Do I correctly understand how to measure/mix nicotine?

[DarrellG]

Hey guys,

[Apologies in advance if this is posted out of place. I wasn't sure if this was more suited to the new members forum due to its rudimentary content.]

Out of necessity, because my wallet is taking a beating, I plan to try my hand at making some juice. I've been reading through the forums, checking some other resources, and have dabbled with some calculators to try and ensure that my first step doesn't result in a mishap.

Just for peace of mind, and to ensure that I'm not entirely off the mark with my understanding of how to mix nicotine, I'm posting this very simple example in hopes of getting a confirmation that either I'm on point or I'm well on my way to becoming the next recipient of the Darwin Award.

This example may seem absurdly simplistic, but when safety is concerned I'm all for overstating the obvious, especially knowing myself.

I purchase a 250 ml bottle of 60 mg nicotine.
That would be 15 grams of nicotine (60 mg per ml).
I use my syringe to remove 1 ml of nicotine.
That syringe now contains 60 mg of nicotine.
I inject that 60 mg 1 ml syringe into 30 ml of a PG/VG solution.
The resulting solution would be 30 ml of juice at a nicotine level of 2 mg.

If I can be assured that I understand the very general principles/maths I'll feel a lot more confident moving forward.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[spartanstew]

1.94mg

 

[DarrellG]

Thanks for chiming in, spartanstew.

I guess I can say I have a fair enough grasp of elementary arithmetic. *pats self on back*

What accounts for the .06 disparity? Is it somehow attributed to the pg/vg solution carrying the initial nicotine dilution? Or maybe a small amount of nicotine loss in transferring from the syringe?

Thanks again.

 

[Marc411]

Darrell, if you own a Windows machine download this and make calculation easy. It an extremely intuitive piece of software.

eJuice Calculator

 

[zoiDman]

Thanks for chiming in, spartanstew.

I guess I can say I have a fair enough grasp of elementary arithmetic. *pats self on back*

What accounts for the .06 disparity? Is it somehow attributed to the pg/vg solution carrying the initial nicotine dilution? Or maybe a small amount of nicotine loss in transferring from the syringe?

Thanks again.

If you put 1ml of 60mg/ml Nicotine Base into 30ml of PG/VG Solution, you have a Total of 60mg of Nicotine and 31ml of Total Volume.

And Nicotine per Milliliter is given by...

Total Nicotine divided by Total Volume.

60 / 31 = 1.9355

So your 31ml's of e-Liquid would be at 1.9355mg/ml.

 

[DarrellG]

I guess I spoke to soon... Silly mistake on my part. Thanks for the clarification, ZoiDman.

And thank you too, Marc411. I actually downloaded that calculator earlier today. Still trying to get the hang of it. I'm sure it's gonna come in handy once I do.

Appreciate the help.

 

[zoiDman]

I guess I spoke to soon... Silly mistake on my part. Thanks for the clarification, ZoiDman.

And thank you too, Marc411. I actually downloaded that calculator earlier today. Still trying to get the hang of it. I'm sure it's gonna come in handy once I do.

Appreciate the help.

No Worries.

Sometimes people see Numbers like 60 and 30 and think... "Cool, I can do That Math in my Head!". But in this case, the Total Volume was Slightly Larger that what Made the Math easy to do.

 

[bwh79]

(Use 29ml of the PG/VG solution for 30ml in total and the math falls back into line though.)

 

[Pushbutton]

Darrell your train of thought was pretty much correct.
If you put 1ml of 60mg nic into a 30ml bottle and then fill it up to 30ml (the remaining 29ml) you will get 2mg strength.

 

[DarrellG]

I deny that I slept through chemistry class in college, but this thread is damning evidence to the contrary.

Thanks again, guys. Very much appreciated.

 

[ddirtyvapes]

FWIW it is totally possible to do in your head once you're used to it. However, for posterity it's worth pointing out that you should always use a calculator at first. I see you downloaded one so hooray, but again, this is mostly for the masses who may stumble upon it. Don't rely on your brain with high-strength nicotine, or if you want to, double check your work with a (juice) calculator.

 

[DarrellG]

FWIW it is totally possible to do in your head once you're used to it. However, for posterity it's worth pointing out that you should always use a calculator at first. I see you downloaded one so hooray, but again, this is mostly for the masses who may stumble upon it. Don't rely on your brain with high-strength nicotine, or if you want to, double check your work with a (juice) calculator.

I wholeheartedly agree. I simply don't trust myself to rush through this sort of a process. I'll be quadruple checking each step along the way. I want to have zero doubts about what it is I'm about to inhale. Finances aside, that seems the most convincing reason to venture into the DIY realm.

 

[Hoosier]

Quadruple checking is a great way to go. I've been mixing for years and multiple checks have prevented many a crapup.

 

[DarrellG]

Quadruple checking is a great way to go. I've been mixing for years and multiple checks have prevented many a crapup.

I can imagine. If there are mistakes to be made I'd be the guy to make them. I'd just like to keep those mistakes to the variety of, "Well, that tastes like hot garbage..." I'm looking forward to experimenting.

BTW: Diggin' your blog. Great info there!

 

[Marc411]

Darrell, once you get the software set up it's a breeze. If I can help let me know, shoot me a PM and we'll get that software humming.

 

[DebiK]

Hi Darrell! A tip for you if you are going to use EJuiceMeUp. Open the program and the default will open. Start off by filling in those first two lines. Nicotine - PG or VG and strength. For example, I use 100% PG nic and 100mg. Then on the next line, put in your target strength. (for me 5mg) Next, put in your usual target VG/PG level just above the comment box. (Mine is 50/50)

Now SAVE it as the default.

You won't have to worry about forgetting to change those levels when doing a new recipe. All you will have to do is type in the flavors and percentages. When I first started out, I forgot a couple of times. If your target ever changes, it's simple to change the default again.

I hope this helps you out. I have a terrible memory, so any shortcut that keeps me diy'ing safely, I do. lol

Feel free to ask questions here if you have any.

 

[DarrellG]

@DebiK Thanks for the tip; good idea! And I hear ya, anything that can safely simplify the process I'm all for.

@Marc411 Thanks for the support!

I've had some time to dabble with the program and it seems dead simple to me.
If I run into any stumbling blocks I'll drop a post, but it should be fairly smooth sailing.
Seems like this will be very helpful for making small (I'm guessing 3 ml) sample/tests where the math would really start to hurt my wizened brain. I might need a new script on my specs to read some of them syringes though...

I have materials on the way from MFS and Wizard Labs so it shouldn't be long.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

 

[Marc411]

Same here, I have to wear magnifying glasses when I mix. it's worth it!

Glad you got everything sorted out. It's a decent piece of software as long as I remember to hit the calculate after I make changes. I've made that mistake more than once.

 

[DarrellG]

Same here, I have to wear magnifying glasses when I mix. it's worth it!

Glad you got everything sorted out. It's a decent piece of software as long as I remember to hit the calculate after I make changes. I've made that mistake more than once.

I've already made that mistake as well...heh
Was tempted to get nit picky about the GUI with regards to updating the calculations -the button is as nondescript as all the others- but it's no biggie, I'm just happy the thing exists.