Nicotine Warning: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance. This content is provided for informational purposes only.
Shortfill E-Liquids: Format Guide, UK Regulations, and Nicotine Shot Instructions
For adult vapers operating high-wattage sub-ohm hardware, shortfill e-liquids are the standard format for purchasing e-liquid in the UK. Understanding why this format exists, how it is structured, and how to add a nicotine shot correctly is useful for anyone using advanced vape hardware.
This guide explains the regulatory background, the technical specifications of the shortfill format, and step-by-step instructions for combining a Dinner Lady 50ml shortfill with a nicotine shot. For a broader overview of how different e-liquid formats work across device types, see our guide to e-liquid ratios for MTL and sub-ohm vaping.
Why Shortfills Exist: UK TRPR Regulations
The shortfill format is a direct product of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) 2016, which governs the sale of vaping products in the UK. Under TRPR, any e-liquid bottle that contains nicotine cannot exceed 10ml in volume. This regulation was introduced to ensure consistent labelling, child-resistant packaging standards, and quality control across nicotine-containing products.
However, 10ml is a relatively small volume for adult vapers using high-wattage sub-ohm devices, which consume e-liquid at a significantly faster rate than low-wattage MTL hardware. The shortfill format was developed by manufacturers as a compliant solution: by selling the liquid nicotine-free, volumes above 10ml became legally permissible.
How the Shortfill Format Works
A standard Dinner Lady shortfill contains 50ml of nicotine-free e-liquid in a 60ml bottle. The 10ml of empty space at the top of the bottle is not a filling error - it is intentional, and serves as the space into which a nic shot is added by the user.
A nicotine shot is a 10ml bottle of unflavoured, high-strength nicotine liquid. When added to the 50ml shortfill, it produces 60ml of flavoured e-liquid at a usable nicotine concentration.
The resulting nicotine strength depends on the concentration of the nicotine shot used. When a standard 18mg nicotine shot is added to a 50ml shortfill, the resulting 60ml of liquid contains approximately 3mg/ml of nicotine. This is a common target strength for sub-ohm DTL vaping, where the higher volume of vapour produced per inhalation means lower nicotine concentrations are typically more appropriate.
PG/VG Ratios in Dinner Lady Shortfills
Dinner Lady shortfills are available in two PG/VG formulations, each suited to slightly different sub-ohm hardware:
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30:70 PG/VG Shortfill: The standard sub-ohm formulation. The higher VG content is intended for use in devices designed for higher-viscosity e-liquids and withstands the high operating temperatures of advanced coils. The lower PG content produces a milder throat hit, which is generally well suited to the higher nicotine volumes inhaled per puff on DTL hardware.
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40:60 PG/VG Shortfill (Bar Edition): A slightly higher PG ratio that enhances flavour intensity while retaining a High-VG base suitable for sub-ohm hardware. This variant applies the concentrated flavour profile of the bar salt format to a shortfill, making it suited to sub-ohm vapers who prioritise flavour clarity.
Both are priced at £12.99, with a 2 for £22 multi-buy offer available, across dessert, fruit, menthol, tobacco, sweets, and beverage flavour categories.
How to Add a Nicotine Shot to a Dinner Lady Shortfill
The process is straightforward and requires no specialist equipment beyond the shortfill bottle and a 10ml nicotine shot.
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Open the shortfill bottle: Dinner Lady shortfills use a child-resistant cap. Press down and turn to open.
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Open the nicotine shot: Nicotine shots use a standard nozzle tip. Remove the cap.
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Squeeze the nicotine shot into the shortfill bottle: Insert the nozzle of the nicotine shot into the opening of the shortfill bottle and squeeze the full contents in. The bottle has been filled to exactly 50ml, so the full 10ml nicotine shot should fit without overflow.
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Replace the cap and shake: Secure the cap on the shortfill bottle and shake firmly for 30 to 60 seconds to ensure the nicotine shot and the base liquid are fully combined.
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Allow to steep if preferred: Some adult vapers allow the combined liquid to rest for a short period before use. This is a matter of personal preference and is not a requirement for safe use.
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Fill your device as normal: Once combined, the liquid is ready to use in your sub-ohm tank or refillable pod system.
Shortfills and the October 2026 Vaping Products Duty
From October 2026, the UK government is introducing the Vaping Products Duty—a flat-rate tax applied to all e-liquid sold in the UK, calculated per millilitre of liquid. For adult vapers using sub-ohm hardware, who consume e-liquid at a higher rate than MTL vapers, this taxation framework will have a more pronounced impact on ongoing running costs.
Explore the full Dinner Lady shortfill range, available across dessert, fruit, menthol, tobacco, sweets, and beverage flavour categories in both 30:70 and 40:60 PG/VG formulations. If you are new to sub-ohm hardware, explore the full range of vape kits to find a device suited to your requirements.
