A question about using a DIY calculator for DIY e-liquid

[FulciLives]

Hello!

I've been thinking of of making DIY e-liquid.

I was thinking of buying from a place that sells a BASE e-liquid that already has the PG / VG / Nicotine mixed in.

So for instance, you can order 80 VG / 20 PG / 3mg Nic OR 80 VG / 20 PG / 6mg Nic
At least those are the two that I would order (I tend to go back and forth from 3mg to 6mg when ordering ready-to-go pre-made e-liquid).

The idea here is that you just have to add the flavoring rather than mixing the VG / PG and nic PLUS the flavoring. My understanding is that flavorings will dilute the nic strength a bit but that seems like a minor thing to me (especially if I go with the 6mg nic version).

So I guess my question is ... how do I use the STEAM Engine calculator (the one located HERE) when I'm using this pre-made e-liquid that has everything sans flavoring? I'm also open to another calculator that might be better for this purpose.

Thanks!

 

[classwife]

Moved to DIY E-Liquid from General E-Liquid Discussion

 

[FulciLives]

oops sorry about that

 

[JCinFLA]

I use one of the calculators at ecigvape.com, specifically this one that allows for 10 flavors, and is PG & VG adjusting.

E-Liquid Calculator Ten Flavors with PG/VG Adjusting

Here's what would happen using that calculator AND your info. that you gave at the top (6mg nic and a 20PG/80VG ratio) that you're thinking about ordering and wanting to end up with.

At the top...you would input your Base Nicotine Eliquid info (the 6mg and 20% PG/80% VG ratio). Then right below that you'd input your Target (which for you would be the same 6mg and 20%PG/80%VG).

In the next section you'll first choose whatAmount of eliquid you're going to make. Then below that is where you'd input each of the flavorings and their %...that are listed in the recipe you're wanting to make. If any of the flavorings are not PG based, you'd also need to adjust the PG/VG value beside the flavoring. Since most flavorings are PG based, the default in the calculator is 100%PG/0%VG.

You then check to Agree to the Terms, and click Calculate. It will show you the exact amount of each ingredient to add when making that recipe.

However, it won't work! You'll notice you're getting changed values for your Target Nic and PG/VG ratio. That's because the flavorings are PG based, and they'd raise the PG level and lower your Nic mg...by adding any flavorings to your ready-made base at the ratio you've chosen to start with!

That's why most people who DIY and want to end up with a high VG to PG ratio (like you want)...will choose a 100%VG base for their nic base. Yes, you'd need to measure out some plain PG, as well as your flavorings, when making many of your eliquids, but...it's really not a big deal to do so. You'd still be lowering your final nic mg slightly, but if ending up with between about 3-4.5mg nic is OK with you...then it's workable.

 

[FulciLives]

I see what you mean.

I don't mind the Nic level dropping (I knew that would happen) but I didn't account for the PG level rising (that didn't occur to me). I sometimes vape 20PG/80VG and sometimes 30PG/70VG and it seems if I go with this method I'll end up more around 30PG/70VG which I'm fine with but at least one recipe that I tried in the calc ended up being almost 37%PG which seems high.

So it seems if I go with this method I have to be careful not to add "too much" flavoring else I risk the PG level rising to a level that would be "too high" for me.

Good to know. Perhaps I should just buy the PG/VG and Nic as separates and do it like most people seem to do it. I just thought this would be easier, less to mess with, etc.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Maestro]

Yes, buy VG nic. If you add 20% flavoring, you'll end up with an 80/20 mix. If you add less flavoring your VG will be higher. Just remember that VG is thick and high VG might require thinning. It's really not much trouble to add some PG or even a bit of water.

 

[OlderNDirt]

Buying a higher level nic will not only allow you to hit your nic/VG/PG levels exactly, but cost and storage space (and ordering frequency or lack there of) will improve. Using my supplier for a liter of nic, your 6mg liter would cost $26 and make 1 liter of unflavored juice for your $26. A liter of 24mg nic at $33 would give you 4 liters at $8.25 per liter and a liter of 48mg nic at $50 will give you 8 liters at $6.25 per liter. And if you can get over the "fear factor" of handling 100mg nic, the cost would go down to around $2.70 per liter of unflavored 6mg nic.

So consider your nic comfort level and cost along with ease of mixing when deciding how you want to approach DIY. And if still uncertain, you can always buy in smaller bottles of nic to try/experiment.

Welcome to DIY, good luck, and have fun!