Guide to Vaping Alchemy: Create Your Own Custom E-Liquids
Vaping alchemy (or DIY vaping) is the process by which you make your own e-liquids by combining a neutral base, concentrated flavorings, and, optionally, nicotine kits. This alternative not only gives you total control over flavor intensity, vapor production, and nicotine concentration, but it also results in significant savings on your regular vaping expenses.
At Enspirar, we're committed to providing you with all the ingredients you need to make your own e-liquids with the highest quality assurance—without paying more than you have to.
Essential Ingredients for Your Vaping E-Liquid Mix
To make homemade e-liquid correctly, you need to understand the role of each ingredient in the mixture:
1. Neutral bases: Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG)
The base is the main ingredient (accounting for 70% to 90% of the total volume) and determines the vapor density and the intensity of the flavor. Bases consist of two key components:
- Propylene glycol (PG): It is a liquid, fluid compound that enhances the intensity of the flavor and provides the well-known “throat hit.”
- Vegetable Glycerin (VG): It is a denser, more viscous liquid that produces large clouds of vapor and makes the draw smoother.
In our store, we carry base liquids in various ratios (50PG/50VG, 100% VG, 100% PG) and sizes (100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, and 1,000 ml) so you can choose the viscosity that best suits your device.
2. Concentrated e-liquid flavors
Aromas are concentrated essences that add flavor to the base. They should never be vaped directly without being diluted. At Enspirar, you’ll find a wide selection of flavor profiles, ranging from classic tobacco flavors to fruity, menthol, and sweet blends. Each manufacturer specifies the recommended dilution percentage (usually between 5% and 20%), which you should follow to achieve the perfect balance.
3. Nicokits and additives
If you use nicotine, nicokits are 10-ml bottles of concentrate at a specific strength (usually 10 mg/ml or 20 mg/ml) formulated with different PG/VG ratios. Adding one or more nicokits allows you to adjust the exact nicotine level of your final blend.
Additives, on the other hand, let you add specific nuances to your creations, such as a hint of freshness (cooling effect), extra sweetness, or a smooth vapor.
How do you choose the right PG/VG ratio for your device?
The choice of a neutral base depends not only on your personal preferences, but also on the type of vape device or coil you typically use from a technical standpoint:
- 50PG / 50VG ratio: Offers a perfect balance between flavor and vapor. It’s the ideal choice for pod-style devices, high-resistance coils (greater than 0.8 ohms), and users looking for discretion and an MTL (mouth-to-lung) draw.
- 70VG / 30PG or 100% VG ratios: Thick and designed for sub-ohm atomizers (coils under 0.6 ohms) and direct-lung (DL) vaping. They produce abundant vapor and a very smooth experience, although they require coils with high wattage to prevent the wick from burning.
How to Calculate Your Alchemy Mix Step by Step
Calculating the proportions for your e-liquid is very simple if you follow these basic steps:
- Specify the total amount to be prepared: For example, 100 ml of finished e-liquid.
- Calculate the fragrance concentration: If the manufacturer recommends 10% fragrance, you will need 10 ml of concentrated fragrance.
- Calculate the amount of nicotine needed: If you want a final concentration of 3 mg/ml in 100 ml and are using 20 mg/ml nicokits (10 ml), you’ll need to add 1.5 nicokits (15 ml).
- Add the remaining neutral base: Subtract the volume of flavoring and Nicokit from the total. In this example: 100 ml - 10 ml (flavoring) - 15 ml (Nicokit) = 75 ml of neutral base.
The maceration process
Once all the ingredients have been mixed in a suitable container, it is essential to shake the container well and store the product in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Maceration is the time required for the aroma to blend evenly with the base.
Fruity or minty flavors typically take just a few days (between 3 and 7 days), while tobacco or dessert flavors may take between 2 and 4 weeks to reach their final flavor profile.
Safety and Operating Recommendations
To ensure a safe and satisfying vaping experience, we recommend that you follow these guidelines:
- Use clean, graduated containers intended exclusively for alchemy.
- Keep all ingredients and mixtures out of the reach of children and pets.
- Wash your hands after handling concentrated Nicokits.
- Always check that the density of your final mixture is compatible with your atomizer's coils before vaping.
Benefits of Buying Your Vaping Supplies at Enspirar
At Enspirar, we've been specializing in the vaping industry in Spain since 2012, offering you a carefully curated selection so you can shop with complete peace of mind.
- Competitive prices: We strive to offer prices that are approximately 10% lower than those of our direct competitors across most of our product lines.
- Fast Shipping: We offer 24-hour express shipping and 48-hour standard shipping within the Iberian Peninsula.
- Guarantee and Freshness: All of our ingredients comply with current European labeling and safety regulations.