Short fills and nic shots are the perfect solution for anyone who likes the thought of buying larger bottles of e-liquid and adding their desired amount of nicotine. However the process and jargon around it can be a little confusing to those who are not in the know.
Our comprehensive guide to nic shots and short fills is here to demystify the process and help you achieve the nicotine strength you are looking for.
Understanding how to use nic shots with short fills
Short fills are larger bottles of nicotine-free e-liquids that are designed to allow you to add nic shots, also known as nicotine shots, to the mix. Due to UK legislation, e-liquids that contain nicotine can only be sold in bottles of 10ml or less. By selling short fills and nic shots separately, vapers can enjoy the convenience of larger bottles of e-liquid while still having a nicotine content. They are also popular for the flavour options they offer, as well as the potential to add a variety of different nic shots.
What are short fills?
As we mentioned above, short fills are larger bottles of nicotine-free e-liquid that leave space for nic shots to be added. They are made this way to comply with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR), which restrict the maximum volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid for sale in one refill container to 10ml.
While short fills are available in a range of different sizes, you will most commonly see 50ml and 100ml options. The name comes from the gap that is left at the top of the bottle, to allow for the addition of nic shots. It is also worth bearing in mind that when you buy short fills, the volume described is the e-liquid you are getting, not the size of the bottle. So, a 50ml short fill is 50ml of e-liquid in a 60ml bottle.
Short fills are most often used for high VG e-liquid, simply because devices that cater to high-VG experiences vaporise more e-liquid – so these vapers go through e-liquid faster than they would with 50/50 or high-PG e-liquids that are used with devices that produce less vapour. Choosing a short fill and adding nic shots makes it possible to stock up in a more convenient way.
What are nic shots?
Nicotine shots are small 10ml bottles of high nicotine strength e-liquid that are designed to be added to short fills. They come in a few different strengths, but the most common ones you will see are 18 mg/ml or 20 mg/ml (which is the maximum strength in the UK). This allows you to customise the nicotine strength you prefer for your short fill.
Nic shots are also available in several different forms, including different ratios—such as 100% VG, high VG, and high PG—and with either freebase or nic salt nicotine. They utilise the same base ingredients as normal e-liquids, but most nic shots are unflavoured. However, there are options available that impart a ‘finish’ to the short fill, the most common being an icy flavour.
Why calculating your nic shots correctly is essential
The freedom to add your own nic shots allows you to tailor your experience to your own preferences. However, it is very important that you understand the process and are able to calculate your nicotine shots correctly.
Miscalculations can lead to an undesirable or unsatisfying vaping experience. For example, using a higher nicotine strength than your body is used to can feel harsh and also result in issues such as headaches or dizziness. On the other hand, not including enough nicotine can mean your nicotine cravings are not effectively satisfied and you may find you are using your vape much more or experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Being confident you know how to calculate your short fills and nic shots can let you enjoy a consistent and satisfying vaping experience every time. Read on to find out how.
Calculating short fill strengths
To calculate the potential short fill strength of any given combination, you need to factor in the volume of the short fill and the strength of the nic shot you’re using to meet your desired final strength.
The formula is:
The number of nicotine shots x their strength / (the volume of e liquid + volume of shots) x 10 = the overall nicotine strength
So, if you have a 10ml 18 mg/ml nic shot and a 50ml short fill, you can pop them into the formula for the below result.
1 x 18 mg/ml nic shot / (50ml e-liquid + 10ml nic shot) x 10 = 3 mg/ml
So, to get the same result for a 100ml short fill, you’d need two 18 mg/ml nic shots. To get a 4.5 mg/ml would be 1.5 in a 50ml, 3 in a 100ml, for a 6 mg/ml two nic shots in a 50ml, 4 in a 100ml.
It is worth bearing in mind that short fills will only usually leave enough room for the addition of enough nic shots to create a 3 mg/ml nicotine strength. This means that if you want to go any higher, you will probably need to decant some of the e-liquid into another bottle to make space for additional nic shots.
Also, 6 mg/ml is the recommended highest strength for mixing your own short fill. Any higher and the flavour and vaping experience will be compromised as the nicotine shots will significantly dilute the e-liquid.
How to mix nicotine shots with short fills
Mixing your nic shots with your short fills is easy. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide.
- Remove the cap and nozzle from both the short fill bottle and the nic shot or shots you are using
- Empty the desired amount of nicotine shots into the short fill and dispose of any empty nic shot bottles safely
- Replace the nozzle and cap on the short fill bottle and shake vigorously to incorporate
- The short fill can then be used straight away, there is no need to wait
Important considerations when mixing short fills
When mixing your short fills and nicotine shots, there are a few important things to keep in mind, including nicotine strength, whether the base liquids are compatible with the with VG/PG ratios you are looking for, whether you prefer nic salt vs freebase, and flavour dilution. Storage and safety should also be key concerns.
Check out a few of our top tips for making sure your mixes are a success.
- Nic shots are available in a variety of different options, so you can most easily match them to both your preference and your chosen short fill
- If you have a 50/50 short fill, you can use a high PG nic shot/s to ensure the formula does not become too thick for use with a starter or pod kit
- The more nicotine shots you add, the more the flavour of the e-liquid will be diluted, this is why a 3 mg/ml is the recommended strength for short fills
- Like 10ml bottles of e-liquid, short fills also have a child proof cap, but it is best to keep them out of the reach of children and pets and store them somewhere safe
- Both nic salt and freebase nic shots are available, and will offer the same characteristics as you enjoy in a standard nicotine-containing e-liquid, so you can choose whichever suits you best
Bonus tip: if you want to enhance the flavour of your short fill, you can actually use a 10ml bottle of e-liquid with an 18 mg/ml in place of a nicotine shot. As the e-liquid is flavoured, it will impart flavour to the short fill, so you can use the same or a similar flavour to boost it.
Mixing your own short fills and nic shots is easy, as long as you consider all the points mentioned above. Now that you understand how to calculate your short fill and choose your nic shot, you are in a great place to start experimenting and working out your favourites.
If you are ready to start exploring and making your own calculations, be sure to check out our extensive range of short fills and nic shots.
