DIY nicotine base solution help!

[Chemicalcalesthenics]

I'm ready to DIY my own juice but I just need help figuring out which nicotine base to get. I'm looking at Wizard Labs nicotine base solutions and they have from 12 mg/ml solutions up to 100 mg/ml solutions that all come in 120 ml up to 500 ml.

I'm thinking I'll make a 70/30 or 80/20 VG/PG mix and the nicotine solution I'll get in PG so it's easier to work with.

What do I need to know to decide which strength of nicotine base to get?

 

[locomikey5150]

To start, I see you're new here and welcome to ECF. There are lots of folks here to help with whatever questions you may have on stuff, and I'm a huge fan of this forum.

As for your question, the higher strength the nicotine, the less you'll need for your recipe, but on the other hand, the higher the strength, the more dangerous it is to work with.

I use 100mg personally, but I'm very careful when working with it. I'm sure I'd do the same the same thing if I went with a lower concentration, but I can't stress enough how important it is to be safe when working with it.

I recommend checking out the DIY sub-forum on this site, and make sure you read all of the sticky threads before getting started.

One of the users here (dannyv45) was very helpful to me when I got started with DIY, and he has written some blogs on the subject that I highly recommend. Here's a link to one of them (I also recommend reading the other blogs he points to).

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and I'm sure you'll be confident with your decisions once you've done your homework.

Once again, welcome to the ECF family, and good luck on your DIY quest!

 

[Rsunderl]

Hi, and welcome to ECF, Chemicalcalesthenics!

locomikey gives some good advice on getting started, especially the safety aspect. If you feel a bit uncomfortable using 100mg nic, you can start your DIY journey with a lower concentration, and, once you get a safe, reliable mixing routine down, get a higher concentration to work with

Good luck with it, and Happy vaping!

 

[martykaan]

thank you!

 

[twgbonehead]

I'm ready to DIY my own juice but I just need help figuring out which nicotine base to get. I'm looking at Wizard Labs nicotine base solutions and they have from 12 mg/ml solutions up to 100 mg/ml solutions that all come in 120 ml up to 500 ml.

I'm thinking I'll make a 70/30 or 80/20 VG/PG mix and the nicotine solution I'll get in PG so it's easier to work with.

What do I need to know to decide which strength of nicotine base to get?

DO check out the vast DIY section here!

In general, when getting nic base, you have 2 choices:

Get a base a little higher than your target nic concentration (and in your favorite pg/vg ratio) and add a bit of flavoring to it

or, get a strong nic base, and dilute it with both the flavorings and extra PG and/or VG.

The first is easier, the second is more cost-effective. Neither approach is bad, but if you go for the concentrated nic liquid, take proper precautions.

Oh, and Welcome to ECF!

 

[dc99]

I found when I started that it was easier to start with one that was a simple multiple of the final ratio. (If you want say 12 then 24 or 48 is easier to deal with). I would suggest you download the ejuicemeup calculator. Its free and works very well. They are correct about Danny, Ive been doing this a long time and still learned a lot from his blog and his comments.

 

[yzer]

Starting with lower strength nicotine base is a good idea before trying the more cost effective 100mg. I started with a small amount of 50mg nicotine for the first couple of mixes. This gave me time to gain experience handing liquids safely. Handling thick liquids like glycerin can take some practice. Pouring, measuring and mixing is a hands-on experience. Reading won't teach you everything about safe handling. When you can mix from a 36 or 50mg nicotine base without spilling a drop them move on to the 100mg.

 

[AzPlumber]

If you choose to get a lower nic base it will need to be in VG. Your target ratio is high VG and a lower nic base in PG will limit your target ratios. If you choose a higher nic base it can be either VG or PG depending on target nic strength.

 

[Chemicalcalesthenics]

Thanks to all for your great input! Can't wait to get hands on with it all.

 

[dgm76513]

I started with 100mg, still use it. It's great. For my tank setups I make my juices 12mg strength, and I made some 2mg strength juice for when I get my new sub-ohm hardware in. A 250ml bottle is a helluva good start. A 500ml bottle lasts me quite a while and I make juices for family and friends as well. Good luck making your own juice! It can be very rewarding, especially when you realize it costs you $1.50 (give or take) for all the materials to make a 30ml bottle of juice.

Edit: I realize I used the word "juice" too many times, but I have too much scotch in me to care, but not enough not to notice.

 

[Christopher Lewis]

With the 100mg base, how strong is the nicotine odor? I've read it can be pretty strong and unpleasant to work with.

 

[capitaomorsa]

And dangerous if not handled well

 

[klynnn]

I always buy my nic in the base that I use the most. Usually I make 70/30 pg/vg so I buy nic in pg. You will also need plain pg and plain vg along with that. With the extra pg/vg you will be able to make any combination you want to try. I order from Wizard Labs their shipping and packaging is excellent but not always real fast. Their nic that I have received has very little smell.

 

[yzer]

With the 100mg base, how strong is the nicotine odor? I've read it can be pretty strong and unpleasant to work with.

Depends on how close you are to the fumes. Even the best 100mg nicotine base can have a sharp odor. Poor quality 100mg nicotine base can have a much stronger odor.

I use a high quality 100mg base in a well ventilated room. I don't have 100mg base exposed to open air for more than 30 seconds before it is capped again or diluted so I rarely get a whiff of it.

 

[yzer]

100mg nicotine is not pure nicotine. It is 10% nicotine. Still, 100mg nicotine commands a great deal of respect during handling. Any direct contact with skin, mouth, eyes, etc. must be avoided. Have running water nearby for washdown if needed.

 

[Rsunderl]

Not to scare you, but if you are going to DIY, you should read all you can about DIY safety. Here's one post http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/announcements-news/144783-warning-e-liquid-diy-safety.html.

If you use the search box at the top of the page, you can find others as well as the DIY section of ECF.

Hope it helps and happy vaping!

 

[AndriaD]

With the 100mg base, how strong is the nicotine odor? I've read it can be pretty strong and unpleasant to work with.

Really not very strong; I have an exceptionally keen nose, but I really don't smell it at all unless I stick my nose right to the bottle top. It smells faintly "peppery."

Andria

 

[Woofer]

Nicotine is odorless... and colorless.

 

[AndriaD]

Nicotine is odorless... and colorless.

Not *entirely* true. When it's oxidized, it turns yellow. And apparently if it goes "off", it smells like fish? Weird, but that's what I've heard. There is a faint smell even to nic that's not "off," but it's quite faint, even at close quarters with my keen nose -- very much a "peppery" kind of smell, but very faint. Sometimes when I've had it out, I get sneezy -- sort of like the delay you get from accidentally inhaling a bit of pepper dust... it takes a minute or two, then the sneeze.

Andria

 

[Woofer]

Well I have never and hopefully will never smell pure Nic, depending on who you read it has little to no odor.
I am under the impression oxidized nicotine is nicotinic acid aka Niacin aka vitamin B3, I have no idea what color B3 is.
I'm also pretty skeptical the nic in pg ever goes off.
Then again I could be completely wrong about everything.