Your Guide to DIY E-Liquids
Want a flavour that doesn’t exist in any shop? Tired of paying premium prices for vape juice you go through quickly? DIY e-liquid mixing lets you create custom blends tailored to your exact preferences, and it’s more accessible than you might think.
DIY mixing involves combining base liquids (propylene glycol (PG) and VG), flavour concentrates, and optionally nicotine to create your own vape juice. You control the throat hit, vapour production, flavour intensity, and nicotine strength. Once you understand the basics, you can experiment endlessly.
This guide covers everything Canadian vapers need to get started: ingredients, equipment, mixing techniques, steeping, and safety essentials.
Important: DIY e-liquid mixing involves handling concentrated ingredients, including nicotine, which can be hazardous if mishandled. This guide is for informational purposes. Always prioritise safety, use proper protective equipment, and check local regulations before mixing.
Why Make Your Own E-Liquid?
People mix their own vape juice for different reasons. Here are the most common.
Create Flavours You Can’t Buy
The biggest draw for most DIY mixers is the freedom to experiment with flavours. You’re not limited to what’s on the shelf. Want a specific fruit combination? A dessert flavour with less sweetness? Something that tastes exactly like your favourite discontinued juice? You can make it.
Once you learn the basics, you can recreate commercial flavours, tweak existing recipes, or develop completely original blends.
Control Your Nicotine Strength
Commercial e-liquids come in fixed nicotine levels. DIY mixing lets you dial in exactly what you want. Stepping down gradually? You can drop by 0.5mg at a time instead of jumping between standard strengths. Want a specific nicotine strength that isn’t commercially available? Mix it yourself.
This precision is especially useful for people trying to reduce their nicotine intake gradually.
Save Money Over Time
After the initial investment in supplies, DIY mixing costs significantly less per millilitre than buying pre-made juice. The savings add up quickly for heavy vapers. A bottle that costs $25 at retail might cost $3-5 in ingredients when you mix it yourself.
Use Up Leftover Juice
Instead of tossing half-empty bottles of flavours you’ve grown tired of, you can combine them into new blends. It’s a practical way to reduce waste and sometimes leads to unexpected flavour discoveries.
Safety First
Before you start mixing, understand that you’re working with concentrated ingredients that require careful handling.
Nicotine Safety
Concentrated nicotine is toxic. It can be absorbed through your skin and is dangerous if ingested. Even small amounts of high-concentration nicotine can cause serious harm.
Always:
- Wear nitrile gloves when handling nicotine
- Use safety glasses to protect your eyes
- Work in a well-ventilated area
- Keep nicotine locked away from children and pets
- Know the signs of nicotine exposure (nausea, dizziness, headache) and seek medical help if needed
- Have paper towels ready for spills and clean up immediately
General Safety Practices
- Work on a clean, stable surface
- Keep all ingredients in their original labelled containers
- Never mix near food preparation areas
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any ingredients
- Store all supplies securely when not in use
Understanding Your Ingredients
Every e-liquid contains the same basic components. Understanding what each one does helps you create better blends.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
PG is a thin, odourless liquid that serves two main purposes in e-liquid. First, it carries flavour effectively, meaning your flavour concentrates will taste more intense in higher-PG mixes. Second, it provides throat hit, that slight catch at the back of your throat that mimics the sensation of smoking.
PG produces less visible vapour than VG. Some people experience mild sensitivity to PG, usually as throat irritation or dry mouth.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
VG is thicker than PG and slightly sweet. It’s responsible for vapour production, so higher-VG mixes create denser clouds. VG also makes the vape feel smoother on your throat.
The trade-off is that VG doesn’t carry flavour as well as PG, so high-VG mixes can taste slightly muted. VG’s thickness can also cause wicking issues in some devices.
Flavour Concentrates
These water-soluble concentrates determine what your e-liquid tastes like. They’re available in virtually every flavour category: fruits, desserts, tobaccos, menthols, beverages, candies, and more.
Most concentrates are designed specifically for vaping. Never use flavourings not intended for inhalation, such as essential oils or oil-based food extracts. Retailers like Majestic Vapes carry concentrates from reputable brands formulated for safe vaping use.
Flavour concentrates typically make up 5-20% of your total mix, depending on the specific concentrate and your taste preferences.
Nicotine
Nicotine is optional. Many DIY mixers create zero-nicotine juice, either by preference or because they’ve successfully quit nicotine.
If you do use nicotine, it’s available in PG base, VG base, or a combination. The base you choose affects your final PG/VG ratio slightly. Nicotine also comes in various concentrations, typically 36mg/ml, 48mg/ml, or 100mg/ml for DIY use.
Handle nicotine with extreme care. Higher concentrations are more dangerous but require smaller amounts per batch, reducing exposure over time.
Understanding PG/VG Ratios
The ratio of PG to VG in your e-liquid affects throat hit, vapour production, and flavour intensity. There’s no single “best” ratio. It depends on your preferences and device.
Higher PG Ratios (50% PG or more)
Higher PG produces:
- Stronger throat hit
- More intense flavour
- Less visible vapour
- A thinner liquid that wicks easily in any device
This ratio works well for mouth-to-lung devices, pod systems, and people who want a sensation closer to smoking.
Higher VG Ratios (70% VG or more)
Higher VG produces:
- Smoother throat feel
- Denser vapour clouds
- Slightly muted flavour
- Thicker liquid that requires larger wicking ports
This ratio suits sub-ohm devices, direct-to-lung vaping, and cloud chasers.
Common Starting Ratios
- 50/50: Balanced throat hit and vapour. Works in most devices. Good starting point for beginners.
- 70VG/30PG: Popular for sub-ohm vaping. Good clouds with decent flavour.
- 80VG/20PG or higher: Maximum clouds, minimal throat hit. Requires devices designed for high-VG juice.
Experiment to find what works best for your setup and preferences.
Gathering Essential Tools
You don’t need much equipment to start, but having the right tools makes mixing easier and more accurate.
Measuring Equipment
Scale (recommended): A digital scale that measures to 0.01g is the most accurate way to measure ingredients. Mixing by weight is faster and more precise than by volume.
Syringes and pipettes: If you prefer mixing by volume, use separate syringes for each ingredient to prevent cross-contamination. Blunt-tip needles help with accuracy.
Mixing Supplies
Bottles: You’ll need empty bottles for your finished juice. Glass bottles are ideal for long-term storage. Plastic squeeze bottles work well for everyday use. Make sure caps are childproof.
Mixing container: A clean glass beaker or bottle works fine. Some mixers prefer to mix directly in the final storage bottle.
Organisation Tools
Labels: Always label your creations with the recipe name, date mixed, nicotine strength, and PG/VG ratio. You’ll forget what’s in unlabelled bottles faster than you think.
Notebook or spreadsheet: Keep records of your recipes, including what worked and what didn’t. This saves time when you want to recreate a successful blend.
E-Liquid Calculator
Use an online calculator to determine exact amounts of each ingredient based on your target nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, and flavour percentages. These calculators eliminate the guesswork and reduce errors. Popular options include ATF (All The Flavours) and ELR (E-Liquid Recipes).
The Mixing Process
Once you have the ingredients and tools ready, the actual mixing is straightforward.
Step 1 – Plan Your Recipe
Decide on your target:
- Total batch size (start small, 10-30ml, until you perfect the recipe)
- PG/VG ratio
- Nicotine strength
- Flavour percentages
Use an e-liquid calculator to determine exact measurements.
Step 2 – Prepare Your Workspace
Put on gloves and safety glasses. Ensure your area is clean and well-ventilated. Have paper towels ready for any spills.
Step 3 – Add Ingredients
If mixing by weight, place your bottle on the scale and tare it to zero. Add ingredients one at a time, taring between each addition.
Recommended order:
- Flavour concentrates first (easiest to adjust if you make an error)
- Nicotine (if using)
- PG
- VG (last because it’s thick and slow to pour)
If mixing by volume, use syringes to measure each ingredient into your mixing container.
Step 4 – Mix Thoroughly
Cap your bottle and shake vigorously for several minutes. The goal is complete integration of all ingredients. Some mixers use magnetic stirrers or milk frothers to speed up the process.
Step 5 – Label Immediately
Write the recipe name, nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, and date on your bottle before you forget.
Tips for Successful Flavour Mixing
Creating good flavours takes practice. These principles will help you improve faster.
Start with Proven Recipes
Before inventing your own blends, mix some established recipes from DIY communities. This teaches you how flavours interact and what percentages work for different concentrates. Sites like ATF and ELR have thousands of reviewed recipes.
Learn Flavour Categories
Flavours are often categorised as:
- Top notes: First impression flavours that fade quickly (citrus, mint)
- Middle notes: The main body of the flavour (most fruits, bakery elements)
- Base notes: Underlying flavours that provide depth (vanilla, cream, tobacco)
Good recipes balance all three.
Start Low with Percentages
It’s easier to add more flavour than to dilute an over-flavoured mix. Start at the lower end of recommended percentages and adjust upward if needed.
Test in Small Batches
Never make a large batch of an untested recipe. Mix 10ml, test it, adjust, and repeat until you’re happy with the result.
Steeping Your E-Liquid
Steeping is the process of letting your e-liquid age to develop its full flavour. Not all juices need steeping, but many improve significantly with time.
Why Steep?
Fresh mixes can taste harsh, muted, or unbalanced. Time allows:
- Flavour molecules to fully integrate
- Alcohol-based flavourings to dissipate
- Nicotine harshness to mellow
- Complex flavours to develop
How to Steep
The simplest method is time steeping:
- Store your bottle in a cool, dark place (a drawer or cupboard works fine)
- Shake the bottle every day or two
- Wait
Steeping Times
Different flavour profiles need different steeping times:
- Fruits and menthols: Often good immediately or after 1-3 days
- Creams and custards: Typically need 1-2 weeks minimum
- Tobaccos and complex desserts: May need 3-4 weeks or longer
Taste your juice periodically to track how it develops.
Speed Steeping (Optional)
Some mixers use heat or ultrasonic cleaners to speed up steeping. These methods work but can also degrade flavours if overdone. Time steeping is safest and most reliable.
Testing and Adjusting
After steeping, test your creation. If it’s not quite right, you can often fix it.
Common Issues and Fixes
Flavour too weak: Add more flavour concentrate in small increments (0.5-1% at a time).
Flavour too strong: Dilute with unflavoured base (PG/VG at your target ratio).
Harsh throat hit: Could be too much nicotine, too much PG, or needs more steeping time.
Muted flavour: Often caused by too much sweetener or competing flavours. Try reducing one element.
Off-taste: Some flavour combinations don’t work together. Start over with a modified recipe.
Accept That Some Batches Fail
Not every mix will be good. Even experienced mixers create duds. Learn from failures and move on. That’s why testing in small batches matters.
Potential Risks and How to Avoid Them
DIY mixing is generally safe when done carefully, but be aware of these risks.
Nicotine Miscalculation
Using too much nicotine makes juice harsh and potentially unsafe. Using too little defeats the purpose if you’re managing nicotine intake. Always double-check your calculator inputs and measurements.
Contamination
Dirty equipment or poor handling can introduce bacteria or foreign substances into your juice. Keep everything clean, store ingredients properly, and don’t share syringes between ingredients.
Using Unsafe Flavourings
Not all flavourings are safe to inhale. Unexpected chemical reactions between mixed ingredients can create harmful compounds. Stick to concentrates specifically designed for vaping from reputable suppliers. Avoid anything containing diacetyl, acetyl propionyl, or acetoin if you’re concerned about these compounds.
Improper Storage
Heat, light, and air degrade e-liquid and nicotine over time. See the Storage Best Practices section below for proper storage methods.
Storage Best Practices
Proper storage keeps your ingredients and finished juice in good condition.
Nicotine Storage
Nicotine oxidises when exposed to air, heat, and light. Store it:
- In the freezer for long-term storage (it won’t freeze solid)
- In amber glass bottles to block light
- With minimal air in the bottle (use smaller bottles as you use up your supply)
Finished E-Liquid Storage
Keep your mixed juice:
- In a cool, dark place
- In glass bottles for long-term storage (plastic is fine for short-term)
- With childproof caps, securely stored away from children and pets
Shelf Life
Properly stored DIY e-liquid typically lasts 1-2 years. For best flavour, use within 3-6 months. Signs of degradation include colour darkening, separation that doesn’t resolve with shaking, and off-flavours.
Document Your Recipes
Keep detailed records of every mix. Include:
- Recipe name and date
- Exact percentages of each ingredient
- Nicotine strength and PG/VG ratio
- Steeping notes (how it tasted at different intervals)
- What you’d change next time
Good documentation lets you recreate successes and avoid repeating mistakes. Online tools like ATF or ELR can help you organise and share recipes.
Quick Reference – DIY E-Liquid Guide
| Topic | Key Information |
| PG (Propylene Glycol) | Thin liquid, stronger throat hit, better flavour carrier, less vapour |
| VG (Vegetable Glycerin) | Thick liquid, smoother draw, denser clouds, slightly sweet |
| Common Ratios | 50/50 (balanced), 70VG/30PG (clouds), 60PG/40VG (flavour) |
| Essential Tools | Scale, syringes, bottles, labels, and a calculator |
| Safety Essentials | Nitrile gloves, safety glasses, ventilated area, secure storage |
| Mixing Order | Flavours → Nicotine → PG → VG |
| Steeping Time | Fruits: 1-3 days. Creams: 1-2 weeks. Tobaccos: 3-4 weeks |
| Flavour Percentages | Typically, 5-20% of the total mix |
| Nicotine Handling | Toxic, absorbs through skin, always wear gloves |
| Storage | Cool, dark place. Nicotine in freezer. Label everything. |
| Shelf Life | 1-2 years properly stored, best within 3-6 months |
| Key Takeaway | Start small, document everything, prioritise safety |
Getting Started
DIY e-liquid mixing gives you complete control over your vaping experience. You can create flavours that don’t exist commercially, dial in your exact nicotine preference, and save money over time.
Start with proven recipes before inventing your own. Mix small test batches. Keep detailed notes. Most importantly, take safety seriously, especially when handling nicotine.
The learning curve isn’t steep, but expect some trial and error. Your early batches might not be perfect, and that’s fine. Each mix teaches you something.
Reminder: Always handle concentrated nicotine with care, use proper protective equipment, and store all supplies securely away from children and pets.
Ready to start mixing? Majestic Vapes carries flavour concentrates, PG/VG bases, and mixing supplies to support your DIY journey. Visit us in Brampton or Mississauga, or shop online at majesticvapes.ca.
