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What Is a Shortfill E-Liquid?

A shortfill e-liquid is a flavoured, nicotine-free vape juice sold in a bottle that is intentionally larger than its contents. The "short" in shortfill refers to the bottle being only partially filled — and that gap is not a mistake; it is the entire point of the format.

The most common version in South Africa is the VG 80ml shortfill: 80ml of vegetable glycerine-based e-liquid inside a 100ml PET bottle, leaving exactly 20ml of headspace at the top. That 20ml gap is reserved for a nicotine shot — a small bottle of concentrated, unflavoured nicotine that you pour in, shake, and vape. Once mixed, you have 100ml of finished e-liquid at your chosen nicotine strength.

This format exists because of regulations. In many markets, including South Africa, nicotine-containing e-liquid is restricted to smaller bottle sizes. By selling the flavoured base nicotine-free in a larger bottle, manufacturers can offer 100ml of e-liquid while staying compliant — buyers simply add their own nicotine shot separately. The result is significantly cheaper per millilitre than buying pre-mixed 10ml bottles, and it gives you full control over how much nicotine ends up in your vape.

At a Glance

What Does VG Mean — And Why Does It Matter?

VG stands for vegetable glycerine — one of the two main carrier liquids in e-liquid, alongside PG (propylene glycol). A VG shortfill means the base is predominantly vegetable glycerine, which directly affects how your vape performs.

VG is thick and viscous. It produces large, dense vapour clouds and delivers a noticeably smooth inhale with minimal throat irritation. This makes high-VG shortfills ideal for sub-ohm tanks and direct-to-lung (DTL) devices, where the coil heat and airflow can handle the thicker liquid. The trade-off is that VG does not carry flavour as efficiently as PG, and it wicks more slowly through small coil channels — which is why high-VG liquids are not recommended for tight MTL pod systems.

The Prime VG 80ml Shortfill sold by Downtown Vapoury is an unflavoured VG base, which makes it a versatile blank canvas. You can add a nicotine shot and vape it as a neutral, flavour-free liquid, or blend it with flavour concentrates to create your own custom juice. At R35, it is one of the cheapest ways to stock up on base liquid for DIY mixing.

What Is a Nicotine Shot?

A nicotine shot — commonly called a "nic shot" — is a small bottle of unflavoured nicotine liquid. It contains nicotine suspended in either VG or PG, with no flavouring added. Its sole purpose is to add nicotine to a shortfill.

Nic shots come in two main types:

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  Salt nicotine shots (VG or PG base)

  Smoother throat hit, faster nicotine absorption, best suited for pod systems and MTL devices. Available in higher strengths (20mg–100mg in the shot bottle).
• ⚡
  Freebase nicotine shots (VG or PG base)

  Stronger throat hit, slower absorption, best suited for sub-ohm and DTL vaping. Typically available in lower strengths (18mg–20mg in the shot bottle).

For a VG shortfill, a VG-based nic shot is the best match. It maintains the thick consistency of the base liquid and does not thin the mixture or alter vapour production. Adding a PG-based shot to a VG shortfill is possible, but it will slightly reduce the final VG ratio and may affect wicking in high-wattage sub-ohm coils.

How to Add a Nicotine Shot — Step by Step

Mixing a shortfill is straightforward, but doing it correctly ensures even nicotine distribution and the best possible vape. Here is the exact process:

The Maths — What Strength Will You Get?

The final nicotine strength depends on the concentration of your nic shot and how much you add. Here is the formula:

Here are the most common mixing scenarios for an 80ml VG shortfill:

Which Devices Work Best with VG Shortfills?

Because VG 80ml shortfills are high in vegetable glycerine, they are thicker than standard e-liquids. This affects which devices can handle them properly.

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  Sub-ohm tanks (0.2Ω–0.5Ω, 30W+)

  The natural home for high-VG shortfills. Sub-ohm coils have large wicking ports and high heat output, which handles thick VG efficiently. Expect dense clouds and a smooth, warm draw. GeekVape Zeus, SMOK TFV, and Vaporesso NRG tanks all suit this liquid well.
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  DTL pod mods with mesh coils (0.3Ω–0.6Ω, 25W+)

  Higher-output pod mods like the VOOPOO Drag X, Vaporesso LUXE XR, and OXVA Velocity can wick 70VG+ liquids at 25W and above. The mesh coils help prevent dry hits that standard wire coils might suffer with thick liquid.
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  MTL pods and tight-draw devices

  Avoid using high-VG shortfills in standard MTL pods like the Caliburn, XROS at 1.2Ω, or Novo at 1.0Ω. The small coil channels cannot wick thick VG fast enough, leading to persistent dry hits and burnt coils. For MTL, use 50/50 or 60/40 liquids instead.

Shortfill vs Longfill vs Pre-Mixed — Which Should You Choose?

South African vapers have three main ways to buy e-liquid. Each format serves a different need:

Shortfills sit in the sweet spot between convenience and cost. They require only one step — adding a nic shot — but deliver significant savings over pre-mixed bottles. Longfills offer more control but require more ingredients and more maths. Pre-mixed bottles are the easiest but the most expensive per millilitre.

The Cost Reality — Why Shortfills Save Money

The financial case for shortfills is compelling. Here is how the maths works for a typical sub-ohm vaper in South Africa:

Even with a premium flavoured shortfill, the per-millilitre cost is roughly half that of pre-mixed 10ml bottles. With an unflavoured VG base shortfill at R35, the savings are dramatic — though you will need to add flavour concentrates if you want anything other than a neutral vape.

What Vapers Say About Shortfills

Shortfills are not a niche product — they are the dominant format for sub-ohm vapers globally. Here is the consistent feedback from South African vapers:

Frequently Asked Questions