How to Add a Nic Shot to a Shortfill (With the Maths Done for You)
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If you've just bought your first shortfill, you've probably noticed two things. The bottle isn't full, and there's no nicotine in it. That's on purpose. UK law caps nicotine e-liquid at 10ml bottles, so the big bottles are sold at 0mg with space left for you to add your own nicotine. That's what nic shots are for.
It takes about a minute. Here's how.
What you need
- A shortfill (50ml or 100ml)
- One or two 10ml nicotine shots, usually 18mg
- About 30 seconds of shaking
How to do it
- Take the cap off the shortfill. Most have a nozzle tip that pulls off too. If it's stiff, twist it gently while you pull.
- Squeeze the nic shot into the shortfill bottle.
- Put the tip and cap back on.
- Shake it well for 30 seconds to a minute. Nicotine doesn't spread through the liquid on its own, so it needs a proper mix.
- If you can, leave it for a bit before you vape it. Some people think it tastes better after a day or two, but it's fine to use straight away.
What strength will I end up with?
Most people aim for about 3mg, which is a common strength for sub-ohm vaping. Here's what you get with 18mg shots:
| Shortfill | Nic shots | Total liquid | Final strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50ml | 1 x 18mg | 60ml | about 3mg |
| 100ml | 1 x 18mg | 110ml | about 1.6mg |
| 100ml | 2 x 18mg | 120ml | about 3mg |
If you want to work out anything else, the sum is simple. Multiply the strength of the shot by how many ml of shot you're adding, then divide by the total amount of liquid. Two 10ml shots of 18mg is 18 x 20 = 360. Divide that by 120ml and you get 3. So that's 3mg.
Freebase or salt nic shots?
Both work. Freebase shots give a bit more throat hit. Salt shots are smoother, which some people prefer even at 3mg. If you're not sure, start with whichever is cheapest and swap next time if it's not for you.
A few things people get wrong
- Adding a shot to a 10ml bottle. Don't. 10ml e-liquids already have nicotine in, and there's no room anyway.
- Not shaking it enough. If the first few tanks feel harsh and the rest feel weak, it wasn't mixed properly.
- Using a shortfill in a small pod kit. Most shortfills are 70VG/30PG, which is thick. It can flood or burn out small MTL pods. For pod kits, 10ml nic salts are a better fit.
Need some shortfills to go with your shots? Our 100ml shortfills are still pre-tax stock, so the prices haven't gone up yet.
