Shortfill E-Liquids

Shortfill e-liquids are a clever solution created to comply with TPD regulations in the UK and EU. Unlike standard 10ml bottles of e-liquid which contain nicotine, shortfill bottles contain zero nicotine. Instead, shortfills come in larger bottles, usually 50ml or 100ml, leaving you some empty space to add your own nicotine shot separately. This allows you to customise the nicotine strength of your e-liquid easily while remaining TPD compliant.

The larger bottles also provide better value for money compared to constantly buying 10ml bottles. And with less plastic waste generated, shortfills are a more environmentally friendly option too.

Why are shortfill bottles only partially filled?

Shortfill bottles contain only about 80% e-liquid base and leave 20% empty space specifically for you to add separate nicotine shots. This concept was created to comply with the TPD regulation that limits nicotine-containing e-liquid bottles to only 10ml capacity.

The main benefits of short fill e-liquid are summarised below.

• No Nicotine Initially: As nicotine-free e-liquids, shortfill bottles can hold much larger nicotine-free volumes as per TPD guidance. Shortfill volumes are typically 50ml and 100ml but can even reach 500ml with enough space for the addition of nicotine.
• Add Nicotine Separately: Calculate the amount of 10ml nic shots that you need to add into the empty space to produce your preferred nicotine strength. Adding nicotine shots produces a total nicotine strength of 1.5mg - 6mg, depending on the size of the bottle and the strength of the shot. Shake well before vaping for the nicotine to diffuse evenly.
• Flexibility & Convenience: You get the flexibility to custom-mix desired nicotine strength bottle-by-bottle while also enjoying the convenience and cost savings of large format e-liquid bottles compared to several tiny 10ml nicotine bottles.

What are nicotine shots and where do you get them?

Nicotine shots are small plastic bottles of unflavoured nicotine concentrate used to add nicotine to shortfill eliquids. We offer three main types of nic shots in 10ml bottles:

• Freebase nic shots - Made from freebase nicotine
• Nic salt shots - Made from smoother nicotine salts
• Ice nic shots - Made from freebase nicotine, with an added cooling effect for an icy kick to your shortfill flavour.

All shots sold on IndeJuice only contain pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, PG, and VG. We do not stock low-quality Chinese nicotine. Our specialist sourcing and stock rotation ensures the nicotine remains clear and smooth-vaping with no harsh pepperiness.

At IndeJuice, we provide FREE nic shots with every shortfill order, delivering a hassle-free and more affordable way to enjoy your favourite shortfill e-liquid. We provide one free 18mg shot with 50ml e-liquids and two nic shots with 100ml e-liquids.

If you need additional nic shots, we have you covered with our Prime Nic Shots for as little as 90p per nic shot.

The three main ingredients found in shortfill vape juice are vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol and flavourings. The main benefit of each of the three shortfill ingredients is listed below.

1. VG (Vegetable Glycerin): The base liquid that produces vapour clouds. It has a slightly sweet taste.
2. PG (Propylene Glycol): A thinner liquid that helps carry flavour. Also produces a throat hit.
3. Flavour concentrates: Added flavourings suitable for inhalation. Usually make up 10-20% of a shortfill.

As they contain zero nicotine initially, no nicotine is included in shortfills. This allows space for you to add nicotine shots separately as per your preferred nicotine strength. This keeps shortfills fully TPD compliant.

Sub-ohm vape kits that can handle high VG liquid effectively are the best type of vaping devices to use with shortfills, delivering the appropriate level of power to vapourise their thick 70VG/30PG consistency.

The four main types of vape hardware that are best to use with shortfills are listed below.

1. Box Mods: Powerful box mods with temperature control, like the Freemax Maxus, are perfect for sub-ohm vaping shortfills. Their higher wattages ensure efficient vapourisation.
2. Sub Ohm Tanks: Pair shortfills with sub-ohm tanks featuring large wicking ports and coils rated 50W plus, like the Geekvape Z Sub Ohm Tank, Freemax M Pro 2 tank, or SMOK TFV Mini v2 for the best flavour and vapour.
3. Squonk Mods: For drippers, regulated squonk mods like the Topside Dual Carbon offer the power and bottom-feeding convenience to vape shortfills optimally.
4. Pod Mods: Advanced pod mods with powerful coil options like the Voopoo Drag X, Voopoo Drag S2, or Smok RPM C work well with thinner 70VG/30PG shortfill blends.

The advantages of buying shortfills compared to traditional 10ml nicotine e-liquids are cost savings, reduced waste, flexibility and convenience. These four main advantages are detailed in the list below.

• Cost Savings - Shortfill bottles give you 4 to 5 times more e-liquid for proportionately less money. Buying two 100ml shortfills typically costs less than twenty 10ml bottles.
• Reduced Waste - You discard far fewer plastic bottles with shortfills. Two 100ml shortfills leads to 2 bottles in trash versus 20 for 10ml nicotine bottles.
• Flexibility - You can custom-mix nic strength bottle by bottle based on your changing needs instead of being stuck with one level.
• Convenience - One or two giant shortfill bottles save you the hassle of constantly buying and carrying around multiple tiny nicotine bottles.

A 50ml shortfill bottle typically lasts between 10,000 - 15,000 puffs, delivering between 1-2 weeks worth of vape juice for most sub-ohm vapers. A 10ml bottle usually provides around 3,000 puffs, so a 50ml shortfill is equivalent to about 5 standard 10ml bottles in terms of puff count and duration.

Ultimately, the exact number of puffs and days a shortfill will last depends on each vaper's device, wattage, coil resistance, puff length, and frequency of use. But for most sub-ohm vapers, 10,000 to 15,000 puffs over 1-2 weeks is a reasonable expectation for a 50ml shortfill bottle.

When stored correctly, the average shelf life of shortfill e-liquids is around 2 years from the bottling date. This shelf life duration is applicable whether nicotine shots have been added or if the shortfill base is still in its original zero nicotine state.

To maximize a shortfill e-liquid's storage life and taste quality over time, store them properly following the tips below.

• Store in a cool, dark place away from heat and sunlight, which can degrade flavours.
• Make sure bottles are sealed properly when not in use to prevent air exposure.
• Avoid extreme cold or heat fluctuations - optimal storage temperature is 10-20°C.

By keeping your shortfills sealed and at stable room temperature away from direct light sources, you can expect great taste and vapour performance for up to 2 years from bottling.

Steeping is the process of allowing your eliquid time to mature for the flavours to fully develop and the nicotine to stabilise. New to steeping and want to try it out? Try steeping your shortfill for two weeks after adding nic shots to see if it's something that benefits your vaping experience.

Benefits of steeping include:

• Allows flavours to become richer and more balanced
• Gives the nicotine a chance to fully homogenize
• Makes the vape smoother as harsher flavour notes evaporate off
• Can noticeably enhance throat hit
• Brings out subtle flavour undertones

While not mandatory, for the very best vaping experience with shortfills, be patient and let it steep properly. Many vape juices come pre-steeped, so always read the label.