Mixing different commercial vape juices, often called e-liquids, is a common practice among users who wish to customize their experience. This process is possible because most e-liquids share the same foundational ingredients: Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), flavorings, and often nicotine. While physically blending them is straightforward, the chemical and physical changes in the resulting mixture require careful consideration. This article explores the practical motivations for combining liquids and the compatibility and performance factors to manage.
Primary Reasons for Combining E-Liquids
Creating a unique flavor profile is a significant motivator for combining different e-liquids. Users often blend two or more existing commercial flavors to achieve a complex taste that is not available off the shelf. For example, a user might combine a single-note fruit flavor with a creamy dessert flavor to create a richer, multi-layered experience.
Mixing is also done to fine-tune the nicotine concentration. Most commercially available e-liquids come in standard nicotine strengths. By mixing a high-nicotine liquid with a zero-nicotine liquid of the same flavor, a user can accurately achieve an intermediate strength, such as 4.5mg/mL. This precision allows users to slowly and systematically adjust their nicotine intake downward over time.
Ingredient Compatibility and Safety Guidelines
Achieving a successful mix depends heavily on managing the ratio of Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG), the two primary carrier liquids. PG is a thinner liquid that carries flavor effectively and provides a stronger sensation in the throat, while VG is thicker, responsible for producing dense vapor clouds, and offers a smoother inhale. Mixing liquids with vastly different ratios, such as a high-PG blend with a high-VG blend, can disrupt the intended viscosity of both.
The final PG/VG ratio of the mixed liquid determines its overall thickness. A final mixture that is significantly thicker or thinner than what the device is engineered to handle can lead to performance problems. Therefore, it is generally advised to combine e-liquids that have similar base ratios to maintain a consistent liquid density.
Attention must be paid to the type of nicotine being used, specifically freebase nicotine versus nicotine salts. Freebase nicotine is the traditional form with a higher pH, which results in a more noticeable sensation in the throat, especially at higher concentrations. Nicotine salts are formulated with an acid to lower the pH, allowing for a much smoother inhalation of high nicotine levels.
While chemically compatible, mixing these two nicotine types without precise measurement makes it difficult to predict the final concentration and the resulting sensation. Haphazardly combining different nicotine concentrations can easily lead to a final liquid that is far stronger than intended, resulting in excessive nicotine delivery or a harsh experience. For safety, any adjustment of nicotine strength should be performed using accurate measurements and clear calculations to know the exact final concentration. Furthermore, users should only mix commercial e-liquids, avoiding the introduction of non-vaping substances, and always store the resulting mixture in a properly labeled, sealed container away from heat and light to prevent degradation.
Effects on Vaping Performance and Device Maintenance
The resulting viscosity of a mixed e-liquid has a direct impact on the device’s wicking ability. Wicking is the process by which the liquid is drawn from the tank or reservoir into the cotton wick around the heating coil. A mixture that ends up with a significantly higher VG concentration will be thicker, which can slow down the wicking rate.
If the wicking is too slow, the cotton can dry out during use, leading to an unpleasant burnt taste known as a “dry hit.” Conversely, a mixture that is too thin due to a high PG content can be drawn into the wick too quickly and may flood the coil or cause the liquid to leak from the air inlets of the tank. For optimal performance, the consistency of the final blend should match the specifications of the coil being used; for instance, lower-resistance coils typically require higher-VG liquids.
Mixing different flavor concentrates, especially those containing high amounts of artificial sweeteners, can accelerate the degradation of the heating coil. These sweeteners do not fully vaporize and instead caramelize onto the coil and wick, forming a dark residue often called “coil gunk.” This buildup reduces the coil’s efficiency, affecting both flavor delivery and vapor production, and necessitates more frequent coil replacements.
The flavor outcome of a newly mixed liquid may not be immediately apparent and often requires a period of “steeping,” or resting time. Steeping allows the various flavor molecules and other components to fully blend and stabilize within the PG and VG base. Complex flavor profiles, such as those with creamy or dessert notes, may need several days or even weeks to fully develop a smooth, cohesive taste. If the mixed liquid tastes harsh or disjointed immediately after blending, patience and a short steeping period can often resolve the issue.