E cigarette oil, or vape juice is the liquid that vaporizes in an e cigarette to produce the smoke users inhale. It typically contains a number of chemicals including nicotine, propylene glycol and flavorings.
Creating a homemade e cigarette oil is simple and relatively inexpensive. The first step is to choose the base you want to use. The most common base is a blend of PG and VG, usually in the ratios of 50/50 to 80/20, but some choose to mix 100% VG (also called full VG base).
Next you will need to add flavour concentrate(s) to your base. This can be a single flavour or a mixture of flavours. It is important to follow the fact sheet for each of your flavours and calculate how many drops you will need based on how much you are mixing into your base.
You will need a clear glass bottle to mix the base in, as well as syringes for accurately measuring the diluents. If you are using syringes make sure to use gloves as they can be very sensitive to nicotine.
Nicotine is also needed to give the e cigarette a hit, and you will need to dilute the nicotine into your base according to your desired strength. The recommended levels are 8-20mg, but this can vary from user to user and is often a matter of personal preference.
Flavoring is a vital component in an e cigarette liquid as it provides the taste that you inhale when vaping. It is best to use specific e cigarette flavourings from a reputable supplier as they are specifically designed for inhaling.
There are thousands of different flavours to choose from and some are more suited for certain uses than others. Always check the fact sheets on each flavour before adding it to your base, as they will have the number of drops required for a particular blend and a maximum total volume.
Steeping the liquid before use is a good idea as it allows for flavourings to better integrate into your mixture. This is especially true if you are mixing more than one flavour together as the two ingredients can behave differently when mixed together.
Once you have finished mixing your e cigarette oil, be sure to store it properly in a cool place to avoid spoiling. For long term storage you should consider a refrigerator, as this will help keep the e cigarette oil at its peak.