How to Make Vape Juice​ at Home | 5 Easy Step-by-Step Guide

With each passing day, vaping is becoming more and more popular. And by now, we all know the rule of supply and demand. With the wave of popularity, prices have also been going up. Thankfully, more and more enthusiasts are exploring the world of DIY vape juice. Many more DIY equipment are being introduced in the markets. 

This beginner’s guide to making vaping juice at home will help you navigate this journey so that you can start making your favorite vape juices in the comfort of your home. 

With a little attention to detail, an understanding of ingredients, and a bit of patience, making vape juice at home is not a very complicated process. So follow along as I walk you through the exact steps you need to make your very first batch of e-liquid, or vape juice.

Understanding the Basics of Vape Juice

Before getting to the steps, let me give you a little walkthrough of what exactly we are trying to make. Feel free to skip through it if you know the whats and whys of vape juice.

1. What Is Vape Juice?

Vape juice, or e-liquid, is the liquid solution used in vaping devices to produce vapor. The key components include:

• Propylene Glycol  (PG)
• Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
• Nicotine
• Flavorings

2. Why Make Your Own Vape Juice?

Making your own vape juices offers many benefits like,

• Cost-effectiveness
• Control over nicotine levels
• Customizable flavor profiles
• Customization suited to your needs (eg; doing vape tricks)

Essential Ingredients for DIY Vape Juice

Vape juices are comprised of surprisingly low amounts of ingredients. Here is the comprehensive list of it.

1. Propylene Glycol (PG)

It’s one of the base ingredients of vape juices. It’s essentially a thin, flavorless liquid that enhances throat hit. It’s a food-grade liquid meaning, it’s generally safe but can cause irritation in high concentrations for some people.

2. Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

It’s the main base ingredient of vape juice. It is a thick, slightly sweet liquid responsible for dense vapor clouds. It balances the harshness of PG and works well for sub-ohm devices.

3. Nicotine

Vape being an alternative to smoking, nicotine is a must-have ingredient. It’s sold in a diluted or crystallized salt form, the first being safer for making your own vape juice. It’s available in various strengths; as a beginner, you should start with lower levels to reduce risks. You can also not use it altogether if you’re trying to quit.

4. Flavor Concentrates

Propylene glycol is a flavorless liquid, and although Vegetable Glycerin is slightly sweeter, they’re hardly flavorful to consume as is. Flavors help enhance the vaping experience and can range from desserts to tobacco. 

There’s an important thing to remember that, food-grade flavors are different from the ones designed for vaping. And you must make sure not to use the wrong kind.

5. Distilled Water (Optional)

The finished product should have a thick oil-like consistency. If the consistency is too dense, add a splash of water to thin it out. This is not recommended but if you have to add water, add very little at a time as it might spoil the flavors.

Ingredients to Avoid

Here’s a list of ingredients that people often wonder if they should use in their vape juice, but they absolutely shouldn’t:

• Flavoring not made for vapes: Any type of flavoring that’s not widely used in vape juice DIY (potentially dangerous)
• Essential oils, and any type of oil: This not only messes with the flavor but is most certainly dangerous.
• Household items out of the recipe: Any type of household item that might seem like a good idea (it is not)
• Very high-strength nicotine: Unless you work at a lab, it is NOT a good idea to play with nicotine strengths.

Tools and Equipment Needed

Most of the ingredients are common and very easy to find. Here’s the list of them:

1. Measuring equipment: syringes, graduated cylinders, or scales depending on what method are you using for measurements.
2. Mixing containers: glass bottles or beakers. Make sure they’re resistant to chemicals.
3. Storage bottles: childproof and airtight options.
4. Safety gear: gloves, goggles, and workspace ventilation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Vape Juice

After you made sure to get all the ingredients and are properly equipped, follow these steps to make your own vape juice at home.

1. Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Tools

Before starting, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools. Organize your workspace, and wear gloves and goggles for safety.

2. Step 2: Calculate Your Recipe

Determine your desired VG/PG ratio and nicotine strength. You can do this by using e-liquid recipe calculators. Just look up “e-liquid recipe calculator” and you should be good to go. After determining the recipe, try not to alter it too much as this might ruin the flavor.

3. Step 3: Mix the Ingredients

Put all the measured ingredients in an airtight bottle, close the lid, and shake the life out of them. Color might vary depending on the flavorings and brand, but the texture and thickness should remain largely similar, smooth, and syrupy.

4. Step 4: Steep Your Vape Juice

At this stage, the vape juice is technically done and ready to be used. But this concoction will taste bad. To avoid this put the bottle aside in a cool, dry place (preferably with the lid off) for a few days to alow the ingredients to blend well and get the air bubbles out. This process is called steeping.

5. Step 5: Test and Adjust

Even if you follow the recipes to a t, it’s very normal to not get the taste as intended whether it’s due to the product quality, or your lack of experience. Just adjust the flavors using your best judgment or look up the problem online.  

Safety Tips for DIY Vape Juice

Vape juice has nicotine in it (unless you’re not including it in your recipe), which is a highly addictive and potentially poisonous substance. Here’s some safety tips you should keep in mind while you work with it.

• Nicotine Handling: Store nicotine securely and clean up spills immediately.
• Childproofing: Keep ingredients and vape juice out of reach of children and pets.
• Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes.
• Labeling: Clearly label your vape juice to avoid confusion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As someone making vape juices at home for the first time, some beginner mistakes are bound to happen. Here’s a list below so that you can spot those early on and avoid them:

1. Using low-quality ingredients.
2. Overcomplicating recipes as a beginner.
3. Neglecting safety precautions.
4. Failing to steep the juice for optimal flavor.

Tips for Experimentation and Improvement

After you get the hang of making vape juices at home, you should be ready start experimenting with the ratios and flavors and customize things to your liking. Here are a few tips for that:

• Keep a Recipe Journal: Keep a journal of your recipes and adjustments for future reference. 
• Explore new flavors: Experiment with unique combinations like fruits and menthol or desserts and tobacco.
• Join online communities: Joining DIY vaping communities for advice and inspiration helps too.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Compliance with Laws: Ensure your DIY vape juice adheres to local regulations regarding nicotine and vaping.
• Sharing Responsibility: If gifting your vape juice, ensure it’s labeled and recipients understand the ingredients. Also, make sure it doesn’t get into the hands of a minor. 

Conclusion

Making vape juice at home is a rewarding hobby that allows for creativity and personalization. By following this guide, you’ll gain the skills needed to craft high-quality e-liquids tailored to your preferences. Start with simple recipes, prioritize safety, and enjoy the process of creating your own vaping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions