The Ultimate Guide to Mixing Nic Shots with Bar Series 100ml Shortfills
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The Ultimate Guide to Mixing Nic Shots with Bar Series 100ml Shortfills
Two 18mg shots in a 100ml shortfill give 120ml at about 3mg. One gives around 1.5mg; none keeps it 0mg. Add, reseal, shake well, then fill your tank.
Mixing nic shots into a Bar Series 100ml shortfill is easy once you understand the simple maths behind it. This ultimate guide covers exactly how it works, the strengths you can reach, and how to mix for a perfect, consistent result, building on our basic guide to using shortfills with nic shots.
In short
A Bar Series 100ml shortfill sits in a 120ml bottle, leaving room for two 10ml nicotine shots. Add two standard 18mg shots and you get 120ml of e liquid at about 3mg; add one for around 1.5mg across 110ml; add none to keep it at 0mg. Add the shots, reseal, and shake well for a minute or two so the nicotine mixes evenly before you fill your tank.
The simple maths
The nicotine strength you end up with is just a matter of total nicotine divided by total volume. A 10ml 18mg shot contains 180mg of nicotine. Add two to your 100ml shortfill and you have 360mg spread across 120ml, which works out at about 3mg per ml. Add one shot and you have 180mg across 110ml, roughly 1.5mg. It is straightforward once you have seen it.
Mixing maths for a 100ml shortfill
| Shots (10ml, 18mg) | Total volume | Approx strength |
|---|---|---|
| None | 100ml | 0mg |
| One | 110ml | About 1.5mg |
| Two | 120ml | About 3mg |
| Nicotine added | 360mg with two shots | Across 120ml |
| Result | 120ml ready to vape | About 3mg |
Mixing for a perfect result
Good mixing is mostly about a thorough shake. Add your shots, reseal the cap firmly, and shake briskly for a minute or two until the liquid looks uniform. Some vapers let the bottle stand for a while afterwards, sometimes called steeping, and give it another shake, which can help the flavour settle. Then fill your sub ohm tank, prime the coil, and vape.
Two 18mg shots in a 100ml Bar Series shortfill give 120ml at about 3mg. One shot gives around 1.5mg; none keeps it 0mg. Add, reseal, shake well, then fill your tank.
Mixing step by step
- Remove the cap and any tamper seal
- Add one or two 10ml 18mg nicotine shots
- Reseal the cap firmly
- Shake briskly for a minute or two
- Optionally let it settle, shake again, then fill your tank
More guides and related reading
Our Bar Series guides cover what shortfills are, how to mix and use them, choosing flavours and strengths, and how they compare on value. The pages below are a good next read, and you can always return to the user guide hub or browse our full Help and Guidance library.
- How to use shortfills with nic shots
- Choosing the right nicotine strength
- What are Bar Series shortfills?
- What is nicotine salt
- Bar Series user guide hub
- Northwest Vape Help and Guidance library
Key things to remember
- 100ml shortfill in a 120ml bottle, room for two shots
- Two 18mg shots make about 3mg across 120ml
- One shot gives around 1.5mg; none keeps it 0mg
- Shake well for even nicotine
- Optionally let it settle before filling
Freebase or salt nic shots
Most nicotine shots are freebase, an 18mg 10ml shot is the standard, and two of these make about 3mg in a Bar Series shortfill. Some vapers prefer nicotine salt shots, which can feel smoother, though in a sub ohm setup at low strength the difference is subtle. Either works; the maths for reaching about 3mg is the same with 18mg shots.
Whichever you choose, use shots that match the strength you are aiming for and mix them in the same way. Standard 18mg shots are the simplest and most widely available choice for shortfills.
Shot types
| Shot | Notes |
|---|---|
| 18mg freebase | Standard, two make about 3mg |
| Salt based shot | Can feel smoother |
| Strength | 18mg is typical |
| Quantity | Up to two per shortfill |
| Mixing | Same method either way |
A few more questions
Can I add just one shot?
Yes, one 10ml 18mg shot gives a lighter strength of around 1.5mg across 110ml; add two for about 3mg.
Do I need to let it steep?
Not strictly; a good shake is enough, but letting it stand and shaking again can help the flavour settle.
Do and don’t
Do
- Add up to two 10ml 18mg shots
- Reseal and shake thoroughly
- Let it settle, then shake again
- Prime your coil after filling
Try not to
- Try to fit more than two shots
- Skip the shaking
- Use a strength you have not worked out
- Vape it if you are a non smoker
Getting a consistent strength every fill
The secret to a consistent vape is an even mix. If nicotine is not fully blended, early fills can be weaker and later ones stronger, or vice versa. A thorough shake right after adding the shots, and a quick shake before each refill, keeps the strength steady from the first fill to the last.
It is also worth labelling your bottle with the strength you mixed, especially if you keep several on the go, so you always know what you are vaping.
Consistency checklist
| Step | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Shake after mixing | Even nicotine |
| Shake before refills | Steady strength |
| Label the bottle | Know the strength |
| Two 18mg shots | About 3mg |
| One shot | About 1.5mg |
The bottom line
Mixing nic shots into a Bar Series 100ml shortfill is simple maths: the 120ml bottle leaves room for two 10ml nicotine shots, and two standard 18mg shots give you 120ml of e liquid at about 3mg. Add one shot for around 1.5mg across 110ml, or none to keep it nicotine free at 0mg. Add the shots, reseal, and shake well for a minute or two so the nicotine mixes evenly, optionally letting it settle and shaking again, then fill your sub ohm tank, prime the coil, and enjoy a consistent, well mixed vape.
Lighter and stronger options
The standard two shot mix gives about 3mg, which suits most sub ohm vapers, but you have flexibility. For a lighter vape, one shot gives around 1.5mg, and many people step down this way over time. For a genuinely nicotine free vape, simply add nothing and enjoy the flavour at 0mg.
Going much above 3mg is not really practical with a high VG sub ohm shortfill, two 18mg shots is the ceiling for the volume, and higher strengths would feel harsh in a sub ohm device. If you want more nicotine, a pod kit with nic salts is the better route.
Your mixing options
| Goal | How |
|---|---|
| Standard | Two 18mg shots, about 3mg |
| Lighter | One shot, about 1.5mg |
| Nicotine free | No shots, 0mg |
| Stepping down | Fewer shots over time |
| Higher strength | Use a pod kit with salts |
A few more questions
Can I mix half a shot?
It is possible but fiddly; most people stick to whole shots and adjust strength by using one or two.
Will mixing affect the flavour?
Done properly with a good shake, the shots top up nicotine without noticeably changing the intended flavour.
Why mixing your own is worth it
Mixing your own might sound like extra effort, but it takes a couple of minutes and brings real advantages. You control the exact strength, you get a large volume of e liquid for less money than small bottles, and you can step your nicotine down over time simply by using fewer shots. It is the trade off that makes shortfills such good value.
Once you have mixed a bottle or two, it becomes second nature, add the shots, shake, fill, and you are done.
A couple more questions
Is mixing nic shots messy?
Not at all; the bottle is part filled so there is room for the shots, just pour them in, reseal and shake.
Where can I buy nic shots?
We stock standard 10ml 18mg nicotine shots alongside the Bar Series range; add them to your order online or ask in store.
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping is intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. Shortfills are sold nicotine free, but adding a nicotine shot makes them a nicotine product, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products and nicotine shots in the UK, and we age verify every order in line with Challenge 25. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
This page is general product information, not personal medical or legal advice. Specifications can vary by product and batch, so always check the bottle and label.
Ready to explore the range?
Browse the full Bar Series shortfill range, or read more in our user guide. You can also call us on 01942 867253, and we offer free next working day delivery on orders over thirty pounds.