I see a lot of recipes here that express amounts in terms of drops. I have a ready supply of 1 mL syringes/needles, and wonder if consistent results are possible with the drop system. I am more than comfortable converting units from percentages to mL or drops, but if drops work just as well, I'd rather not have the headache of disposing of dozens of syringes.
Drops vs mL?
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I find that when I mix taste is subjective and adjusting a drop or two here and there is easier to compensate a recipe for my liking then trying to convert, but Generally I convert the main recipe 20 drops = 1ml, then adjust with drops from there. YMMV (your mileage may vary)
I use the drops method. For my base, I bought a 60 ml empty bottle and drew lines on it. 4 TBS = 60 ml so I measured each TBS off. It made it so easy to DIY that way. I buy 48 mg Nic and use 1/4 that to 3/4 VG to get to 12 mg now. I can make 60 ml juice in about 20 seconds now
Then I fill little 15 ml bottles and add the flavoring by drops to those lil bottles.
Then I fill little 15 ml bottles and add the flavoring by drops to those lil bottles.
If you use drops, then use the same dropper for all measurements for consistency! Most juice calculators are based upon 20 drops = 1 ml. I've found that that is incorrect in almost all cases.
I only use drops for sample sizes. Otherwise, I use syringes. Just my way...
I only use drops for sample sizes. Otherwise, I use syringes. Just my way...
The E Juice Me Up calculator eJuice Me Up - e-Juice e-Liquid Recipe Calculator allows you to input how many drops = 1ml and will adjust recipe accordingly. For instance, if you use the small droppers from Linda at TPA, they are 37 drops per mil. I use her small dropper for the flavors in drops but still use ml for the pg/vg. E Juice Me Up shows both drops and/or mils.
The "Standard" is --- One drop is exactly 0.05 mL , or 20 drops per mil.
The "Standard" is --- One drop is exactly 0.05 mL , or 20 drops per mil.
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My medicine droppers deliver almost exactly 30 drops of PG per mL, so 3 drops = 0.1mL.
I prefer using the 1mL syringes for measuring unless I need to add just 1 or 2 drops of mint, cinnamon, oak wood, etc.
I prefer using the 1mL syringes for measuring unless I need to add just 1 or 2 drops of mint, cinnamon, oak wood, etc.
For accuracy and the ability to duplicate a recipe exactly each time by either myself or someone else I only use syringes/ml.
Drop amounts may vary depending on viscosity, temperature or opening size of dropper. To me its kinda like baking, my handfull and your handfull may be two different amounts but a 1/4 C. is a 1/4 C. IMHO.
Drop amounts may vary depending on viscosity, temperature or opening size of dropper. To me its kinda like baking, my handfull and your handfull may be two different amounts but a 1/4 C. is a 1/4 C. IMHO.
I use both a dropper and a syringe depending on the batch. For 5-10ml batches I'm happy using a dropper to flavor but if I'm doing bigger batches I prefer to measure as I get tired of counting all those drops
Wonderful. I guess I'll go ahead and stick to drops for flavorings if it seems to work for everyone else. My PG is sitting in my mailbox as we speak, so when I get home from work I've got lots of fun to have.
I only use drops for Flash and Vape Wizard which I only use at 1.5 - 2%. Everything else I measure.
It's very difficult to convert drops into mls. You'd need to ask the person who's recipe it is to measure out how many drops of each substance is per ml.
Different liquids have different drops per ml. For example VG might be 25 drops per ml and flavouring might be 40 drops per ml. Different dropper lids also make it more confusing.
When you are doing your own recipes, always go with ml measurements if you can. Those 1ml syringes are super handy and I have about 200 of them (ebay) Much more consistent results, you'll end up with much better juice in the end when you can refine with precision and replicate previous recipes with ease.
I think one of the 'secrets' of the vendors is to use precise measurements. It's so easy to settle for using drops, and there's nothing wrong with that...but if you want best results use a syringe.
After making several test batches, I've come to the conclusion that measuring PG/VG through a needled syringe is a hassle, but oral syringes work fabulously, and that I can use 1 mL syringes... and CLEAN THEM!
For some reason, working in an environment where we use syringes once and toss them, I was worried about the number I'd be throwing away, but forgot that in a home setting I can reuse them.
For some reason, working in an environment where we use syringes once and toss them, I was worried about the number I'd be throwing away, but forgot that in a home setting I can reuse them.
I don't quite understand this. You can rinse the syringes out and reuse them until the numbers wear off. Then disposal is not a big deal if they don't have needles, right? Or, should I be doing something with my syringes other than just tossing them in the garbage can?
ETA: Actually, in the month or so I've been doing DIY, I don't think I've thrown away a syringe yet. I'm still reusing them. Do I need to do something special with them once they finally become unusable?
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That's what I was pointing out above - I work in a hospital (pharmacy) and am used to using a syringe once then tossing it in the biohazard disposal bin. I don't know what the laws regarding home syringe disposal are in your state, but it'd be considerate if nothing else to pick up a sharps container. They are $2-3 at most drugstores, and some will even give you a free one. I have to give myself weekly injections at home, so I just happen to have one laying around anyway.
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