mix your own PG/VG ratio or buy one of our pre-mixed PG/VG ratios. Add nicotine using a 10 ml base e-liquid containing nicotine. Choose a nicotine base e-liquid with a PG/VG ratio similar to your own mix.

For example if you create an 80%VG/20%PG blend, adding a 100% VG nicotine-containing base e-liquid will increase the VG percentage to around 83% VG and decrease the PG percentage to around 17% PG. On the other hand, adding a nicotine booster base e-liquid with 100% PG will reduce the VG percentage to approximately 67% VG and increase PG to 33%.

Distilled water (optional)
High VG e-liquid is thick and can only be absorbed by coils with very low resistances. If you want a 100% VG e-liquid base, you'll have a hard time vaping it. Due to the thickness of the VG liquid, it cannot properly be absorbed by the coil, burning and ruining your coil in the process.

You can use PG e-liquid to dilute 100% VG e-liquid base. Adding PG increases the throat hit, the vapour feels a bit sharper on the throat. If you want to keep the vaping sensation soft and smooth, you can dilute your 100% VG e-liquid with distilled water.

Measuring cup or scale
With a measuring cup, you measure the quantities of base e-liquid and aroma to be mixed. Because bubbles can form in the base e-liquid as you're pouring, a measuring cup can give a distorted view of how much e-liquid you're actually mixing. Scales are much more precise, use a scale that measures down to 0.01g. There are plent of free online DIY e-liquid calculators to help you calculate how many grams of each ingredient should go into creating your own DIY e-liquid mix.

Empty needle bottles
You use needle bottles to store your pre-mixed e-liquid. By storing your e-liquid in a needle bottle, you can easily fill your e-cigarette.

Once you've collected all the things you need, the mixing can begin.

Mixing Aroma and Base E-liquid
Each brand of aroma has its own mixing ratio for the best flavour result. This is usually around 10% to 15% aroma for high VG base e-liquid. That means;

• When you have 50ML base e-liquid, mix this with 5ML to 7.5ML aroma
• When you have 100ML base e-liquid, mix this with 10ML to 15ML aroma
• When you have 500ML base e-liquid, mix this with 50ML to 75ML aroma
• When you have 1000ML base e-liquid, mix this with 100ML to 150ML aroma

Or simply multiply the batch size by 0.10 (10% = 0.10). Batch size (50ml) multiplied by 10% (0.10) equals 5. Add 5 grams of aroma to your batch. Most aromas have a density close to 1.00 g/ml (grams per milliliter).

Adding Nicotine
If you want to add nicotine to your DIY e-liquid, calculate the nicotine required with this rule of thumb:

40ml e-liquid + 10ml base e-liquid with nicotine 18mg = 3mg nicotine on 50ml E-liquid

Using this rule of thumb, you can further calculate how much base e-liquid you should add to the DIY e-liquid so that you arrive at the desired amount of milligrams of nicotine.

Steeping
After you've mixed your base e-liquid with aroma and added a nicotine booster (optional), the final steeping process can begin.

Steeping means that you let your blended e-liquid sit for a period of time to "ripen". This allows the liquids mix better and ensures an optimal flavour. The period of time that your e-liquid needs to steep depends on the aroma, nicotine and the PG / VG ratio. Experiment with the time frame until you get the results you want.

It's best to store your e-liquid somewhere dark like in a cupboard and let it sit for 24 hours. Then shake the bottle and allow your personal e-liquid mix to breathe by removing the cap and leaving it off for around 15 minutes. Repeat this process for at least two consecutive days, in between you can of course vape a little bit of your e-liquid blend. You might enjoy the flavour after just two days of steeping, otherwise allow the mix to steep for a few more days.

Enjoy!