Ecigone

E-liquids 101 : What Are They? An Ecigone Guide

By shane margereson

Look, I get it. You walk into any vape shop or browse online and you're hit with thousands of different bottles. E-liquids, vape juice, vape liquid - they all mean the same thing, but picking the right one? That's where most people get stuck.

I've been doing this for over ten years now, and I still see the same confused faces when someone's trying to figure out what e-liquid they need. The good news? It's actually dead simple once you know the basics.

We stock the biggest vape juice range in the UK - that's not marketing speak, that's fact. With that many options, you need to know what you're looking for. So let's break it down.

What's Actually In Your Bottle?

Every single e-liquid has just four ingredients. That's it. No mystery chemicals, no secret formulas.

Nicotine - The bit that sorts your cravings. You can get anything from 0mg (no nicotine) right up to 20mg (the legal limit). Most people switching from fags start around 10-20mg.

VG (Vegetable Glycerine) - This is what makes the clouds. More VG = bigger clouds, smoother hit. Comes from plants like coconut and palm oil.

PG (Propylene Glycol) - Carries the flavour and gives you that throat hit. Same stuff that's in your asthma inhaler. More PG = stronger flavour, more throat hit.

Flavourings - Food-grade stuff that makes your vape taste like anything from strawberry to custard. We've got fruit flavours, dessert blends, tobacco, menthol - you name it.

Understanding VG and PG Ratios

Right, this is where people's eyes glaze over, but stick with me. The VG/PG ratio is just the mix of those two base ingredients. It changes everything about how your vape performs.

High PG E-liquids (More Throat Hit)

If you want something that feels like a cigarette, you want high PG. Think 50/50 or even higher PG ratios. These are brilliant for:

  • Refillable pod vape kits and starter devices

  • Anyone missing that cigarette throat hit

  • People who want stronger flavours

  • Discrete vaping (less clouds)

High VG E-liquids (More Clouds)

Want to blow massive clouds? You need high VG. Usually 70/30 or 80/20 ratios. These work with:

  • Sub-ohm tanks and powerful devices

  • Cloud chasers

  • People who find high PG too harsh

  • Anyone who wants smooth, thick vapour

We stock everything from 50/50 blends right up to 80/20 high VG. Pick what suits your kit and your style.

 

The Three Main Types You'll See

Nic Salts - The Smooth Option

Nic salts are what most people switching from cigarettes should start with. They're made by mixing regular nicotine with an acid (sounds scary, but it's fine). This makes them way smoother at higher strengths.

Why they're brilliant:

  • You can vape 20mg without your throat being destroyed
  • They hit your bloodstream faster than regular nicotine
  • Perfect for refillable pod vape kits and starter devices
  • Great for people who smoke 10+ cigarettes a day

Freebase E-liquids - The Traditional Choice

This is the original e-liquid style. Regular nicotine mixed with VG, PG, and flavourings. Usually comes in 50/50 ratios and strengths from 0mg to 18mg.

When to choose freebase:

  • You want that harsh cigarette-like throat hit
  • You're using an older MTL device
  • You want nicotine that lasts longer in your system
  • You're planning to reduce nicotine gradually

Shortfills - The DIY Option

Shortfill e-liquids come with no nicotine, but there's space in the bottle to add your own nic shots. Usually 70/30 ratios in bigger bottles.

How they work:

  • 50ml bottles: Add one 18mg nic shot = 3mg strength
  • 100ml bottles: Add two 18mg nic shots = 3mg strength
  • Cheaper per ml if you vape a lot
  • Perfect for sub-ohm devices

The catch: You'll only get about 3mg strength, so they're not great if you need higher nicotine.

Refillable pod vape kit paired with 50/50 e-liquid, designed to deliver a cigarette-like hit and strong flavour for mouth-to-lung vaping and easy transition.
High-powered vape mod with 70/30 e-liquid for smooth direct-to-lung hits and dense vapour clouds, ideal for sub-ohm vaping and flavour-rich experiences.
Pod vape kits paired with 60/40 e-liquid, delivering a smooth and balanced vape experience that works with most refillable vape devices and coil types

How Do I Mix Nic Shots Into A Shortfill?

This is where loads of people get confused, but it's actually really simple once you know the formula.

Most shortfills are designed to make 3mg e-liquid when you add an 18mg nic shot . Here's how it works:

  • 50ml shortfill + one 18mg nic shot = 60ml of 3mg e-liquid
  • 100ml shortfill + two 18mg nic shots = 120ml of 3mg e-liquid
  • 150ml shortfill + three 18mg nic shots = 180ml of 3mg e-liquid
  • 200ml shortfill + four 18mg nic shots = 240ml of 3mg e-liquid

Want a different strength? Don't add more or fewer shots - just pick a different strength nic shot:

  • 9mg nic shot = 1.5mg final strength
  • 12mg nic shot = 2mg final strength
  • 15mg nic shot = 2.5mg final strength
  • 18mg nic shot = 3mg final strength

Just shake it up well and you're sorted. Most people leave it for 10-15 minutes to let everything mix together.

Matching Your Kit to Your Juice

This is crucial. Get this wrong and you'll have a terrible time.

Refillable Pod Vape Kits Need 50/50 Ratios

If you've got a refillable pod vape kit , stick with 50/50 ratios. The coils are designed for thinner liquids. Try to put thick 70/30 liquid in there and you'll get dry hits or burnt taste.

Best for refillable pod vape kits:

  • Nic salts in 10mg or 20mg
  • 50/50 freebase in 12mg or 18mg
  • Any flavour you like - they all work

Sub-Ohm Kits Need High VG

Got a sub-ohm kit ? You need thick juice. 70/30 minimum, 80/20 if you want massive clouds. The coils have big wicking holes that need thick liquid.

Best for sub-ohm:

  • Shortfills with nic shots
  • 70/30 freebase in 3mg or 6mg
  • Low nicotine because you're inhaling more vapour

How Long Does A Bottle Last?

Depends how much you vape and what kit you're using. As a rough guide:

  • 10ml bottle with refillable pod vape kit: About the same as a pack of 20 cigarettes
  • 50ml shortfill with sub-ohm kit : About a week for a heavy vaper
  • 100ml shortfill: Should last most people 2-3 weeks

If you're going through bottles really quickly, check you're not chain vaping or using the wrong nicotine strength.

Picking Flavours

Here's my rule: t he best flavour is the one that stops you smoking. Seriously. Don't overthink it.

Some people stick with tobacco flavours because they're familiar. Others go completely different and try fruit or dessert blends. Both work fine.

Popular categories:

  • Fruit : Strawberry, apple, tropical blends
  • Menthol : Fresh, cooling, great for ex-menthol smokers
  • Dessert : Custard, cake, chocolate flavours
  • Tobacco : Familiar taste without the combustion

Try a few different ones. Most people find their favourite within the first week.

Quick Buying Guide

New to vaping? Start with 10ml nic salts in 10mg or 20mg strength. Pick a flavour that sounds good and a refillable pod vape kit to go with it.

Using a sub-ohm kit? Get some shortfills and nic shots. Start with 3mg strength and see how you get on.

Want to save money? Shortfills work out cheaper per ml if you vape a lot. Refillable pod vape kit users should look for multi-buy deals on 10ml bottles.

Heavy smoker? Don't mess about with low nicotine. Get 20mg nic salts and a decent refillable pod vape kit . You can always reduce the strength later.

Storage and Safety

Keep your e-liquids somewhere cool and dark. Heat and light break down the flavours and nicotine. Most bottles last 1-2 years unopened, about 6 months once you've opened them.

If it smells off, tastes weird, or has changed colour significantly, bin it and get a new bottle. It's not worth risking.

Why Choose Ecigone?

We've got the biggest vape juice range in the UK. That's not marketing - we genuinely stock more varieties than anyone else. Whether you want budget-friendly options or premium brands, we've got you covered.

Plus, we actually use this stuff. Everyone here vapes, so we know what works and what doesn't. If you're stuck choosing, drop us a message and we'll sort you out.

Free delivery on orders over £30 , and we dispatch every day of the week. Most customers get their order within 24 hours.

Browse our full e-liquid range or get in touch if you need help picking the right one for your setup.

Tagged:

E-Liquids Guides
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