I would like to cut the cost of buying e-liquid by making them instead and that would include making flavors as well.
Hi Chris and welcome to the ECF forums. I'm glad you chose to participate; you will find lots of friendly folks with good advise.
If cost savings are your priority; then you are correct in thinking that DIY can be a good place to do it Often, a DIYer can make as-good, and/or better e-liquid, for pennies on the dollar when compared to commercially sold juices. But you won't do it by trying to "extract" your own flavorings. The additional expense of all the required equipment and materials (filters, separators, distillers, regents, binders, etc.) are going to offset,
and surpass, any potential savings you might think would be there. Without all that commercial lab stuff you truly are playing with your (and your friends') health. Please don't do it. It is not worth it.
DIYers that extract tobacco flavors do so NOT because it is
cheaper (it isn't); but because they are seeking flavors they can't get from commercial concentrates.
After all, the candy makers use the same flavorings that are used in flavoring ejuices.
@Chris Hendricks: This quote from
@DaveP is at the heart of the topic. As these two quotes, that were taken from just to common candy's list of ingredients, state:
CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: NATURAL FLAVOR AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR
less than 2% of; citric acid, tapioca dextrin, modified corn starch, natural and artificial flavors,
This is what you are wanting to "extract" as these are what is actually contributing the flavor. (And don't forget that the yield is going to be LESS than 2% of the total volume of initial product used.) The majority of those flavors ARE coming from the very same flavor manufacturers we DIYers are buying our concentrates from. Keep in mind that most flavor manufacturers make the majority of their money, selling their product to the food and beverage industries, and NOT to the DIY sector (some will not even acknowledge the e-cig industry).
And don't be mislead by the "natural" in "natural and artificial ingredients." Those still can (and likely do) come from a flavor concentrate manufacturer. Here is just one screenshot of one flavor manufacturer as an example:
(source:
The Flavor Apprentice)
I am guessing you are feeling kind of "ganged-up on" right now. Please don't; your question was an honest one. It is just not practical, beneficial, or particularly safe. No one wants to see you waste your time, money, or safety on such an unnecessary endeavor.
So my friend claiming to have a juice master license is probably lying to me?!
I do not know your friend so I won't/can't accuse them of lying. But, if it was
my friend (especially if it was a friend and not just an acquaintance), and I thought they was being sincere, I would ask to see the actual certificate, or diploma, make note of the issuing organization, and go home and do some in-depth research BEFORE I invested any time or money in such a program. I would not only want to know about the educating organization, but also what businesses, and industries accept/require such certification. But that is just me.