What Are E-Liquid Flavour Concentrates?
Flavour concentrates are the taste ingredient in DIY e-liquid. They are highly concentrated flavouring compounds suspended in propylene glycol, specifically formulated for vaping. This guide explains what they are, the different types available and how to use them correctly.
Quick answer: E-liquid flavour concentrates are highly concentrated flavouring compounds in a PG base, specifically designed to be diluted into DIY e-liquid. They are not the same as food flavourings and must not be vaped undiluted. A 30ml bottle of concentrate at a 15% mixing ratio produces approximately 200ml of finished e-liquid. Celtic Vapours produces a range of flavour boost concentrates in 50ml bottles that can be used to create larger volumes of your favourite flavours at home.
What Exactly Is a Flavour Concentrate?
An e-liquid flavour concentrate is a highly potent flavouring compound suspended in a propylene glycol base, formulated specifically for use in DIY vaping. When added to a PG and VG base in the correct proportion (typically 10 to 20% of the total volume) and combined with an optional nicotine shot, it produces a finished e-liquid ready to vape.
Concentrates are not the same as the ready-to-vape e-liquid you buy in 10ml bottles. They are far more potent and must always be diluted before use. Vaping a concentrate undiluted would produce an overwhelming, artificial taste and could clog your coil. Think of a concentrate as the flavour essence of the e-liquid rather than the e-liquid itself.
Because concentrates contain no nicotine, they are not subject to the UK TRPR bottle size restrictions that limit nicotine-containing e-liquid to 10ml containers. Celtic Vapours produces flavour boost concentrates in 50ml bottles, which is why they can be sold in larger formats while remaining fully TPD compliant.
Browse Celtic Vapours Flavour Concentrates
Welsh-made flavour boost concentrates for DIY mixing. Use your favourite Celtic Vapours flavours to make larger batches at home.
Flavour Concentrate vs Food Flavouring: A Critical Difference
This is the most important distinction for any new DIY vaper to understand. Food flavourings purchased from a supermarket or baking supply shop are formulated for oral consumption, not inhalation. Many food flavourings contain compounds that are safe to eat but produce harmful by-products when heated and inhaled as vapour. Some compounds that are harmless when swallowed are directly irritating or damaging to the respiratory system when vaporised.
Vaping-specific flavour concentrates are manufactured with inhalation in mind. The flavouring compounds are selected and tested for use in vaping applications. Reputable concentrate manufacturers do not use diacetyl (associated with respiratory harm) or cinnamaldehyde in concentrations above safe limits for inhalation. Celtic Vapours concentrates are formulated and tested to ensure they meet UK TRPR requirements and are safe for use in e-liquid.
Never use food flavourings, essential oils or any oil-based flavourings in e-liquid. Only use flavour concentrates specifically manufactured for DIY e-liquid vaping from a reputable supplier. Oil-based substances in e-liquid can cause serious lung injury when inhaled as vapour.
Types of Flavour Concentrate
Flavour concentrates are available across every major e-liquid taste category. The most important decision is choosing the right category as a starting point based on what you already know you enjoy when vaping ready-made e-liquid.
Fruit Concentrates
The largest and most popular category. Covers single fruits such as strawberry, mango and watermelon, as well as blended profiles like tropical medleys and berry mixes. Fruit concentrates are typically the fastest to steep, often ready within 24 to 48 hours of mixing. A good starting point for new DIY mixers because the result is predictable and widely enjoyable.
Menthol and Cooling Concentrates
Ranges from straightforward spearmint and peppermint profiles to specialist cooling agents that add an icy sensation without adding mint flavour. Menthol concentrates are used at lower percentages than most other types (typically 3 to 8%) because of their potency. They also work well as additive complements to fruit and tobacco concentrates rather than standalone flavours.
Dessert Concentrates
Covers custards, creams, cakes, biscuits and other sweet baked profiles. Dessert concentrates typically require longer steeping times of one to two weeks before the flavour fully develops. They often benefit from combining two or three concentrates (such as a vanilla custard with a biscuit base) to add depth. Celtic Vapours Apple Pie and Custard started as a concentrate blend before becoming a finished e-liquid.
Tobacco Concentrates
Designed to replicate the character of tobacco without burning. The RY4 style (tobacco with caramel and vanilla) is the most widely used tobacco concentrate category in the UK. Tobacco concentrates generally require two to four weeks of steeping before the flavour profile settles and becomes smooth. They are the best starting point for new DIY mixers switching from cigarettes.
Drink and Beverage Concentrates
Replicates popular drink flavours including cola, lemonade, energy drink and tropical juice profiles. Drink concentrates typically use a combination of fruit and sweet notes to recreate the fizzy or refreshing character of the beverage they are based on. They are easy to work with and fast to steep, making them another good category for beginners moving from pre-mixed e-liquids to DIY.
Sweet and Candy Concentrates
Replicates sweets, gummies, bubblegum and confectionery profiles. These concentrates are often very sweet and high-intensity, which means using them at the lower end of the recommended percentage range is particularly important. Over-flavouring with candy concentrates is a common beginner mistake that produces an artificial, almost chemical result rather than the intended sweetness.
How Much Concentrate to Use
The percentage of flavour concentrate to use in a DIY mix is specified by the manufacturer on the concentrate label or product page. Following this guidance is important because concentrates vary significantly in potency between brands and flavour types.
| Concentrate Type | Typical Usage Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard single-flavour concentrate | 10% to 20% of total volume | Start at the lower end and increase in later batches if the flavour needs more intensity |
| Celtic Vapours flavour boost concentrate | As stated on label | Check the specific product label for the recommended mixing percentage |
| Menthol or cooling concentrate | 2% to 8% | Much more potent than fruit or dessert types. Start low and taste-test before increasing |
| Super concentrate or one-shot | 3% to 10% | Higher potency concentrates designed to be used at lower percentages than standard types |
| Two or more concentrates combined | 10% to 20% total | The total concentrate percentage across all flavours should stay within this range |
Frequently Asked Questions
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