Short Fill E-Liquids – A Complete Guide to Short Fills & Nicotine Shots

What are Short Fill E-Liquids?

Many customers have been asking about Short Fill e-liquids, so we’ve put together this guide to explain everything you need to know.

Short Fill e-liquids are large bottles of nicotine-free vape juice with extra space in the bottle to add your own nicotine shots. They come in various sizes and a wide range of flavours, and they’ve become increasingly popular across our stores.

In this guide, we’ll highlight UK-made e-liquids from Sugar Pie Vapes, featuring their popular flavour Sweet Apple Pie. Short Fill e-liquids are typically high VG, making them ideal for sub-ohm vaping.

Short Fills cater to vapers who prefer high VG e-liquids and want the convenience of larger bottles. Due to TPD regulations that came into effect on May 20, 2017, nicotine-containing e-liquids in the UK are limited to 10ml bottles. However, since Short Fills don’t contain nicotine, they are exempt from these restrictions.

What is a Nic Shot?

Nicotine Shots (or Nic Shots) are 10ml bottles of flavourless, nicotine-infused VG-based e-liquid designed to be added to a Short Fill. We’ll focus on the 18mg TABnic Nicotine Booster Shot. These shots aren’t meant to be vaped alone but are used to mix into larger bottles of e-liquid, typically with a high VG base.

When the TPD regulations limited nicotine-containing e-liquids to 10ml, the vaping community quickly adapted. Now, by adding an 18mg Nic Shot to a 50ml Short Fill, you’ll create 60ml of 3mg nicotine e-liquid. Similarly, adding two Nic Shots to a larger bottle will result in 70ml of 6mg e-liquid.

Short Fill Mixing Guide

The idea of mixing nicotine into your e-liquid may seem intimidating at first, but it’s as simple as refilling your device. Most Short Fills are designed to allow a maximum of two Nic Shots, providing up to 6mg of nicotine strength.

While higher-strength Nic Shots (and Nic Salt Shots) are available, the industry standard remains an 18mg nicotine shot, which turns 50ml of nicotine-free liquid into 60ml of 3mg e-liquid.

Here’s a quick overview of the bottle sizes and nicotine strengths you can achieve:

How Do I Add Nic Shots to Short Fill E-Liquids?

Adding nicotine to your Short Fill is easy. Follow these simple steps:

Unscrew the lid of your Short Fill and pop off the cap.
Open your Nic Shot bottle.
Squeeze the contents into your Short Fill bottle.
Replace the cap and lid on the Short Fill bottle.
Shake the bottle thoroughly to mix the liquids.
Optional: Steep the liquid for better flavour by letting it sit in a cool, dry place for up to 24 hours.

What is E-Liquid Steeping?

Steeping is the process of allowing your e-liquid to rest after mixing to improve the flavour. It gives the nicotine time to blend with the e-liquid, enhancing the taste for a more enjoyable vape. While it’s not required, many vapers notice a significant difference in flavour after steeping for a day.

Why Do People Buy Short Fill E-Liquids?

Many people switch to Short Fills to save money and for the convenience of carrying a larger bottle instead of multiple small ones. It’s also more eco-friendly, as it reduces the packaging and energy required to produce the e-liquids.

Additionally, Short Fills allow you to customise your nicotine content. Want less than 3mg? Just add less Nic Shot. Want to eliminate nicotine altogether? No problem—Short Fills work perfectly without nicotine, making them popular among vapers looking to quit nicotine altogether.

Tips & Information

Choose a flavour you love before committing to a large Short Fill bottle.
Be careful when removing the cap—consider getting a Short Fill tool.
Always wash your hands after handling Nic Shots, as nicotine can be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
Adding more Nic Shots may slightly dilute the flavour intensity.
High VG e-liquids may require you to increase the power output of your device.
Shake well before use to ensure the nicotine is evenly distributed.
Use a sub-ohm mod for the best results with high VG e-liquids.

Glossary of Terms

E-Liquid – The liquid used in vaporizers, also known as eJuice or vape juice.
Sub-Ohm – Refers to devices with coils below 1.0 ohm, designed for producing large vapour clouds.
Nic Shot – Short for Nicotine Shot, a small bottle of nicotine used to mix with Short Fills.
Short Fill – Nicotine-free e-liquids with room to add Nic Shots.
TPD – The Tobacco Products Directive, an EU regulation for tobacco and e-cigarette products.
High VG – E-liquids with a high Vegetable Glycerin content, ideal for bigger clouds.