What Are 50/50 Shortfill E-Liquids? The Complete Guide
Starter kit vapers who are looking to save their hard earned cash while continuing to use their MTL device should look no further than 50/50 shortfill E-Liquids.
Often regarded as complex and advanced in the vaping world, the benefits of a good shortfill vape juice have eluded beginner vapers for a long time.Â
However, with the advent of 50/50 shortfills, they are no longer only associated with the sub-ohm tank vapers of the world.Â
Yes, you still need to mix nic-shots and do a bit of maths here and there. But it’s really not as complicated as you might think. For vapers who can’t bear to part from their pod kit, 50/50 shortfills are something that really should be explored.Â
What are 50/50 Shortfills?
50/50 shortfill E-Liquids offer a nicotine-free solution in partially filled bottles, leaving room for users to add nicotine through nic shots. This “50/50” refers to the equal blend of VG (vegetable glycerin) and PG (propylene glycol), ensuring compatibility with low-powered devices like starter kits and MTL (mouth-to-lung) pod kits.
Unlike typical shortfills, 50/50 blends are uniquely suited for MTL vaping devices, broadening the shortfill appeal across a significant segment of the vaping community.
The inception of shortfills was a direct response to the TPD (Tobacco Product Directive), which capped nicotine-infused E-Liquids at 10ml. Shortfills circumvent this restriction, offering vapers the ability to purchase larger quantities of E-Liquid without nicotine.
This method not only proves more economical but also allows for greater customization of nicotine strength, catering to both veterans and beginners. With the option to adjust nicotine levels, 50/50 shortfills present a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional, pre-mixed E-Liquids, which cost more per ml.
Who are 50/50 Shortfill E-Liquids for?
50/50 short fills are for beginner vapers with starter e-cigarette kits.
This is due to their 50/50 formulation of ingredients; regular shortfills are usually made with 70% VG to 30% PG, which means the liquid is thicker and more viscous, and perfect for Direct-to-Lung (DTL) advanced vape kits.
50/50 shortfills are also great for disposable users looking to upgrade to a refillable pod kit, thereby saving money and reducing waste.
Although it’s a step up in maintenance, it will do wonders in the long run.
Plus, the ability to customise nic strength means you can slowly lower your nicotine intake over time, meaning you’ll never have to worry about advancing to a tricky, complex vape kit should you want to quit nicotine altogether.Â
If you are a ex-smoker who used to smoke half a pack of cigarettes a day or more, and have recently transitioned, vaping a 50/50 shortfill E-Liquid won’t give you the right amount of nicotine. You should look to up your nic-strength. 50/50 shortfills are a great tool once you have already lowered your nicotine strengths.
We have a guide if you need help finding your perfect nicotine strength.
What type of vape kit should I use?
Any starter MTL device would be ideal with a 50/50 shortfill, but make sure they’re refillable. This includes pod kits, vape pens, and other cheap vape kits.Â
While it’s technically possible to use a 50/50 shortfill in an advanced DTL (direct-to-lung) setup, we advise against it. This mismatch can lead to excessive nicotine intake or potential leaking issues from your device. Moreover, the overall vaping experience tends to be way less satisfying.
Adding Nicotine to a 50/50 Shortfill E-Liquid
50/50 shortfills typically are available in 120ml bottles, pre-filled with 100ml of E-Liquid, leaving room for two nicotine shots. The exception is the Seriously Pod Fill Max range, offered in 60ml bottles with 40ml of E-Liquid, designed to accommodate up to a 6mg nicotine strength due to its smaller volume.Â
For achieving optimal nicotine levels, it’s recommended to add two 18mg nicotine shots to the 100ml option and one nic shot to the 40ml option.
How much nicotine should I add to my 50/50 Shortfill?
Bottle Size | Nic Shot | Total Strength |
---|---|---|
40ml/60ml | 1 x 18mg | 3.3mg |
40ml/60ml | 1 x 20mg | 4mg |
40ml/60ml | 2 x 18mg | 6mg |
40ml/60ml | 2 x 20mg | 6.6mg |
100ml/120ml | 2 x 9mg | 1.5mg |
100ml/120ml | 2 x 18mg | 3mg |
100ml/120ml | 2 x 20mg | 3.3mg |
Can you add nic salts to 50/50 Shortfills?
Adding nicotine salt shots to your 50/50 shortfill E-Liquid can enhance your vaping experience hugely.
Nicotine salts work just as standard vape liquids do, while providing a gentler throat sensation at higher nicotine levels and delivering a quicker nicotine hit than conventional 10ml freebase E-Liquids.
Mixing two 20mg nic salt shots into a 100ml shortfill will result in 120ml of 3.3mg strength E-Liquid.
How do I add nicotine to a 50/50 Shortfill E-Liquid?
50/50 shortfills come in large bottles of vape juice which have a removable nib, while nic shots also have a removable nib.
Once both are removed, you can pour the nic shot into the E-Liquid entirely. Two nic shots should fill a 50/50 shortfill to the top, as 20 ml of space is left at the top of every bottle.
The nibs can then be clicked back into place, before leaving the E-Liquid to steep for 5 minutes – 1 hour.
Our shortfill guide has a comprehensive, step-by-step breakdown you can follow.
Can you vape a 50/50 Shortfill without nicotine?
50/50 shortfills can be vaped without adding nic shots, for those who are making or have already made the transition to a nicotine free life.
As shortfills were made to be diluted by tasteless nic shots, vaping a shortfill without nicotine will be more flavourful.
Vaping a 50/50 shortfill without nicotine comes with a host of other benefits:
- They cost less in the long run
- They act as a nicotine placebo, meaning you can effectively quit
- They allow you to practise vapour tricks without your throat feeling harsh
Despite this, if you are quitting smoking by going straight to vaping a nicotine free 50/50 shortfill, it is unlikely to be an effective aid.
For ex-smokers, vaping 50/50 shortfills without nicotine would be an effective aid to quitting nicotine, only once they have reduced their nic-strength over time.
How to Store 50/50 Shortfills
Like any E-Liquid, 50/50 shortfills shouldn’t be kept anywhere too hot or too cold.
If a shortfill is exposed to too much heat, the compounds in the ingredients will break down and the mixture will begin to taste bad.
Similarly, UV rays can heat up shortfill E-Liquids and begin to split its molecules.
While better for a vape juice than heat, cold temperatures also pose a risk to the enjoyment of your vaping experience. For instance, keeping a 50/50 shortfill in the fridge can cause the ingredients to separate.
Too much airflow can also ruin a good shortfill. Oxidation can break down the nicotine in a shortfill over time, so if you have a lot of 50/50 shortfills lying around, you should make sure the bottles are sealed tight.
I would recommend storing a 50/50 shortfill E-Liquid in a dark cupboard, away from sunlight, extreme temperatures and lots of airflow.
What’s the best 50/50 Shortfill E-Liquid?
Drifter Bar Juice leads our best-selling 50/50 shortfill E-Liquids, perfecting flavours from popular disposables that new vapers adore. The mastery of disposable flavours is another reason why 50/50 shortfills have opened up the vape market to so many new users, providing familiar flavours at more advanced vaping levels.
For those who prefer fruity tastes, the Seriously Pod Fill range is a 50/50 shortfill staple, offering an array of unique fruit flavours. The new Pod Fill Max range offers a smaller bottle size, but with the potential for a stronger nic-strength, making it a good range for those who have just quit smoking, and need a stronger nic fix.Â
If dessert options are more to your taste, the JAKD range won’t disappoint, with flavours such as Strawberry Clotted Cream and Jack Rabbit Custard Doughnut made to tantalise the sweet tooth within.
Additionally, for budget-conscious vapers, we offer an excellent selection of premium 100ml shortfills available in our Mix & Match 2 for £20 deal!
We have a countdown guide to the best 50/50 shortfill E-Liquids on the market today.
What’s the best device to use with a 50/50 Shortfill?
I would recommend the Vaporesso XROS Pro Pod Kit. Its low resistance 0.4ohm coils are a great match with 50/50 shortfills, while its multitude of settings make it powerhouse for both beginners to marvel at and seasoned vapers to excel with.
Check out our guide to the other best pod vapes of 2024, both refillable and prefilled for use with shortfills, nicotine salts or pre-filled pods.
Summary
A brilliant, inclusive advent in the vaping industry, 50/50 shortfill E-Liquids not only have made the concept of shortfill far more accessible to beginner vapers, but their customisable mixtures also allow ex-smokers a clear route to a smoke free, nicotine free existence while utilising any simple refillable starter kit.
With 50/50 shortfills, beginner vapers can take their favourite flavours to the next level of vaping, while also entering the realm of premium E-Liquid flavourings too.
For anyone with an MTL starter kit looking to get into the world of shortfills, a 50/50 ratio is the ratio for you. Please contact our help centre if you have any other questions, and talk to one of our expert team members.
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