DIY Eliquid Help

[DarksunPV]

Hello everyone,

I'm an experienced vaper looking to get into DIY juice. I am currently having some problems, and was hoping someone could help me out. After reading these forums, I got some supplies. I bought some VG and nic juice (100mg cut to 50mg) from Wizard Labs, PG from my local Tractor Supply, and some flavorings from multiple sources (including TPA and Bickfords). I am using the ejuice me up calculator for my mixes.

The first problem is the consistency of my juice. Its very thick and seems like it would gunk up my atty. This is a little strange to me because I am using a 50/50 PG/VG blend with my nic and flavors being PG based. After making my juice, I shake the bottle vigorously for about 1 minute and then steep them in a hot water bath. I have even let them steep further, about 24 hours with the caps and nozzles removed. Although the liquid appears to be mixed, it remains very thick. By thick I mean that it doesn't flow down the sides of the bottle, it kind of gathers up first.

What should I do? Try getting some distilled water and recalculate my recipe? Should I go for a different ratio? 60/40 (I'd like to avoid this as the vapor production of my juice is pretty much where I'd like it)?

The next problem I'm running into is a kind of drab flavor on the backend of my vape. My flavorings are usually between 15%-20%. The flavor is good at first, but that taste at the end needs to go. I was just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences, and if so, what caused it? Is it the nic or VG? Did I start with too high of a nic content?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[zoiDman]

Many people who do DIY don't use Pure VG when a Recipe call for VG.

They Dilute the Pure VG with Water or PG or Both until it is a Similar Thickness, or perhaps a Tad Thicker, than the Flavored e-Liquid they plan to vape.

As for the Back-End Taste, what type of Sweetener are you using? And have you tried using Less Flavoring?

 

[Iffy]

The first problem is the consistency of my juice. Its very thick and seems like it would gunk up my atty. This is a little strange to me because I am using a 50/50 PG/VG blend with my nic and flavors being PG based... it doesn't flow down the sides of the bottle, it kind of gathers up first.

Hate to ask, but are you sure you're mixing a 50/50? You should have a 'good' flow with no 'gathering'. BTW, I DIY 60PG/40VG with no such issue.

Get yourself five posts and then head on over to the DIY eLIQUID forum. Great group of folk over there...

Good luck!

 

[DarksunPV]

Thanks for the fast reply.

I'm assuming I should use distilled water to dilute my VG. Is this correct? How would this affect my ratios?

I haven't used any sweetener yet. I do have a small bottle of ethyl maltol. Do most people use sweetener with every blend? Because as I've said, the flavor seems to be fine until that odd taste just sort of creeps in. Is that something that's always there and people just cover it up?

If I use the sweetener, do I factor it in as its own flavor, or just use a drop or two with every so many mls?

I have cut flavors about as far as 10%, but this made it seem a little too tasteless for me.

Thanks again for the help. I know I'm asking tons of questions, but having someone with experience around is too great to pass up.

 

[DarksunPV]

Hate to ask, but are you sure you're mixing a 50/50? You should have a 'good' flow with no 'gathering'. BTW, I DIY 60PG/40VG with no such issue.

Get yourself five posts and then head on over to the DIY eLIQUID forum. Great group of folk over there...

Good luck!

As far as I know it is 50/50. At least that is what my calculator shows.

 

[zoiDman]

Thanks for the fast reply.

I'm assuming I should use distilled water to dilute my VG. Is this correct? How would this affect my ratios?

I haven't used any sweetener yet. I do have a small bottle of ethyl maltol. Do most people use sweetener with every blend? Because as I've said, the flavor seems to be fine until that odd taste just sort of creeps in. Is that something that's always there and people just cover it up?

If I use the sweetener, do I factor it in as its own flavor, or just use a drop or two with every so many mls?

I have cut flavors about as far as 10%, but this made it seem a little too tasteless for me.

Thanks again for the help. I know I'm asking tons of questions, but having someone with experience around is too great to pass up.

Some people Dilute Pure VG with Water. Some use PG or PGA or Vodka or some Combination of all of the Above.

Sweeteners many times can take the Edge off a DIY Mix. You might try adding a Small amount, a couple of Drops per 15ml, and see if you like it.

Some also add Flavorings Like Banana or Bavarian Cream to "Soften" a Recipe.

The reason I mentioned lowering Main Flavoring percentages is sometimes when you add Too Much Flavoring, the Flaor doesn't get Stronger, it just gets a Meh Chemical after taste

 

[nanovapr]

50/50 would seem pretty thick to me, but I am an 80/20 kinduva guy. I haven't used Breaktru's calculator, but I know it is a popular one. Most calculators have a provision for PG or VG based nic, perhaps make sure that is entered correctly?

+1 on Ziodman's comments. It takes a little time to get familiar with your flavorings, and how strong they are (especially if you are using several in one batch). I have some coconut that I like, but it seems like it is three times as strong as my other flavorings. I don't prefer tobacco flavors any more, but make some for my friends. I put in 1% bavarian creme.

For myself, I mix at around 10% total flavoring, but that of course can vary widely on personal taste, and flavoring strength. If I am mixing for people just stopping smoking, I usually do 20%.

 

[DarksunPV]

The reason I mentioned lowering Main Flavoring percentages is sometimes when you add Too Much Flavoring, the Flaor doesn't get Stronger, it just gets a Meh Chemical after taste

Yes, I have seen people mention this. Maybe the chemical taste you refer to is what I'm experiencing.

If I dilute my VG with water or PGA, how will this affect my ratio? Would it be better to dilute the VG directly, or add something to the finished mix?

 

[DarksunPV]

50/50 would seem pretty thick to me, but I am an 80/20 kinduva guy. I haven't used Breaktru's calculator, but I know it is a popular one. Most calculators have a provision for PG or VG based nic, perhaps make sure that is entered correctly?

+1 on Ziodman's comments. It takes a little time to get familiar with your flavorings, and how strong they are (especially if you are using several in one batch). I have some coconut that I like, but it seems like it is three times as strong as my other flavorings. I don't prefer tobacco flavors any more, but make some for my friends. I put in 1% bavarian creme.

For myself, I mix at around 10% total flavoring, but that of course can vary widely on personal taste, and flavoring strength. If I am mixing for people just stopping smoking, I usually do 20%.

Yes, I am sure the calculator is set for my PG nic base. Wasting supplies is something I try to avoid, so I always double check my numbers when figuring out my intended recipe.

I was under the impression that 50/50 was a pretty standard ratio.

This is probably my next step, lowering the overall flavor percentage. After hearing the comment on a chemical aftertaste, it seems like the next logical thing to try.

 

[zoiDman]

Yes, I have seen people mention this. Maybe the chemical taste you refer to is what I'm experiencing.

It's hard to say. It could be that. It could be that you need to add some Sweetener. It could be Many things.

I would keep the Flavoring where it is, because you have tried less and didn't like it, and try adding some Cotton Candy. One of the Key Rules to DIY is to Only Make One Change at a Time.

If you make a Bunch of Changes, it can be hard to Tell what changes made a Recipe Better. Or what Changes made it Worse.

If I dilute my VG with water or PGA, how will this affect my ratio? Would it be better to dilute the VG directly, or add something to the finished mix?

If you Dilute your VG it will Mathematically Effect the Ratio. But who cares?

A 50:50 ratio is just a Silly Fraction. The Key to DIY is to not get Too Hung Up on Numbers and to just find something you like to Vape.

I would make, in a Separate Small Bottle, a Diluted Mixture of VG and Water and or PG. Add your Water or PG Slowly and Shaking it Up until it looks to be Just a Little Thicker than the Finished/Retail e-Liquids that you are used to. Write Down EXACTLY what you added to the VG. Then Label the Bottle "Diluted VG".

Then make a DIY Batch and when the Recipe/Calculator calls for "VG", use the "Diluted VG" instead.

If your DIY works better using the Diluted VG, you might consider making a Bigger Bottle of Diluted VG for the future.

 

[nanovapr]

To amend my earlier comment, I sometimes mix 20% flavoring for new vapers, because their taste is still damaged from smoking.. It looks like you've been vaping for some time, that shouldn't be a problem for you.

Some calculators have fields to enter in amounts or percentages of distilled water or ISO alcohol as part of the recipe. I haven't mixed higher than 30% VG, I haven't tried that.

Yes, keep LOTS of notes. Nothing is worse than having something you like and being unable to replicate it. "A few drops more of this" can mess you up if you don't keep track exactly.

Remember that more PG is often more flavor. You might try less VG and more PG. That will also be thinner, and you may not need to dilute.

 

[Ralikar]

Your PG is bought from a tractor store... Is it pharmacy grade?

I've used WL too and my juice seemed pretty thick... Hmm...

You vapin' 50mg/nic juice!!?! Cause thats a problem right there. WL has a slight taste to their nic --think the DIY vets gave them #3 spot. I tried some 40mg and my flavors can't hold down the WL nic taste at that level... In fact, I'm moving a bit lower today on a batch--the WL nic has too much innate taste for my lighter flavors to work with at high nic levels. Go over to DIY section--there's a discussion on best pure tasteless nic vendor--it's not WL. That's probably your aftertaste problem, the high nic flavor bleeding through your spices...

 

[SGorman1202]

I DIY with 60/40 PG/VG mix. I had to dilute my VG with distilled water which I keep in a separate bottle. I use the same calculator as you mentioned. When the recipe calls for VG is use my bottle of diluted VG. I had the same issue with too thick of juice until I started diluting the VG. Maybe see if that helps. I dilute it with a 85/15 ratio. But that's me. Some people use less water. For sweetener, I just use sweet fruit flavors. I do have some liquid sweetener coming though.

 

[SurReality89]

i just ordered from wizard several days ago and never got any sort of confirmation that they have shipped. is that normal? how long has it taken for orders to get to you guys from them/ship? i paid for priority shipping... hoping it gets here soon as i am leaving town this weekend...

 

[SGorman1202]

I don't order from Wizard so I don't know. I get mine from onestopdiyshop.com

 

[Nunnster]

Yes, keep LOTS of notes. Nothing is worse than having something you like and being unable to replicate it. "A few drops more of this" can mess you up if you don't keep track exactly.

This, a 1000 times this. When I first started DIY juice I was very very bad at taking notes. I still cant for the life of me figure out how I made the 2ed or 3rd recipe I made that was the best tasting thing I have ever tired.

 

[DarksunPV]

Your PG is bought from a tractor store... Is it pharmacy grade?

I've used WL too and my juice seemed pretty thick... Hmm...

You vapin' 50mg/nic juice!!?! Cause thats a problem right there. WL has a slight taste to their nic --think the DIY vets gave them #3 spot. I tried some 40mg and my flavors can't hold down the WL nic taste at that level... In fact, I'm moving a bit lower today on a batch--the WL nic has too much innate taste for my lighter flavors to work with at high nic levels. Go over to DIY section--there's a discussion on best pure tasteless nic vendor--it's not WL. That's probably your aftertaste problem, the high nic flavor bleeding through your spices...

No, the nic juice started at 100mg. For my mixes, I cut it to 18mg for myself. That wasn't going well so I cut the 100 to 50 with PG in a seperate bottle, then to 18 for a final mix w/flavors and VG. Sorry, I should have been more clear about this.

I'll check out the topic you mentioned, thanks.

EDIT: The PG I'm using is U.S.P. from Tractor Supply. I've seen it mentioned here as well as some other places. I believe Hoosier uses it in his mixes.

SurReality, I ordered on a Friday and got my shipment on a Tuesday. They did send confirmation to my email with a tracking number.

 

[SpringzVz]

I use a 50/50 ratio with pure VG using a 2-3% distilled water as a dilution. This always works well with clearos, tanks and attys for me. Are you sure your VG is USP/food grade? I would consider switching vendors on your VG sounds like something is not right with it. I also notice the tractor supply PG. Make sure the PG is USP/Food Grade as well. Sometimes we think it meets the criteria but it does not with even safe additives not mixing well.

 

[SurReality89]

well i guess there was a glitch in the system but fortunately they shipped today but that means i won't be getting it before i leave town... oh well at least they refunded my shipping charge

 

[Rocketman]

Sorry, didn't read last post