DIY Ejuice Q's

[NatashaTMT]

Be patient, I'm trying to work out a deal with a company that sales used lab equipment. They have a bunch of them if I can get a good price.

Just a reminder, I’m still interested

 

[NatashaTMT]

@IDJoel , I enjoyed your informative reply in the “Flavors Too Dull” post! I love how thoroughly you explain. I just started to google to learn about mixing using bases of PG, VG & nic. But then remembered your post. I had a few questions concerning making one shots. Now that you’ve cleared up any questions I had there, all I need to learn more about are bases to make my mixing much more efficient. I have several I’m keeping mixed, in 2 strengths, w/o using one shots or bases. As I’m sure you know, it can be time consuming. I’d love to be able to mix 2 bases to use with just one shots and nicotine. Would be a great help! If you don’t mind, I’d love to hear your instruction or how to! No rush at all though!
Anyone else with advice is most welcome to advise!

 

[Necrospecter]

 

[NatashaTMT]

LOL, am I missing something?

 

[Necrospecter]

LOL, am I missing something?

Yes, but that could be a good thing

 

[NatashaTMT]

Yes, but that could be a good thing

Care to share?

 

[IDJoel]

all I need to learn more about are bases to make my mixing much more efficient. I have several I’m keeping mixed, in 2 strengths, w/o using one shots or bases. As I’m sure you know, it can be time consuming. I’d love to be able to mix 2 bases to use with just one shots and nicotine. Would be a great help! If you don’t mind, I’d love to hear your instruction or how to! No rush at all though!
Anyone else with advice is most welcome to advise!

@NatashaTMT, I am afraid I am confused as to what you are asking about. I am sure the failure is mine; but I need some clarification.

First; let's see if we can agree on terms. These are my understandings (does not mean the community's understanding... I welcome any and all corrections) for the following terms.

• Base - A "base" is a general term indicating a previously mixed combination of ingredients. Bases can be broken down into two basic categories: unflavored, and flavored.
• Unflavored Base - An "unflavored base" is a previously mixed combination of PG, VG, and nicotine (if used), to meet a desired PG/VG ratio and nicotine content.
• Flavor Base - a "flavor base" is a previously mixed combination of flavor concentrates only. PG, VG, and nicotine are added at a later time.
  
• One Shot (flavor base) - a "one shot" is a flavor base that is primarily intended to be used as a stand-alone, all inclusive, single flavoring ingredient (in contrast to a "stone" flavor base).
• Stone (flavor base) - A "stone" is a flavor base that is intended to replace a regularly used combinations of flavor concentrates to create a complex flavor profile. Some common examples of stones might be cream stones, custard stones, strawberry stones, ice cream stones, milk shake stones, etc.. Stones differ from one shots; in that stones are commonly used with additional flavor concentrates to create a complete/unique recipe. One shots are supposed to be complete in and of themselves.

There certainly is plenty of room for cross-over applications. DIYers will sometimes "doctor" a one shot with additional flavors and/or adjuncts; and many stones are perfectly vapeable without adding any additional flavors at all. I am not trying to be a stickler for terminology; I just want to be sure we are talking about the same thing.

As it stands, after reading and rereading your post, I am guessing that you are asking about unflavored bases?

I really don't know what to make of the following sentence:

I have several I’m keeping mixed, in 2 strengths, w/o using one shots or bases.

Several what? unflavored bases? How are they different?
What do you mean by "w/o ("without," I presume) using one shots or bases."?

I’d love to be able to mix 2 bases to use with just one shots and nicotine.

Again; I'm being dense (Shocker!).
Are you saying you want to mix using only a flavor base and an unflavored base?
Or, are you saying; you want two different unflavored bases, to use with flavors and nicotine (and I am not sure why you are leaving the nicotine out of the unflavored base; if indeed you are)?

Again, I apologize. I am not trying to be antagonistic or difficult. I am only trying to make sure I answer the question(s) you are actually asking.

 

[NatashaTMT]

I am afraid I am confused as to what you are asking about. I am sure the failure is mine; but I need some clarification.

I’m sure it’s my lack of using proper terminology! Although I was aware of the idea of stones, I only learned the term a few days ago. So, while I’ve learned much about DIY, I still have much to learn.

Unflavored Base - An "unflavored base" is a previously mixed combination of PG, VG, and nicotine (if used), to meet a desired PG/VG ratio and nicotine content.

This is what I’d like to make at 2 strengths, 1.5 & 3. I can see where I caused confusion further down when I mentioned mixing one shots, base AND nicotine. It was a bit late for me. My brain must’ve went to sleep on me.
Apologies for the confusion!

• Flavor Base - a "flavor base" is a previously mixed combination of flavor concentrates only. PG, VG, and nicotine are added at a later time.

• One Shot (flavor base) - a "one shot" is a flavor base that is primarily intended to be used as a stand-alone, all inclusive, single flavoring ingredient (in contrast to a "stone" flavor base).

This is where the line dulls for me. What is the difference? Is it that a flavor base is just that, a flavor base to build upon, may or may not have more flavorings adding at time of mix and one shot can have flavors added at time of mix but is suggested not to be necessary? Over at the "Flavors Too Dull” post, which did you first share instruction for, one shot?

As it stands, after reading and rereading your post, I am guessing that you are asking about unflavored bases?

Correct, sorry again for the confusion!

Several what?

Several recipes, eliquid or ejuice. Again, I see how I caused confusion here.

How are they different?

I need to make two unflavored bases at different nicotine strengths. However, I was referring to often mixing several recipes back to back at 2 different strengths.

Example:
I’m mixing three 50 ml Pistachio Gelato’s a week, two 1.5 mg 50 mls and one 3 mg 50 ml. (I’ll be mixing larger quantities at a time now that I see we’ve gone through the 50’s quickly both the last two weeks.)

I currently have several recipes I’m mixing this way. As you explained in the "Flavors Too Dull" post how to mix a flavor base, it’d would be much more efficient to mix these often used recipes using flavor bases & 2 strength unflavored bases.

What do you mean by "w/o ("without," I presume) using one shots or bases."?

Yes, without any unflavored bases, bases, flavor bases, one shots or stones. So I’m repeatedly handling the same ingredients.

Are you saying you want to mix using only a flavor base and an unflavored base?

Yes

Or, are you saying; you want two different unflavored bases, to use with flavors and nicotine (and I am not sure why you are leaving the nicotine out of the unflavored base; if indeed you are)?

Yes, I need two different strength unflavored bases containing nicotine, PG & VG. Again, I mis-typed when I added nicotine to my list of “what I’d love to only need to mix”. Apologies

Again, I apologize. I am not trying to be antagonistic or difficult. I am only trying to make sure I answer the question(s) you are actually asking.

No apology necessary! Thanks for caring enough to be sure you understand what exactly I’m asking to better be able to help! You’re awesome

 

[JCinFLA]

@NatashaTMT @IDJoel - I'm glad you 2 seem to understand each other, because my brain is "mush" after reading and trying to understand this whole page so far.

 

[Necrospecter]

@NatashaTMT @IDJoel - I'm glad you 2 seem to understand each other, because my brain is "mush" after reading and trying to understand this whole page so far.

I felt the same way then I reread it a few times and I see it so don't feel bad

 

[NatashaTMT]

I'm glad you 2 seem to understand each other, because my brain is "mush" after reading and trying to understand this whole page so far.

I felt the same way then I reread it a few times and I see it so don't feel bad

I’m sorry guys

 

[NatashaTMT]

@IDJoel ’s post which helped me and inspired me to mix more efficiently when possible...
Flavours too dull

 

[stols001]

Man I sometimes wonder what would happen if we all grouped together as a flavoring company. LOL, once flavors "truly" go underground, we have a nice little set of mixologists.

I want to be a part of the underground flavoring mafia. Since I live in a border town, and I ADORE GOING TO NOGALES, not to mention some of the people my kid knows/knew during his little foray into Tucson's underground (not to mention myself). I want to be in charge of supplies.

I might consider seeing if I could get some folks at the native tribe I worked at to "import flavors or gear even!" It's going to be totally legal, it would just be a matter of selecting the right "folks." And hey, there is profit in it for them....

I'm kidding. Mostly. But if the great flavor Armageddon begins, let me tell you, I have "thoughts." Many, many of them. LOL. Some of which I will just keep to myself. Heh.

Anna

 

[Necrospecter]

I’m sorry guys

Never be sorry, if we do not understand something then it is on us to ask for clarification as long as you got the info you need that is the part that matters.

 

[JCinFLA]

I'm kidding. Mostly. But if the great flavor Armageddon begins, let me tell you, I have "thoughts." Many, many of them. LOL. Some of which I will just keep to myself. Heh.

IMO, I think we as DIYers can relax about any potential flavor Armageddon. The flavorings we buy are used in candy making, baking, (and are great for making shaved ice syrup as I discovered 3 weeks ago), etc., and...we should be fine buying them longterm.

 

[Necrospecter]

I'm kidding. Mostly. But if the great flavor Armageddon begins, let me tell you, I have "thoughts." Many, many of them. LOL. Some of which I will just keep to myself. Heh.

Anna

They will never get us, I will not bend a knee to the koala overlords never I tell you

 

[FranC]

Me neither.............

 

[IDJoel]

This is where the line dulls for me. What is the difference? Is it that a flavor base is just that, a flavor base to build upon, may or may not have more flavorings adding at time of mix and one shot can have flavors added at time of mix but is suggested not to be necessary? Over at the "Flavors Too Dull” post, which did you first share instruction for, one shot?

Welcome to the wonderful grass-roots world of vaping! Because we have no official dictionary, or governing body, to clearly define terms; words can mean just about whatever the user wants. That was why I said those were my definitions only. I have no real way to judge whether the vaping community-at-large defines them the same way.

The way I look at it; "flavor base" is an umbrella (more generalized/all-encompassing) term, that includes both "stones" and "one shots," which are both more intended-use specific.

Generally speaking, I would probably stick to using "flavor base" for general discussion, and only specify "stone" or "one shot" when I was referring to a particular recipe. But that is just me...

This is what I’d like to make at 2 strengths, 1.5 & 3. I can see where I caused confusion further down when I mentioned mixing one shots, base AND nicotine. It was a bit late for me. My brain must’ve went to sleep on me.
Apologies for the confusion!

No apologies required; my home state is confusion!

Unflavored bases are simple. Make as many/few as you like! Just be aware of their limitations; and make sure they agree with your expectations.

My thoughts regarding Unflavored bases (aka. UBs);
Because UBs are close(r) to what is wanted for final PG/VG ratio and nicotine; the user must be accepting to variables in the final outcome. The more flexible the user is willing to be; the more useful UBs can be.

• Example 1: If I am using a 30PG/70VG 3mg/mL nic UB, and I add 10% PG flavor concentrate(s) to it; I dilute my nicotine by 10%, and my PG/VG ratio shifts. I end up with a 37PG/63VG 2.7mg/mL nic recipe. Not the moderate shifts (0.3mg/mL nic; and 7% PG/VG ratio) which are probably acceptable to many/most vapers.
  
• (extreme high) Example 2: If I am using a 0PG/100VG 24mg/mL nic UB, and I add 20% PG flavor concentrate(s) to it; I dilute my nicotine by 20%, and my PG/VG ratio shifts. I end up with a 37PG/63VG 19.2mg/mL nic recipe. Now there is a more significant difference (4.8mg/mL nic; and 20% PG/VG ratio) which is probably noticeable to the majority of vapers.
• (extreme low) Example 3: If I am using a 50PG/50VG 1mg/mL nic UB, and I add 3% PG flavor concentrate(s) to it; I dilute my nicotine by 3%, and my PG/VG ratio shifts. I end up with a 51.5PG/48.5VG 0.97mg/mL nic recipe. This has very little difference (0.03mg/mL nic; and 1.5% PG/VG ratio) which is likely unnoticeable to all but the most discerning.

So, @NatashaTMT, since you are wanting to mix 1.5 and 3mg/mL UBs, I see no major concerns.

I mix at higher nic levels (18mg/mL nic), use a wide range of flavoring (from 3%; to over 20% in a couple of old standbys) and am .... retentive about my PG/VG ratios, so UBs have much less interest to me. I would rather put up with the extra 90 seconds to my total mixing time, adding PG, VG, and nic separately; than accept the variables created by using a flavor base. Not an issue of right or wrong; just a personal preference.

Does that help?

 

[DeloresRose]

Agree with IDJoel 100%.

The only thing I find UBS worthwhile for is testing new flavors. I’m not so fussy that every 10 mil sample has to be spot on, and I have no idea exactly what mix will be correct until I test anyway.

I’d need so many bases I don’t know where I’d keep them.

Stones and one shots make a lot of sense though.

 

[FranC]

Mixing terms can be confusing at best.