What are shortfills?

Shortfills are larger bottles (usually 50ml or 100ml) of nicotine-free e-liquid. They are called shortfills because they have extra space for adding optional nicotine shots - high nicotine strength, unflavoured e-liquids that you can use to customise your nicotine strength.

Are shortfills right for you?

Shortfills are a great option if you:

  • want to minimise the cost of vaping with larger bottles of e-liquid
  • enjoy nicotine-free e-liquid OR are happy to add nicotine shots
  • want to minimise plastic waste, as shortfills use less plastic per ml

Shortfills are not ideal if you:

  • prefer high-strength nicotine e-liquid, or if you have just switched from smoking and are still dealing with cravings
  • if you are looking for the most convenient way to vape

What types of shortfill e-liquid are there?

High-VG shortfills

These e-liquids have a higher VG (Vegetable Glycerine) to PG (Propylene Glycol) ratio - usually 70:30 and above. They produce larger clouds of vapour and are best paired with advanced vape kits such as mods.

Best if: You are a Direct-Lung (DL) vaper using higher-powered devices such as mod or pod mod kits.

50/50 shortfills

These have an equal VG:PG ratio and produce more discreet vapour. They are suited to a Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) inhale style and for use with starter kits and entry-level pod systems.

Best if: You’re an MTL vaper using lower-powered devices such as pod and starter kits.

Find out more about VG:PG ratios with our VG vs PG Vaper’s Guide.

How to use shortfills

Shortfill Illustration

Follow our handy 7-step guide to adding nicotine to your shortfill:

  1. Remove the screw cap from your shortfill bottle
  2. Pull out the nozzle stopper
  3. Remove the lid from your nicotine shot bottle(s)
  4. Carefully squeeze the nicotine shot(s) into the shortfill bottle
  5. Dispose of nicotine shot bottles and tops
  6. Reattach shortfill nozzle and lid
  7. Shake the bottle for around a minute to mix the e-liquid

How much nicotine should you add?

To help you calculate the nicotine levels you need, we’ve put together this simple calculator. Bear in mind that because of the maximum level of nicotine in shortfills, there are limits on the nicotine strength you can get. Also, if you add too much nicotine then you’re going to lose the flavour of the shortfills.

Nic Shot Table

Why do shortfills have no nicotine?

In May 2017 the EU introduced a limit on the size of nicotine-containing e-liquid as part of the Tobacco Products Directive.

This meant nicotine vapers could no longer use larger bottles of e-liquid and, instead, had to use multiple smaller bottles. This posed problems as smaller bottles not only incur higher manufacturing costs (which are then passed on to customers at retail) but produce more environmental waste due to the amount of plastic used.

Enter shortfills! By separating the nicotine from the e-liquid, manufacturers were once again able to produce the larger bottles vapers were demanding. You still need to buy nicotine shots separately, but it’s definitely a step forward for vapers in keeping both cost and waste down compared to buying multiple 10ml bottles.

Related categories

Nic Salts | 50/50 Vape Juice | 50/50 Shortfills | Nicotine Free | Nic Shots

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