Longfill E-Liquids Explained: How to Mix, Steep and Save Money
If you've been vaping for a while, you've probably noticed that your monthly e-liquid costs can add up quickly. Whether you're a cloud chaser going through 120ml bottles weekly or a casual MTL vaper who prefers premium flavors, there's a solution that can slash your costs by up to 60% while giving you access to premium South African flavors: longfill e-liquids.
At Downtown Vapoury, we've seen a massive surge in longfill popularity over the past year, and for good reason. But if you're new to longfills, the mixing process might seem intimidating. Don't worry—this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about longfill e-liquids, from understanding what they are to mastering the mixing and steeping process.
What Are Longfill E-Liquids?
Longfill e-liquids are concentrated flavor shots packaged in oversized bottles with room for you to add your own base ingredients. Typically, you'll find 30ml of concentrated flavoring in a 60ml or 120ml bottle, leaving space for nicotine shots and/or VG/PG base to dilute the concentrate to your preferred strength and ratio.
The concept emerged as a creative solution to regulatory challenges in various markets, but it's evolved into a cost-effective option that gives vapers more control over their vaping experience. Instead of paying for a ready-mixed 120ml bottle at R350-R450, you can buy a longfill for R180-R280 and add your own base ingredients, often bringing your total cost down to R250-R320 for the same volume.
Why Choose Longfills?
Cost Savings: The primary draw is economics. You're essentially paying for concentrated flavor and then adding the cheaper base ingredients yourself. Over a year, heavy vapers can save thousands of rands.
Customization: Want a higher VG ratio for bigger clouds? Prefer less nicotine? Longfills give you complete control over your final mix.
Longer Shelf Life: Concentrated flavors in unopened longfill bottles can last longer than pre-mixed e-liquids because they haven't been diluted yet.
Access to Premium Brands: South African brands like Cape Clouds, Wiener Vape Co, TKO, and Polar Popz offer exceptional flavor profiles in longfill format, making premium vaping more affordable.
Understanding Longfill Formats and Ratios
Before diving into mixing, you need to understand the common longfill formats available at Downtown Vapoury:
Standard 60ml Longfills (30ml concentrate)
These typically come with 30ml of flavor concentrate in a 60ml bottle. You'll add 20ml of VG/PG base and optionally 10ml of nicotine shots to fill the bottle. The final product yields 60ml of ready-to-vape e-liquid.
120ml Longfills (30ml-60ml concentrate)
Larger format bottles contain anywhere from 30ml to 60ml of concentrate in 120ml bottles, designed for vapers who go through liquid quickly. These require more base and nicotine shots but offer even better value.
Target VG/PG Ratios
Most longfills are designed to achieve specific VG/PG ratios after mixing:
- 70/30 VG/PG: Ideal for sub-ohm devices, cloud production
- 60/40 VG/PG: Balanced for flavor and vapor production
- 50/50 VG/PG: Perfect for MTL devices and pod systems
Always check the manufacturer's recommendations on the bottle or product page to ensure you're achieving the intended ratio.
Step-by-Step Mixing Guide for Beginners
Now let's get into the practical process of mixing your first longfill. We'll use a standard 60ml longfill as our example.
What You'll Need
Essential Supplies:
- Your chosen longfill e-liquid (30ml concentrate in 60ml bottle)
- VG/PG base (available at Downtown Vapoury)
- Nicotine shots if desired (15ml salt nic or freebase shots)
- Disposable gloves (for safety when handling nicotine)
- Paper towels (for spills)
- Labels or marker (to note mixing date and steep time)
Optional But Helpful:
- Syringe or dropper for precise measurements
- Funnel (though longfill bottles are designed for easy pouring)
- Protective eyewear when handling high-strength nicotine
The Mixing Process
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace Choose a clean, flat surface away from children and pets. Lay down paper towels to catch any spills. If you're using nicotine shots, wear disposable gloves.
Step 2: Shake the Concentrate Before opening your longfill bottle, shake it vigorously for 30-60 seconds. Flavor concentrates can separate during storage, and you want an even distribution.
Step 3: Add Your Nicotine (If Desired) If you want nicotine in your final mix, add it first:
- For 3mg strength: Add one 15ml nicotine shot (18mg)
- For 6mg strength: Add two 15ml nicotine shots
- For salt nic: Follow the manufacturer's recommendations
Remove the nozzle from your longfill bottle, carefully pour or squeeze in your nicotine shots, and replace the nozzle.
Step 4: Add VG/PG Base Fill the remaining space in your bottle with your chosen VG/PG base. Most vapers use:
- 100% VG for maximum cloud production (works well with 70/30 intended longfills)
- 70/30 VG/PG pre-mixed base for balanced results
- 50/50 for MTL devices
Pour slowly to avoid air bubbles. Fill to the shoulder of the bottle, leaving a small air gap for shaking.
Step 5: The Critical Shake Replace the cap tightly and shake the bottle vigorously for 2-3 minutes. This seems like a long time, but thorough mixing is essential. You'll know it's properly mixed when the liquid appears completely uniform with no streaks or separation.
Step 6: Label and Date Use a marker or label to note the mixing date, nicotine strength, and intended steep time. This helps you track which bottles are ready to vape.
Common Mixing Mistakes to Avoid
Adding Too Much Liquid: Don't overfill beyond the bottle's capacity. This can make it difficult to shake properly and may dilute the flavor too much.
Skipping the Shake: Inadequate mixing leads to inconsistent nicotine distribution and flavor. Always shake thoroughly.
Wrong VG/PG Ratio: Using 100% VG in a longfill designed for 50/50 will drastically change the flavor profile and may not work well in your device.
Handling Nicotine Without Gloves: Nicotine is absorbed through skin. Always use gloves when handling concentrated nicotine shots.
The Art and Science of Steeping
Steeping is the process of allowing your e-liquid to age, which helps the flavor molecules fully integrate and develop complexity. Think of it like aging wine—the chemical processes that occur over time can dramatically enhance the final product.
Why Steeping Matters
When you first mix a longfill, the flavor concentrate, nicotine, and base are combined but not fully integrated at a molecular level. Steeping allows:
- Flavor Maturation: Complex flavor molecules need time to bond with the VG/PG base
- Nicotine Integration: Ensures even nicotine distribution throughout the liquid
- Aroma Development: Some flavor notes only emerge after steeping
- Harshness Reduction: Fresh mixes can taste sharp or chemical; steeping smooths this out
Steeping Times by Flavor Profile
Different flavor profiles require different steeping periods:
Fruit Flavors (3-7 days) Brands like Polar Popz with fruity profiles (Passionfruit Pineapple & Strawberry Ice, Passionfruit Strawberry & Mango Xtra Ice) typically need minimal steeping. Fruit flavors are often "shake and vape" friendly, meaning they're enjoyable immediately but improve slightly over 3-7 days.
Dessert & Bakery Flavors (7-14 days) Custards, creams, and bakery flavors benefit most from steeping. If you're vaping Wiener Vape Co's dessert lines or similar profiles, plan for at least a week, preferably two weeks of steeping.
Tobacco & Complex Blends (14-21 days) Rich, complex tobacco flavors and multi-layered blends need the longest steep times. Some vapers report continued improvement even after a month.
Menthol & Ice Flavors (3-5 days) Ice and menthol notes tend to be volatile and strong from the start. TKO's ice variants and similar products are usually ready within a few days.
Steeping Methods
Standard Room Temperature Steeping (Recommended) The simplest and safest method:
- Store bottles in a cool, dark cupboard (away from direct sunlight)
- Shake bottles daily for 30 seconds
- Keep temperature consistent (18-22°C is ideal)
- Wait for the recommended time
Warm Water Bath (Accelerated) For those who can't wait:
- Fill a bowl with warm (not hot) water—around 40-50°C
- Place your bottles in the water for 30-60 minutes
- Shake every 15 minutes
- Repeat process daily for 3-5 days
This method speeds up molecular integration but may slightly degrade some delicate flavor notes.
Ultrasonic Cleaner (Advanced) Some dedicated vapers use ultrasonic cleaners:
- Fill cleaner with warm water
- Place bottles inside (ensure they're sealed)
- Run for 30-60 minutes
- Shake and test
This is the fastest method but requires equipment investment.
What NOT to Do
- Don't microwave e-liquid (destroys flavor and nicotine)
- Avoid direct sunlight (degrades nicotine and flavors)
- Don't store near heat sources (radiators, stovetops)
- Never freeze e-liquid (separates ingredients)
Testing Your Steep
After the minimum steep time, try a small amount in your device. If the flavor tastes muted, harsh, or "perfume-y," it needs more time. A properly steeped e-liquid should taste smooth, balanced, and full-bodied.
Cost Comparison: Longfills vs Ready-Made E-Liquids
Let's break down the real savings with actual numbers from Downtown Vapoury's product range:
Scenario 1: Heavy DTL Vaper (120ml per week)
Ready-Made Premium E-Liquid:
- Lost World 120ml: R350 per bottle
- Monthly cost (4 bottles): R1,400
- Annual cost: R16,800
Longfill Alternative:
- Cape Clouds 120ml Longfill: R220
- VG/PG Base (90ml needed): R40
- Nicotine shots (if used): R60
- Total per 120ml: R320
- Monthly cost: R1,280
- Annual cost: R15,360
- Annual Savings: R1,440
Scenario 2: Moderate MTL Vaper (60ml per week)
Ready-Made Nic Salts:
- Premium 60ml Nic Salt: R280
- Monthly cost (4 bottles): R1,120
- Annual cost: R13,440
Longfill Alternative:
- Wiener Vape Co 60ml Longfill: R180
- VG/PG Base (20ml needed): R15
- Nic Salt shots: R50
- Total per 60ml: R245
- Monthly cost: R980
- Annual cost: R11,760
- Annual Savings: R1,680
Scenario 3: Light Vaper (30ml per week)
Ready-Made:
- 30ml Premium MTL: R140
- Monthly cost (4 bottles): R560
- Annual cost: R6,720
Longfill Alternative:
- Half portion of 60ml longfill: R122.50
- Annual cost: R5,880
- Annual Savings: R840
These calculations show that regardless of your vaping volume, longfills offer 12-15% savings. For heavy vapers, this translates to over R1,500 annually—enough to buy new coils, a backup device, or simply enjoy more variety in your vaping experience.
Featured South African Longfill Brands at Downtown Vapoury
Cape Clouds Longfill
Flagship Flavors: Known for authentic South African-inspired profiles Steep Time: 7-10 days for optimal flavor Best For: Vapers who enjoy local flavor creativity Price Point: Mid-range (R200-R250 for 60ml)
Cape Clouds has built a reputation for quality and consistency. Their longfills are formulated to achieve perfect balance after mixing, and they provide clear instructions on every bottle.
Wiener Vape Co. Longfill
Flagship Flavors: Dessert-forward profiles with unique twists Steep Time: 10-14 days (worth the wait) Best For: Dessert and bakery flavor enthusiasts Price Point: Premium (R250-R299 for 60ml)
Wiener Vape Co. is renowned for complex, layered flavors that truly shine after proper steeping. Their Good Boy profile is a customer favorite that develops rich custard notes over time.
TKO (Taste Knock Out) Longfill
Flagship Flavors: Bold fruit and ice combinations Steep Time: 5-7 days Best For: Vapers who love intense, punchy flavors Price Point: Budget-friendly (R180-R220 for 60ml)
TKO delivers on their promise of knockout flavor. Their ice variants are particularly popular in summer months, and their fruit blends are vibrant right from the mix.
Polar Popz Longfill
Flagship Flavors:
- Passionfruit Pineapple & Strawberry Ice
- Passionfruit Strawberry & Mango Xtra Ice
- Passionfruit Raspberry & Pine Xtra Ice
Steep Time: 3-7 days Best For: Fruit and ice lovers seeking exotic combinations Price Point: Mid-range (R200 for 60ml)
Polar Popz has quickly become a Downtown Vapoury bestseller. Their exotic fruit combinations with ice finishes are sophisticated and refreshing, perfect for all-day vaping once properly steeped.
Pro Tips for Longfill Success
Batch Mixing Strategy
Consider mixing multiple bottles at once. If you vape 60ml per week, mix four bottles on the same day. This ensures you always have steeped e-liquid ready while your current bottle steeps.
Rotation System
Label bottles as "Week 1," "Week 2," etc. This rotation ensures you're always vaping properly steeped liquid while building up your reserve.
Storage Optimization
Invest in a dedicated storage box or drawer. Keep it dark, cool, and organized with your steeping bottles separate from ready-to-vape stock.
Experimentation Journal
Keep notes on steeping times for different brands. You might discover that your specific setup makes Wiener Vape Co. taste perfect at 12 days instead of the recommended 14.
Buy Base in Bulk
If you're committed to longfills, buy VG/PG base in larger quantities (500ml or 1L bottles). This reduces per-ml cost and ensures you never run out mid-mix.
Nicotine Shot Storage
Nicotine shots degrade over time. Buy only what you'll use within 3-6 months, and store them in a cool, dark place. Consider refrigeration for long-term storage.
Troubleshooting Common Longfill Issues
Flavor Too Weak
- May need more steeping time
- Check if you added too much base
- Ensure you shook thoroughly during mixing
Harsh or Chemical Taste
- Needs more steeping (particularly for desserts)
- Possible over-oxidation if steeped too long in warm conditions
- Check nicotine shot quality and expiration date
Separation or Cloudiness
- Normal immediately after mixing
- Shake vigorously and allow to settle
- If persistent after 24 hours, contact the retailer
Too Thick for Your Device
- You may have used too high VG ratio
- Add small amounts of PG to thin
- Consider whether your coil/device is compatible with high VG
Making the Switch: Your First Longfill Purchase
Ready to try longfills? Here's how to start smart:
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Choose a Familiar Flavor Profile: Don't experiment with mixing AND new flavors simultaneously. Pick a longfill in a flavor category you already enjoy.
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Start with One Bottle: Mix your first longfill while you still have regular e-liquid as backup. This removes pressure and lets you learn.
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Follow Instructions Exactly: Resist the urge to improvise on your first mix. Follow the manufacturer's recommended ratios and steep times.
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Set Realistic Expectations: Your first longfill might not be perfect. There's a learning curve, but it's short and worth it.
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Ask for Help: The team at Downtown Vapoury can guide you through your first purchase and mixing process. Don't hesitate to ask questions.
Conclusion: The Longfill Advantage
Longfill e-liquids represent the intersection of quality, value, and customization in modern vaping. While the upfront learning curve might seem daunting, the process is genuinely simple once you've mixed your first bottle. Within a month, you'll be confidently mixing, steeping, and enjoying premium South African flavors at a fraction of the cost of ready-made alternatives.
The brands available at Downtown Vapoury—Cape Clouds, Wiener Vape Co, TKO, and Polar Popz—all deliver exceptional quality that rivals or exceeds many international premium lines. When you factor in the cost savings of R1,000-R2,000 annually (depending on your vaping volume), the choice becomes clear.
Whether you're motivated by savings, customization, or simply the satisfaction of crafting your own perfect vape, longfills offer a rewarding path forward. Stop by Downtown Vapoury's Overport, Umhlanga, Salt Rock, or Hillcrest locations to explore the range, ask questions, and get started with longfills today. Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the perfect longfill for your taste preferences and guide you through your first mixing experience.
Remember: shake thoroughly, steep patiently, and enjoy the rewards of becoming a longfill mixer. Your wallet—and your taste buds—will thank you.
Visit Downtown Vapoury Today
Ready to start saving with longfills? Visit any of our four KwaZulu-Natal locations or shop online at www.downtownvapoury.co.za. We stock the full range of Cape Clouds, Wiener Vape Co, TKO, and Polar Popz longfills, plus all the bases and nicotine shots you need to get started.
Need mixing advice? Call us at (031) 207 4219 or message us on social media. We're here to help you succeed with longfills!