What is DIY?

DIY stands for Do It Yourself, and in the context of e-cigarettes, it usually refers to making your own e-liquid from concentrates.

Making your own e-liquid is both fun and cost-effective as it saves a lot of money compared to buying pre-mixed e-liquid.

It may seem overwhelming at first when you look into making your own e-liquid, but there are excellent instructional videos on YouTube and many texts/blogs about DIY where they cover everything from the basics.

What do you need to make your own e-liquid?

To get started, you’ll need a variety of items. Some of these are one-time costs, while others need to be replenished regularly.

At Flavour-Concentrates, we have everything you need to get started so you don’t have to shop from multiple stores.

Here’s what you need to get started:

• Measuring tools (scale or syringes)
• Bottles
• Base liquid (VG/PG)
• Flavor concentrates
• Nicotine (optional)

You can choose whether to measure the ingredients with syringes or a scale. Most recipes you’ll find list measurements in grams and milliliters.

From personal experience, using a scale is easier and helps prevent spills and mess.

How do you make your own e-liquid?

Once you have all the necessary products, it’s time to get started. You might have already found a recipe online that you’d like to try, or you might want to experiment on your own.

The easiest approach is to follow a tried-and-tested recipe that provides all the ingredients and measurements. You can also consider the number of reviews the recipe has received to ensure a good end result.

Simply measure all the ingredients, pour them into a bottle, shake well, and it’s ready to be used.

Keep in mind that some e-liquids need to steep (mature) for a period after mixing to allow the flavors to settle. The longer you let it steep, the more flavorful it will become.

If you want to experiment on your own, remember that different brands of flavor concentrates have different concentration levels. If you use 5% of one brand, you might need twice as much of another brand to achieve the same flavor.

When experimenting, it’s best to start with smaller quantities and add more if you feel the flavor is too weak.

Advantages of mixing your own e-liquid

Cost: Cost is a significant factor in choosing to mix your own e-liquid, especially for heavy users. It can be as little as one-tenth the price of pre-mixed e-liquid.
Control: You have full control over the ingredients used and can regulate them according to your preferences.
Uncertain future: Fortunately, the ingredients for DIY juice will still be available regardless of any future regulations, laws, or taxes. So, you will still be able to vape, no matter what.

Do I need to steep my e-juice after mixing?

This depends on the flavor concentrates you use, their percentages, and the combinations you create. Some flavor concentrates and blends may require a few days of steeping for the flavors to fully develop, while others provide a good taste immediately. Creamy dessert-based blends generally require longer steeping time compared to fruity flavors, but this can vary for each mix.

In general, all e-juices benefit from steeping for a certain period, resulting in more flavor compared to using them immediately.

How to store your e-liquid?

Store your e-liquid in a child-safe sealed bottle or container, keeping it out of reach of children and pets. Ideally, store the e-liquid in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, as sunlight can degrade the mixture. It is normal for e-juice to change color over time.

How long does my DIY e-liquid last?

The lifespan of your DIY e-liquid depends on several factors, such as storage conditions and exposure to oxygen. If the e-liquid has been exposed to sunlight or heat, it will start to degrade, affecting its flavor and nicotine strength. When stored correctly, e-liquid can last up to two years or even longer if it is nicotine-free.

You can determine if your e-juice has expired by checking if it has separated. Over time, the denser elements in the e-juice will sink, while the lighter elements will rise to the top. If they do not mix back together after shaking, it may be time to discard the mixture.

Both the smell and taste of e-juice will also change over time, so if it smells or tastes unpleasant, it’s best to discard it.

Important things to note when mixing your own e-liquid

Ensure you mix in a clean and sterile environment. Use clean bottles and instruments. Wear latex gloves. Wash your hands before and after mixing. Wear appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting a little liquid on. For extra safety, use eye and face protection.

Various bottle sizes available

We purchase concentrates in bulk from manufacturers and then package them into smaller bottles. This allows us to offer multiple bottle sizes, such as 20ml, 50ml, 100ml, and 250ml. When purchasing a larger bottle than 20ml, the price per milliliter becomes slightly cheaper, which is perfect for blending a large batch of your favorite e-liquid.

Popular concentrate manufacturers

We have a wide range of concentrates available, both in terms of different manufacturers and the number of flavors from each manufacturer.

We constantly add new flavors, but if you feel that a particular flavor is missing, don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will see if it’s possible to bring in the flavor you desire.

Here are the different concentrate manufacturers listed:

• The Flavour Apprentice (TFA)
• Capella (CAP)
• Flavor West (FW)
• Mount Baker Vapor (MBV)

Feel free to use our filter to easily find the flavor profile you are looking for.