flavor calculations

[fat1]

Getting ready to dive into DIY. Have a question regarding super concentrates and the calculations. Also maybe some best practices advice. In the description of some/most flavors it says something like "recommended starting point of 1%" then later on it states " product must be diluted before using". so is that 1% recommendation based on the "as-is" or the diluted levels? I believe it is as-is but thought I should ask. I believe I will be diluting these with straight pg, is it considered best practice or is there anything wrong with diluting it to 10% as soon as I get it, storing it that way and adjusting the calculators accordingly? say adding 10ml of super concentrate to 90ml of pg and storing it that way?

For nic base I was going to get 100mg, is it advised or safe to cut that down to a reasonable level upon receiving it and adjusting calculators accordingly or is that personal preference? I know there are hundreds of ways to mix and match all of this but since the end result I believe will be in the 70/30 pg/vg range, and the nic is pg based, would it be advised to perform all dilution with straight pg (including any AP, EM, etc) and then just cut in the VG at the end of it all to the desired ratios or should all dilution be performed at the 70/30 ratio? seems it would make the math easier.

Also, if done as listed above to the dilutions now take the form of being considered straight PG or is it just so much a matter of personal preference that those levels of calculations generally have little impact? I guess I can see it both ways, still calculate at 1% just know that the 1% is currently stored in 10ml of PG.

I hope these questions make sense, my written word sucks.

 

[dannyv45]

When a flavor says "product must be diluted before using" what they mean is this flavor should never be vaped directly from the bottle. So if the recommended percentage is 1% add 1%. There's no need to dilute it first then add it to the base. As far as your questions on base. Any PG or VG in the flavoring is additive to the base concentration. The best way to calculate this is to use an ejuice calculator such as the e-juice me up calculator.

As far as cutting 100mg nic to a safer strength it really is a personal preference. I do recommend to the new mixer to start with a lower strength or cutting it to a safer strength until you get some experience under your belt. working with lower strength NIC reduces the risk of harm in the event you miss calculate the final base strength.

eJuice Me Up - Best eJuice Calculator

 

[fat1]

lol I never even considered vaping from the bottle directly. Guess thats why the hair dryer has a sticker telling you not to use it in the shower, someone must have done it at some point in time. Would diluting it and storing it help with the steeping time or hurt it if stored long term? is that more of a learn for myself subjective kind of thing ? Thanks for the clarification

 

[dannyv45]

Steeping and storing are 2 different things. To store NIC solution you simply put it in glass bottles filled to a 1/4 inch from the top and freeze it. THis will allow you stock pyle NIC in the event that NIC gets regulated and becomes hard to find and expensive due to luming regulations. Unlike water that expands NIC actually shrinks a bit so there's noo danger of bursting bottles. Steeping is done after the base is mixed and flavor is added. Steeping allows the ingrediance to meld together. I would like at this time to recommend some reading as follows.

Read my blogs before getting started

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

then read hoosier's blogs.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

this will explain a lot of the how's and why's of DYI including basic mixing, steeping, supplies etc...

 

[fat1]

done and done. Good info in there, I have to say I was on the right track as y major concern (outside safety) was how to best go about testing different mixes. Your RY4 sample layout was what I had in mind. Obviously down the road it gets more complicated with all the possible additives (EM, AP, wizards, bitters, etc,) but I think goal 1 is get something that doesnt make you puke then tweak to make it better. I'm a tobacco guy so I'd say an Ultrasonic cleaner is in my future...

 

[baphomet68]

right on about getting something that works! Use a program (i like eJuice Me Up, but theres lotsa ones that work), and use syringes for measuring. I had an easy time finding stuff that worked, as some of my fave flaves were sold as concentrates by the same mfg.