DIY Flavour Concentrates

Look, I'll be straight with you - mixing your own juice isn't just about saving money (though you definitely will). It's about having complete control over what goes into your vape. You buy your choice of flavour concentrates, your PG/VG base, and optionally some nicotine if that's your thing. The beauty is in the flexibility.

Most people start nervous about getting the ratios wrong, but here's the thing - if you're mixing an unknown concentrate for the first time, just do a small 10ml test batch at around 10% flavour strength. Wait a few days to a week, give it a taste, then adjust from there. Some concentrates work brilliantly at 5%, others need 15% to really shine.

The cost savings are pretty significant too. A 30ml bottle of premium juice might cost you £15-20, but the same amount mixed at home? You're looking at maybe £3-4 in materials. That adds up quickly when you're a regular vaper.

This is where most beginners get stuck, but it's simpler than you'd think. Different concentrate manufacturers have different recommended percentages, but there's a general rule that works well: start low and work up.

For single flavour mixes, 10% is usually a safe starting point. For complex recipes with multiple concentrates, you might use 3-8% of each depending on how strong they are. Dessert flavours often need higher percentages than fruits, and some tobacco concentrates are incredibly potent at just 2-3%.

The median range for most concentrates sits around 2-8%, but don't treat that as gospel. Your taste preferences matter more than any guideline.

What equipment do I actually need?

You don't need a laboratory setup to start mixing. A few syringes or pipettes, some empty bottles, and a decent scale that measures to 0.1g will do you fine. Some people prefer mixing by volume, others by weight - both work perfectly well.

A mixing calculator makes life easier too. There are several free ones online that'll work out exactly how much of each ingredient you need for any bottle size and strength.

Do my mixes need steeping time?

Most DIY mixes benefit from a bit of steeping, especially complex recipes or anything with cream/custard notes. Fresh mixed juice often tastes a bit harsh or unbalanced, but give it a week or two and the flavours marry together properly.

Fruit concentrates usually taste pretty good straight away, but even they improve with a few days rest. Tobacco and dessert flavours can need anywhere from 1-4 weeks to reach their potential.

DIY flavour concentrates open up a world of possibilities that pre-mixed juices simply can't match. You'll save money, gain complete control over your flavours, and probably discover some combinations that become your new all-day vapes. The learning curve isn't steep, and the satisfaction of vaping something you've crafted yourself is genuinely rewarding.