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Shortfill e-liquids are larger bottles of e-liquid which contain zero nicotine. These larger bottles come with extra space in the bottle to allow you to add a nicotine booster, also called nicotine shots to your liquid to allow you to achieve your desired strength.
Over the last few years, shortfills have become an increasingly popular way to buy and use e-liquid, offering vapers more flexibility and customisation when it comes to nicotine strength. For those who prefer larger bottles of e-liquid and the freedom to choose how much nicotine they want, shortfills provide the perfect solution.
In this guide, we’ll explore what shortfill e-liquids are, why they’re used, and how to mix them with nicotine shots to achieve the desired nicotine strength.
A shortfill is a bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid that leaves space at the top for you to add nicotine shots. Shortfills exist primarily because of UK regulations that limit the sale of nicotine-containing e-liquids in bottles larger than 10ml. As a result, shortfills are a way for vapers to buy larger quantities of e-liquid without nicotine, which can then be customised by adding nicotine shots.
Typical shortfill bottles come in various sizes, such as:
The size refers to the quantity of e-liquid that you are buying, but the actual bottle usually has a higher capacity so that there is space to add nicotine shots.
Most commonly, 50ml of e-liquid is supplied in a 60ml bottle (leaving 10ml of space for a nicotine shot) and 100ml of e-liquid is supplied in a 120ml bottle (leaving 20ml of space for two nicotine shots). Some brands will supply bottles with a further 10ml of space should you want to add more nicotine shots compared to the average.
The flexibility of shortfills allows users to tailor the e-liquid to their preferred nicotine level.
Nicotine shots are small, concentrated bottles of nicotine that are designed to be added to shortfill e-liquids. These bottles typically contain nicotine in a 10ml format with varying strengths, such as 18mg/ml or 20mg/ml.
By mixing a nicotine shot into a shortfill bottle, you can control exactly how much nicotine you want in your e-liquid.
Firstly, you do NOT need nicotine. Shortfill e-liquids are perfectly fine to be used as they are with no nicotine.
However, calculating how many nicotine shots you need is very simple. The number of nicotine shots you need depends on the final nicotine strength you want and the size of your shortfill bottle.
For every 50ml of liquid, 1x 18mg nicotine shot will make the liquid 3mg in total. So, for a 100ml bottle of liquid, add 2x nicotine shots to achieve 3mg.
Here’s a simple guide to calculate how many nicotine shots are needed:
To calculate the final strength of your shortfill, you can use the following formula:
Final Strength of Shortfill (mg) = Strength of Nicotine Shot (mg) x Number of Shots ÷ (Shortfill Volume (ml) + Nicotine Shot Volume (ml)) x 10
Example – Using 50ml shortfill with an 18mg nicotine shot:
Strength = 18 (strength of nicotine shot) x 1 (number of nicotine shots) ÷ (50 + 10) (shortfill + nicotine shot volume) x 10
Strength = 3mg
To calculate how many nicotine shots you need for your desired strength, you can use the following formula:
Number of Nicotine Shots = Desired Strength of Shortfill (mg) × (Shortfill Volume (ml) + Nicotine Shot Volume (ml) ÷ Strength of Nicotine Shot (mg) × 10
Example – Making 3mg e-liquid using 50ml shortfill with an 18mg nicotine shot:
Number of Nicotine Shots Needed = 3 (Desired Strength) x (50 + 10) (Shortfill + Nicotine Shot Volume) ÷ (18 (Strength of Nicotine Shot) x 10)
Nicotine Shots = 1
Shortfill e-liquids offer several benefits:
Different vapers have different preferences when it comes to nicotine strength, often depending on their previous smoking habits or their vaping style. Some of the most popular strengths are as follows:
0mg Nicotine: Ideal for those who enjoy vaping purely for the flavour and experience without the need for nicotine.
3mg Nicotine: A common choice for sub-ohm vapers who prefer low nicotine strength while producing big clouds.
6mg Nicotine: Suitable for vapers who like a bit more nicotine but still prefer a smooth experience, especially with mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices.
12mg+ Nicotine: For vapers who want a strong nicotine hit, typically for use with higher-resistance coils and MTL devices.
Mixing nicotine shots into your shortfill is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and even mixture:
Unscrew the top of your shortfill bottle. You’ll usually need to push down and twist to override the child safety feature.
Next you will need to remove the nozzle from your shortfill bottle. Be careful to keep the bottle upright so that you don’t spill any shortfill liquid.
Carefully squeeze in the nicotine shot(s) you need based on your desired nicotine strength.
Push the nozzle back onto your shortfill bottle. It should click securely back into place. Then replace the cap and screw it closed.
Give your bottle a good shake to ensure that the shortfill and nicotine shot liquids are thoroughly mixed together.
Allow the bottle to sit for a few minutes until all the air bubbles have disappeared. An optional additional step is to leave the e-liquid steep for a day or two to allow the flavours to develop fully after adding the nicotine shot, although this is not usually necessary.
Q: Can you vape a shortfill without adding nicotine?
A: Yes, shortfills are nicotine-free by default, so you can vape them as they are if you prefer a 0mg nicotine strength.
Q: What happens if you add too many nicotine shots?
A: Adding too many nicotine shots will increase the nicotine strength beyond your preference and could make the e-liquid harsh or unpleasant to vape. If this happens, you can dilute your e-liquid back down to your preferred strength by mixing with additional 0mg nicotine shortfill liquid.
Q: How long do shortfills last once nicotine is added?
A: Once nicotine is added, shortfills have the same shelf life as any e-liquid, which is usually around 1-2 years if stored properly in a cool, dark place.
Q: Are shortfills compatible with all vape devices?
A: Most shortfills have a higher VG content, making them ideal for sub-ohm devices. However, they may not perform well in smaller, low-power MTL devices.
Shortfill e-liquids are a versatile and customisable option, allowing you to choose your ideal nicotine level while enjoying larger bottles of e-liquid. Whether you prefer 0mg, 3mg, or higher nicotine strengths, mixing your shortfill with the right number of nicotine shots is straightforward.
With the flexibility to adjust your nicotine intake and save on costs, it’s easy to see why shortfills are a popular choice for many vapers. So, grab your shortfill, add the nicotine shots that work for you, and enjoy a tailored vaping experience!
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