What Is A Shortfill?
Shortfills are larger bottles of nicotine free e-liquid that aren’t quite filled to the top so you can add a 10ml nicotine shot and mix them to your desired strength.
Before 2017, Retailers were allowed to sell e-liquids in any quantity. However, the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) set out regulations on the quantity that could be sold. This was set to protect vapers, especially when it comes to the dosage of nicotine. They are:
- Maximum size of 10ml for e-liquids containing nicotine
- Maximum size of 2ml for e-cigarette tanks
- Maximum strength of 20mg/ml for nicotine in e-liquids
This led to the creation of Shortfills, e-liquids with 0% nicotine content that can be sold in quantities over 10ml. This gives you the choice of adding in nicotine shots if you wanted. Shortfills are sold in quantities of 50ml of e-liquid inside a 60ml bottle, the larger size is 100ml of e-liquid in a 120ml bottle, giving you better value for your money. They’re a cost-effective way to buy an e-liquid and allows you get your dosage just right for how you like to vape.
How to Use Them?
Not as complicated as you think! Get your bottle of nicotine shot (10ml, high strength shot of nicotine (usually 18mgs) and add it to your shortfill bottle. Then give it a good shake. Allow the liquid to settle for a few minutes, this allows the nicotine to combine properly with the rest of the e-liquid. The result is a 3mg strength e-liquid. If you want the flavour to develop further, you can leave the bottle for a few days before use.
Nicotine salt shots are also available, these are designed to absorb into your system quicker to satisfy your nicotine cravings. These are based on the salt form of nicotine called nicotine salicylate, closer to the natural form found in the tobacco leaf. Nic salt shots result in a throat hit from the nicotine and combines quicker and more effectively with a shortfill.
Mixing Shortfill E-Liquid
If you’re wanting to mix the perfect vape liquid and require a specific nicotine strength within your shortfill, there are many nic-shot calculators online and free to use/download. This will take the guess work out for you, making life so much simpler. All you need to do is enter the amount of nicotine free e-liquid, the strength of your nic shot and desired strength. The calculator will work out the required volume of nic shot you need to add to your shortfill bottle.
| + | Nicotine Shot(s) | = | E-Liquid Strength |
| + | 1 x 18mg nicotine shot | = | 3 mg/ml |
| + | 2 x 18 mg nicotine shots | = | 6 mg/ml |
| + | 2 x 18 mg nicotine shots | = | 3 mg/ml |
| + | 4 x 18 mg nicotine shots | = | 6 mg/ml |
What Not to Add to Your Shortfills
Caffeine – Great for drinking, but not for vaping avoid if you have high blood pressure or heart problems.
Cinnamon – if mixed with nicotine and inhaled can cause cancer, it can also cause irritation in the gums and mouth.
Fragrance oils – excellent for your home, but they’re not good for your lungs.
Unregulated products – Be wary of the product you are buying, should always be from a licensed vendor.
Choosing Your Shortfill E-Liquids
You can choose between high VG and high PG, between nicotine salts and shortfills.
- PG: Propylene glycol. Used in e-liquid, it is thinner than VG, and creates more of a throat hit.
- VG: Vegetable glycerine. Thicker than PG, it is slightly sweeter, smoother on the throat and creates larger clouds of vapour.
- Choose nic salts for smoother throat hits, increase the speed of nicotine delivery
- 50:50: Good balance between vapour and flavour
In a nutshell, shortfill e-liquids are huge bottles of nicotine-free e-juice with some space left in the bottle for adding your own nicotine shots or extra flavours.
Shortfills are great for use with sub ohm vape setups in general. If you want to shop Shortfills, click here.
