First DIY Batch and Nic Strenth Seems Much Higher Compared to Commercial

[Bigflyrodder]

Just completed my first DIY batch, used Hangsen Desert Ship as that is already one of my every day vapes. I have always purchased the premix at 18mg as this is my cig replacement juice that I vape first thing in the morning, after meals, and such. I mixed some juice using the concentrate (a little too strong so will drop %) but what should be the same nic level seems much much stronger.

I measured very carefully and followed the measurements provided in the ejuice calculator. Is it possible that the supposed nic strength in the commercial is actually much lover than advertised or must it be that somehow I put too much nic in this juice? I'm going to have to scrape myself off the ceiling with this stuff if I vape it as it is now.

 

[Gonzi]

Easy fix to both your problems, add more PG or VG. It will cut down the flavor percentage and will also lower your nic.

I had similar results as you did, don't really know why. I use to buy 12mg prepared e-juice, now, I mainly DIY 6-8 mg. It could be the quality of the nic, or my conspiracy theory: most vendors start off with the desired nic strenght base, in your case, they start with 18mg base, and add the flavors on top of that, making it less nic.

I'm probably way off though, and I know of many vendors that are in fact quite accurate in their mixes, so this doesn't apply to all.

I'm probably just rambling, anyways, made you read!

 

[Aheadatime]

Only way we can know if you made a mistake is if you provide us with exact numbers. Ex - 10mL batch total. 1mL flavoring, 1.8mL nicotine, etc.

 

[Bigflyrodder]

Right you are:

Made 15ml test bottle:

Using 100% PG based 100mg nic, was shooting for 18mg in a juice with no additional PG, 7% flavoring.

Calculator provided the following which I followed precisely:

2.7ml PG with Nic
11.25ml VG
1.05ml flavoring

I understand I can cut down both NigMG and flavor by adding VG or PG, just want to make sure I'm not way off track here.

 

[Gonzi]

Right you are:

Made 15ml test bottle:

Using 100% PG based 100mg nic, was shooting for 18mg in a juice with no additional PG, 7% flavoring.


Calculator provided the following which I followed precisely:

2.7ml PG with Nic
11.25ml VG
1.05ml flavoring

I understand I can cut down both NigMG and flavor by adding VG or PG, just want to make sure I'm not way off track here.

In my experience, it's better to start out with 48-60mg nic concentrate when you start DIY, more forgiving, specially for small batches.

Since you already have 100mg, what are you using to measure out your ingredients? At those high concentrations, the more accurate the better. I use 3ml syringes with very fine & short needles for high accuracy, and have a pippette pump with 1/10 & 1/100 graduated pippettes on the way home to assist in more fine tunning and accuracy.

 

[Gonzi]

One of the easiest ways to start DIY and try out new flavors and tweek mixes, is make a big bottle of nothing but base, so lets say make a 30ml of unflavored 18mg base, and then you can add that to small 5ml bottles, and add flavor by the drop. Each drop represents 1% of flavor concentrate. Of course, this will be for a sample of the final mix or to test out different flavor strenghts, but it makes learning DIY and understanding how different flavors react to others much easier.

just food for though, or my 27cents.

 

[twgbonehead]

Did you shake your nic liquid well before using it?

I have heard that it is possible for the nic to separate out (or to have not been mixed well in the first place). I have no idea whether or not this actually happens, though. I'm a bit sceptical myself (but shake it anyway!)

 

[Bigflyrodder]

Use a 3ml syringe for the nic and even shot for 2.5ml to compensate for any residual nic that could have been in the needle.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

One of the easiest ways to start DIY and try out new flavors and tweek mixes, is make a big bottle of nothing but base, so lets say make a 30ml of unflavored 18mg base, and then you can add that to small 5ml bottles, and add flavor by the drop. Each drop represents 1% of flavor concentrate. Of course, this will be for a sample of the final mix or to test out different flavor strenghts, but it makes learning DIY and understanding how different flavors react to others much easier.

just food for though, or my 27cents.

That only works if your dropper is 20 drops per ml. You would have to make sure of that. I have counted drops from a few different droppers I have and have come up with between 28-63 depending on the dropper. Recently someone posted they counted over 100 drops/ml.

It's a good thought in theory as long as you make sure your dropper is 20 drops/ml. Good luck with your DIY!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Huckleberried]

I bought a test kit from WL. Good price, easy to use. Especially for 100mg nic. I do see that it's out of stock right now, but you can sign up for email alert when it's in.

 

[RenaissancePuffer]

Did you shake your nic liquid well before using it?

I have heard that it is possible for the nic to separate out (or to have not been mixed well in the first place). I have no idea whether or not this actually happens, though. I'm a bit sceptical myself (but shake it anyway!)

This would be my thought, such a high VG concentration, you might get nic hot-spots if the liquid is not mixed well, especially with 100mg base.

 

[dannyv45]

Just completed my first DIY batch, used Hangsen Desert Ship as that is already one of my every day vapes. I have always purchased the premix at 18mg as this is my cig replacement juice that I vape first thing in the morning, after meals, and such. I mixed some juice using the concentrate (a little too strong so will drop %) but what should be the same nic level seems much much stronger.

I measured very carefully and followed the measurements provided in the ejuice calculator. Is it possible that the supposed nic strength in the commercial is actually much lover than advertised or must it be that somehow I put too much nic in this juice? I'm going to have to scrape myself off the ceiling with this stuff if I vape it as it is now.

Sounds to me like the NIC strength may be OK but your PG to VG may be off. If your doing 70pg/30VG try doing 50/50 or 65vg/35pg (Which is what I use). You can also add 4% saline to a 65/35 and that will smooth it right out. I use 7% flavor and it's perfect but if that fails try 5%.

 

[Bigflyrodder]

Saline, that's a good idea. Thanks Danny!

I did shake the nic but not like a maniac, maybe I didn't shake it enough and will be more careful next time. That being said I took one of the test bottles, poured half of it into another bottle, and topped back up with VG thus diluting significantly. It is much better now so I'll do the same with the rest. Should have thought about not just different VP/PG mixes but % flavoring, nic mg, etc. as well. Live and learn!

You guys have have been really helpful, can't thank you enough!

 

[doots]

Just completed my first DIY batch, used Hangsen Desert Ship as that is already one of my every day vapes. I have always purchased the premix at 18mg as this is my cig replacement juice that I vape first thing in the morning, after meals, and such. I mixed some juice using the concentrate (a little too strong so will drop %) but what should be the same nic level seems much much stronger.

I measured very carefully and followed the measurements provided in the ejuice calculator. Is it possible that the supposed nic strength in the commercial is actually much lover than advertised or must it be that somehow I put too much nic in this juice? I'm going to have to scrape myself off the ceiling with this stuff if I vape it as it is now.

to answer your question: maybe it is.. Or your nic is stronger than is specified on the bottle.. Could be either.