How To Make Your Own Flavored VG/PG

Here’s a straightforward guide to making your own flavored vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) mix. This process allows you to customize your juice with your preferred flavors, VG/PG ratio, and nicotine level (if desired). Safety and precision are key, so follow these steps carefully.

Ingredients:

• Vegetable Glycerin (VG): USP-grade, available at pharmacies or shops. Provides smoothness and thicker vapor.
• Propylene Glycol (PG): USP-grade, also widely available. Carries flavor and gives a throat hit.
• Flavor Concentrates: Use food-grade, vape-specific flavorings (e.g., from brands like Capella, TPA, or FlavourArt). Avoid oil-based or sugar-heavy flavors, as they’re unsafe.
• Nicotine (Optional): USP-grade nicotine liquid (e.g., 100 mg/ml strength). Handle with extreme care—wear gloves and avoid skin contact.

Equipment:

• Protective Gear: Gloves, goggles (especially if using nicotine).
• Syringes or Pipettes: For precise measurements (separate ones for each ingredient).
• Mixing Bottles: Amber glass or HDPE plastic bottles (e.g., 30 ml or 60 ml) with caps.
• Scale (Optional): For measuring by weight (more accurate than volume).
• Calculator: Use an online juice calculator (e.g., e-Liquid Recipes or Tool) to determine ratios.

Steps:

1. Choose Your VG/PG Ratio:
   • Common ratios: 70/30 VG/PG (thicker clouds, smoother), 50/50 (balanced flavor and vapor), or 30/70 (stronger throat hit, more flavor).
   • Higher VG = thicker vapor, less throat hit. Higher PG = stronger flavor, thinner liquid.
2. Determine Batch Size:
   • Start small, like 30 ml, to test your recipe. Example: For a 70/30 mix, that’s 21 ml VG and 9 ml PG.
3. Calculate Flavoring:
   • Flavor concentrates typically make up 10-20% of the total volume (3-6 ml for 30 ml). Check the manufacturer’s recommendations—some flavors are stronger and need less.
   • Example: 15% flavor = 4.5 ml.
4. Add Nicotine (If Using):
   • Calculate based on desired strength (e.g., 3 mg/ml). For 30 ml at 3 mg/ml with 100 mg/ml nicotine, you’d need 0.9 ml (use a calculator for accuracy).
   • Subtract this from your VG/PG amounts to keep the total at 30 ml.
5. Mix the Base:
   • In a clean bottle, add your VG and PG using syringes or a scale. Example: For 30 ml (70/30, no nicotine), add 21 ml VG and 9 ml PG.
6. Add Flavoring:
   • Measure and add your flavor concentrate(s). Start low (e.g., 10%) and adjust after testing. Shake well after adding.
7. Add Nicotine (If Using):
   • Carefully measure and add nicotine last. Shake thoroughly.
8. Thin (If Needed):
   • If the mix is too thick (high VG), add more PG and shake.
9. Steep the Juice:
   • Let it sit in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks to meld flavors. Shake daily. Simple flavors (e.g., fruits) may need less time; complex ones (e.g., desserts) benefit from longer steeping.
   • Speed up steeping by placing the sealed bottle in warm water (not hot) for a few hours, then shaking.
10. Test and Adjust:
    • Try it in your vape device. If the flavor’s weak, add more concentrate (a drop at a time). If too strong, dilute with more VG/PG.

Safety Tips:

• Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Wear gloves and goggles, especially with nicotine—it’s toxic in high concentrations.
• Label your bottles with the date, ratio, flavor, and nicotine strength.
• Store away from kids and pets.

Example Recipe (30 ml, 70/30 VG/PG, 3 mg/ml Nicotine, 15% Flavor):

• 20.1 ml VG
• 4.5 ml PG
• 4.5 ml flavor concentrate
• 0.9 ml 100 mg/ml nicotine Total: 30 ml

Shake well, steep for a week, and enjoy! Start with one flavor (e.g., strawberry) to master the process, then experiment with mixes. Let me know if you need help tweaking it!