Introduction

DIY e-liquid is the ultimate expression of a vaper’s craft. It’s cheaper than premium brands, gives you total control over ingredients, and lets you develop signature recipes no one else has. But it requires precision, patience, and respect for nicotine. This guide takes you from concentrate selection to steeping, all within the framework of EU TPD compliance.

1. The Core Components of DIY

• Base liquids: Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG), pharmaceutical grade (≥99.5% purity). Buy in litre quantities for economy.
• Nicotine: In the EU, nicotine base is limited to 10 ml at 20 mg/ml or 18 mg/ml. Many DIYers buy 72 mg/ml nicotine from non-EU suppliers, but this carries legal risk. We recommend using multiple 10 ml nic shots for TPD compliance.
• Concentrates: Buy from reputable manufacturers (TFA, Capella, Flavorah, Inawera). Start with 5–10 flavours and expand.

2. How to Start Mixing 

• Workspace: Clean, wel-lit, with a wipeable surface. Keep nicotine out of reach of children and pets.
• Equipment: 0.01 g precision scale, disposable pipettes, nitrile gloves, empty bottles (10 ml for testers, 50 ml shortfills for ADV).
• Mixing by weight: More accurate than volume. 1 ml of PG weighs ~1.04 g, VG ~1.26 g. Use an e-liquid calculator (e.g., Steam Engine or ELR) to determine grams per ingredient.
• Process: Add concentrate → nicotine → PG → VG. Shake thoroughly after each addition, then a final vigorous shake.

3. Recipe Development & Flavour Pairing

Single flavours first: Learn the strength of each concentrate. Test at recommended percentages (usually 3–8% in a mix).

• Basic pairing: A primary flavour (60–70%), a secondary (20–30%), and an accent (5–10%). Example: strawberry (primary) + vanilla custard (secondary) + graham cracker (accent).
• Steeping time: Fruits can be shake-and-vape; custards and tobaccos need 2–6 weeks steeping. Record every recipe and steep time.
• Stay TPD-compliant: Keep overall nicotine content ≤20 mg/ml and avoid any banned substances (no vitamin E acetate, no diacetyl from unreliable sources).

4. Safety and Storage of DIY Materials

Nicotine handling: Always wear gloves. If spilled on skin, wash immediately with soap and water. Store in a locked, dark, cool cabinet. Nicotine oxidises and loses potency when exposed to air and light.

• PG/VG storage: Cool, dry place; they have a shelf life of at least 2 years.
• Concentrates: Tightly sealed, out of heat and direct sunlight. Some flavours are potent and can leave lingering smells in a room.
• Label everything: Include batch number, mix date, nicotine level, and exact recipe percentages. This is not just good practice — it’s a safety essential.

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