DIY, should I or shouldn't I ?

[Bang4dabuck]

I like doing stuff but that's the problem. Jack of all trades master of none. I roast my own coffee and cook a lot. I am not a perfectionist but once in a while I get lucky. I was thinking to do this by weight and larger batches. Why ? Because it is easier and saves much time. I was thinking I just needed PG, VG, Nic, a few flavorings, several containers in various sizes and a scale. Tape to a drill or a fan blade to agitate and age for at least a month. Over here in the PI I can get ok juices as low as $3 for 30ml but I'm kind of new so maybe they really suck but I don't know any better. I'm into tobacco flavor or I at least think I am. I can get a RY4, Sweetch for $6 30ml but sometimes they are " OUT OF STOCK SIR" (one of the most spoken terms here LOL). Maybe I should try some Blacknote to see what is what. The RY4 tasted great the 1st time, kind of like a pipe tobacco and even though I was a Marlboro guy the pipe is what I'm pretty sure I'm after, but I want every hit to have that taste, maybe this is chasing dragons. You know how a tobacco tastes in the morning with a good cup of coffee or after a good Italian dinner or with some good brandy or whiskey. This RY4 isn't really doing that but then again maybe no juice can if you hit it all day long like I do.

Anyways I digress, I saw an old post here where the guy was going in the same direction I'm thinking of heading but he had a few additives I had never heard of and others even suggested a few more. Is this worth doing if I wasn't to be very .... ? Just in case I did get a bug up my .... any must have additives besides sweetener I should consider ? Can I use the weight method for these or are we talking syringes here ? I have a diabetic friend so not a problem. BTW I will be back in the US shortly to put all this together. Please excuse the drawn out discussion but I think I hit on pretty much all my thoughts concisely LOL

Any suggestions on a Blacknote to try that you think fits what I'm after ?

 

[dannyv45]

I don't have any recipes for you but with a little searching here on ECF you can find all sorts of recipes that you may like. As far a using a scale I can't really help there either because I use syringes. What I can offer is a place to start your research.

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DIY, from steeping to what supplies to have on hand to a basic walk through mixing your first E-juice.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

Then read hoosier's blogs. These blogs concentrate on fine tuning your mix and give insight on additives.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

Then read Boletus's blog's. These blogs concentrate on formulation of nicotine bases regarding proper calculations methods for figuring Nicotine concentration as well as safety.

E-Cigarette Forum - Boletus - Blogs

Then read Ginger's book "E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid". It is a book which I've contributed to that delivers an in depth easy to follow guide in the art of DYI.

E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid

I recommend viewing VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety and bookmark it for future reference. It explains safety in all aspects of DYI.

VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

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

 

[sofarsogood]

I like doing stuff but that's the problem. Jack of all trades master of none. I roast my own coffee and cook a lot. I am not a perfectionist but once in a while I get lucky. I was thinking to do this by weight and larger batches. Why ? Because it is easier and saves much time. I was thinking I just needed PG, VG, Nic, a few flavorings, several containers in various sizes and a scale. Tape to a drill or a fan blade to agitate and age for at least a month. Over here in the PI I can get ok juices as low as $3 for 30ml but I'm kind of new so maybe they really suck but I don't know any better. I'm into tobacco flavor or I at least think I am. I can get a RY4, Sweetch for $6 30ml but sometimes they are " OUT OF STOCK SIR" (one of the most spoken terms here LOL). Maybe I should try some Blacknote to see what is what. The RY4 tasted great the 1st time, kind of like a pipe tobacco and even though I was a Marlboro guy the pipe is what I'm pretty sure I'm after, but I want every hit to have that taste, maybe this is chasing dragons. You know how a tobacco tastes in the morning with a good cup of coffee or after a good Italian dinner or with some good brandy or whiskey. This RY4 isn't really doing that but then again maybe no juice can if you hit it all day long like I do.

Anyways I digress, I saw an old post here where the guy was going in the same direction I'm thinking of heading but he had a few additives I had never heard of and others even suggested a few more. Is this worth doing if I wasn't to be very .... ? Just in case I did get a bug up my .... any must have additives besides sweetener I should consider ? Can I use the weight method for these or are we talking syringes here ? I have a diabetic friend so not a problem. BTW I will be back in the US shortly to put all this together. Please excuse the drawn out discussion but I think I hit on pretty much all my thoughts concisely LOL

Any suggestions on a Blacknote to try that you think fits what I'm after ?

The DIY diehards on this forum want you to believe mixing is difficult. The advice for getting started is mostly terrible. I don't know why they do that. It's a disservice to vaping.

Mixing is dead simple if you let it be. You don't need an IQ higher than 75 to be successful. Once you have a successful mix you'll wish you started earlier. The first priority is for the first mix to be successful so,

I can't say what you should do. I can describe how I got started. I got a gallon each of PG and VG ($20 each), 1 liter of 100 mg nic ($50), mixing supplies (I measure with 4 different graduated glass cylinders, $20, for similar money you can get a scale and measure by weight, you'll need some empty bottles). To determine amounts of ingredients for each batch use a mixing calculator (I use an android app called liquix which also tells me my cost of ingredients is 1.1 cents per ml). I only use all in one flavorings. I am not chef vape and have no interest in becoming that.

The first mix should be low risk to build confidence. I diluted a pre mix I liked like 50/50. After you adjust to the more muted flavor you may discover it's better than the full strength. For flavors try all-in-ones that are well reviewed instead of trying to invent your own. Giving the bottle a shake is good enough. Try your mix IMMEDIATELY. It will probably be fine. May be it will improve over some days or weeks but you don't have to wait.

Once you've proven to yourself you can mix something you like mixing will lose all it's mystique. There are reasons you'll be glad you're mixing that you won't appreciate until you are doing it.

P.S. The starting supplies above are enough to keep me vaping for 4+ years. I vape about 5 ml's per day. 5 ml x 365 days x 1.1 cents = $20 a year.

 

[Bang4dabuck]

I don't have any recipes for you but with a little searching here on ECF you can find all sorts of recipes that you may like. As far a using a scale I can't really help there either because I use syringes. What I can offer is a place to start your research.

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DIY, from steeping to what supplies to have on hand to a basic walk through mixing your first E-juice.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

Then read hoosier's blogs. These blogs concentrate on fine tuning your mix and give insight on additives.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

Then read Boletus's blog's. These blogs concentrate on formulation of nicotine bases regarding proper calculations methods for figuring Nicotine concentration as well as safety.

E-Cigarette Forum - Boletus - Blogs

Then read Ginger's book "E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid". It is a book which I've contributed to that delivers an in depth easy to follow guide in the art of DYI.

E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid

I recommend viewing VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety and bookmark it for future reference. It explains safety in all aspects of DYI.

VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

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

See this picture ?

Oh I guess not permitted. That kind of sux.

Don't want to make it a hobby really. No rocket science for me. If so just want a few names and something I can put in some sort of calculator and ... VOILA ! I also figure if I made it it will taste better to me than it actually does or not since I am always looking for flaws in anything I make.

 

[englishmick]

Mixing is dead simple if you let it be.

I started out with flavorings that don't need to be mixed in recipes. Just one flavor, some VG and some nic. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Now I'm a bit more adventurous but not much.

Making your own is cheap.

Also premixed juice could disappear tomorrow. In my State they passed a law making it illegal to import from out of state, and making it way more expensive in-state. That law went away after the FBI started investigating the corruption involved, but it could happen anywhere, any time. If the current FDA rules aren't blocked it could be impossible to buy juice at all in a couple of years. Stashing some nic in your fridge protects you from that possibility.

Mixing can be fun if you enjoy that sort of thing, or it could be a right PITA if you don't I guess.

I believe most commercial juice uses rather high % of flavorings. You can make good juice with a lot less flavoring, which I reckon is a good thing since we really don't know whether any of the flavoring chemicals could have negative health effects.

I spent a bunch of money buying juice in order to find a few I liked. If you mix your own you can experiment much more cheaply. And if you have one you like you can tune it up with a bit more cream or vanilla or sweetener or whatever and make it better.

Just a few random thoughts on your question.

 

[SteveS45]

All you need to know to mix your own DIY e-Liquids is how to correctly add the nicotine in my opinion. Start simple with single flavors and when you get the stand alone flavors perfect then you can get creative. Here is a calculator that is simple to use and will allow you to store and share you creations! Happy DIY mxing ahead!

Do It Yourself E-Liquid (E-Juice) Recipe Mixing Station!

 

[sofarsogood]

...Also premixed juice could disappear tomorrow. In my State they passed a law making it illegal to import from out of state, and making it way more expensive in-state. That law went away after the FBI started investigating the corruption involved, but it could happen anywhere, any time. If the current FDA rules aren't blocked it could be impossible to buy juice at all in a couple of years. Stashing some nic in your fridge protects you from that possibility.

I'll chime in again and agree with this. Sit on the DIY fence as long as you like but if you plan on being a life long vaper get some nic in the freezer. The economics should make it a no-brainer. I spent $3,000 a year to smoke a carton a week. A $50 bottle of 100 mg nic will keep me vaping 4+ years. 4 years x $3,000 = $12,000. If they don't ban it they'll tax it. Nic in the freezer for personal use looks like an attractive investment to me.

 

[Asbestos4004]

I haven't bought storebrand eliquid in over 4 years. DIY is the easiest part of vaping. Don't let people scare you. A few syringes, a few empty bottles, some VG, PG (optional...I don't use it) some nic and a little guidance. I have some custard recipes that you're welcome to but no ideas on a good tobacco vape.
I'm not knocking any of the diehard juice makers but all of my stuff is 3 or 4 flavors and no steep time. No electric mixers or heat baths...nothing but shake and vape. These are all custard based juices. They are good after a good shake. It's just not that complicated. Don't believe the hype.

Side note...if anyone else want a good Vanilla Custard, Strawberry Custard, Hazelnut Custard (best one) or a Peach/Strawberry Custard, feel free to ask. The more people mixing their own means less people being taken to the cleaners.

 

[sofarsogood]

Oops

 

[Steamer861]

+1 for easy I use online recipe sites & calculators. A few syringes, empty bottles, VG PG, Nic liquid & flavourings.
Good advise! your going to find all these recipes with 20% flavouring & even more, you don't need all that flavouring! 10% or less can make really good juices

 

[Alter]

If you want to DIY juice or not, its your choice. The Pro's far outweigh the Cons and again depending on how your going to approach DIY will be whether its successful or failure. If your going to jump in and try to clone a recipe right off the bat without knowing what to expect from the flavorings then failure is probably in your cards, many do that then wonder what happened. Research then do some testing of flavors, KISS method with mixing seems to work at the beginning understanding flavor profiles then once established and found your nitch then you could begin to get into more complex mixes. We have no idea what commercial juices have in them other than sweeteners to enhance flavors and may never know, thats the uncontrollable part of buying juices vs knowing everything going into your DIY juice.
There is a startup cost to stock some supplies but dollar for dollar those supplies will long outlast those jugs of commercial juices and you'll be far a happier vaper.

 

[Rickb119]

I'm into tobacco flavor or I at least think I am. I can get a RY4, Sweetch for $6 30ml but sometimes they are " OUT OF STOCK SIR" (one of the most spoken terms here LOL). Maybe I should try some Blacknote to see what is what. The RY4 tasted great the 1st time, kind of like a pipe tobacco and even though I was a Marlboro guy the pipe is what I'm pretty sure I'm after, but I want every hit to have that taste, maybe this is chasing dragons. You know how a tobacco tastes in the morning with a good cup of coffee or after a good Italian dinner or with some good brandy or whiskey. This RY4 isn't really doing that but then again maybe no juice can if you hit it all day long like I do.

For tobacco flavors check out this thread. Favorite tobacco flavoring discussion - Tobacco flavoring discussion only Prior to getting into NET's, my favorites were Hangsen Virginia (at 4-5%) and Red USA (also at 4-5% but with 1-2% caramel and vanilla for a good RY4). Many tobaccos and vanilla's do take some time for them to fully develop. Most hit their prime in 1-4 weeks.

For NET's, Best tobacco for flavor extraction

For how to make NET's, Tobacco extraction using heated Ethanol

The major draw back to NET's is the gunk factor. You will be re-wicking FAR more often (5-10ml), but many of us feel that it's a small price to pay for the incredible flavor.

I have about 15 different NET's made (to date) and rotate thru 5-6 on a daily basis. The others I pick up from time to time for a change of pace.

I think the hardest part of DIY is discovering what flavor profile you like and which manufactures flavors fit that profile. Once there, the rest is easy.

Also, don't make huge batches until you have vaped that particular recipe for a while. I've done that and found that after it ages (steeps) for a while I didn't care for it as much. Or, perhaps my tastes just changed (that too happens). I started out needing a lot of sweetener in everything for it to taste good. Now, a little sweet is more than enough.

Good luck, have fun and keep us posted.

 

[zoiDman]

The DIY diehards on this forum want you to believe mixing is difficult. The advice for getting started is mostly terrible. I don't know why they do that. It's a disservice to vaping.

...

I dunno where you are getting this From?

I see the Direct Opposite.

 

[sofarsogood]

I dunno where you are getting this From?

I see the Direct Opposite.

If somebody asks how to get started with DIY they are given dozens and dozens of pages to read, which they mostly don't do and have the impression you have to know all that stuff to start mixing. How about instead suggest the simplest possible approach that will produce a successful first batch. My first batch was successful. That was a huge leg up. if you want to become a vape gormet later, well, okay, but the initial advice should be as simple as possible. The most reliable way to get a sucessful first mix is dilute some commercial premix you already know you like. After that all-in-ones, after that the sky's the limit.

 

[zoiDman]

If somebody asks how to get started with DIY they are given dozens and dozens of pages to read, which they mostly don't do and have the impression you have to know all that stuff to start mixing. How about instead suggest the simplest possible approach that will produce a successful first batch. My first batch was successful. That was a huge leg up. if you want to become a vape gormet later, well, okay, but the initial advice should be as simple as possible. The most reliable way to get a sucessful first mix is dilute some commercial premix you already know you like. After that all-in-ones, after that the sky's the limit.

Still not seeing the part about "The DIY diehards on this forum want you to believe mixing is difficult. The advice for getting started is mostly terrible."

Maybe a Link to where these Diehards are posting that DIY is Hard and giving Bad Advise would Help?

 

[sofarsogood]

Still not seeing the part about "The DIY diehards on this forum want you to believe mixing is difficult. The advice for getting started is mostly terrible."

Maybe a Link to where these Diehards are posting that DIY is Hard and giving Bad Advise would Help?

What I mean is steering people into buying multiple flavors to produce elaborate recipies at the start is bad advice, period. I read that advice early on and didn't start mixing because of it. Too often the people who do start that way end up coming back and asking why the recipe they tried was bad even when they folowed the directions. There is no reason for that to happen when there are easier ways. If I'd been advised to simply dilute my favorite liquid i wouldn't have hesitated and I would have been successful. That is how I started and it was successful, easy, low risk. The hardest part of mixing is the confidence. Offer the least challenging way to start. Get into the recipes later.

 

[zoiDman]

What I mean is steering people into buying multiple flavors to produce elaborate recipies at the start is bad advice, period. I read that advice early on and didn't start mixing because of it. Too often the people who do start that way end up coming back and asking why the recipe they tried was bad even when they folowed the directions. There is no reason for that to happen when there are easier ways. If I'd been advised to simply dilute my favorite liquid i wouldn't have hesitated and I would have been successful. That is how I started and it was successful, easy, low risk. The hardest part of mixing is the confidence. Offer the least challenging way to start. Get into the recipes later.

We kinda keep getting Farther and Farther away from what you Originally Posted. LOL.

Like I said, I see a LOT of Good Advise being given to New DIY-ers here on the ECF. Especially from those who have been Doing It for awhile.

Can I find an occasional post about something that I would consider Bad Advise? Probably. But I can Almost Guarantee that there would be a Handful off people commenting on it.

 

[puffon]

Side note...if anyone else want a good Vanilla Custard, Strawberry Custard, Hazelnut Custard (best one) or a Peach/Strawberry Custard, feel free to ask. The more people mixing their own means less people being taken to the cleaners.

I like simple!
Posting them here, for everyone to see, would be great.
Recipes for Dummies

 

[sofarsogood]

We kinda keep getting Farther and Farther away from what you Originally Posted. LOL.

Like I said, I see a LOT of Good Advise being given to New DIY-ers here on the ECF. Especially from those who have been Doing It for awhile.

Can I find an occasional post about something that I would consider Bad Advise? Probably. But I can Almost Guarantee that there would be a Handful off people commenting on it.

A beginner road map should fit into one paragraph. The complicated stuff can come after he's proved too himself he can make something he likes to vape. Some people will want to invent the next million dollar flavor. Others might be content with all--in-ones or diluting premix. The more DIYers the better.

 

[Asbestos4004]

I like simple!
Posting them here, for everyone to see, would be great.
Recipes for Dummies

Done.