DIY Information OVERLOAD! Need help getting started

[Bubba]

I'm looking to get started in DIY and have been reading a ton. There's a lot of info on it, but some of it is confusing/conflicting so I could use some help.

Let me set this up so you'll know where I am:

Never done DIY
Zero supplies - No PG/VG, no flavors, no bottles. Literally NOTHING.

What I'm looking for:

I'd like to end up with a Caramel Coffee juice, 18mg 50/50. I vaped MBV's Caramel Coffee for a long time and was happy with it, so something similar to that. I really like some of the more complex tobacco flavors (i.e. H1N1) but not looking to try that just yet.

What I'm thinking:

In the interest of KISS, my thinking was to buy pre-mixed 50/50 base, and 18mg Nic base. Then I'd just need the flavorings. I want to start super simple and go from there. Not looking to buy 100mg nic base off the bat, just want to get the basics of mixing/flavoring down and get a recipe or two before I start getting into dilution and more complex recipes.

So with all that being said, I'd like to know your opinions on my plan as well as any recommendations for flavorings and vendors. Some of the confusion is coming from reading "don't buy a kit to get started" in one place and "kits are great" in another. Also, some of the information is from 2009 and I'm sure things have changed since then. I'm sure there are new flavors/vendors/suppliers but don't know what would be best for what I'm trying to accomplish.

Thanks for reading this novella, any help is greatly appreciated

 

[Ld3441]

If you buy 18mg base, your juice will not be 18mg when complete because the flavoring will dilute the nicotine.
I understand KISS and there is a LOT of info here but you need to start with higher nicotine than you plan to end up with unless you don't care the nicotine will be diluted. You don't have to start with 100mg (I don't use that either) but 24-36mg would be better. IMO

I'd suggest looking at a calculator and playing around with that to see how it works. Ejuicemeup has a great one that many here use including myself and it is a free download. The thing about buying "kits" is that you don't have any choices and usually it has things you don't want/need and may not have something you do want. I didn't start out with a kit but many do and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[Bubba]

If you buy 18mg base, your juice will not be 18mg when complete because the flavoring will dilute the nicotine.
I understand KISS and there is a LOT of info here but you need to start with higher nicotine than you plan to end up with unless you don't care the nicotine will be diluted. You don't have to start with 100mg (I don't use that either) but 24-36mg would be better. IMO

I'd suggest looking at a calculator and playing around with that to see how it works. Ejuicemeup has a great one that many here use including myself and it is a free download. The thing about buying "kits" is that you don't have any choices and usually it has things you don't want/need and may not have something you do want. I didn't start out with a kit but many do and there is nothing wrong with that.

Yeah, I literally just figured out the nic thing by looking at recipes. Didn't dawn on me that given the small % of nic vs the other ingredients it would be diluted. Logic FAIL.

Also, what would be your recommendation for supplies to get started. Typically not a big fan of kits either but don't really have a checklist of what I'll need to get started

ETA: I downloaded the ejuicemeup software and am fiddling with it, makes it much easier to understand what's going on with the mix as you add/change/remove stuff

 

[RocketPuppy]

You're lucky. MBV has a place to buy just their flavorings with wholesale prices, without needing a wholesale account. If you want to continue vaping this flavor, I would personally suggest getting your nic/pg/vg at Wizard Labs and then getting their flavor, since you already know you like it.
http://www.mbvwholesale.com/baker-vapor-flavor-base/
I have never ordered from MBV, so I can't comment on if their flavorings are of the same quality. I only wish other companies did this.

 

[RocketPuppy]

Whoops. If you scroll down on flavor, they carry the caramel coffee of which you speak.

 

[Stosh]

For flavorings I would suggest getting a coffee (Flavor Art Espresso is my favorite) and a caramel flavor. Make up a 5 mL bottle of each at whatever percentage tastes good to you. Then mix different amounts from each bottle in an atty or tank to see how much of each suits your tastes. You may like more coffee, or more caramel, being able to try different ratios easily gives you more flexibility than a single caramel-coffee flavoring.

 

[dannyv45]

Flavors taste different to different people so I won't go into recommending flavors. You simply have to try them until you find what works for you. As far as starting out it is important to measure accuratly and document your attempts. If you finally find that magic recipe you want to be able to duplicate it. I've written many blogs on DYI and it would be very helpful for you to read them. So here are some reading recommendations.

Read my blogs before getting started

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

then read hoosier's blogs.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

this will explain a lot of the how's and why's.

 

[Bubba]

So I've been reading and watching videos a LOT today and have a few follow ups:

Coffee and Tobacco flavorings need to steep for about 2 weeks? Is this for all flavors or certain brands?

What vendors are recommended? I may start with the MBV stuff but would like recommendations. I know that taste is subjective, but are there any coffee/tobacco/caramel flavors that are universally hated? Read something on here about some clear coffee that everyone was saying tasted like a skunks ..... Also, are there any vendors to stay away from?

Just trying to get up to speed on this stuff. One thing I've noticed is that it seems a lot of stuff I've read today seems dated. If I'm reading a review from 2011, a lot may have changed since then. I'm assuming that just like the hardware has evolved at a blistering pace, so has the DIY stuff so maybe what applied then doesn't necessarily apply now. After all, you can still dig up threads here talking about the Chuck and Joye 510, as well as using fluval to fill carts with.

Thanks again for all the help

 

[Doghead]

I've just gotten started mixing myself, and was overwhelmed too until I just got fed up and dove in. It's easy! Maybe not to get the perfect flavor, but a simple juice calculator, a few simple tools, and being careful... I bought 100% nic, and I treat it with respect, but I've handled other chemicals, have some lab experience. I've also got it on my hands. I washed it off. I always keep it up away from kids and the dog. I just think price wise, it makes sense to mix your nic, pg, and vg. It's not that hard. I use two syringes. A 5ml for nic and flavors and a big fat one for pg and vg. (Mixing only 30 mls max at once) it works fine.
Other than that I'd say only mix batches with one or two flavors at a time. Try them and then mix small amounts of those together to experiment with combonations. I'll mix em right in my tank to get a quick idea of what goes well with what.
That's my ramble. Good luck!

 

[Stosh]

I find steeping tobaccos will improve some, but may make others worse. Sometimes the steeping seems to muddy the flavor, where fresh has more complexity...YMMV...which is true for all DIY...

Coffee flavors I like fresh mixed, and use the FA, TPA, and Capellas Espresso flavorings. Judging from others comments on these I mix them stronger than most...but I also brew my unsweetened black coffee strong every morning. Depends on personal taste.

If you run short of fluval, I have extra in my stash box....

 

[Bubba]

I've just gotten started mixing myself, and was overwhelmed too until I just got fed up and dove in. It's easy! Maybe not to get the perfect flavor, but a simple juice calculator, a few simple tools, and being careful... I bought 100% nic, and I treat it with respect, but I've handled other chemicals, have some lab experience. I've also got it on my hands. I washed it off. I always keep it up away from kids and the dog. I just think price wise, it makes sense to mix your nic, pg, and vg. It's not that hard. I use two syringes. A 5ml for nic and flavors and a big fat one for pg and vg. (Mixing only 30 mls max at once) it works fine.
Other than that I'd say only mix batches with one or two flavors at a time. Try them and then mix small amounts of those together to experiment with combonations. I'll mix em right in my tank to get a quick idea of what goes well with what.
That's my ramble. Good luck!

I'm pretty much at that point now. I'm thinking get a couple syringes, separate bottles of PG/VG, nic, flavor, and some empty bottles and have at it. I tend to overanalyze stuff like this, plus I've paid other people to make nasty juice in the past so I'd already be saving money by mixing my own.

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

I'm in the same boat as you right now, I have a really good idea of what I want out of a DIY juice.

That being said I scoured the web, looking for as many recipes that included aspects of what I wanted, made a list of potential ingredients, and looked for a supplier for flavorings to support my goal.

I decided on TFA flavors, and thus ordered all of my flavoring components there.

Having the calculator for juice is nice, I just hammered out an excel spreadsheet to do the same thing.

The actual mixing, well I have a nice gram scale on hand to do my mixing by weight.

While I do have a preliminary recipe developed I will first mix individual flavors to determine what quantity of flavoring I need to match my expectations of each flavor.

As stated above, then I will mix the component flavors together two at a time to see how they react with each other.

Once I have dual flavors worked out I'll add another component flavor. And so on until I have exactly what I consider the best possible mixture for my taste and equipment.

In the end, DIY is about personal goals. Set your goal, and make steps toward it. Progress is the most important thing, even failures are progress (you learn what isn't working for you at that particular point).

Also, think of your goal in terms like flavor spectrum rather than being specific. I mention this only because a juice may require several flavorings to push your "that's perfect coffee" button, for me I like coffee that almost has a melted butter texture, thick with oils and full of flavor, always black, no sugar, just about as close to sipping a cup of pure caffeine as is possible for me please.

Maurice

 

[Bubba]

I find steeping tobaccos will improve some, but may make others worse. Sometimes the steeping seems to muddy the flavor, where fresh has more complexity...YMMV...which is true for all DIY...

Coffee flavors I like fresh mixed, and use the FA, TPA, and Capellas Espresso flavorings. Judging from others comments on these I mix them stronger than most...but I also brew my unsweetened black coffee strong every morning. Depends on personal taste.

If you run short of fluval, I have extra in my stash box....

I'll keep that fluval in mind! I'm just gonna get my stuff and get started. I think trial and error and some experience are the only way to go. There's only so much you can learn from reading and watching.

I'll probably be back soon with more questions once I get started.

 

[edyle]

I'm looking to get started in DIY and have been reading a ton. There's a lot of info on it, but some of it is confusing/conflicting so I could use some help.

Let me set this up so you'll know where I am:

Never done DIY
Zero supplies - No PG/VG, no flavors, no bottles. Literally NOTHING.

What I'm looking for:

I'd like to end up with a Caramel Coffee juice, 18mg 50/50. I vaped MBV's Caramel Coffee for a long time and was happy with it, so something similar to that. I really like some of the more complex tobacco flavors (i.e. H1N1) but not looking to try that just yet.

What I'm thinking:

In the interest of KISS, my thinking was to buy pre-mixed 50/50 base, and 18mg Nic base. Then I'd just need the flavorings. I want to start super simple and go from there. Not looking to buy 100mg nic base off the bat, just want to get the basics of mixing/flavoring down and get a recipe or two before I start getting into dilution and more complex recipes.

So with all that being said, I'd like to know your opinions on my plan as well as any recommendations for flavorings and vendors. Some of the confusion is coming from reading "don't buy a kit to get started" in one place and "kits are great" in another. Also, some of the information is from 2009 and I'm sure things have changed since then. I'm sure there are new flavors/vendors/suppliers but don't know what would be best for what I'm trying to accomplish.

Thanks for reading this novella, any help is greatly appreciated

For starter: see if you can get from MBV Caramel Coffee 100% PG at 36mg.

If you get that then you just add USP grade glycerin from the Pharmacy and
PRESTO: Caramel Coffee 50/50 18 mg.
DONE.

 

[keonee]

Before I started DIY e-liquid I was like you Bubba. I think I read so much and trying to take in to much thinking I couldn't do it. Once I made my 4 samples I had to chuckle...it was so easy.

I like my ratio at 40PG/60VG and a nice solid flavor. I bought PG, VG and VG Nicotine base at 60ml/nicotine.

I played with the eJuiceMe Up Calculator waiting for my supplies to come. Once everything arrived I decided to give it a try. The outcome was so fantastic that I won't be buying my e-liquid from vendors anymore.

Here's the calculator to download -

eJuice Me Up - Best eJuice Calculator

Here a 2 places that I bought my supplies from -

Wizard Labs

DIY E-Cig Supplies & E-Cigarette Liquid | Make Your Own E-Liquid | RTS Vapes

Good Luck to You.

PS I have now made several 30ml bottles of DIY e-liquid.....yummy!!!!

 

[Bubba]

I like my ratio at 40PG/60VG and a nice solid flavor. I bought PG, VG and VG Nicotine base at 60ml/nicotine.

I played with the eJuiceMe Up Calculator waiting for my supplies to come. Once everything arrived I decided to give it a try. The outcome was so fantastic that I won't be buying my e-liquid from vendors anymore.

Here's the calculator to download -

eJuice Me Up - Best eJuice Calculator

OK so quick question: on the calculator you have to enter the % for the flavorings - where do you find that? Are they all typically 100% PG?

 

[Bubba]

For starter: see if you can get from MBV Caramel Coffee 100% PG at 36mg.

If you get that then you just add USP grade glycerin from the Pharmacy and
PRESTO: Caramel Coffee 50/50 18 mg.
DONE.

Nope, that's way too easy and I have to overcomplicate things. HAVE to.

 

[RocketPuppy]

As a few others mentioned, Wizard Labs is a great company. If you're looking to try before buying larger quantities, WL has 8 ml testers in glass vials for $1.50. They carry TFA/TPA, LorAnn's, & Seedman's.

 

[Ld3441]

So I've been reading and watching videos a LOT today and have a few follow ups:

Coffee and Tobacco flavorings need to steep for about 2 weeks? Is this for all flavors or certain brands?

What vendors are recommended? I may start with the MBV stuff but would like recommendations. I know that taste is subjective, but are there any coffee/tobacco/caramel flavors that are universally hated? Read something on here about some clear coffee that everyone was saying tasted like a skunks ..... Also, are there any vendors to stay away from?

Just trying to get up to speed on this stuff. One thing I've noticed is that it seems a lot of stuff I've read today seems dated. If I'm reading a review from 2011, a lot may have changed since then. I'm assuming that just like the hardware has evolved at a blistering pace, so has the DIY stuff so maybe what applied then doesn't necessarily apply now. After all, you can still dig up threads here talking about the Chuck and Joye 510, as well as using fluval to fill carts with.

Thanks again for all the help

For every flavor out there, there will be someone that loves it and someone that hates it. The only way you are going to know is to try it yourself. A good vendor is Wizzard Labs. They have a large selection and their flavors you can try out for $1.49 so no big loss if you don't like them.

Coffee, tobacco and chocolates need to steep. It is ok to vape when made and you should taste it then to note the difference when steeped but know after sitting for 3-4 weeks the taste will change. Good luck!

 

[dannyv45]

My suggestion is don't limit yourself to one manufactures flavor. Wizardlab sells mostly TFA flavors. There are many other excellent manufactors out there.

Hangsen
capella
flavor art
VZ supers and gourmet
LorAnn Flavoring
flavor west
iniwari
totally wicked
etc....