How Do You Thin Out E-Liquid or Care Your Health

Why Do you Want to Thin Out E-Liquid?

There are several motivations that lead vapers to thin out their e-juices. The most common include:

Increasing Vapor Production

One of the main reasons vapers thin out e-liquid is to increase vapor production. VG is the component in e-juice primarily responsible for dense, thick vapor clouds. The higher the VG ratio, the more vapor is generally produced.

However, extremely high VG ratios (over 80% or 90% VG) can be too thick for some devices, preventing effective wicking and vaporization. Introducing distilled water thins out the juice for enhanced vaporization, allowing vapers to achieve huge vapor clouds from high VG juices that might not otherwise perform well.

Diluting 50/50 or 60/40 PG/VG mixes with distilled water can also boost vapor output compared to the undiluted liquid. Each vaper needs to experiment to find their preferred ratio for maximum clouds.

Improving Wicking Performance

Another common reason for diluting e-juice is to improve wicking efficiency, especially in rebuildable dripping atomizers (RDAs).

Wicking determines how effectively e-liquid makes it from the reservoir to the heating coil. Efficient wicking is essential for optimal vaporization and to prevent dry hits. Some RDAs with certain builds have trouble wicking ultra-thick max VG juices fast enough. This can lead to dry, burnt hits.

Introducing distilled water thins out the e-liquid just enough to dramatically improve wicking speeds. This allows vapers to comfortably use thick VG ratios in RDAs that might otherwise struggle.

Health Risks of Cloud Chasing

While thick plumes look impressive, the quest for the biggest clouds could compromise vapers’ respiratory health. Sub-ohm devices and high voltage settings heat e-liquids to extreme temperatures. Inhaling very hot vapor can irritate lung tissue and airways. Dehydration is another issue, as enormous clouds deplete fluid levels. High-VG juices also coat mouth membranes, impairing their function.

Additionally, chasing clouds often entails quickly sucking down large volumes of e-liquid. This can mean inhaling extremely high, unsafe levels of nicotine. Some competitive vapers even aim to reach nicotine overdose for an intense buzz, risking vomiting, dizziness, and other symptoms. Essentially, the desire for huge clouds could lead vapers to overdo it and potentially harm themselves.

Vaping Responsibly

There are ways to enjoy vaping while still being mindful of health. Using lower voltage mods and temperatures keeps vapor cooler to avoid damaging the lungs. High PG e-liquids also create a tighter, thinner mouthfeel.

Rather than obsess over cloud output, flavor chasers focus on the subtleties of e-liquid recipes. Or, cloud competitions aside, many vapers are satisfied with moderate vapor production as they enjoy nicotine satisfaction.

For those set on churning clouds, removing nicotine entirely is an option. This allows chasing vapor tricks without the addiction component if one wants to minimize risks.

Prioritizing Health Over Looks

Ultimately, informed vapers need to make sensible choices with their long-term well-being in mind rather than chasing temporary social rewards. This may mean opting for pods like Sikary S600 over mech mods. It means keeping wattages and temperatures at reasonable levels. Vapers should monitor themselves when vaping for any coughing, chest pain, headaches, and other symptoms signaling harm.

While some risks always exist with vaping, blowing huge clouds is one particular trend that is straining safety margins. There are many cautionary tales of competitive vapers ending up hospitalized after aggressive sessions. Moderation and common sense are key to ensuring vaping remains an enjoyable hobby, not a health hazard.

Supplies Needed for Thinning E-Liquid

Thinning out e-juice is a simple process that only requires a few supplies:

E-Liquid You Want to Thin: This is obviously essential. Only thin out small quantities of e-liquid at a time until you determine your preferred consistency.

Distilled Water: Use only steam-distilled water, available at pharmacies and grocery stores. Avoid tap water due to contaminants.

Mixing Vessel: This can be a beaker, laboratory mixing cylinder, or simply a bottle or jug depending on batch size. Glass is ideal.

Measuring Tools: Graduated cylinders, pipettes, syringes, or other volumetric tools to accurately measure out distilled water and e-liquid.

Funnel (optional): Makes it easier to pour thinned e-liquid into final storage bottles without spilling.

Bottles for Storing: You'll need bottles to store the finished thinned e-liquid. Eye dropper bottles work great.

Gloves (recommended): Wearing gloves reduces contamination risk during mixing.

That's really all you need to start thinning your e-juices at home. Now let's get into the actual dilution process.

How to Thin Vape Juice at Home?

Diluting e-juice is a very simple process with just a few steps:

Calculate the Target Dilution Ratio: First, determine how much you want to thin out the e-liquid. Good starting points are dilution ratios like 10% or 20% distilled water by volume.

For a 10% dilution, you'll add 10ml of distilled water per 100ml of e-liquid. For a 20% dilution, add 20ml of water per 100ml of juice. This significantly thins most e-liquids without overdiluting.

Sterilize Mixing Tools: Before mixing, thoroughly clean and sterilize any containers, funnels, graduated cylinders, and pipettes that will contact the e-liquid. This prevents contamination.

Optional but recommended: Wear latex gloves during the dilution process to further reduce contamination risks.

Measure out E-Liquid & Distilled Water: Use your graduated cylinder, pipettes, or syringes to accurately measure out the amounts of e-liquid and distilled water based on your target dilution ratio.

For example, to make a 10% diluted e-liquid with a 100ml bottle, measure out 90ml of e-liquid and 10ml of distilled water.

Mix Diluted E-Liquid: Pour the e-liquid and distilled water into your sterilized mixing container. If using a bottle, make sure to leave room for shaking.

Seal the container and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds to fully combine the ingredients. The e-liquid and water should be completely blended.

Steep (Optional): Some vapers like to let the diluted e-liquid steep for 12-48 hours so the flavors mingle. This is optional and not required.

Transfer to Storage Bottles: Use a funnel to carefully transfer the thinned e-liquid into your sterilized storage bottles. Leave a little extra airspace to allow for shaking.

Cap tightly and label each bottle with details like ratio and date mixed. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Commonly Asked Questions About Thinning E-Juice

Many vapers new to thinning e-liquid have similar questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

1. What is the ideal PG/VG ratio to thin out?

This depends on personal preferences, but many vapers enjoy thinning a 30PG/70VG or 40PG/60VG ratio. This balances vapor, flavor, and wicking nicely.

2. How long does thinned out e-liquid last?

Around 1-2 months is common, whereas unopened bottles can last 12+ months. The water reduces shelf life. Refrigeration extends it.

3. Can I use vodka or other liquids instead of distilled water?

It's best to only use steam-distilled purified water to thin e-liquids. Other liquids introduce unpredictable factors. Keep it simple.

4. Does thinning e-juice mute the flavors?

In moderate amounts, thinning only slightly mutes flavors. Excessive dilution can ruin flavors. Go slowly and find your ideal ratio.

5. Is it safe to thin my e-liquid with distilled water?

Using proper handling and high-quality distilled water, thinning e-juice comes with very low risks. Avoid contaminants for maximum safety.

6. How much distilled water should I use to thin VG/PG juice?

Start with small 10-20% dilutions and test from there. For a 30/70 PG/VG ratio, 10% is around 3ml water per 30ml juice. Increase incrementally.

7. Can I vape e-liquid right after thinning, or should I let it steep?

You can vape thinned juice immediately, but letting it sit 12-48 hours allows the flavors to fully blend together optimally.

Thinning out your e-juices takes some experimentation but allows for personalized vaping. Follow these tips and you'll be expertly diluting in no time.