Few DIY questions
- Thread starter HeavenNorHell
- Start date
- th_trl_thread_readers 0
- Status
Do you want to make Accurate or Precise Measurements when you DIY?
Or do you want to do Both?
Accurate would be very close to exact. Precise would be exact. So I couldnt do both lol. But yeah, I definitely want to be precise since I'll be making 3mL test batches at first. Then larger bottles when I have a recipe down.
Accuracy and Precision are two Unique Concepts that are Often Confused.
I have shown this Example many time as a way to Visualize the two...
Many people who are New to DIY want to Strive for Accuracy. They want to Match some Recipe they see in a Thread Exactly. And they will go to sometimes Extreme Measures (Pun Intended) to do so.
But there is a Flaw. And that is that they are Assuming that they Will like the taste of the DIY Recipe if the can Duplicate it Perfectly.
There also will become a point where Measurements will Exceed the Ability to Taste any Difference.
Being able to Repeat a DIY Recipe is MUCH More important than being able Match a Recipes Individual Proportions.
I may be trying to make a Recipe where the Target was 18mg @ 70%PG:30%VG with 20% combined Flavorings/Sweetener. But after it is made, If I like it, what is the difference if it comes out to Actually be 17.2mg @ 68.5%PG:31.5%VG with 22.3% combined Flavorings/Sweetener?
As long as I can Make it again and it is 17.2mg @ 68.5%PG:31.5%VG with 22.3% combined Flavorings/Sweetener.
The Numbers are Merely Arbitrary.
Accuracy and Precision are two Unique Concepts that are Often Confused.
I have shown this Example many time as a way to Visualize the two...
Many people who are New to DIY want to Strive for Accuracy. They want to Match some Recipe they see in a Thread Exactly. And they will go to sometimes Extreme Measures (Pun Intended) to do so.
But there is a Flaw. And that is that they are Assuming that they Will like the taste of the DIY Recipe if the can Duplicate it Perfectly.
There also will become a point where Measurements will Exceed the Ability to Taste any Difference.
Being able to Repeat a DIY Recipe is MUCH More important than being able Match a Recipes Individual Proportions.
I may be trying to make a Recipe where the Target was 18mg @ 70%PG:30%VG with 20% combined Flavorings/Sweetener. But after it is made, If I like it, what is the difference if it comes out to Actually be 17.2mg @ 68.5%PG:31.5%VG with 22.3% combined Flavorings/Sweetener?
As long as I can Make it again and it is 17.2mg @ 68.5%PG:31.5%VG with 22.3% combined Flavorings/Sweetener.
The Numbers are Merely Arbitrary.
Ah, I can understand what you're saying now. Right now, I'm simply creating my own recipes, following a calculator to get my recipes fairly close to exact. It doesn't have to be perfect just yet, but the difference to me is, 17.2mg nic is a difference to me. My 18mg really isn't enough, and I find myself camping on my vape a bit much
So I'm probably going to with 24mg for awhile and cut myself down from there. But I totally understand your reasoning, if you like it and it's perfect to you, despite being off from the original recipe, theres no harm done. I just want to make sure my recipes are easily duplicatable.Right, but the link wingsfan posted mentions that they don't recommend rubbing alcohol, why? Is it dangerous to use with vaping supplies? If so, I'll make the switch. If it just doesn't clean it "perfectly" thats fine, as long as its fairly sterile, plus I do a warm water rinse after a quick alcohol soak.
Last edited:
I make my mixes, then rinse with tap water and dry the syringes with the plunger out.
If you really want to sanitize, get some everclear (95% ethanol) at the liquor store for a final rinse. About $16 for 750 ml in my state of Oregon. I just dont think it is necessary but it will do the job safely.
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is more toxic than ethanol and although it will not be dangerous in the amounts left over after rinsing your gear...that odor...yikes....don't use it. Methanol however is truly toxic as the metabolites are formaldehyde and then formic acid. That is what causes blindness. Probably not an issue in the amounts you would be exposed to but why do it when everclear or vodka is cheap and essentially non toxic. Anything labled denatured alcohol usually has methanol in the mix to prevent consumption.
As far as your gear is concerned, all these alcohols are pretty gentle on rubber o-rings and plungers and certainly plastics. Just stick to ethanol if youre intent on sanitizing.
That said, if youre on chlorinated public water I think just a tap rinse and dry is totally adequate.
If you really want to sanitize, get some everclear (95% ethanol) at the liquor store for a final rinse. About $16 for 750 ml in my state of Oregon. I just dont think it is necessary but it will do the job safely.
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is more toxic than ethanol and although it will not be dangerous in the amounts left over after rinsing your gear...that odor...yikes....don't use it. Methanol however is truly toxic as the metabolites are formaldehyde and then formic acid. That is what causes blindness. Probably not an issue in the amounts you would be exposed to but why do it when everclear or vodka is cheap and essentially non toxic. Anything labled denatured alcohol usually has methanol in the mix to prevent consumption.
As far as your gear is concerned, all these alcohols are pretty gentle on rubber o-rings and plungers and certainly plastics. Just stick to ethanol if youre intent on sanitizing.
That said, if youre on chlorinated public water I think just a tap rinse and dry is totally adequate.
Yeah, right now I'm just mainly rinsing with warm water.
As I said earlier in the thread, I can not purchase "drinking" alcohol, I am not 21. Also everclear is illegal in my state, so unless I go blackmarket style or something, no chance
I'll just stick with my current methods on this for now
Ah, I can understand what you're saying now. Right now, I'm simply creating my own recipes, following a calculator to get my recipes fairly close to exact. It doesn't have to be perfect just yet, but the difference to me is, 17.2mg nic is a difference to me. My 18mg really isn't enough, and I find myself camping on my vape a bit much
...
I think you will find after doing DIY for awhile is that it Doesn't have to be as Exact as you thought when you First Started.
And that there are Many Ways to make Very Repeatable Recipes that are Simple. And that do Not Involve having a Small Laboratories worth of Glassware and Measuring Instruments.
That helps a lot. See, when I think of DIY eLiquid, nicotine, etc, I think Chemistry. Then I think back to High School chemistry and almost cringe. So that's probably why I'm trying to be more.. cautious? I don't know, just want to make sure I'm not throwing out too much juice cause I mess something up lol. I'm really appreciating all the help and support from you guys, you rock!
Definitely good to know exacts aren't necessary to repeat recipes.While I'm at it, what calculators do you guys use? I've been testing ejuice me up while I've been waiting for my supplies to get here, and I like it, its very accurate and easy to use, but it doesn't have a cost calculator that I can find. I also want to find one that works on my Android smartphone, so I don't have to have a computer in my "labratory"
Last edited:
That helps a lot. See, when I think of DIY eLiquid, nicotine, etc, I think Chemistry. Then I think back to High School chemistry and almost cringe. So that's probably why I'm trying to be more.. cautious? I don't know, just want to make sure I'm not throwing out too much juice cause I mess something up lol. I'm really appreciating all the help and support from you guys, you rock!
...
I wouldn't think of DIY so much as Chemistry. More as Cooking. Or maybe Bartending.
And don't Freak Out about making some Bad Recipes. Because you are. Everyone does once and awhile. Especially when you First Start.
So you throw out 2 Bucks worth of DIY. No Big Deal. How much were you spending Every Day when you Smoked?
Just got one. Used syringes once and decided they are better for moving than measuring.
- Status
