How to Use a Shortfill E-Liquid and Nicotine Shot?: Ultimate Guide

March 31 2026, by ZUNAIRA WAQAS
21 min reading time

Best way to use Shortfill E-Liquid and Nicotine Shot

You've picked up a shortfill bottle, it's 0mg, and you're staring at a separate 10ml nicotine shot wondering what to do next. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Shortfills confuse a lot of vapers when they first make the switch from disposables or prefilled pods to open-system vaping.

Get the mix wrong and you'll end up with a harsh throat hit, a watery flavour, or nicotine levels that aren't quite right. Get it right and you'll have a smooth, flavourful, cost-effective vape at exactly the strength you want, and you'll never go back to paying over the odds for small bottles.

This guide covers exactly what a shortfill e-liquid is, what a nicotine shot does, how to combine them perfectly, and where to buy the best shortfill e-liquids in the UK right now.

What Is a Shortfill E-Liquid?

A shortfill e-liquid is a large-format bottle of 0mg (nicotine-free) e-liquid that is deliberately underfilled to leave room for a nicotine shot. Most come as 50ml of liquid in a 60ml bottle, or 100ml in a 120ml bottle. You add a separate nic shot, shake the bottle, and vape at the nicotine strength you choose.

Shortfills exist because of UK TPD regulations, which cap nicotine-containing e-liquid bottles at 10ml. By selling the base liquid nicotine-free in larger bottles, brands can offer more liquid at a lower cost per ml while staying fully compliant.

The practical result for you: bigger bottles, more flavour choice, better value, and the ability to control exactly how much nicotine goes into your vape. For most UK vapers switching from disposables, a shortfill setup cuts their monthly spend significantly.

What Is a Nicotine Shot (Nic Shot)?

A nicotine shot, sometimes called a nic shot or nicotine booster, is a 10ml bottle of unflavoured, high-strength nicotine in a VG/PG base. Most nic shots sold in the UK come in at 18mg/ml. On their own they taste of almost nothing, which is the point.

When you squeeze a nic shot into a shortfill, it lifts the nicotine content of the whole bottle to your desired strength without touching the flavour profile. You can buy nic shots in different VG/PG ratios. If your shortfill is a 70/30 VG/PG blend, using a matching 70/30 nic shot keeps the ratio consistent and preserves the intended vaping experience.

What You Need Before You Start

Your shortfill e-liquid bottle (most commonly 50ml or 100ml)
One or more 18mg nicotine shots (10ml each)
Clean hands
Around 60 to 90 seconds to shake

That's it. No syringes, no scales, no specialist equipment. The shortfill bottle is already designed with the empty space built in, so you won't need to transfer liquid anywhere.

How to Add a Nicotine Shot to a Shortfill: Step-by-Step

Remove the Cap from Your Shortfill

Unscrew or pop open the cap of your shortfill bottle. Most shortfills use a childproof cap, so push down and twist at the same time to release it.

Open Your Nicotine Shot

Remove the cap or nozzle from your nic shot bottle. Most 10ml nic shots have a nozzle tip for easy, no-mess pouring. Keep the nozzle pointed up until you're ready to squeeze.

Squeeze the Nic Shot into the Shortfill

Insert the nic shot nozzle into the opening of the shortfill bottle and squeeze the entire 10ml contents in. For a 50ml shortfill, use one full nic shot. For a 100ml shortfill, use two full nic shots.

Replace the Cap and Shake Well

Screw the cap back on tightly, then shake the bottle vigorously for 60 to 90 seconds. This fully blends the nicotine into the base so every drop vapes consistently.

Steep and Vape

You can vape straight away. For the best flavour, leave the bottle with the cap loosened in a cool, dark place for a few hours or overnight. This is called steeping, and it makes a noticeable difference, especially with dessert and tobacco flavours.

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Shortfill Nicotine Ratios: How Many Nic Shots Do You Need?

The number of nic shots you add determines your final nicotine strength. One 18mg/10ml nic shot into a 50ml shortfill gives you 3mg/ml in a 60ml bottle. Here's the full UK shortfill mixing guide:

Shortfill Size	Nic Shots Added	Final Nicotine Strength	Total Volume
50ml	1 x 10ml (18mg)	3mg/ml	60ml
100ml	2 x 10ml (18mg)	3mg/ml	120ml
50ml	2 x 10ml (18mg)	5mg/ml	70ml
100ml	4 x 10ml (18mg)	6mg/ml	140ml
50ml	3 x 10ml (18mg)	6.75mg/ml	80ml

The highlighted row is the most popular for UK sub-ohm vapers: a 100ml shortfill with two 18mg nic shots giving 120ml at 3mg/ml. If you're coming from a mouth-to-lung device or were a heavier smoker, aim closer to 6mg for a stronger throat hit.

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Want the best value shortfill e-liquid you can buy in the UK right now? The Pod Salt Nexus shortfill e-liquid collection at Scent Vape offers a massive flavour range at competitive prices. Free next-day UK delivery included on every order.

Tips for Getting the Perfect Mix Every Time

Match your VG/PG ratio. High-VG (70/30 or 80/20) shortfills need a high-VG nic shot. Mismatched ratios affect cloud production and throat hit.
Shake for longer than you think. 90 seconds feels like a lot. Do it anyway. Nicotine and VG are both thick and need time to fully combine.
Steep in a dark spot. UV light degrades nicotine and dulls flavour. Keep bottles away from windowsills and direct sunlight.
Check the bottle size before mixing. Some shortfills are 50ml in a 60ml bottle. Others are 100ml in a 120ml. Always confirm before adding nic shots.
Start at 3mg if you're unsure. You can always step up to a higher strength with your next bottle once you know how it feels.
Label your bottles. If you mix several at once, write the strength and date on each one with a permanent marker.

Shortfill vs Nic Salt UK: Which Is Right for You?

The shortfill vs nic salt debate is one of the most common questions from UK vapers. The right answer depends on your device and how you vape. Here's a clear comparison:

Shortfill Advantages

Huge range of flavours
Lower cost per ml in the UK
Fully customisable nicotine strength
Ideal for sub-ohm, high-power kits
Massive clouds and intense flavour
Best for experienced DTL vapers

Shortfill Drawbacks

Requires mixing before use
Not suited to basic pod devices
Lower nicotine ceiling (max 6mg for DTL)
Takes longer to satisfy strong cravings
Bigger bottles, less portable day-to-day
Steeping adds preparation time

Nic salts are ready to vape, come in at 10mg or 20mg, and work in low-power pod kits. If you're running a prefilled or refillable pod system and want something quick and satisfying, Elfliq nic salt e-liquid and similar ranges are a better match for that style of vaping.

If you're on a sub-ohm kit with adjustable wattage and mesh coils, shortfills are built for you. The lower nicotine at 3mg pairs with the higher volume of vapour these devices produce.

Switched to a 100ml shortfill after years on disposables. Once I got the mix right it saved me a fortune. Way more flavour, lasts much longer, and half the cost per week. Scent Vape's range is brilliant and the next-day delivery is always spot on.

Jake T., Verified Trustpilot Review

Best Vape Kits for Shortfill E-Liquids: Top UK Picks

To get the best out of a shortfill, you need a compatible open-system vape kit. Sub-ohm kits with adjustable wattage and replaceable coils are the natural home for high-VG shortfill liquids. Here are two of the top-reviewed vape kit ranges available at Scent Vape UK:

Vaporesso vape pod kit for shortfill e-liquids UK

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Vaporesso Vape Kits

Consistently rated among the best vape kits for shortfill e-liquids in the UK. Reliable coils, precise wattage control, and smooth airflow make these a top pick for vapers stepping up from disposables.

🛒 Shop Vaporesso Kits

Voopoo vape kit review UK best for shortfill e-liquid

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Voopoo Vape Kits

A consistently top-reviewed UK vape kit brand. Voopoo kits are popular for their advanced chipsets, adjustable airflow, and long-lasting coil performance, making them an ideal match for 70/30 shortfill liquids.

🛒 Shop Voopoo Kits

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Our Verdict

Shortfill e-liquids paired with a quality sub-ohm kit give you the best value, the best flavour, and the most control of any vaping setup available in the UK. Once you've mixed your first bottle, the process takes 30 seconds and you'll never overpay for small bottles again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a shortfill e-liquid and how does it work?

A shortfill is a large bottle of 0mg e-liquid that has been deliberately underfilled to leave space for a nicotine shot. You add the nic shot yourself, shake, and vape at your preferred nicotine level. They come in popular UK sizes of 50ml and 100ml and are fully TPD-compliant.

How many nicotine shots do I need for a 50ml shortfill?

One 10ml nicotine shot at 18mg gives you a final strength of 3mg/ml in a 60ml bottle. For approximately 5mg/ml, add two nic shots to get 70ml total. Always check the label, as some shortfill brands include mixing instructions specific to their bottle size.

How many nic shots do I add to a 100ml shortfill?

Two 10ml nicotine shots at 18mg give you 120ml at 3mg/ml, which is the standard ratio for UK sub-ohm and direct-to-lung vaping. For 6mg/ml, add four nic shots for 140ml total. The 3mg option is by far the most popular for high-VG shortfill vaping in the UK.

Where can I buy shortfill e-liquid in the UK?

You can buy shortfill e-liquid in the UK from Scent Vape, a trusted TPD-compliant UK vape retailer offering hundreds of shortfill flavours across top brands including IVG, Pod Salt, and more. All orders come with free next-day delivery and you must be 18 or over to purchase.

Shortfill vs nic salt: which is better for UK vapers?

Shortfills are better for sub-ohm and direct-to-lung vapers using higher-wattage kits, as the lower nicotine level at 3mg matches the larger vapour volumes these devices produce. Nic salts are the better choice for pod devices and mouth-to-lung vaping, where higher nicotine at 10mg or 20mg gives a faster, more satisfying hit.

Are shortfill e-liquids legal in the UK?

Yes, shortfill e-liquids are fully legal in the UK. Because they contain zero nicotine, they are not subject to the 10ml TPD bottle size restriction that applies to nicotine-containing e-liquids. All shortfills sold at Scent Vape are sourced from reputable UK manufacturers and meet all current UK regulatory standards.

Scent Vape UK

Buy Shortfill E-Liquid in the UK with Free Next-Day Delivery

Hundreds of TPD-compliant shortfill e-liquids and top-brand vape kits, all in one place. Order before midnight for FREE next-day delivery across the UK. You must be 18 or over to purchase.

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