If you've just started vaping, or you're thinking about making the switch from cigarettes, the sheer variety of e-liquids can feel hard to handle. Different ratios, nicotine strengths, bottle sizes, shortfills, nic salts… there's a lot to take in.
Don't worry. This guide covers everything you need to know about e-liquid so you can choose the right one for your vaping device and your situation, whether you're starting out or just want to make a smarter choice.
What Is an E-Liquid
E-liquid (also called vape juice) is the fluid used in vaping devices. It's a mixture of VG (Vegetable Glycerine) and PG (Propylene Glycol), food-grade flavourings, and optionally nicotine. When the liquid contacts a heated coil inside the vape tank, it vaporises into an inhalable vapour. The exact blend of ingredients determines how it performs in your device, how much vapour it produces, and how it feels to inhale.
Inside an E-Liquid
Every e-liquid is built from the same core ingredients, but the proportions vary depending on the product. Understanding what each one does makes it much easier to choose the right liquid for how you vape.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
Thin, odourless carrier that delivers a stronger throat hit and wicks quickly into the coil. Higher-PG liquids work best in lower-powered devices.
Vegetable Glycerine (VG)
Thicker and slightly sweet. Produces the visible vapour clouds and a smoother inhale. Higher-VG liquids are made for sub-ohm vaping.
Flavourings
Food-grade ingredients regulated under UK TRPR. Banned compounds include colourings, caffeine, taurine and diacetyl.
Nicotine (optional)
Choose 0mg if you've cut down already. If you want nicotine, pick a strength that reflects your previous smoking habits.
E-Liquid Mixing Guide
An e-liquid mix, or ratio, describes the proportion of VG to PG. This directly affects which device you can use it with and what the experience feels like. The two most common ratios in the UK are 50/50 and 70/30.
Balanced: Beginner Friendly
Equal parts VG and PG. Thinner liquid that wicks easily and gives a noticeable throat hit. The go-to choice for starter kits, vape pens and pod devices.
MTL devicesHigh VG: Cloud Chasing
70% VG, 30% PG. Thicker, bigger clouds, smoother inhale, but needs more power. Designed for sub-ohm devices with coils below 1 ohm.
Sub-ohm devicesWhat Sizes Do E-Liquids Come In
Under UK TRPR regulations, any e-liquid that contains nicotine can only be sold in bottles of 10ml or less. This is a consumer safety rule, not a quality restriction. It's also why you'll sometimes see two different bottle options for the same flavour.
Nicotine-free e-liquids aren't subject to the same size limit, which is where shortfills come in.
What Are Shortfills
A shortfill e-liquid is a larger bottle (typically 50ml or 100ml) filled with nicotine-free e-liquid, but with space left. That space is for a nicotine shot: a small bottle of concentrated nicotine that you add yourself. Once mixed, you get a nicotine-containing e-liquid in a much larger quantity than the 10ml limit would otherwise allow.
Shortfills are designed for sub-ohm vapers who get through liquid quickly, as a nicotine-free base is typically a high-VG formula.
How to Add a Nicotine Shot
Adding a nic shot takes a couple of minutes, and here's how easy it is to do it:
Push down on the shortfill & nic shot cap and unscrew to open.
Place the wider nicotine shot(s) nozzle over the top of the shortfill nozzle as it is designed to sit tight over it and apply pressure to squeeze in the shot.
Firmly screw the caps back on. Shake and enjoy!
Give it a few minutes to settle before you vape if you want the best flavour from the first draw.
What Is E-Liquid Steeping
Steeping is the process of leaving your e-liquid to settle and blend after mixing, particularly after adding a nicotine shot to a shortfill. Fresh off the shake the liquid is perfectly vapeable, but many vapers find the flavour sharpens and deepens after 24 to 48 hours.
Quick guide
Shake well, seal it, and leave it in a cool, dark place for at least 24 hours. Dessert and tobacco blends benefit from 2–3 days; fruit and menthol flavours need less time.
E-Liquid Strength Guide
Nicotine strength is measured in milligrams per millilitre (mg/ml). UK strengths run from 0mg up to 20mg, the legal maximum under TRPR. Choosing the right strength is one of the most important decisions for anyone using vaping to quit or cut down.
| Smoking habit | Suggested strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20+ a day | 18–20mg | Consider nic salts for a smoother hit |
| 11–20 a day | 10–18mg | Freebase or nic salts both work well |
| 6–10 a day | 6–10mg | A good middle ground |
| 1–5 a day | 3–6mg | Suits light smokers making the switch |
| Occasional | 0–3mg | Start low; you may not need nicotine |
These are guidelines, not rules. Read our dedicated nicotine strength guide for a more detailed breakdown if you're unsure.
Freebase Nicotine vs Nicotine Salts
There are two main forms of nicotine used in e-liquids, and they behave quite differently.
Freebase Nicotine
The traditional form. Delivers a noticeable throat hit that becomes harsher above 6mg. Absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly than nic salts.
Nicotine Salts
A chemically different form that's smoother to inhale, even at 10mg or 20mg. Absorbs faster, satisfying cravings more quickly, making it ideal for heavier smokers.
Does All E-Liquid Contain Nicotine
0mg e-liquid is widely available and contains no nicotine. It's a popular option for vapers who've successfully reduced their nicotine intake to zero but still enjoy the habit and sensation of vaping.
But it's worth knowing that most 0mg shortfills are formulated as a concentrated base, designed to be diluted when you add a nicotine shot. If you use them without adding nicotine, the flavour can come across as intense.
Vapoholic 0mg
Our 0mg e-liquids are made with the right level of flavour. Whether you buy with or without nicotine, your flavour profile has been carefully balanced.
What Vape Liquids Should I Use
Thicker e-liquids require more power to vaporise, which is why 70/30 e-liquids are best suited to sub-ohm vape kits. The low resistance of the sub-ohm coil (below 1 ohm) allows more power through, vaporising the thicker VG.
If you put a 70/30 liquid in a coil above 1 ohm, the coil won't get hot enough, leading to burnt, weak hits and a coil that dies fast.
On the flip side, 50/50 e-liquid is designed for lower-powered devices with coils above 1 ohm. The higher resistance keeps the coil from overheating, vaporising the thinner PG correctly. Use 50/50 in a sub-ohm coil and the liquid vaporises too quickly, burning the coil out.
Does E-Liquid Expire & How to Store It
E-liquids carry an expiry date, usually two years from manufacture, but that date is a guideline rather than a hard deadline. VG, PG and flavourings don't spoil the way food does. Over time, the nicotine content gradually weakens and the liquid may darken, particularly if it contains nicotine. A darker liquid isn't unsafe; it just means the nicotine is a bit less potent.
How to store
Keep e-liquids in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight, heat and extreme cold, as temperature swings can break ingredients down and make the liquid gloopy. Always keep e-liquids out of reach of children and pets.
Does E-Liquid Cause Popcorn Lung
The popcorn lung concern relates specifically to diacetyl, a flavouring compound found in some US-manufactured e-liquids and associated with a rare lung condition called bronchiolitis obliterans. Diacetyl has never been a permitted ingredient in UK e-liquids under TRPR regulations, and it has since been banned in the US too.
For more details, see our Health and Vaping Guide.
UK Regulations at a Glance
All e-liquids sold legally in the UK must comply with TRPR 2016, enforced by the MHRA. The key points:
- Nicotine-containing e-liquids can only be sold in bottles of 10ml or less.
- Maximum nicotine strength is 20mg/ml.
- Tanks and cartridges must not exceed 2ml capacity.
- Products must be notified to the MHRA before going on sale.
- Banned ingredients include diacetyl, taurine, acetyl propionyl, vitamins and colourings.
Stay safe
If you come across an e-liquid that doesn't appear to meet these standards, like a large bottle containing nicotine, or a product with no MHRA notification details, be cautious.
Starting Vaping
Vaping has grown considerably as a harm-reduction tool in the UK. According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), there are around 5.5 million vapers in Great Britain, with 55% being ex-smokers. It's also the most commonly used quitting aid among adults in England, with over 26% of those who successfully quit smoking in the past year used a vape in their attempt.
If you're wondering how to start, the good news is that vaping for beginners doesn't need to be a pain. Get the basics right first, and you'll have plenty of time to experiment with ratios, flavours and devices as you grow more comfortable.
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