DIY Mixing questions

[escapetovape]

Morning All,

I've got a bit of a question regarding my DIY mixing endeavours. So I bought a bottle of nicotine salts (pleasantly surprised by the way) and I was trying to make a few batches of juice using some new flavours.

The problem I ran into happened when the liquid remaining in the Nic Salts bottle got down about 2/3 to 1/2 full, the syringes wouldn't reach, so my attempts were initially thwarted.

Same thing happens with having bulk PG and VG but my solution for that is to decant into a coffee mug and draw from that then put it back into the original container. Because I can get it so cheap I'm really not too fussed if I waste a few mL but the nicotine is a pain to waste.

The second problem was when I tried to fill up some of the bottles I use; some of them are Gorilla bottles with wide necks so using a syringe isn't a problem, but with some of the bottles I have because the neck is so narrow when I try to add VG, for example, the liquid blocks the air trying to escape and if I go too fast it will block and go everywhere.

So my question is what does everyone here do as far as if they're making a batch of juice? The flavour part I get a little finicky on when adding concentrates. But when it comes to adding the PG and VG I'd prefer to have it as quick as possible with minimal fuss like an assembly line (so I can pump out 12 or so 60mL bottles in one run and I don't have to worry about it for a while). Also how do you extract from your nicotine and concentrate bottles especially when they're getting low?

 

[DeloresRose]

I’ve got 120, 30, and 15 ml glass bottles, the big ones are Boston rounds and the smaller ones have dripper tops.

I do use plastic dripper bottles too, but I use the 120 to put smaller amounts of nic in, so my bigger bottles aren’t coming out of the freezer every time I mix.

Also use them to mix larger batches of juice, and I can just pour as much as needed into either the little plastics or glass.

Trick to pouring into plastic is, I pinch the bottle a tiny bit. That seems to open the neck a little, and if the vg plugs it, I let off the pressure, which sucks the juice down in.

I just got frustrated with how slow and fussy it was trying to mix right in those little plastic bottles I guess. So now if I only want to do a little test or only need one 15-30 ml of some juice, I make a 120 of base, then all I have to put in is that and the flavors.

 

[DeloresRose]

Oh, and I don’t generally syringe the nic. I pour it into a graduated cylinder.

 

[ShamrockPat]

... down about 2/3 to 1/2 full, the syringes wouldn't reach, so my attempts were initially thwarted.

I found those same issues. Cross contamination worries and clean-up time led me to buying a cheap jewelers scale for $11 and mixing by weight. All my problems were solved. 6 months later I bought a different scale, and the calibration weights showed the el-cheapo was just as accurate.

 

[DaveP]

I use 3ml pipettes for nic. They fit 120ml, 60ml, and 30ml bottles. The nic pipette stays in the nic bottle during the session and I use clear condiment bottles for PG and VG.

For flavors I use the dropper tip bottles that they come in. It all works well using a scale for DIY. When I'm done the nic pipette gets washed out and dumped in the trash. The Nic, condiment bottles, flavor bottles, and the scale go back into my storage box.

A bag of 100 pipettes costs just a few bucks and lasts for years.

 

[JCinFLA]

@escapetovape - First, I've been mixing by volume since I started DIY several years ago. Have taught 4 people locally and 4 online and by phone, how to mix the same way. For the problems you're having with it, there are several things you can do to help solve them.

1) I don't know what size blunt needle tips you're using, but I'd recommend getting some 14ga. ones that are about 2" long. That size will have a larger diameter hole and longer length than you may be using now.

2) Split your nic base up into smaller bottles. The 2" long blunt needle tip should reach the bottom of most of them. If it doesn't, slightly tip the bottle sideways as you draw out the nic base.

3) Splitting up your plain PG and plain VG into smaller bottles will also help with drawing it out with syringes. I keep mine in 120mL bottles.

4) If measuring the VG with syringes, or trying to just pour it from your VG bottle is difficult and/or messy...use an inexpensive plastic graduated cylinder, as someone mentioned, or a plastic beaker. Beakers come in a large variety of sizes...from 25mL-2000mL. Graduated cylinders and beakers both have a little V-shaped spout at the top edge. If you pour the VG slowly so it doesn't plug the top of your eliquid bottle...you'll get all of it into the bottle opening without a mess.

5) If measuring the liquid ingredients into a smaller-necked bottle is causing problems (especially with the VG)...make it in a larger-necked bottle (the Gorilla one you mentioned is easier), and then transfer it into smaller-mouthed ones.

I have another method of mixing by volume that works for me, and several I've taught are also using it now. The only ingredients I measure out with my syringes are my flavorings and my nic base. The plain PG and plain VG are each just poured or squirted into my mixing bottle to specific predetermined levels. If you'd be interested in that method...just PM me. Don't want it to take up so much room on here. Also asking questions and getting responses specifically to them, is somewhat easier through PM, IMO.

 

[escapetovape]

Thanks for the replies everyone - actually really helpful and a heap of the solutions I'd never even thought of (I actually have pipettes in the house and kicking myself that I didn't think of it).

 

[puffon]

A larger bottle with a Yorker cap will make getting VG/base into the small necked 30-60ml bottles easier.

 

[JCinFLA]

(I actually have pipettes in the house and kicking myself that I didn't think of it).

Just don't try using pipettes to suck up and dispense VG...unless you want to experience some REAL frustration!

They're also not nearly accurate enough to measure out the volume of your flavorings and/or nic base, IMO, unless all amounts you need in your recipe...are what the few markings on the pipettes show, ie. 1/2mL, 1mL, etc. I think most people who use them measure by weight. In fact, I don't know anyone who measures "by volume" who uses them. When measuring by weight, they're just using them for easy dispensing of drops from them, until they hit the right weight...in their mixing bottle. IMO, they're great for that!

 

[Dougiestyle]

Try heating the VG just a bit to thin it while dispensing.

I use different beakers to mix then distribute to bottles. I mix 120ml at a time though, so YMMV.

 

[JCinFLA]

A larger bottle with a Yorker cap will make getting VG/base into the small necked 30-60ml bottles easier.

But he's got to have some way to measure the amount he's adding, if he wants to mix by volume (ie. syringes, beakers, graduated cylinders, etc.). Or, if he mixes by volume the way I have for the last 2 years...which means no measuring of the plain PG and plain VG is necessary.

 

[JCinFLA]

Thanks for the replies everyone - actually really helpful and a heap of the solutions I'd never even thought of

If you lived in the US, I'd gladly send you a couple different sized beakers and a little 10mL graduated cylinder, since I buy them in quantity. Would make your mixing easier for you. Maybe you can order some from FastTech for cheap.

 

[Letitia]

Before I started mixing by weight I mixed in a graduated beaker. Used syringes for nic, dw, and flavors then just filled vg to line from a condiment bottle.

 

[puffon]

But he's got to have some way to measure the amount he's adding, if he wants to mix by volume.

Ahhh....Yes.
I leave the VG or base for last, and just top off the 30/60ml bottle. No measuring or weighing the VG.

 

[stols001]

Well, you could make a nice premix nic base, if you are willing to tolerate a little bit of like, lack of precision due to adding flavors (and if you know your "usual" ratio of flavors, mine often hovers around 10% I just make the rest of my nic base in larger bottles, batches and then add to flavors.

When it comes to nic only, you may want to consider wide mouth glass bottles for in the freezer in any case, and if they're small enough well, it can be much easier to deal with the "wide shallow" bottles (usually with PET caps, etc. It can be easier to deal with than trying to pipette into a large container of just nic.

I do like having all the ratios of VG, for me (PEG400) and nic ready to go, it's one less agonizing step when it comes to mixing, and again, if you use similar amounts of flavoring you also have the option of just marking where 100 ml (or whatever amount you are making is going to come to on the bottles, and using a funnel and pouring and etc. There are many ways and I guess depending on the amount of precision you want/need you could approach it from many different directions and etc.

Anna

 

[escapetovape]

But he's got to have some way to measure the amount he's adding, if he wants to mix by volume (ie. syringes, beakers, graduated cylinders, etc.). Or, if he mixes by volume the way I have for the last 2 years...which means no measuring of the plain PG and plain VG is necessary.

Pretty much yes, the syringes were always to use for measuring - PG/VG were less of a concern and it was more about getting it in the bottle *frustration intensifies* but for the flavours especially it was really critical to get the correct percentage concentration especially since I'm trying (and failing ) to get a proper mix ratio recipe book for any of the flavours I do use. I'll take a couple of happy snaps to show - some of the bottles that come in 30mL vials are fine, but some of them it would get to the point where I'd probably need a set of scales to measure it out unless I want to eyeball it.

And of course the ever-present concern of wastage.

 

[escapetovape]

Ahhh....Yes.
I leave the VG or base for last, and just top off the 30/60ml bottle. No measuring or weighing the VG.

Yep that's how I do it to - since I'm trying to make a batch with the only variables being the flavour, and since I'm using so much I was hoping to set up an assembly line to knock out a fair few bottles in one hit - especially when some of the cream/dessert flavours need time to steep.

 

[escapetovape]

So this pretty much sums up what I’m working with. There’s a few more bits and bobs but they’re either syringes or a drawing tube. When you see the narrow neck on some of the other ones it’s clear my setup is pretty pathetic to be honest.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Do yourself a favor. These are what I use from onestopdiyshop 11% discount with ecf or jfk

Boston Round Bottle with Luer Lock Cap

Natural LDPE Boston Round Bottle with Twist Top Cap


I use both and the bottles have a wide opening, Much easier to use.

Also these to close off those bottles when you are not using them

5 Pack Luer Lock Syringe Caps



eta Sorry, I just realized you are down under. But look at the pics anyway, you may be able to find them in your country. They are available on Amazon, but you would have to purchase bottles separately. Jensen sells the luer caps and the stoppers. If you would like links, let me know.

 

[escapetovape]

Do yourself a favor. These are what I use from onestopdiyshop 11% discount with ecf or jfk

Boston Round Bottle with Luer Lock Cap

Natural LDPE Boston Round Bottle with Twist Top Cap


I use both and the bottles have a wide opening, Much easier to use.

Also these to close off those bottles when you are not using them

5 Pack Luer Lock Syringe Caps



eta Sorry, I just realized you are down under. But look at the pics anyway, you may be able to find them in your country. They are available on Amazon, but you would have to purchase bottles separately. Jensen sells the luer caps and the stoppers. If you would like links, let me know.

Nice, they look like what I want. Once I can get my head around some of the flavours I want to get some 500mL bottles to make a batch from that - because as much as I love a good flavour and I can get bored easily, I am incredibly lazy in a sense