What To Do When You Run Out Of Vape Juice: Safe & Quick Fixes

If you run out of vape juice, use food-grade VG with flavoring as a temporary solution, try nicotine pouches or gum to manage cravings, check for old pods or disposables, and avoid unsafe substances. Plan ahead with backups or fast-shipping options to prevent future shortages.

Running out of vape juice is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a stress trigger, especially if cravings hit late at night, on a weekend, or before payday. Whether you’re trying to avoid a relapse, manage withdrawal symptoms, or just keep your routine intact, you need reliable solutions fast.

That’s where Premium eJuice comes in. We help vapers across Canada and the U.S. stay stocked and stress-free with fast shipping, refill reminders, and everyday bulk discounts, so you’re never left scrambling.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to handle a dry tank calmly and safely. From DIY stopgaps and nicotine alternatives to long-term planning strategies, we cover every option, including what not to do when desperation kicks in.

Keep reading to learn how to survive the short term, and prevent the next dry spell

Emergency Vape Juice Substitutes That Work

When you’re out of vape juice and need a fast, nicotine-free solution, there are a few safe and practical workarounds that can keep your vape habit going without resorting to dangerous or low-quality substances. Below are immediate, beginner-friendly substitutes that you can safely try at home.

Try Unflavored VG or VG/Water Mix

If you have food-grade vegetable glycerin (VG) at home, or can grab it from a local craft or baking store, you can use it as a temporary stand-in for vape juice. Mix 80% VG with 20% distilled water to create a simple, vapor-producing liquid that won’t harm your device.

For a little more enjoyment, add a drop or two of water or propylene glycol-based food-safe candy flavoring like LorAnn’s. This can simulate the taste experience even if there’s no nicotine involved.

Important: Never use skincare-grade glycerin. Only USP-grade, food-safe VG is suitable for inhalation. Using non-vape-safe ingredients may pose serious health risks.

Use Old Pods or Forgotten Vape Kits

Check your drawers, backpacks, car compartments, or old vape kits, you may have a pre-filled pod or tank stashed away that still contains usable e-liquid. These hidden reserves can often provide a temporary solution until you’re able to restock.

Can you vape an old pod from last year?

If it’s sealed, unexpired, and hasn’t changed color or developed a strange smell, it’s likely safe to use. But always inspect before vaping.

Create a DIY Crisis Blend (Advanced Users Only)

Some experienced vapers prepare emergency crisis juice blends using VG, a touch of high-proof grain alcohol (like Everclear), and even tobacco-based products like snus to extract nicotine.

While this method technically delivers vapor and a nicotine hit, it’s not recommended for beginners due to the complexity of ratios and safety considerations. Mishandling alcohol or tobacco extracts can pose serious risks, and improper DIY mixing could damage your device or lungs.

Never attempt to vape essential oils, alcohol directly, or homemade flavor extracts. These are not designed for inhalation and can cause irreversible harm.

Avoiding Nicotine Withdrawal Without E-Juice

If you’ve just realized you’re out of vape juice and the cravings are starting to creep in, the concern is both inconvenience and the fear of relapsing into cigarettes or losing progress on your smoke-free journey. For many, this moment is a test of willpower, and the physical symptoms, headaches, irritability, and restlessness, can make it harder.

You don’t need to let one empty tank derail your progress.

The Risk: I don’t want to reset my smoke-free streak

Nicotine withdrawal can set in quickly. Cravings intensify, stress levels rise, and the temptation to pick up a cigarette just once can feel overwhelming. But giving in, even once, can make it harder to stay on track in the long run.

Fortunately, there are safer and more effective options to get through the day.

Safer Short-Term Nicotine Options

If your goal is to stay smoke-free and still manage cravings, these over-the-counter solutions can help:

• Nicotine gum: Fast-acting and easy to use discreetly.
• Nicotine lozenges or patches: Great for slow-release support throughout the day.
• Nicotine pouches (like Zonnic and Zyn): Tobacco-free, discreet, and available at many convenience stores in the US or pharmacies in Canada.
• Nicotine inhalers: Available at some pharmacies and designed for ex-smokers looking to maintain hand-to-mouth comfort.

These products deliver nicotine without involving vapor or combustion, reducing the risk of lung irritation or relapse.

Vape-Adjacent Coping Tricks

Cravings are both chemical and behavioral. If you miss the sensation of vaping, try these simple tricks:

• Deep breathing exercises to simulate inhale-exhale patterns.
• Mouth-to-lung inhales without vapor, using your device airflow to mimic the experience.
• Vaping plain VG (as discussed in the previous section) can offer the sensory ritual, even if nicotine isn’t present.

These methods help reduce the urge while protecting your progress.

What Not to Do When You Run Out of E-Juice

If you’re frantically searching for something, anything, to put in your vape, it’s crucial to know that not all liquids are safe. In fact, many common household substances can be dangerous when inhaled.

Do Not Vape These Substances:

• Olive oil or any cooking oil: Can cause lipid pneumonia.
• Essential oils or aromatherapy extracts: Highly toxic when inhaled into the lungs.
• Food extracts (like vanilla or peppermint): Often alcohol-based and not designed for inhalation.
• Skincare glycerin: Not food-grade; contains impurities unsafe for your lungs.
• Alcohol: Flammable and corrosive to both your lungs and your vape device.

Even in desperation, never use unknown or non-inhalation-safe liquids in your vape.

Can you vape water?

While it may seem harmless, inhaling water vapor directly can irritate your lungs and potentially damage your vape device. Water doesn’t vaporize like VG or PG and can flood your coil, causing poor performance or short-circuiting.

Safer Alternatives

If you’re unsure what’s safe, stick to one of the following:

• Food-grade VG mixed with distilled water (discussed in Section 1).
• FDA-approved nicotine replacement options like gum or pouches.
• Empty puffing on a clean device (no juice) to simulate the habit if needed.

It’s not just about getting by, but about getting through safely. And in the next section, we’ll show you what to do if you’re out of juice and low on funds.

Budget Solutions for When You’re Broke or Payday Is Far Away

Sometimes the issue isn’t just running out of vape juice, it’s not being able to afford more right now. If payday is days away and cravings are creeping in, there are a few smart ways to stretch your resources without putting your health or hardware at risk.

Stretch What You Have

If you still have some high-strength e-liquid left, you can make it go further by diluting it with food-grade VG. Not only does this help it last longer, but it also softens the harshness of extra-strong nicotine blends.

How to do it: Add VG in small amounts and shake well. Start with a 70/30 e-juice to VG ratio and adjust based on throat hit and cloud preference.

This won’t deliver the same intensity, but it can keep your device running and cravings in check.

Pro tip: This is also a useful method if you’ve accidentally purchased a flavor that’s too overpowering.

Find Cheap Vape Options

In urgent situations, some low-cost options might be available near you:

• Gas station disposables: Not ideal for long-term use, but useful in a pinch.
• Dollar stores or discount retailers: In some regions, small vape pens or pods are sold at deep discounts.

Always check packaging for quality seals and expiration dates to ensure you’re not inhaling expired or unsafe ingredients.

Should I ask someone to lend me e-juice?

Many people feel embarrassed about asking for help, but if you have trusted vape friends, this might be a simple way to get through the gap. Even a small refill could prevent a slip back into smoking.

If you prefer to keep things private, consider keeping a backup bottle stored away, just in case. 

How to Prevent Running Out Next Time

Running out of vape juice doesn’t have to be a recurring crisis. With a bit of planning, you can build a system that keeps you stocked, saves money, and reduces stress. Here’s how to stay one step ahead.

Build an Emergency Stash

Set aside a sealed high-nicotine e-liquid bottle labelled “For Emergency Use Only.” Nicotine salts work well here due to their potency and longer shelf life.

Also, keep a small bottle of VG and flavoring on hand. Even without nicotine, a basic mix can tide you over and reduce the urge to relapse or binge on high-strength juice.

Sign Up for Auto-Reminders

Running out often happens because life gets busy. Retailers like Premium eJuice offer helpful tools such as:

• Personalized refill reminders based on your order history
• Fast shipping options to get juice delivered before you run out
• Subscription-based options for consistent, no-hassle restocking

This takes the guesswork out of your routine, so you’re never caught empty-handed again.

Save With Bulk Orders

If your budget allows it, buying in bulk can significantly cut costs:

• Orders of 4–6 bottles often qualify for discounts or free shipping.
• Many loyal customers choose 60ml or larger bottles to minimize per-ml cost, especially with rising excise taxes.

Even better, you’ll always have a spare bottle or two tucked away when you need it most.

What If You’re Just in It for the Habit?

Not every vaper is chasing nicotine. For some, vaping is more about the ritual, the hand-to-mouth motion, the sensation of inhaling and exhaling, or the simple enjoyment of producing thick, satisfying clouds. If that sounds like you, there are safe ways to keep the habit alive without nicotine at all.

Vape 0mg VG Just for Clouds

A popular option among non-nicotine users is to vape pure vegetable glycerin (VG) or a light VG/distilled water blend. This produces large, smooth clouds perfect for visual enjoyment or relaxing puffs, without the risk of nicotine dependence.

You can also add a hint of candy flavoring to enhance the experience. Just make sure the flavoring is food-grade and vape-safe.

Some users enjoy cloud tricks, hotboxing a room, or simply the calming effect of the act itself, even without nicotine involved.

Important Reminder

Even if you’re not using nicotine, don’t vape just anything. Stick to vape-safe ingredients. Oils, alcohol, or DIY extracts may seem harmless, but can be extremely dangerous when heated and inhaled. Safe doesn’t always mean healthy, so always vet your ingredients before using them.

Final Thoughts: What’s Right for You?

Whether you’re dealing with cravings, trying to make it through the weekend, or just missing the feel of a puff in your hand, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when you run out of vape juice. What matters is making the right choice for your goals and your health.

Here’s a quick recap of your best options:

• Emergency fix: Use food-grade VG with distilled water and optional flavoring.
• Nicotine craving relief: Try gum, pouches, or inhalers to manage withdrawal.
• Low-cost stopgaps: Stretch your remaining juice or explore cheap disposables.
• Habit satisfaction: Puff on 0mg VG blends for the feel without the hit.
• Future-proofing: Build a backup stash, sign up for refill alerts, and buy in bulk when possible.

Situations like this are not peculiar to you alone. Every vaper eventually faces an empty tank at the worst time. The key is to handle it safely, avoid risky shortcuts, and make a plan so it doesn’t catch you off guard again.

Ready to restock before it happens again?

Explore Premium eJuice for bulk discounts, expert-recommended eLiquids, and fast, $4.99 flat-rate shipping across Canada. Whether you’re into salt nic or freebase, tobacco or fruit, we’ve got what you need to stay prepared and stay smoke-free.