Bases and boosters to make your DIY E Liquids

Bases and nicotine boosters are key elements in the composition of e-liquids and in the production of your DIY e-liquid. There are several types with different PG/VG ratios according to the vaper's needs. In this section, we will see their different characteristics.

The making of a homemade e-liquid starts with a ready-to-use base which will constitute 80 to 90% of your mixture. It is a "neutral" e-liquid (without flavour) with or without nicotine, to which one or more concentrated flavours must be added. Two components can form the base to create e-liquid: propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG).

The 70 PG/30 VG  :A fluid base favouring throat hit production and flavour rendering. This is the recommended PG/VG ratio for beginner vapers.

The 50 PG/50 VG : In our opinion, this is an excellent compromise, bringing together the best of both products. Good flavour conduction, satisfying throat hit, generous vapour, and light viscosity (to avoid rapid equipment clogging).

The 30 PG/70 VG : An ideal base for cloud enthusiasts with a light throat hit. It will be suitable for electronic cigarettes capable of delivering high power..

100 % Vegetable Glycerine : This base produces a lot of vapour and simulates traditional cigarette smoke very well. The vapour produced is dense and tends to dissipate slowly in the air. However, it slightly alters the flavours (sweet taste) and the throat hit (sensation of vapour passing through the throat) is limited. Relatively viscous, glycerine clogs the coil faster.

See the base calculator

Which base for more vapour?

Many vapers are fond of big clouds, and where there's big smoke, there's lots of vapour. To make a liquid that produces a lot of vapour, you'll need to prepare your mixture with a base rich in vegetable glycerine (VG). When vapourized, VG produces a large volume of vapour. Therefore, it's advisable to prioritise this type of base for making big clouds.

It is worth mentioning that this type of base is not intended for all electronic cigarettes. This one is vaped in DL (direct lung) and is accompanied by powerful equipment. Therefore, you need an electronic cigarette with a long-lasting battery, sub-ohm coils, and a high vapour clearomiser.

Furthermore, let's not forget that a base with a high proportion of VG reduces the throat hit. This means that this type of preparation is not really intended for smokers who want to recreate the sensation of a traditional cigarette with their electronic cigarette.

It's also important to note that the more VG there is in the base, the less PG (Propylene Glycol) there is. PG is an aroma carrier, so by opting for a vape intended for big vapour, the flavours will be less pronounced.

The nicotine booster is a neutral-tasting solution concentrated in nicotine. It is composed of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG), and like a base, this ratio can vary.

The nicotine booster allows you to add nicotine to an e-liquid or DIY base.

Today, we are obliged to use nicotine boosters due to the TPD. The TPD or Tobacco Products Directive is a European law (Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU passed by Europe on April 3, 2014) which assimilates electronic cigarettes and e-liquids to tobacco-derived products. Since January 1, 2017, the law prohibits the sale of any product containing nicotine exceeding 20 mg/ml and limits their capacity to 10 ml.

The alternative solution that the vaping industry has found is nicotine boosters. With a nicotine concentration not exceeding 20 mg/ml, these products are therefore compliant with the law.

Nicotine is a stimulant substance present in tobacco products and some nicotine replacement products such as patches and gums, as well as e-liquids. Its consumption has physical and psychological effects on the human body.

The most well-known effect is obviously addiction. But, there is also a stimulating effect, as nicotine affects the nervous system and produces an increase in energy and mood. Nicotine also has relaxing effects, triggering a sense of relaxation in the consumer.

It is important to note that nicotine plays an essential role in smoking cessation, and its effects may vary depending on the individuals and the dose ingested. It is therefore crucial to dose it properly, as too high a nicotine level could increase your addiction, or irritate your throat, for example. An insufficient level can result in a lack, and you may be tempted to resume smoking to compensate for it. To determine the ideal nicotine level for you, we offer a test on our website.

How to choose your nicotine booster ?

To homogenise your DIY preparations, it is advisable to choose a nicotine booster with the same proportions as your base. For example, to obtain an e-liquid with a 50/50 PG/VG ratio, you use a booster with a 50/50 PG/VG ratio, which ensures a well-homogenised preparation. You can use a nicotine booster and a neutral base with different PG/VG ratios, but knowing that the more nicotine boosters used, the less homogeneous the final liquid will be.

As with bases, there are several proportions of propylene glycol / vegetable glycerine:

• 30/70 PG/VG: to produce more vapour with moderate throat hit
• 50/50 PG/VG: perfect balance between flavour and vapour
• 70/30 PG/VG: accentuates flavour rendering and throat hit
• 100% VG: for big clouds of vapour

For smokers in the withdrawal phase, we recommend using nicotine salts boosters.  It allows faster nicotine diffusion into the body. We also recommend this type of booster for people seeking a light throat hit.

Which nicotine rate to choose ?

The nicotine level depends on your nicotine dependence. To assess your nicotine dependence, there are several screening tests used by tobacco specialists. Take the Fagerström test to determine the most suitable nicotine level for your withdrawal:

[NICOTINE CALCULATOR]

• If you are strongly dependent on nicotine, we recommend starting with e-liquids dosed at 18 mg/ml of nicotine or nicotine salts.
• If you are moderately dependent on nicotine, we recommend an e-liquid dosed at 12 mg/ml of nicotine.
• If you are weakly dependent on nicotine, we recommend an e-liquid dosed at 3 mg or 6 mg of nicotine.
• If you are not nicotine dependent, we recommend an e-liquid without nicotine. The absence of nicotine will reduce the throat hit, so prioritise strong flavours like icy mint or tobacco blends.
• If you are a non-smoker, the rule is simple, don't vape!