Advise please :-)

[strkaholic]

I would like to start making my own liquids but I'm not sure how to start. Would you guys recommend that I get a kit from one of the DIY liquid stores or try to find the supplies in my own local stores? I know I need to get the nic liquid from one of them at least. It appears that Hobby Lobby carries Loraan's flavorings and Wilton Glycerin and I'm sure the other accessories I would need but buying a kit just seems so much simpler.

Do you mix your own because its more cost effective or because you enjoy it or both?

I'm just really a bit scared and although it seems to be something I really want to do, I keep hesitating wondering if its going to be so difficult that I'm just going to be throwing money down the toilet per se.

Any help is deeply appreciate it. I hope everyone has a great day!!

 

[YKruss]

This is a place you have to visit - DIY e-liquid - E-Cigarette Forum

 

[strkaholic]

This is a place you have to visit - DIY e-liquid - E-Cigarette Forum

I'm confused..I posted this at that link. Are you saying I should just read the forum to find my answers? I've tried that but I guess I'm just still confused and thought I'd ask. It's cool though...thanks!

 

[YKruss]

Sorry, I didn't notice that.

 

[Lab]

you will need small bottles and a syringe to measure.. and a higher nicotine base than what you want final product to be..

it is a lot cheaper but as far as flavors if you make a bad one you are out 30 cents instead of $5..

and you can get flavors to the strength you like them

 

[mianker]

Hey, I jumped into DYI head first, I tend to go all out on everything. In retrospect it would have been wiser buying locally if possible and experiment with flavors, PG and VG without the nicotine in order to find a recipe I really liked. In the future I will try out my recipes sans nicotine until I get it right. Please note a large part of my problems were created due to a sensitivity to PG that I discovered about 2 months into vaping.

 

[redgirl]

I would like to start making my own liquids but I'm not sure how to start. Would you guys recommend that I get a kit from one of the DIY liquid stores or try to find the supplies in my own local stores? I know I need to get the nic liquid from one of them at least. It appears that Hobby Lobby carries Loraan's flavorings and Wilton Glycerin and I'm sure the other accessories I would need but buying a kit just seems so much simpler.

Do you mix your own because its more cost effective or because you enjoy it or both?

I'm just really a bit scared and although it seems to be something I really want to do, I keep hesitating wondering if its going to be so difficult that I'm just going to be throwing money down the toilet per se.

Any help is deeply appreciate it. I hope everyone has a great day!!

When I started out, I bought a lot of stuff locally that I thought I'd need, like bottles (not the right kind). I ended up wasting money, truthfully.

I would buy a kit from DIYFlavorshack or Onestopdiyshop:

DIY Artisan Kits - One Stop DIY Shop Store

http://www.diyflavorshack.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=3

They both offer flavorings, but onestop has Lorann's & Flavourart, which a lot of people use. I think there's a choice of PG or VG with onestopdiyshop. I would get the PG because VG is a lot easier to find locally.

I bought a cheap craft case at Wal-Mart to keep my stuff in. You also will most likely want a LOT of bottles, mostly 3 & 6 ml.

 

[strkaholic]

Sorry, I didn't notice that.

No problem at all..I would not have been surprised if I had posted in the wrong place .

 

[strkaholic]

you will need small bottles and a syringe to measure.. and a higher nicotine base than what you want final product to be..

it is a lot cheaper but as far as flavors if you make a bad one you are out 30 cents instead of $5..

and you can get flavors to the strength you like them

That's what I needed to hear..LOL. I know its a lot easier to buy ready made and they are awesome, but the object of this was to save money and so far..I find I'm having a hard time restraining myself . Thanks!!

 

[strkaholic]

When I started out, I bought a lot of stuff locally that I thought I'd need, like bottles (not the right kind). I ended up wasting money, truthfully.

I would buy a kit from DIYFlavorshack or Onestopdiyshop:

DIY Artisan Kits - One Stop DIY Shop Store

http://www.diyflavorshack.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=3

They both offer flavorings, but onestop has Lorann's & Flavourart, which a lot of people use. I think there's a choice of PG or VG with onestopdiyshop. I would get the PG because VG is a lot easier to find locally.

I bought a cheap craft case at Wal-Mart to keep my stuff in. You also will most likely want a LOT of bottles, mostly 3 & 6 ml.

Thank you!! Those were the two places I've been looking at. One offers their kits with the case already but since I don't really know exactly what I need yet, I've just been procrastinating and browing both sites over and over and over. From the reviews I've read, both suppliers are great so I just need to get off the pot and do something.

Thanks to all for your responses...I really appreciate it!

 

[Hoosier]

I would like to start making my own liquids but I'm not sure how to start. Would you guys recommend that I get a kit from one of the DIY liquid stores or try to find the supplies in my own local stores? I know I need to get the nic liquid from one of them at least. It appears that Hobby Lobby carries Loraan's flavorings and Wilton Glycerin and I'm sure the other accessories I would need but buying a kit just seems so much simpler.

Do you mix your own because its more cost effective or because you enjoy it or both?

I'm just really a bit scared and although it seems to be something I really want to do, I keep hesitating wondering if its going to be so difficult that I'm just going to be throwing money down the toilet per se.

Any help is deeply appreciate it. I hope everyone has a great day!!

Getting a kit is like getting a set of kitchenware. It will get you started.

Probably an inexpensive way to see if you'll like it over getting everything bit by bit, but sometimes bit by bit fits a budget better. You're call.

I mix because I like it. I like knowing what is in my juice. I like experimenting with flavors. I don't even mind the failures as I always learn a wat to not do something and sometimes stumble on a way to do something else.

I like to cook too. My GF loves that. She even puts up with the fact that I am incapable of using a recipe or making the same dish twice since it usually turns out great. Mixing is different. While mixing an experiment, I keep notes, lots of notes. I experiment in small no-nic batches and when one works I scale it up with nic and see if it still works. Then I copy everything involved in that recipe and always follow it for that flavor.

I have more wrapped up in equipment and flavors than mixing saves me, but it is a hobby and if I stopped looking for new flavors, I could save money, but I enjoy the thrill of the hunt too much to do that.

 

[Scubabatdan]

I would like to start making my own liquids but I'm not sure how to start. Would you guys recommend that I get a kit from one of the DIY liquid stores or try to find the supplies in my own local stores? I know I need to get the nic liquid from one of them at least. It appears that Hobby Lobby carries Loraan's flavorings and Wilton Glycerin and I'm sure the other accessories I would need but buying a kit just seems so much simpler.

Do you mix your own because its more cost effective or because you enjoy it or both?

I'm just really a bit scared and although it seems to be something I really want to do, I keep hesitating wondering if its going to be so difficult that I'm just going to be throwing money down the toilet per se.

Any help is deeply appreciate it. I hope everyone has a great day!!

Hi I just posted an essential items mixing list for beginner here:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...083-items-you-might-need-diy.html#post1392684

It explains what the items are and what they can be used for. I agree with RedGirl the DIY shack has one of the most comprehensive starter kits I have found, I would recommend starting there. Ease into it
I started DIY because it was more cost effective, I enjoy it, and I know what is going into my juices. Plus I am not limited to what someone else can make, it is a blank canvas until I start painting with flavors
Hope this helps.
Dan

 

[SysEx]

I purchased the Gold Kit from DIY flavor shack. Although there are many things included that I've yet to use, its a nice inexpensive way to get your hands on a decent selection of bottles, vials, syringes, droppers, fluval/poly fill, and a small carrying case. Better to have some of the stuff and not need it at the moment, than not have it and find you do want/need it later on.

I do however wish I had ordered more bottles and droppers.

 

[strkaholic]

Getting a kit is like getting a set of kitchenware. It will get you started.

Probably an inexpensive way to see if you'll like it over getting everything bit by bit, but sometimes bit by bit fits a budget better. You're call.

I mix because I like it. I like knowing what is in my juice. I like experimenting with flavors. I don't even mind the failures as I always learn a wat to not do something and sometimes stumble on a way to do something else.

I like to cook too. My GF loves that. She even puts up with the fact that I am incapable of using a recipe or making the same dish twice since it usually turns out great. Mixing is different. While mixing an experiment, I keep notes, lots of notes. I experiment in small no-nic batches and when one works I scale it up with nic and see if it still works. Then I copy everything involved in that recipe and always follow it for that flavor.

I have more wrapped up in equipment and flavors than mixing saves me, but it is a hobby and if I stopped looking for new flavors, I could save money, but I enjoy the thrill of the hunt too much to do that.

Thanks! I love to cook today and like you, I never follow recipe's and love to experiment. You guys are really helping me to go ahead and do this. I have not decided which supplier yet but from everything I've read, it doesn't sound like I can go wrong with either one.

The prevalent advice is to write everything down which I will do and I will also measure very carefully as this sounds like its a must so thank you.

I can't wait to get started and I'm glad I asked for advise rather than going off nilly willy like I usually do. I really want this to work and to be a good experience. Thanks for your response!!

 

[strkaholic]

Hi I just posted an essential items mixing list for beginner here:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...083-items-you-might-need-diy.html#post1392684

It explains what the items are and what they can be used for. I agree with RedGirl the DIY shack has one of the most comprehensive starter kits I have found, I would recommend starting there. Ease into it
I started DIY because it was more cost effective, I enjoy it, and I know what is going into my juices. Plus I am not limited to what someone else can make, it is a blank canvas until I start painting with flavors
Hope this helps.
Dan

Wow..your list is very comprehensive and your e-juice excel calculator is beyond compare! Now that I have this, I think it will be a lot easier and not as scary as it was an hour ago. THANK YOU!!!

 

[strkaholic]

I purchased the Gold Kit from DIY flavor shack. Although there are many things included that I've yet to use, its a nice inexpensive way to get your hands on a decent selection of bottles, vials, syringes, droppers, fluval/poly fill, and a small carrying case. Better to have some of the stuff and not need it at the moment, than not have it and find you do want/need it later on.

I do however wish I had ordered more bottles and droppers.

I could not agree more...I'd rather have something I don't use right now but might need later than not have it, need it and have to go out to get it or order it online. Thanks for the advise!

 

[Lab]

as far as savings go.. i make cost per ml around 12 cents.. average cost premix is 25-50 cents per ml..

 

[Hoosier]

Wow..your list is very comprehensive and your e-juice excel calculator is beyond compare! Now that I have this, I think it will be a lot easier and not as scary as it was an hour ago. THANK YOU!!!

Yep, Dan's calculator is always at my mix table. It is very nice. And full of details I never thought of when I started putting one together that I find invaluable now.

I owe that man, at the very least, a beer if I ever meet him.

 

[Scubabatdan]

Yep, Dan's calculator is always at my mix table. It is very nice. And full of details I never thought of when I started putting one together that I find invaluable now.

I owe that man, at the very least, a beer if I ever meet him.

Only One!!! LOL
Thanks Hoosier,
Dan

 

[Hoosier]

Only One!!! LOL
Thanks Hoosier,
Dan

OK. A double of Makers Mark on the rocks then. Much tastier anyway.