So I thought I'd make this list. It's a compilation of what I had to learn to get this awesome little strawberry vape I have right now.
Troubleshooting list and know-how for beginner DIY.
1. Check your setup. Juices taste different depending on the mod/watts/atty. The biggest difference I have found is in the wick material. Even different silicas will taste different from each other. Some people prefer ss mesh, others cotton. I found that I like cotton best so far because it's natural and has a cleaner taste.
2. Check your ingredients. Just because it says "food grade" or even "kosher" does not make it ejuice worthy. (Note: blog post "confession") Some ingredients have a shorter shelf life than others, so check expiration dates.
3. Start out with low flavor. Seems like standard is 10%, and the default plug in on most calcs. However, this is almost always too high to start until you get a better hand at DIY. Start with 5% at the most and work your way up. If your mix smells great but tastes like perfume, you've already added too much flavor. Watch your measurements, using a syringe is a lot more accurate than counting drops.
4. Get to know your bare juice. Some juices are more concentrated than others, which means you will need less in your batch. Smell it, does it smell super strong or does it smell weak? Mix one flavor at a time before tackling the more complex recipes. This way you will get a better feel for how certain flavors might interact with others before you throw them together. I would rather have this little strawberry than a messed up batch of peanut-banana-tropical-in-your-face-punch-mango-blast.
5. Learn about steeping. There are so many different methods, which you choose is up to you. Steeping is an integral part of the process.
6. Take notes! Nothing worse than making an awesome juice but forgetting the recipe because you didn't write it down. Actually there are plenty worse things, but you understand.
7. PLEASE BE SAFE. Nicotine is dangerous, please don't underestimate it's potential. No matter how confident you are, YOU could be that guy that maims kills him/herself by improper handling, leading to the gov/FDA sweeping in and saying, "You see? I told you so...it's too dangerous for you." Then you will be maimed/dead and all the other healthy vaporers won't be sad and will hate you because you were THAT GUY.
Starter kit for DIY
Bases: PGs, VGs, distilled water.
Flavors: Try out samples if possible before ordering bulk
Additives: Vape Wizard, Bitter Wizard, PGA, sweetener, koolada, menthol crystals to name a few...
Nic/test kit: because those two aren't one without the other. (SAFETY) Also don't buy stronger than 100mg nic. Just don't do it.
measuring supplies, syringes (for sure), cups
empty bottles
juice calculator
PPE: gloves, protective eyewear, nic test.
clean place to work
patience
Troubleshooting list and know-how for beginner DIY.
1. Check your setup. Juices taste different depending on the mod/watts/atty. The biggest difference I have found is in the wick material. Even different silicas will taste different from each other. Some people prefer ss mesh, others cotton. I found that I like cotton best so far because it's natural and has a cleaner taste.
2. Check your ingredients. Just because it says "food grade" or even "kosher" does not make it ejuice worthy. (Note: blog post "confession") Some ingredients have a shorter shelf life than others, so check expiration dates.
3. Start out with low flavor. Seems like standard is 10%, and the default plug in on most calcs. However, this is almost always too high to start until you get a better hand at DIY. Start with 5% at the most and work your way up. If your mix smells great but tastes like perfume, you've already added too much flavor. Watch your measurements, using a syringe is a lot more accurate than counting drops.
4. Get to know your bare juice. Some juices are more concentrated than others, which means you will need less in your batch. Smell it, does it smell super strong or does it smell weak? Mix one flavor at a time before tackling the more complex recipes. This way you will get a better feel for how certain flavors might interact with others before you throw them together. I would rather have this little strawberry than a messed up batch of peanut-banana-tropical-in-your-face-punch-mango-blast.
5. Learn about steeping. There are so many different methods, which you choose is up to you. Steeping is an integral part of the process.
6. Take notes! Nothing worse than making an awesome juice but forgetting the recipe because you didn't write it down. Actually there are plenty worse things, but you understand.
7. PLEASE BE SAFE. Nicotine is dangerous, please don't underestimate it's potential. No matter how confident you are, YOU could be that guy that maims kills him/herself by improper handling, leading to the gov/FDA sweeping in and saying, "You see? I told you so...it's too dangerous for you." Then you will be maimed/dead and all the other healthy vaporers won't be sad and will hate you because you were THAT GUY.
Starter kit for DIY
Bases: PGs, VGs, distilled water.
Flavors: Try out samples if possible before ordering bulk
Additives: Vape Wizard, Bitter Wizard, PGA, sweetener, koolada, menthol crystals to name a few...
Nic/test kit: because those two aren't one without the other. (SAFETY) Also don't buy stronger than 100mg nic. Just don't do it.
measuring supplies, syringes (for sure), cups
empty bottles
juice calculator
PPE: gloves, protective eyewear, nic test.
clean place to work
patience
