How to Make Vape Juice at Home

02Dec 2021 by Quit Smoking Advisors

DIY vape juice has been popular among vapers who want full control over flavor, nicotine strength, and ingredients — or who simply enjoy customizing their vaping experience. While making vape juice can be simple, it must be done carefully and safely.

This guide covers everything you need to get started, how to mix your e-liquid properly, ingredient ratios, nicotine safety, steeping, and troubleshooting.

Is It Legal to Make Your Own Vape Juice?

In most places, yes — making vape juice for personal use is legal.
However, selling homemade e-liquid typically requires licensing, testing, and compliance with local laws.

This guide is for personal use only.

Essential Ingredients for DIY Vape Juice

To make vape juice, you need four main components:

1. Propylene Glycol (PG)

  • Thinner consistency
  • Stronger throat hit
  • Carries flavor well

2. Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

  • Thicker, smoother
  • Produces large vapor clouds
  • Slightly sweet

3. Flavor Concentrates

Food-grade concentrates specifically designed for vaping.
(Do NOT use grocery-store flavorings — they may contain oils unsafe to inhale.)

4. Nicotine (Optional)

Available in different strengths.
Many DIY vapers choose nicotine salt or freebase nicotine.

You can also make nicotine-free vape juice.

Tools You Need

For safe and consistent e-liquid mixing:

  • Empty e-liquid bottles (plastic or glass)
  • Syringes or pipettes (separate for each ingredient)
  • Gloves (for handling nicotine)
  • Paper towels
  • Labels (to record strength, flavor, and date)
  • Scale (optional but highly recommended for accuracy)

Mixing by weight is more accurate than mixing by volume.

Understanding PG/VG Ratios

The PG/VG ratio determines the throat hit, flavor strength, and vapor production.

Common Ratios:

  • 70% VG / 30% PG → smooth, big clouds, mild throat hit
  • 50% VG / 50% PG → balanced, good throat hit
  • 30% VG / 70% PG → strong flavor, cigarette-like hit

Choose your ratio based on:

  • Mouth-to-lung (MTL) vapers: 50/50 or 60/40
  • Direct-lung (DL) cloud chasers: 70/30 or 80/20

Safety Tips for Handling Nicotine

Nicotine is potent. Follow these precautions:

  • Always wear gloves
  • Avoid skin contact
  • Keep away from children and pets
  • Do not mix near food
  • Work in a ventilated area
  • Store nicotine in the freezer (extends shelf life)

If nicotine touches your skin:

  • Wash immediately with soap and water

How to Calculate Nicotine Strength

Nicotine strength is measured in mg/mL (milligrams per milliliter).

Formula:

(Desired Strength x Total Volume) ÷ Nicotine Base Strength = Nicotine Needed

Example:

You want 30 mL of 6 mg vape juice using 100 mg/mL nicotine.

(6 mg x 30 mL) ÷ 100 mg = 1.8 mL of nicotine

Then add PG, VG, and flavorings to reach the final volume.

How Much Flavoring Should You Add?

Flavor percentage depends on the type of flavor:

  • Fruit flavors: 5–10%
  • Dessert flavors: 10–15%
  • Custards/cream blends: 12–20%
  • Mint/menthol: 1–5%
  • Tobacco: 5–10%

Always start low — you can add more flavor later, but you can’t remove it.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Vape Juice

1. Choose Your Nicotine Strength

Examples:

  • 0 mg
  • 3 mg
  • 6 mg
  • 12 mg (for MTL smokers)

2. Choose Your PG/VG Ratio

Example: 70 VG / 30 PG.

3. Measure Your Ingredients

Use syringes or a scale.

4. Add Nicotine First

This avoids overfilling after everything else is added.

5. Add PG and VG

Use your predetermined ratio.

6. Add Flavor Concentrates

Typically 5–15% depending on profile.

7. Mix Everything Thoroughly

Shake for at least 1–2 minutes.

8. Steep the E-Juice

Most flavors improve after sitting for days or weeks.

Steeping Your DIY Vape Juice

Steeping helps:

  • Blend flavors
  • Smooth out harsh notes
  • Improve sweetness and depth

Steeping time by flavor type:

  • Fruit: 0–3 days
  • Menthol: No steep needed
  • Dessert: 1–2 weeks
  • Custards: 3–6 weeks

Store in a dark, cool place.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Flavor is weak

  • Add 1–2% more flavor
  • Reduce VG slightly (PG carries flavor better)
  • Increase steeping time

2. Too harsh

  • Reduce PG
  • Lower nicotine strength
  • Allow longer steeping
  • Try smoother flavor concentrates

3. Too sweet

  • Reduce VG
  • Lower sweetener-heavy flavors
  • Mix with unflavored base

4. Chemical or perfume taste

  • Needs more steeping
  • Flavoring percentage too high
  • Try a different brand of flavor concentrate

Can You Make Nicotine Salt Vape Juice?

Yes — but it’s more advanced.

You must use:

  • Benzoic acid-based nicotine salts
  • Higher PG to dissolve nicotine properly
  • Correct pH balancing

Beginners should start with regular (freebase) nicotine.

How Long Does Homemade Vape Juice Last?

If stored properly:

  • PG/VG: up to 2 years
  • Nicotine: 1–2 years refrigerated
  • Finished DIY juice: 6–12 months

Store in:

  • Dark bottles
  • Cool environment
  • Airtight containers

Avoid sun, heat, and oxygen exposure.

Final Thoughts

Making vape juice at home is rewarding, customizable, and cost-effective when done properly. The process is simple:

  • Mix PG, VG, nicotine (optional), and flavor
  • Use the right ratios
  • Follow nicotine safety
  • Steep the liquid for best flavor
  • Adjust recipes until perfect

With practice, DIY e-liquid can taste just as good — or better — than store-bought brands.