DIY Newbie!

[aznzing03]

Hello all!
After being on these fantastic forums for only a month or so I have greatly expanded my knowledge and have thus started to think about mixing my own liquids! YAY!
A little backround:
Started vaping 6 months ago on an iTaste MVP and clearo's. Quickly moved to Protanks and Carto's. Then got my K100(first mech) and RSST(running sub-ohms) and now am furthering my collection on mechs, rba's, rda's and the like. Started at 15mg, now down to about 5mg and soon to try out 0mg of nicotine. I mostly vape a 40/60 PG/VG and have begun to add 100% VG to those to dilute it further.

I am looking to start making my own juices within the next month or so and I do have some basic questions to ask that I have not seem to have found answers to on any of the stickies.

I am planning on being at 0mg nicotine by the time I start to mix my own.

What I would like to know is if I can just purchase VG and flavoring and if that would vape? Or do I need the PG? From my understanding thus far, PG is mainly for throat hit and viscosity thinning which I have gotten used to not much throat hit(from my diluted juices I vape along with the lighter flavors I like).

If I do need the PG, is that only so the flavors would blend in well with the rest of the solution?

What is the main difference between PG based and VG based liquids?

I probably have more questions but for now sleep is of the essence.

Thanks all for your continued support and help! It's been amazing and I can't wait to go further down this rabbit hole.

 

[SonHouse]

Pure VG is quite vapable but is very thick and may not work well in your equipment. Flavorings are generally considered PG. the main differences between PG and VG based liquids are PG has more throat hit, is less viscous, and carries flavor better. VG will tend to give more vapor, be much more viscous, and mute flavors more.

 

[aznzing03]

Sounds about what I've been thinking.
I've noticed the flavor drop off a bit which is why I've been getting deeper and deeper into RBA's and RDA's.
If there any way to use a pure VG with high amounts of flavor? Diluting with water perhaps? Using an alcohol as the flavor enhancer?

When I look on websites such as onestopdiyshop.com and go to order say their Flavor Apprentice kit, I see a strength designation. Is that nicotine strength in the kit or what?

Thank you for your quick response.

 

[dannyv45]

What you have to understand is that PG gives throat hit and less vapor and VG gives more vapor and less throat hit. Using no Nicotine will decrease the throat hit to a virtually a non existant level and this is expecially true if your going to use all VG. So you need to examine what you want in the vape and decide accordingly.

 

[aznzing03]

Well what I am looking for from my vape nowadays is strong flavor, big clouds, and virtually no throat hit.
Which is why I was looking at pure VG base and then adding flavor. :shrug:

 

[Chas_L]

If you start with 100% VG and add 40% flavoring then most likely you will have a roughly 60VG / 40PG blend as most flavoring are PG based. Many flavors are 10% flavoring in a PG carrier.

 

[dannyv45]

Well what I am looking for from my vape nowadays is strong flavor, big clouds, and virtually no throat hit.
Which is why I was looking at pure VG base and then adding flavor. :shrug:

Then it sounds like your on the right track of no NIC, No PG and just VG. Keep in mind that VG produces a very thick mix that usually needs to be watered down with a few drops of water or everclear. And pure VG usually requires more flavor then PG/VG mixes. You may also have problems locating flavors that are pure VG concentrates. I do know that TFA sells several vg concentrates.

http://shop.perfumersapprentice.com/c-133-flavors-non-pg.aspx

 

[aznzing03]

If you start with 100% VG and add 40% flavoring then most likely you will have a roughly 60VG / 40PG blend as most flavoring are PG based. Many flavors are 10% flavoring in a PG carrier.

Is that even true of the flavor concentrates? Like those from LorAnn and Flavor Apprentice?

 

[aznzing03]

Then it sounds like your on the right track of no NIC, No PG and just VG. Keep in mind that VG produces a very thick mix that usually needs to be watered down with a few drops of water or everclear. And pure VG usually requires more flavor then PG/VG mixes. You may also have problems locating flavors that are pure VG concentrates. I do know that TFA sells several vg concentrates.

Perfumers Apprentice - Flavors - Non PG

So pure 100% VG does need to have some sort of base liquid of thinner viscosity to hold the flavor and mix it better if I didn't want to use a higher percentage mix of flavor to VG? Such as distilled water or everclear?

At the moment, my current fluids that I "homemade"(mixed in 100% VG with some existing flavors I have), are, if my math is correct, right around a 30/70 PG/VG mix and I do thoroughly enjoy them. Not much if none at all throat hit on some flavors and still flavor to where I like it.

Should I get some base no nic PG just for mixing flavors into or should the flavor concentrate that comes pre-mixed in PG be enough for that ratio?

I would say I'm shooting for about a 30/70 possibly up to a 20/80 no nic mix.

 

[Chas_L]

Is that even true of the flavor concentrates? Like those from LorAnn and Flavor Apprentice?

Start here perhaps

Perfumers Apprentice - Chocolate & Vanilla Flavors

 

[dannyv45]

So pure 100% VG does need to have some sort of base liquid of thinner viscosity to hold the flavor and mix it better if I didn't want to use a higher percentage mix of flavor to VG? Such as distilled water or everclear?

At the moment, my current fluids that I "homemade"(mixed in 100% VG with some existing flavors I have), are, if my math is correct, right around a 30/70 PG/VG mix and I do thoroughly enjoy them. Not much if none at all throat hit on some flavors and still flavor to where I like it.

Should I get some base no nic PG just for mixing flavors into or should the flavor concentrate that comes pre-mixed in PG be enough for that ratio?

I would say I'm shooting for about a 30/70 possibly up to a 20/80 no nic mix.

you'll know it's to thick when you vape it and get no flavor or vaper.