DIY Shopping List in the Works!

[chinacatsunflower-]

Been doing more and more reading and have finally put together a shopping list to start my DIY adventure! Any comments about flavors, quantities, things that my be missing, or really any advice or input in general will be much appreciated.

Shopping List:

• Nicotine base: 60mg, 120ml
• VG: 500ml
• PG: 500ml
• Syringes: 1ml, 3ml, 5ml (x2 each)
  
• Blunt tip needles (14 & 18ga)
• Pipettes
• Glass bottles
  
• Nitrile gloves, safety glasses, graduated cylinders (10ml & 25ml), and chemical apron
  
• 100mm funnels
• Packing tape & scotch tape
• Plastic tool box
• Large tray to mix on

Potential flavors:

• Apple FA, Banana FA, Blueberry TFA, Blackberry FA, Ripe Strawberry TFA, Watermelon FA, Green Tea FA, Black Cherry TFA, Honeydew TFA, Honeysuckle TFA.
  
• (Flavor enhancers) Milk & Honey FIV, Eucalyptus & Mint INW, Fresh Cream FA, Peppermint FA.

I have around a week before I can put in my order and am really excited! All flavors listed I had planned on buying in 8ml sizes to find out what I like and do not like.

Any bad experiences with any flavors listed will be helpful, even though I understand that taste is purely subjective. Input is always welcome in my opinion, and I have read reviews for each and every one of these flavorings but more the merrier!

I thank you for taking the time to read this, and helping out a noobie if you choose to reply

 

[BrotherBob]

Looks good. The flavors you have chosen can be used as single mixes. However, most people use your chosen flavors as part of a recipe mix. Do you have recipes in mind that use all the flavors you have listed or do you plan to mix one flavor at a time and see how it tastes? If so, you may probably be disappointed. May I suggest finding recipes that you think you might like and then purchase flavors to match that/those recipes.
Just, hit "like" at bottom right hand corner and I (or someone else) can read your answer and offer a little more direction.

 

[JCinFLA]

Well, you've had a lot of views, but only one person has commented. So, I'll go for it, too. Please remember my comments are only my own opinions...others' may vary.


About your supplies list - Looks pretty good to me, for the most part. However, you don't say what your nic base will be in (PG or VG) when you order it. Also, I would get smaller funnels myself, if any, instead of the 100mm. That's pretty big, unless you're planning on pouring the PG & VG out of the larger 500mL bottles into the small graduated cylinders or smaller bottles every time you make a batch of liquid. Also, not sure what you need the 2 tapes for, but you must have plans for it.

As far as Potential Flavors - As BB asked above...did you just go through the flavorings lists and pick ones that sounded good to you? If you chose them that way...I'm also afraid you're going to end up needing to order others to make a variety of recipes. You have mostly primary fruity flavorings & a few enhancers, but are missing more creams or vanillas, sweeteners, accents, etc. found in most recipes.

A more efficient way to figure out what flavorings you need is to find the recipes first that you'd like to make. Then see what flavorings it takes to make them and order those. To limit the # of flavorings to maybe 10-12...look for recipes that have at least some flavorings in common, rather than a bunch of totally different ones in each one of them. Then make your list of flavorings to buy...based on those recipes. The 8mL size you plan on ordering is a good size to start with IMO. I also tried tostick with 1 flavorings manufacturer (ie. TFA, CAP, etc.) because I found that most recipes used flavorings from 1 company. Each company's flavorings vary in strength somewhat, so I chose to buy most of mine from 1 company...that was mentioned in the recipes I chose to make.

 

[Lannie]

I was the one that told her to get the tape. Clear packing tape to cover the markings on her syringes, because they wear off in a very short time without protection, and plain old Scotch tape for putting labels on her finished juice bottles. It's what I do, and it works.

 

[chinacatsunflower-]

Looks good. The flavors you have chosen can be used as single mixes. However, most people use your chosen flavors as part of a recipe mix. Do you have recipes in mind that use all the flavors you have listed or do you plan to mix one flavor at a time and see how it tastes? If so, you may probably be disappointed. May I suggest finding recipes that you think you might like and then purchase flavors to match that/those recipes.
Just, hit "like" at bottom right hand corner and I (or someone else) can read your answer and offer a little more direction.

I did in fact go through, read reviews for each, and made the list with what I thought would be good for single flavor vapes. I also thought that I could try making recipes after testing single batches considering fruits generally pair together well. That list is a rough draft and I had planned on skimming it based on peoples' advice.

I find looking through and choosing recipes really confusing. All the sites I look at have a ton of different recipes, all with random names, and most with ratings that are low. All of these recipes are also made by other DIY'ers with varying levels of experience with doing this, who also have different taste buds than mine, and so those are other reasons why I didn't first go through a mass amount of recipes.

I had thought most of the fruit flavors I listed could be well paired together. Such as Banana / Milk & Honey, Strawberry / Watermelon, and Fresh Cream combined with almost everything in there. All the berries together, and Green Tea would combine well with almost any fruits.

I could very much use and would appreciate all and any direction. I love fruit flavors, teas, medium-ly sweet vapes, and earthy flavors. I don't like tropical fruits, or overly sweet vapes, nor do I really enjoy "bakery" type vapes (they're also bad on my coils, or will that change when DIY'ing?). I also absolutely love floral flavors, and honey-ish vapes. Anything that is smooth and isn't overly sweet like inhaling candy.

 

[BrotherBob]

I could very much use and would appreciate all and any direction

Best to my tastes and others with similar tastes.

Banana FA, -----------Ripe Banana TFA
Blueberry TFA,----------–--Vaping Zone (VZ=Russian Bakers Flavors)
Blackberry FA, -----------------FW
Watermelon FA, ---------------TFA
Green Tea FA, ---------------TFA
Black Cherry TFA, ----------FA
Honeydew TFA, --------Honeydew Melon -----CA

If you do not see some of the others mentioned, it's because I have no records of your chosen flavor or more likely you picked the best blender for that flavor and no change is proposed.
*Vaping Zone (VZ=Russian Bakers Flavors) most everything this blender produces is quality and pricey.
re: Vaping Zone SC vs. Flavors Express

 

[chinacatsunflower-]

Best to my tastes and others with similar tastes.

Banana FA, -----------Ripe Banana TFA
Blueberry TFA,----------–--Vaping Zone (VZ=Russian Bakers Flavors)
Blackberry FA, -----------------FW
Watermelon FA, ---------------TFA
Green Tea FA, ---------------TFA
Black Cherry TFA, ----------FA
Honeydew TFA, --------Honeydew Melon -----CA

If you do not see some of the others mentioned, it's because I have no records of your chosen flavor or more likely you picked the best blender for that flavor and no change is proposed.
*Vaping Zone (VZ=Russian Bakers Flavors) most everything this blender produces is quality and pricey.
re: Vaping Zone SC vs. Flavors Express

Thank you! Could you perhaps list some possible complimentary flavors, enhancers, accents?

 

[BrotherBob]

I classify an enhancer as a general term that can consist of:
1. A flavor that enhances and pairs with another flavor (can be a standalone/single).
2. A flavor that is not a normal standalone single flavor which enhances and brings out a certain flavor trait.
Your request would best be served by your own research.
For # 1, could google or use the search feature in ECF and type in "flavor pairing".
For # 2, could google or use the search feature in ECF and type in "vape: typical enhancers".

 

[Capt.shay]

More base creams: cheese ck grhm - VBIC - Vanilla cream etc.

And........a scale. Not necessarily conventional wisdom but you'll thank me latter.

500g x 0.01g High Precision Digital Scale SF-400D2 Counting w/ USB Wall Adapter

 

[MikeADore]

Capt.shay, what sort of scale do you use? I'm also just thinking about getting into DIY, and after reading your comments about mixing by weight, watched a few videos. One of the scales I saw mentioned was American Weigh. They have them for $25 w/ free shipping at Amazon. It does seem to be the simplest, cleanest way to mix.

ETA: Duh. Saw the link you posted after I asked the question. I'm assuming that's the one you use. Do you have to buy calibration weights for this one?

 

[Capt.shay]

You can use coins, as they are a known weight. Calibration weights are always nice.

I am currently using the American Weigh and I do not like it as much as I did the one I linked to that died in a tragic fall. It works but when I get around to it, I am going to buy another one of the ones I linked. It may cost a couple of bucks more but it has adjustable legs and a bubble, reads much faster as you are dripping so your not as likely to go over, and it does not auto shut off when using in battery mode and I like using it with batteries so the cord isn't strung across the mixing table.

 

[ddirtyvapes]

Not to discourage anyone from using a scale if they want to, but IMO syringes are much simpler when first starting out and require much less investment. I still prefer syringes and I've been DIYing for quite some time. It's just personal preference. I know some people swear up and down that they're easier and I believe that's true, for them, but it's not going to change what some of us prefer. By all means, if you want to try using a scale then gather all the information you can. If you're a first time DIYer, though, I always recommend starting with syringes.

@chinacatsunflower- I think your flavor list is almost fine to start, personally. I usually make fruity mixes too. At this point I have plenty of creams and other stuff but I see a few almost recipes from your list already. IMO you are just missing sweetener or ethyl maltol, a sour of some sort, and maybe some vanillin.

From just flavors you listed, Blueberry Honeysuckle is great (needs sweetener though), Aquaberry Blast is made with Watermelon, Blueberry, Strawberry and sweetener... if you add Pomegranate and the vanillin you can make a Pom/Blueberry/Vanilla mix that is similar to Space Jam's Andromeda, and I'd be willing to put money on the assumption that a number of those fruits will taste good with the fresh cream or eucalyptus and mint.

I find TFA's Blueberry pretty harsh in an RDA and some tanks if it's present in higher percentages and especially if using a very low resistance coil, but also at less lower resistance. I also like Capella's, which doesn't produce the same harshness to me.

But yeah, definitely add a sweetener and sour IMO, and consider the vanillin. You might also want to think about a menthol or "koolada" (cooling sensation without the menthol taste) if you like that, not everyone does. There are just good simple recipes that are essentially cool fruits. Otherwise if you are someone who mostly likes fruity mixes, there's not a ton more you need to start I don't think. It's hard to get everything at once anyway, and you'll have to re-up on base often enough once you get going to have ample opportunity to add flavors.

FWIW, these days I use the same mix nine times out of ten and it consists of a few fruit flavors, sour, and koolada... so theoretically I'd be fine if all I had were the ingredients to that and base and nic. No creams, no sweetener in that case, really quite simple. My point is that it just depends on your style-- whether you want to switch it up often or are content to zero in on a couple of favorite recipes-- and depends on what you like. I think as long as you have enough flavorings to make a few simple recipes (you basically do, and some will be good with just a single flavor and ethyl maltol or sweetener), you don't have to go crazy to start. You will get more if you enjoy it.

I am happy to provide any of the recipes I mentioned if you want them (two aren't even mine but freely available). Feel free to message in that case.

 

[whodat2112]

As someone who started DIY ing recently, my suggestion would be to find recipes that sound like you would want to make, then buy those specific flavorings.
I bought several flavorings to begin my DIY adventure, and there are a couple that I haven't even opened.

 

[Capt.shay]

Not to discourage anyone from using a scale if they want to, but IMO syringes are much simpler when first starting out and require much less investment. I still prefer syringes and I've been DIYing for quite some time. It's just personal preference. I know some people swear up and down that they're easier and I believe that's true, for them, but it's not going to change what some of us prefer. By all means, if you want to try using a scale then gather all the information you can. If you're a first time DIYer, though, I always recommend starting with syringes.

I'm not trying to pick a fight here but I am curious, do you own a scale and have you tried mixing by weight? What is it that you did not like and why do you think it would be any harder for a newbie than syringes?

 

[ddirtyvapes]

@Capt.shay Yes I do own a scale and yes I made a genuine attempt to switch when I was convinced that was the way to go! Actually, I did own a scale... I gave it to someone with more use for it. It's just quicker for me to use a syringe, believe it or not. Well, with big batches. I feel like I have more control when first making a recipe using a syringe but at that point it's not necessarily quicker. Once I have moved over to big batches, I am much faster with a syringe than a scale. Like I said, this is a matter of personal preference and I believe you if you say a scale is easier and faster for you. But not for me.

As for newbies, it is multifold: at the concentrations of nicotine we tend to use for DIY, I would have a hard time trusting a particularly inexpensive scale. Syringes are inexpensive by default, and many/most are graduated for medical use. There are more variables at work for a new mixer to make a mistake with a scale than a syringe, including but not at all limited to the potential for purchasing a shoddy scale itself. If a new mixer wants to and is capable of purchasing a good scale and is willing to put in the work to make sure they are doing everything correctly, I certainly have no problem with it. Just seems like the expensive and not necessarily better option for starting out compared to syringes.

We're all adults here and entitled to our own opinion; if anything, prefacing a difference of opinion with "not trying to pick a fight but" makes me more inclined to think you are

...Mostly kidding.

 

[dannyv45]

I too prefer syringes but also have tried using a scale. Either is just fine and it all boils down to what you feel comfortable using. I would imagine if I gave it enough time and got used to using a scale I would also say that's the way to go. But me being set in my ways using syringes don't feel a need to take the time at this point to switch methods of measuring. When time is taken to get used to a method I don't see an advantage or disadvantage over either method.

 

[Capt.shay]

@Capt.shay Yes I do own a scale and yes I made a genuine attempt to switch when I was convinced that was the way to go! Actually, I did own a scale... I gave it to someone with more use for it. It's just quicker for me to use a syringe, believe it or not. Well, with big batches. I feel like I have more control when first making a recipe using a syringe but at that point it's not necessarily quicker. Once I have moved over to big batches, I am much faster with a syringe than a scale. Like I said, this is a matter of personal preference and I believe you if you say a scale is easier and faster for you. But not for me.

As for newbies, it is multifold: at the concentrations of nicotine we tend to use for DIY, I would have a hard time trusting a particularly inexpensive scale. Syringes are inexpensive by default, and many/most are graduated for medical use. There are more variables at work for a new mixer to make a mistake with a scale than a syringe, including but not at all limited to the potential for purchasing a shoddy scale itself. If a new mixer wants to and is capable of purchasing a good scale and is willing to put in the work to make sure they are doing everything correctly, I certainly have no problem with it. Just seems like the expensive and not necessarily better option for starting out compared to syringes.

We're all adults here and entitled to our own opinion; if anything, prefacing a difference of opinion with "not trying to pick a fight but" makes me more inclined to think you are

...Mostly kidding.

Fair enough. I premised with "I don't want to start a fight" because it has gone that way in other discussions regarding weight and I really was curious not looking to rumble. I to believe in what ever works for you.

My opinion on the matter
A good accurate and dependable scale is available for $25 and we do check these with calibration weights as we talked about above. Syringes cost money as well. Over and over as they wear out. A scale measures to .01g. That is approx 1/4 of a drop. That is accuracy greater than we have the ability to dispense it. It is also much faster but that is not as important as never and I repeat NEVER having to wash out syringes again.

peace,
John

 

[ddirtyvapes]

@Capt.shay I'm just busting your chops. It's nbd.

That makes sense, except I do have to point out that you can't really use "faster" as a blanket point against syringes, since not everyone is faster with a scale. I mean, I totally get that's just your opinion and you are welcome to it... mostly just saying for posterity. But something like never having to clean out syringes if you use a scale is an indisputable fact and a point for using scales. "Faster" is subjective, but I know you know.

Syringes do cost money, but if you're buying in bulk from the right places, $25 gets you a whooooollleeee lot of syringes. I usually use slip syringes with a narrow end (as opposed to luer-lock) and rarely use needles, which adds up to money saved. Electronic scales don't last forever, so I'm not sure if the savings is quite as much as it might seem. I will certainly concede that a scale is likely to be a little less expensive in the long run, but I'm not at all convinced it's a super stark difference since there are potentially other costs involved, at least once (like calibration weights).

I'm just playing devil's advocate, though. Excluding brand-new DIYers, I honestly feel like most mixers should try using a scale at least once because I fully understand that many find it much easier. However, there are points for and against pretty much any method and I know I'm not alone in preferring syringes even after using a scale some. I definitely still feel like those first starting should save their ~$25 until they are sure they like DIYing, since it's not for everyone. It's not like I'd ever stop anyone from making that recommendation or anything, but IMO even the indisputable benefits of a scale over syringes have more relevance to a more seasoned mixer.

Good talk

But me being set in my ways using syringes don't feel a need to take the time at this point to switch methods of measuring. When time is taken to get used to a method I don't see an advantage or disadvantage over either method.

You summed up my thoughts perfectly. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," as they say.

Basically, we know either method is perfectly acceptable from a functionality standpoint, and that's really all that matters. They both work, and they're not the only options. I think my biggest thing is just wanting to make sure that any new DIYers who stumble across this understand there's nothing wrong with using syringes and not every DIYer will like using scales, though I don't mean to insinuate that anything said in this thread suggested otherwise. We can go back and forth until blue in the face about what's best but it's unlikely to change anyone's personal feelings until/unless they're able to try it themselves. But of course, there's nothing wrong with either as long as you are following safety protocol, making juices you like, and staying off the coffin nails

 

[DebiK]

I would definitely throw in some creams, vanillas and sweetener. They really smooth a recipe out. My go to's are Sweet Cream, Vanilla Swirl and Sweetener. (All TFA) I use them in every recipe I make.

I mix by volume, not weight. That's my preference.

Good luck in your DIY journey! I hope you create (and post) some great recipes!

 

[ddirtyvapes]

I agree 100% with @DebiK's post. The only addendum I would make is that I prefer Capella's Sweet Cream as it has no diketones.

But I haven't used TFA's Sweet Cream in a while. Did they change the recipe at all Debi? Or is it just a risk you're willing to take? No judgment there, of course. I prefer the TFA flavor but personally go to every length I can to keep diketones out of my own juice.

Also, for posterity, IMO every DIYer who likes fruit mixes should have some amount of sour. I had a private conversation with the OP who doesn't care for tart juices, but I explained to him that at .5-1% a sour flavoring will sometimes really bring out the flavors and make the juice "brighter," without imparting tartness. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!