Buy or DIY?

[Charlotteson7thcloud]

Hi all,

I'm recently new to vaping and upon reading this forum and watching some videos, people seem to be making their own e-liquids. Would it make sense for a newbie like me to start off making e-liquid now or is it more beneficial to just stick to buying mixed bottles of e-liquids? My local vape store sells both DIY kits and mixed ones.

 

[SupplyDaddy]

DIY is a higher startup, but will actually save you money from your 1st simple mix.
DIY E-Liquid

 

[bombastinator]

the quick test: do you think you will be vaping in 3 months? Of no, ignore DIY.

Diy has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is generally price, flexibility, and the ability to stock up on supplies for potentially very long periods. There has been a lot of nicotine base and flavoring hoarding because of legislation issues.

With some knowledge and advance planning you can make yourself independent of any ecig ban.

price is also a big one. DIY isn’t just cheaper than buying premix juice it’s a lot cheaper. Like 500% or more.

The problem with DIY is there is a learning curve, a couple possible safety issues (only possible) and it takes time.

learning curve: the potential that you will screw up your first batch and make something awful is really really high. Small batches. People also seem to want to either make something really complicated or try to clone a commercial juice first time out. Bad idea. Start simple. Get used to things.

Safety issues. This one is pretty avoidable. One woman did mention buying 1000mg/ml nic base the first time out though (she also had a fume hood and safety equipment. She’s still alive)
The simple warning: don’t use base above 100mg/ml. Lower if you have pets/children and are sloppy.
Below that things like gloves and eye protection aren’t particularly important. Just wipe up and wash your hands.

Time: making simple juice can get very quick. Making really good complicated juice can be a hobby level space/money/time suck.

 

[HigherStateD]

The biggest hurdle for most seems to be thinking they need to, or otherwise desiring to mix some ultimate recipe or clone or otherwise need/want hundreds of flavors to mix with.

If you're like me, and can be completely satisfied with a one flavor or even unflavored, then it would be plenty good to diy.

 

[Jebbn]

I dont vape flavours but I do quite enjoy making juice for a couple of other people.
Its very cheap compared to store bought.
It can be a time sink if you dont stay focused....or become too focused.

 

[Zaryk]

Mixing juice isn't hard, a new vapor can make perfectly useable juices. It can be a bit overwhelming if you try to get too deep too quickly. Start simple and work your way up to more complex mixes. Single flavor fruit mixes are a great place to start since it requires no real steeping time, and you can get instant feedback.

DIYing your own juice right off the jump may be a good idea or not, just depending on the person. If you like doing the work to save cash, and have the time to dedicate to it, then give it a shot. If you have very little time or prefer convenience over savings, then buying premade may be for you. Ultimately, the choice is yours. It all comes down to your lifestyle and preferences.

 

[bombastinator]

I dont vape flavours but I do quite enjoy making juice for a couple of other people.
Its very cheap compared to store bought.
It can be a time sink if you dont stay focused.

Legal issues there if you try to sell the juice. You can give it away but selling requires licensing.

 

[Jebbn]

Legal issues there if you try to sell the juice. You can give it away but selling requires licensing.

pendant.
Somethings arent all that complicated. Its a neighbourly thing.

 

[bombastinator]

pendant.
Somethings arent all that complicated. Its a neighbourly thing.

Pedantry is a problem I have. I’m not accusing you or implying you don’t know that. I can see how it would come out that way though. I was more concerned about the OP or other new users and the concepts involved with the CDC stuff.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Hi all,

I'm recently new to vaping and upon reading this forum and watching some videos, people seem to be making their own e-liquids. Would it make sense for a newbie like me to start off making e-liquid now or is it more beneficial to just stick to buying mixed bottles of e-liquids? My local vape store sells both DIY kits and mixed ones.

Only you can decide which method is beneficial. Many are willing to pay for the convenience of premade juice, and many are not. Both methods have their pro’s and cons.

There is an upfront cost to DIY, along with added complexity and a level of uncertainty. You have to be willing to accept these risks and additional efforts in order to discover whether DIY is for you or not. It may be intimidating at first, but it is not difficult – many calculators available to help with any complex calculations (if you can call it complex). And the DIY community, especially here on ECF is full of experience who are more than happy to assist.

My introduction into DIY was through a DIY kit. Sure, it was more expensive than buying in bulk, but it was still a boat load cheaper than purchasing it’s equivalent in pre-made juice. It’s has paid for itself 20 times over, and continues to pay for itself (have yet to finish the flavourings that came with the kit). Start small to reduce that upfront investment and scale once you have gained more experience and exposure.

Premade juice is certainly more expensive – you are paying a premium for convenience…and there is nothing wrong with that. But unless you are allowed to sample every juice prior to buying you are also assuming a level of uncertainty. Much greater financial loss if you have purchased a premade juice you do not like.

Also keep in mind there is absolutely nothing that states you cannot do both. The practices you employ need to cater to you and you alone. What ever keeps you off cigarettes!

 

[Jebbn]

Pedantry is a problem I have. I’m not accusing you or implying you don’t know that. I can see how it would come out that way though. I was more concerned about the OP or other new users and the concepts involved with the CDC stuff.

I know Its okay, I was kinda having a friendly dig with you, not at you.

 

[F-machine]

Learning everything is a must I must say, not that you must make your own, but a must to understand what goes inside you. It's two different things and still you can do both. When the time comes you don't trust them sellers and the government too, it becomes really handy being self sufficient.

 

[DeloresRose]

I started mixing shortly after I started vaping because the juice I liked was suddenly not available.

I spent less than $50 in my initial investment, and had a few duds, but also made something I liked and something my husband liked right out of the gate.

Our diy section can assist you if you decide to go that route, as @bombastinator said, if you plan to vape more than a couple months, is probably a good idea, with the bans.

Also agree that starting simple will make success more likely. I’ve been mixing almost 6 years, and while I can make more complex juice, there are plenty of simple ones that I like and remain in my regular rotation.

There are many flavors that stand alone just fine. My advice would be to read through the DIY, and ask any questions you may have.

 

[Baditude]

The uncertainy of whether flavored e-liquids will be available in either the states or federally in the future is still under question. I think it would be worth your while to learn how to DIY. Even if you are able to continue to purchase commercial e-liquids, having the knowledge to make your own is an great advantage to have.

 

[zoiDman]

Hi all,

I'm recently new to vaping and upon reading this forum and watching some videos, people seem to be making their own e-liquids. Would it make sense for a newbie like me to start off making e-liquid now or is it more beneficial to just stick to buying mixed bottles of e-liquids? My local vape store sells both DIY kits and mixed ones.

Doing DIY makes sense Anywhere you live.

But if you live in the USA, it is going to become a Necessity in the Not So distant future.

I would suggest Reading Up on things in the ECF's DIY Section. And getting small Bottle of Nicotine Base and some PG/VG now to Experiment with.

 

[sonicbomb]

It's much cheaper and much better, simple as that. As others have stated with the impending BS regulations coming in the US you better be ready.

 

[Charlotteson7thcloud]

Thanks everyone for the loads of information. Premade liquids are a little expensive and i only prefer simple flavors only. I'll probably buy a few empty bottles and ingredients to give it a shot. Hopefully it'll turn out good after the first few tries.

 

[bombastinator]

Thanks everyone for the loads of information. Premade liquids are a little expensive and i only prefer simple flavors only. I'll probably buy a few empty bottles and ingredients to give it a shot. Hopefully it'll turn out good after the first few tries.

Single flavors are much more likely to turn out well. If you’re just doing single flavor one way to keep from having to toss a bottle is to use less flavoring than you think you will want. If it’s not enough you can add more. The bit you can’t do is take it out again if you put in too much... except you can add base to thin it out... single flavors to start works well. I never really graduated from that successfully myself. The most complicated I get is single flavor with just a dash of something else. I’m kind of a knucklewalker mixing wise.

 

[gpjoe]

I DIY, and have never even attempted to create an original recipe. I just go to the recipe site that cannot be named here and search for a clone of a commercial juice that I know I like, sort by rating, and mix the top rated juice.

For example, one of my favorite commercial juices has always been Muffin Man by One Hit Wonder. I found a highly rated clone at E.L.R. and love it. No wasted time or supplies trying to figure it out on my own. I'm still mixing and vaping it to this day (among many others).

Even so, there will be the inevitable "miss" where a recipe sounds delicious, has a high rating, and I end up pouring down the drain. That is more of a personal taste issue, and unavoidable. The positive, though, is that pouring 30mls of DIY down the drain costs pennies, rather than 15 bucks.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Of all things vaping that are purchased, juice has the highest markup

diy has a learning curve, but staying simple with recipes at first will lower that, too.

just make a plan.