Shortfill E-Liquid: Nicotine Shots, Mixing and Device Compatibility

A shortfill e-liquid is a nicotine-free liquid supplied with spare bottle capacity for an optional nicotine shot. Dinner Lady formats pair 50ml with one 10ml shot or 100ml with two 10ml shots, producing 3mg/ml when 18mg/ml shots are used. Shortfills typically suit compatible sub-ohm, higher-power hardware.

What is a shortfill e-liquid?

Shortfill packaging separates the nicotine-free liquid from any optional nicotine component. We supply our shortfill e-liquids as 50ml in a 60ml bottle and 100ml in a 120ml bottle.

The unused capacity is called headroom. It fits one 10ml shot in a 50ml shortfill or two 10ml shots in a 100ml shortfill.

A shortfill can be used as supplied by existing adult vapers who do not want nicotine. Any optional shot must fit the headroom and be compatible with the liquid.

Key Dinner Lady shortfill formats are:

• 50ml of e-liquid in a 60ml bottle, leaving 10ml of headroom

• 100ml of e-liquid in a 120ml bottle, leaving 20ml of headroom

• High-VG liquid intended for compatible sub-ohm and higher-power hardware

• Space for an optional nicotine shot, bought separately

Why do shortfills come in larger bottles?

UK rules allow nicotine-free shortfills to be sold in larger bottles because the refill-container limit applies to liquid that contains nicotine. The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 limit a nicotine-containing refill container sold to consumers to 10ml and cap its nicotine strength at 20mg/ml.

A shortfill contains no nicotine when sold, so the 10ml nicotine refill-container limit does not apply to the shortfill bottle. Its larger capacity also provides measured space for an optional shot rather than requiring the user to decant the mixture.

What is a nicotine shot?

A nicotine shot is a small bottle of nicotine-containing e-liquid designed to add a measured amount of nicotine to a compatible shortfill. Our nicotine shots contain 10ml at 18mg/ml and are usually unflavoured.

Nicotine shots are available in different PG/VG ratios, commonly 100% VG, 100% PG and 50:50. PG means propylene glycol, while VG means vegetable glycerine; the ratio describes the proportions of these two carrier liquids.

Matching the shot to the shortfill's stated ratio keeps the mixture closer to its intended viscosity. Check both labels, because nicotine shots use different base ratios.

How do you add a nicotine shot to a shortfill?

You add a nicotine shot to a shortfill by pouring it into the available headroom and mixing thoroughly. Check the bottle sizes and nicotine strength first.

1. Remove the caps and any removable nozzle or seal from the shortfill and nicotine-shot bottles, following the packaging instructions.

2. Pour the full nicotine shot into the available headroom, without exceeding the shortfill bottle's capacity. For a 100ml shortfill, add both 10ml shots at this stage.

3. Replace the shortfill nozzle and cap securely, then check that the bottle is properly closed.

4. Shake the bottle for around one minute to combine the liquids.

Wash your hands after handling the bottles and wipe up spills promptly. Keep all e-liquid out of reach of children and pets, and never use an unlabelled container.

What strength does a shortfill become once mixed?

A shortfill's final strength equals the total milligrams of nicotine divided by the finished volume. One 10ml shot at 18mg/ml contains 180mg in total.

These calculations apply only to the listed combinations. A different shot strength or total volume changes the result.

Exceeding the bottle's headroom will cause an overflow. Existing adult nicotine users should choose a strength consistent with what they already use, and check every label.

Which devices suit shortfill e-liquid?

Compatible sub-ohm and higher-power devices suit the high-VG formulation used for shortfills. Device, tank and coil instructions remain decisive, because supported ratios and operating ranges vary.

Our guide to mouth to lung and direct to lung vaping styles explains the terms. Shortfills generally pair with higher-power hardware, while lower-power MTL devices commonly use a thinner 50:50 liquid.

Our shortfill bottles are labelled 30:70, which states the PG figure first. The same liquid may be described elsewhere as 70:30 VG/PG. Both describe 30% propylene glycol and 70% vegetable glycerine.

If your device is a lower-power refillable MTL pod kit, our Bar Salts 10ml range uses a different bottle format. Read our 10ml nic salt e-liquid compatibility guide for the relevant checks.

Sealed prefilled pod systems do not accept bottled e-liquid in any format. Dinner Lady Velto pods are sealed units that cannot be opened, topped up or refilled, as our prefilled pod vape kit guide explains. Never attempt to fill a sealed pod.

Can you vape a shortfill without adding nicotine?

Adult vapers can use a shortfill without adding a nicotine shot, because the supplied liquid is a complete nicotine-free e-liquid. The shot is optional.

A 50ml shortfill remains 50ml inside its 60ml bottle, while a 100ml shortfill remains 100ml inside its 120ml bottle. The unfilled space does not indicate missing product.

How does Vaping Products Duty affect shortfills?

Vaping Products Duty covers shortfills and nicotine shots from 1 October 2026, because it applies to all vaping liquid sold or supplied in the UK. HMRC sets the rate at £2.20 per 10ml, or 22p per millilitre, regardless of nicotine content.

The same 22p-per-millilitre rate applies throughout, so the duty rate does not vary by format. Because a flat per-millilitre amount is added to every product, the proportional gap between formats with different underlying costs per millilitre is expected to narrow.

Eligible stock produced or imported before 1 October 2026 may remain on sale until 31 March 2027. Changes are expected to appear gradually as retailers work through qualifying stock. We show the current price on each product page.

Our UK vape tax guide covers the dates, duty stamps and transition in more detail. Businesses should use the official GOV.UK Vaping Products Duty guidance for the current requirements.

How should you store shortfills and nicotine shots?

You should store shortfills and nicotine shots upright, sealed and away from sunlight and heat. Secure each cap and keep all bottles out of reach of children and pets.

Follow the bottle's best-before information rather than a general shelf-life estimate. Do not use a product with a broken seal, damaged packaging or an unreadable label.

After mixing, note what was added and when, without covering the original label. Keep the mixture in its labelled bottle so its nicotine status remains clear.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover common searches about shortfill e-liquid, nicotine shots, compatible hardware and Vaping Products Duty.

What is a shortfill e-liquid?

A shortfill is a nicotine-free e-liquid supplied in a bottle with unused capacity. Dinner Lady provides 50ml in a 60ml bottle and 100ml in a 120ml bottle. The liquid can be used as supplied, or an existing adult nicotine user can add a compatible shot within the available headroom.

How many nic shots do I need for a 100ml shortfill?

A Dinner Lady 100ml shortfill has 20ml of headroom for two 10ml nicotine shots. Adding two shots at 18mg/ml produces 120ml of e-liquid at 3mg/ml. This calculation depends on both shots having the stated strength; a different shot concentration will produce a different final result.

Why can't nicotine e-liquid be sold in 100ml bottles?

UK rules limit a nicotine-containing refill container sold to consumers to 10ml and cap nicotine strength at 20mg/ml. A 100ml shortfill can be sold in a larger bottle because it contains no nicotine when supplied. If nicotine is wanted, it is added separately using compliant 10ml nicotine-shot bottles.

Are shortfills suitable for pod kits?

Shortfills are typically high-VG liquids intended for compatible sub-ohm and higher-power hardware, not low-power MTL pod kits. Some devices called pod kits use different coil and power specifications, so check the manufacturer's instructions. A sealed prefilled pod does not accept shortfill or any other bottled e-liquid.

Do I have to add a nicotine shot to a shortfill?

No. A shortfill is a complete nicotine-free e-liquid and can be used as supplied by an existing adult vaper who does not want nicotine. The shot is optional. Without it, a 50ml fill remains 50ml and a 100ml fill remains 100ml, with the bottle's headroom left unused.

Will the vape tax apply to shortfills?

Yes. From 1 October 2026, Vaping Products Duty applies to vaping liquid whether or not it contains nicotine. The rate is £2.20 per 10ml, making the duty £11.00 on 50ml and £22.00 on 100ml. Eligible pre-duty stock may remain on sale until 31 March 2027.

Our vape products are for sale to over-18s only in the UK and are intended for existing adult smokers and existing adult vapers. Dinner Lady shortfills contain no nicotine as supplied. Dinner Lady nicotine shots contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance.