How to Make Vape Juice at Home: A Step-by-Step DIY E-Liquid Guide

Mar 18, 2025

Snack Munch

Hello fellow vape fiends wondering how to make vape juice! Are you spending a little too much on that liquid gold (a.k.a vape juice)? Well, why don't you try your hand at making it at home! Maybe you’re tired of shelling out cash for store-bought vape liquids or you want to craft a flavor that’s very uniquely yours, like “Mango-Pineapple-Churro” or “Blueberry Pancakes with Extra Syrup.”

Well, whatever your reason, DIY vape juice or make your own vape juice is way cheaper, more customizable and hella fun (if you’re into the mad scientist vibes)!

But before we get right to it, let’s get one thing straight, safety first. There should be absolutely no compromise on safety because handling nicotine requires caution and precision matters when it comes to this.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know in terms of how to make vape juice at home without the need of any chemistry degree.

So, let’s get to mixing shall we?

Why Make Your Own Vape Juice? The Perks

Save $$$ - A 100mL bottle of DIY juice costs way less than pre-made (probably around $2−5 vs $20+).
Unlimited Creativity - Mix flavors and curate something that is meant for YOUR smoke taste buds!
Control Your Nicotine - Tailor the strength to your preference (or skip it entirely).
No Mystery Ingredients - You decide what goes into your lungs.

What You’ll Need - The Starter Kit for How to Make Vape Juice

Here’s your shopping list. Most of this stuff is available online on sites like Dash Vapes, The Broke Vaper, Fat Panda and WTF Vape.

Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
This is going to be the base of your juice and does not contain any nicotine. Propylene Glycol carries flavor better and gives a throat hit while Vegetable Glycerin is the reason behind those cool thick clouds. Most juices use a 50/50 or 70/30 VG/PG ratio.
Nicotine Shots (Optional)
If you’re looking to create a nicotine free vape juice, then you don't have to bother yourself with this. There are various different nicotine options you can utilize such as PG based, VG based or nicotine salts (create a stronger and smoother vape liquid).
Safety note - Wear gloves and handle nicotine like it’s hot sauce—it’s toxic in pure form.
Flavor Concentrates
Use food grade flavors meant for vaping from reputable retailers. Avoid oil based flavors as they’re not safe to inhale. Also, there is a myriad of flavors out there so make sure you don't choose the wrong combo!
Mixing Tools
Syringes, pipettes, or a digital scale (for precision) and empty bottles.
Protective Gear
Gloves, goggles and a clean workspace.

Step-by-Step - Mixing Your First Batch

Let’s break this down into some really simple steps. For this example, we’ll make a 30mL bottle of 3mg nicotine juice with a 70/30 VG/PG ratio, got it fellas?

1. Calculate Your Ratios

Use an e-liquid calculator (like eJuiceMeUp or Steam Engine) to avoid math headaches. Here’s the basic formula:

Nicotine: To hit 3mg in a 30mL bottle, you’ll need 0.9mL of 100mg/mL nicotine base.
Flavor: Start with 10-15% total flavor (3mL-4.5mL for a 30mL batch).
PG/VG: Adjust based on your ratio.

2. Mix Like a Pro

Weighing Method (Most Accurate): Use a digital scale. Add each ingredient by weight (in grams) based on your calculator.
Volume Method (Beginner-Friendly): Use syringes/pipettes to measure mL.

Example Recipe: Simple Strawberry Cream (30mL)

Nicotine (100mg/mL): 0.9mL
Strawberry Flavor: 2.5mL
Cream Flavor: 1.5mL
PG: 3.1mL
VG: 22mL

3. Shake, Steep, Repeat

Shake it like there’s no tomorrow: Mix the heck out of your bottle for 2-3 minutes.
Steeping: Some juices need to sit for flavors to meld. Fruits take 1-3 days while Creams/custards take 1-2 weeks. Store in a cool, dark place and shake daily.

4. Test and Tweak

Drip a little on your RDA or tank. If it’s too weak, add more flavor (in small increments of course). If there’s a harsh throat hit, just adjust PG/VG or lower the nicotine.

Pro Tips to Avoid A Disaster

Start Small: Make 10mL test batches before committing to big bottles.
Label Everything: Write the recipe, date, and nicotine strength on bottles.
Keep It Clean: Sterilize tools to prevent that funky bacteria growth.
Nicotine Safety: Store nicotine in the freezer (in a sealed container) to prolong shelf life.

Troubleshooting Common ‘Make Your Own Vape Juice Problems’

Harsh Throat Hit: Too much nicotine, PG or certain flavors (like citrus).
Weak Flavor: Up the flavor percentage or try a different brand (some flavors are stronger than others).
Chemical Taste: Could be over flavoring or just a bad concentrate.
Separation: Shake well! High VG juices might need some extra shaking.

FAQs Answered

1. Is making vape juice safe?
Yes, if you’re careful. Nicotine is dangerous in high concentrations so you should always wear gloves and keep it away from kids/pets.
Also, avoid oil based flavors or ingredients that are not meant for vaping.

2. Where do I buy PG/VG and flavors?
Online retailers like Dash Vapes, The Broke Vaper, Fat Panda and WTF Vape.

3. How long does DIY vape juice last?
Unflavored base + nicotine lasts approximately 2 years (stored in the freezer).
Mixed juice lasts 1-2 years (without nicotine) or 6-12 months (with nicotine).

4. Can I make nicotine free juice?
Absolutely! Skip the nicotine and adjust your PG/VG/flavor ratios as needed.

5. Why does my juice taste perfumey?
Over flavoring or not steeping enough might be the cause. Some flavors (like floral notes) need extra time to mellow out.

6. Is DIY cheaper than buying pre-made?
100%. A 50 starter kit can make 1,000 mL of juice. Compare that to 20 per 60mL bottle at a shop.

The Final Word - Make Your Own Vape Juice!

Making vape juice at home is like brewing coffee or baking bread people, slow and steady wins the race. It takes practice, but the rewards are worth it. You’ll save money, unlock endless flavor combinations for yourself and impress your vaping buddies with your “secret recipe.”

Just remember, safety first (ALWAYS), start small and keep a notebook to track your wins and fails.

Happy mixing Vape Enthusiasts!

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