Yes, you can make vape juice with water as a diluent, but it’s not ideal for all setups and requires careful consideration of proportions. This guide simplifies the process for beginners seeking a lighter e-liquid consistency.
Juicing up your life doesn’t have to be complicated! Many beginners feel a bit lost when they first start exploring homemade e-liquids. You might have heard that water can be used and are wondering if it’s a good idea, especially if you want a thinner juice. It can seem a little tricky, but I’m here to break it down for you. We’ll go through exactly how to use water in your vape juice safely and effectively, making it super easy to get the consistency you’re looking for. Get ready to feel confident and creative in your juicing journey!
Understanding Vape Juice Basics: What’s Inside?
Before we dive into adding water, let’s quickly chat about what makes up your typical vape juice, also known as e-liquid. It’s usually a simple mix of a few key ingredients:
- Vegetable Glycerin (VG): This is a thick, syrupy liquid that creates those big, fluffy clouds you see. It’s also naturally sweet.
- Propylene Glycol (PG): This is a thinner liquid that carries flavor and gives you that throat hit. It’s almost tasteless.
- Flavorings: These are concentrated food-grade or specifically made vape-grade flavorings that give your juice its delicious taste.
- Nicotine (Optional): This is the addictive substance in tobacco and is available in different strengths for e-liquids.
The ratio of VG to PG is what really determines the thickness and the vaping experience. A high VG juice is thick and produces lots of vapor, while a high PG juice is thinner and has a stronger throat hit.
Why Would You Want to Add Water to Vape Juice?
Adding water to your vape juice, often referred to as “cutting” or “thinning” it, is usually done for a few specific reasons. It’s a common practice for vapers who want to adjust the consistency of their e-liquid for various reasons:
- To Thin Out Thick E-liquids: Some pre-made e-liquids, especially those with a high VG content, can be quite thick. This can sometimes cause issues with certain types of vaping devices, particularly older or simpler ones, by not wicking properly. Thinning the juice helps it flow more easily.
- To Reduce the Throat Hit: High PG liquids can sometimes provide a harsh throat hit. While not the primary method for reducing throat hit, thinning a PG-heavy liquid with a bit of water can subtly mellow it out.
- To Create a “Mentholated” Feel: Some vapers use distilled water in very small amounts, believing it can slightly enhance the cooling sensation of menthol flavors.
- Cost-Effectiveness (with caution): In some DIY scenarios, water can be seen as a way to extend the volume of an e-liquid. However, this should be approached with extreme caution as over-dilution can ruin the flavor and vapor production.
It’s important to note that while water can be used, it’s not always the best ingredient for every vape. We’ll explore why and what alternatives exist.
The “Genius Essential”: Using Distilled Water
When we talk about using water in vape juice, the key is using the right kind of water. Tap water is a big no-no because it contains minerals and impurities that can clog your coils, create a harsh taste, and potentially be harmful to inhale.
The “genius essential” here is distilled water.
Distilled water has had all of its impurities and minerals removed through a process called distillation. This makes it pure H2O, which is much safer for vaping and won’t interfere with your e-liquid’s flavor or your device’s performance as much as tap water would.
Think of it like this: if you were baking a cake and wanted to add a liquid, you wouldn’t use water straight from the hose, right? You’d use filtered or bottled water. For vaping, the purest form is best.
Why Distilled Water is Key:
- Purity: Free from minerals, chlorine, and other contaminants.
- Consistency: Predictable in its effect on e-liquid viscosity.
- Coil Longevity: Less likely to gunk up your coils compared to tap water.
You can find distilled water at most grocery stores, pharmacies, or even online. It’s usually very affordable and a small bottle will last you a long time for your juicing experiments.
How to Make Vape Juice with Water: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making your own vape juice, often called “DIY e-liquid,” can be a fun and rewarding hobby. When you want to add water to the mix, the process is quite similar to a standard DIY recipe, but with an extra step for dilution.
Here’s a straightforward guide to get you started:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need. Safety first, always!
- Distilled Water: Your thinning agent.
- Vegetable Glycerin (VG): Food-grade.
- Propylene Glycol (PG): USP-grade.
- Flavor Concentrates: Your chosen flavors.
- Nicotine Base (Optional): If you’re using nicotine, ensure it’s in a PG or VG base.
- Empty E-liquid Bottles: For mixing and storage.
- Syringes or Pipettes: For accurate measuring of ingredients.
- Gloves: Especially if handling nicotine.
- Scale (Optional but Recommended): For more precise measurements by weight.
- Notebook and Pen: To record your recipes!
It’s crucial to use ingredients that are specifically made for vaping or are food-grade and pure. You can find many reputable suppliers online for DIY e-liquid supplies. For instance, sites like Vaping360’s DIY E-liquid Guide offer excellent resources on sourcing quality ingredients.
Step 2: Plan Your Recipe and Ratio
This is where you decide what kind of e-liquid you want. For beginners, starting with a common ratio like 50/50 PG/VG or 60/40 VG/PG is a good idea. If you’re adding water, you’ll be adjusting this.
Common E-liquid Ratios:
| Ratio (VG/PG) | Characteristics | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 80/20 VG/PG | Thick, lots of vapor, mild throat hit | Sub-ohm tanks, cloud chasing |
| 70/30 VG/PG | Balanced vapor and throat hit | Most sub-ohm and some mouth-to-lung devices |
| 50/50 VG/PG | Thinner, good flavor, moderate throat hit | Pod systems, mouth-to-lung devices, flavor focus |
| 30/70 VG/PG | Very thin, strong throat hit, intense flavor | Older devices, specific flavor profiles |
If you have a very thick e-liquid (e.g., 90% VG) and want to make it thinner, you might aim for a final ratio that includes water. For example, if you want to make a 50/50 VG/PG juice from a thick base, you’ll need to add PG and water.
Let’s say you have 10ml of a very thick e-liquid that is 90% VG and 10% PG. You want to end up with 20ml of a 50/50 VG/PG juice. This means you need 10ml of VG and 10ml of PG in total. You currently have 9ml VG and 1ml PG. You would need to add 1ml of PG and 10ml of water to achieve your target consistency and ratio.
Important Note: Water is essentially replacing PG in terms of thinning the liquid. So, if you’re adding water, you’ll likely be reducing the PG content further. A common ratio to aim for when adding water might be something like 70% VG / 20% PG / 10% Water.
Step 3: Measure Your Ingredients
Accuracy is key here. Use your syringes or scales to measure out each component precisely according to your planned recipe.
- For Flavors: Flavor concentrates are usually added at a percentage of the total e-liquid volume, often between 5% and 20%. Start with a lower percentage and add more if needed after steeping.
- For Nicotine: If you are using a nicotine base, measure it according to the desired nicotine strength in your final e-liquid. For example, if you’re making 10ml of juice at 3mg nicotine and your nicotine base is 100mg/ml, you’d need 0.3ml of the nicotine base.
- For VG and PG: Fill the rest of your volume with VG and PG according to your target ratio.
- For Water: If you’re adding water, measure it carefully. A small amount, like 5-10% of your total volume, is usually sufficient to notice a difference in thickness. For example, in a 30ml bottle, 5% would be 1.5ml of water.
Example Calculation for 30ml of 70VG / 20PG / 10Water (with no nicotine):
- Total Volume: 30ml
- VG needed: 70% of 30ml = 21ml
- PG needed: 20% of 30ml = 6ml
- Water needed: 10% of 30ml = 3ml
- Total: 21ml + 6ml + 3ml = 30ml
You would measure 21ml of VG, 6ml of PG, and 3ml of distilled water and combine them.
Step 4: Mix Your E-liquid
Carefully add all your measured ingredients into your empty e-liquid bottle.
- Start with the base liquids (VG, PG, water).
- Add your flavor concentrates.
- If using nicotine, add it last, and be very careful with handling.
Once everything is in the bottle, close the cap securely. Now, it’s time to mix! The best way to mix is to shake the bottle vigorously for a few minutes. You want to ensure all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. You’ll see the liquid become cloudy or milky as the ingredients emulsify.
Step 5: Steeping (Optional but Recommended)
Steeping is like letting a fine wine age; it allows the flavors to meld and mature. While not always necessary, it can significantly improve the taste of your e-liquid.
- How to Steep: Store your tightly capped bottle in a cool, dark place.
- How Long: This can range from a few days to a few weeks. Fruity flavors often need less time (3-7 days), while creamy or dessert flavors might need longer (1-3 weeks).
- “Breathing” (Optional): Some people like to “breathe” their juice by opening the cap for a few minutes each day to let out any harshness, but this is debated and not always necessary, especially with water-based mixes.
Shake the bottle daily during the steeping process. You can test a small amount periodically to see how the flavor is developing.
Step 6: Test Your Creation
Once you feel your e-liquid is ready, it’s time to test it in your vaping device.
- Fill your tank or pod with a small amount of your newly made juice.
- Take a few gentle puffs.
- Assess the flavor, vapor production, and throat hit.
If the flavor is too weak, you can make a new batch with a higher flavor percentage. If it’s too harsh, you might have too much PG or nicotine. If it’s too thick, you could have added too much VG or not enough thinning agent (PG or water).
Pros and Cons of Using Water in Vape Juice
Like most things in DIY, there are upsides and downsides to consider when adding water to your e-liquid.
Pros:
- Thinner Consistency: Excellent for making thick VG-heavy juices more manageable for certain devices.
- Smoother Throat Hit: Can slightly reduce the harshness of PG or nicotine.
- Cooling Sensation: Some users report a subtle cooling effect, especially with menthol flavors.
- Cost-Effective Dilution: Can be a very cheap way to increase the volume of your e-liquid if done carefully.
Cons:
- Flavor Dilution: The biggest drawback. Water can dilute your flavors, making them taste weaker.
- Reduced Vapor Production: Water doesn’t produce vapor like VG or PG, so adding too much can result in thinner, less satisfying clouds.
- Potential Coil Issues: While distilled water is better than tap, excessive amounts can still potentially affect coil life or performance in some devices.
- Not for All Devices: While it thins, it doesn’t provide the same “wicking assistance” as PG. Some high-powered devices may still struggle if the PG content becomes too low.
- Taste Alteration: Even distilled water can subtly alter the taste profile of some complex flavors.
It’s a balancing act, and finding the perfect ratio often comes down to personal preference and the specific device you’re using. For a great overview of vaping devices and their needs, check out resources like Eleaf’s Guide to E-liquid Ratios.
Alternatives to Water for Thinning E-liquid
While distilled water is an option, it’s not the only, or often the best, way to thin out your e-liquid. Propylene Glycol (PG) is the traditional and most recommended thinning agent.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
- What it is: A clear, odorless liquid that is a common ingredient in food, pharmaceuticals, and e-liquids.
- Why it’s better for thinning: PG is specifically designed to carry flavor and provide a throat hit. It’s miscible with VG and nicotine, creating a stable e-liquid. It also helps with wicking in your device.
- When to use: If your e-liquid is too thick (too much VG), simply add more PG to reach your desired VG/PG ratio.
When to Use Water vs. PG:
Generally, if you want to slightly thin a liquid or add a subtle cooling effect, a small amount of distilled water can work. However, if you need to significantly adjust the VG/PG ratio for better wicking or a different throat hit, adding more PG is the more conventional and often superior method.
For instance, if you have a 100% VG e-liquid and want to make it 70% VG / 30% PG, you would add PG. If you wanted to make it 70% VG / 20% PG / 10% Water, you would add both PG and water. The key is to understand that water acts more as a diluent of everything, including flavor and vapor potential, whereas PG specifically adjusts the PG/VG balance.
Tips for Beginner DIY E-liquid Makers
Starting your DIY e-liquid journey is exciting! Here are some tips to make it smooth sailing:
- Start Small: Don’t mix large batches until you’ve perfected a recipe. Make 10ml or 30ml batches first.
- Keep Detailed Notes: Record every ingredient, its percentage or amount, and the final result. This is invaluable for recreating great flavors or troubleshooting.
- Use a Calculator: There are many free online DIY e-liquid calculators (like those found on sites such as e-liquid-recipes.com) that can help you accurately calculate the amounts of each ingredient for your desired ratio and nicotine strength.
- Safety First: Always handle nicotine with care, wear gloves, and store your ingredients and finished juices out of reach of children and pets.
- Cleanliness is Key: Work in a clean area and keep your equipment clean to avoid contamination.
- Patience with Steeping: Resist the urge to vape immediately if a recipe calls for steeping. The wait is usually worth it!
- Experiment Gradually: Change only one variable at a time when tweaking a recipe (e.g., just increase one flavor or adjust the VG/PG ratio slightly).
Remember, the goal is to create something you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to experiment, but do it safely and systematically.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Vape Juice with Water
Q1: Can I use tap water in my vape juice?
No, absolutely not. Tap water contains minerals and impurities that can damage your vaping device’s coil, affect the flavor negatively, and may not be safe to inhale. Always use distilled water.
Q2: How much water should I add to my vape juice?
This depends on your desired consistency and flavor. Start with a very small amount, like 5% of your total volume. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out. Too much water will significantly dilute your flavor and vapor production.
Q3: Will adding water affect the flavor of my vape juice?
Yes, it can. Water acts as a diluent, meaning it can weaken the intensity of your flavor concentrates. It’s best used sparingly when you need to thin a very thick liquid, rather than as a primary ingredient for flavor modification.
Q4: Is using water in vape juice safe?
Using pure distilled water in small amounts is generally considered safe, as it’s just H2O. However, it’s not a primary ingredient like VG and PG, and excessive amounts can lead to a less satisfying vape. Always prioritize VG and PG for the base of your e-liquid.
Q5: My vape juice is too thick. Should I add water or PG?
If your juice is too thick and you want to maintain good flavor and vapor production, adding more Propylene Glycol (PG) is usually the better option. PG is a primary component of e-liquid and helps with wicking and flavor delivery. Water can be used for extreme thinning, but PG is the standard. You can calculate the amount of PG needed to reach your desired VG/PG ratio.
Q6: Can I make a 100% water-based vape juice?
No, this is not possible or advisable. Water alone will not produce vapor and has no viscosity to speak of. E-liquids rely on VG and PG to create vapor and carry flavor. Water can only be used as a minor additive to adjust the consistency of a VG/PG base.
Q7: How do I store my homemade vape juice with water?
Store your DIY e-liquid in a cool, dark place, just like any other e-liquid. Ensure the bottles are tightly capped to prevent evaporation and oxidation. If you’ve added nicotine, store it securely away from children and pets.
Conclusion: Enjoying Your Custom Creations
Making your own vape juice can be a fantastic way to explore flavors, control your ingredients, and save money. Adding distilled water to your DIY e-liquid is a technique primarily used to achieve a thinner consistency for specific vaping devices or personal preference. Remember that while water can be a useful tool, it’s best used in moderation to avoid diluting your precious flavors and vapor output.
Always start with distilled water, measure carefully, and keep detailed notes of your creations. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ratios and flavors, but always prioritize safety and the quality of your ingredients. With a little practice and these simple steps, you’ll be whipping up delicious, custom e-liquids in no time. Happy juicing!