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Having a method/process that you understand well and enjoy doing is the key. My first detailed exposure to a DIY process involved a scale and I jumped on it. Liquid measure or weight, the end result is the same. It's just how you get there that is different.
Having done just enough DIY using the liquid measure method to understand how it works, I jumped on the scale method after watching the video some of you have seen posted multiple times by me. That video just presented a method that looked really easy and uncomplicated.
The $30 price of the LB-501 scale was attractive, as well as the process of adding ingredients and taring after each. Having ingredients in squeeze bottles for PG, VG, and flavors makes it easy. The process is similar to the one JCinFla described, but the basic difference is in reading the scale as you pour vs watching the ingredient levels as they approach a line.
I have several sheets printed for the recipes I usually make. Those are stored in the box with the scale and other DIY liquid components.
I set the bottle on the scale and press the tare button. I add nic up to the weight listed on the recipe then press tare. Then I add PG in the amount listed on the recipe, press tare again, and add the VG, reading the scale until it gets to the weight for VG. I press tare again and add the flavor(s) in mg from the recipe pressing tare after each. I put the cap on the bottle, shake it, and set it aside.
Repeat the process for the rest of the bottles.
Having done just enough DIY using the liquid measure method to understand how it works, I jumped on the scale method after watching the video some of you have seen posted multiple times by me. That video just presented a method that looked really easy and uncomplicated.
The $30 price of the LB-501 scale was attractive, as well as the process of adding ingredients and taring after each. Having ingredients in squeeze bottles for PG, VG, and flavors makes it easy. The process is similar to the one JCinFla described, but the basic difference is in reading the scale as you pour vs watching the ingredient levels as they approach a line.
I have several sheets printed for the recipes I usually make. Those are stored in the box with the scale and other DIY liquid components.
I set the bottle on the scale and press the tare button. I add nic up to the weight listed on the recipe then press tare. Then I add PG in the amount listed on the recipe, press tare again, and add the VG, reading the scale until it gets to the weight for VG. I press tare again and add the flavor(s) in mg from the recipe pressing tare after each. I put the cap on the bottle, shake it, and set it aside.
Repeat the process for the rest of the bottles.
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That sounds soooooo much simpler than drip, drip, tare.
But, if it works for you, saves you money and keeps you off smokes then it is all good!
Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, of course! However, rather than doing the drip, drip, tare method...for each and every ingredient in multiple recipes that I often make at ONE time...no thank you. I've easily made 7 different recipes at the same time my way...in 20 minutes. The bottles and their recipe cards are just all lined up like in an assembly line.
How do you make multiple ones at a time by the weight method? Do you have a scale for each one you're making? Or do you just make each recipe one at a time...and drip, drip, tare for that one as you have it on the scale...like DaveP says below? Then put the next one on there and do the same steps...then the next one, etc.?
I have my PG and VG in squeeze bottles, too. No syringes at all for me either with those! That's what I I meant when I wrote that I just pour/dispense each one into the bottles.
With flavorings though, I personally don't see how drip, drip, dripping up to several mLs of each flavoring into the mix bottle until a specific weight is reached for each one...is any more efficient than drawing out mLs at a time from each flavoring vial/bottle and just shooting them into the mix bottle.
Also, don't you have to consider the weight of each flavoring you're using, since they vary? I've read that many people just count them the same, as far as weight though. But how does that work with really potent flavorings like TFA Banana Ripe, where a difference in weight and/or rounding, can really make a difference? Maybe you can help me understand it?
Yep...that sounds sooooooo much simpler, as Capt.Shay said above!
But, then again, I've always said that what works for each person, and is comfortable for them...is the method they should use. However, they at least should have the info/steps about each method available to them, to help them compare and make a choice.
Flavorings are just calculated as a weight percentage of the total. Flavors probably don't vary that much in weight unless they contain dense dissolved solids. The flavor weight estimate most use is 1mg/ml. I keep a bottle of unflavored around for dilution in case the flavor is too hot in the mix.
Once I've decided on a good flavor level I adjust the recipe in the calculator. All flavorings are user sensitive, so everyone will experiment to get it right for their own taste. Eventually, I get it right. FlavourArt flavors are hot compared to Hangsen and some of the others. There's no unity value that's good for all. We start out at the recommended percentage level and adjust to taste.
It's a one at a time process, first in first out, but it's also a small batch method. If I want to make a large batch I mix a larger bottle on the scale and pour it into smaller bottles once it steeps. If I were a vendor I'd make gallons and dispense into smaller bottles for order fulfillment, soda fountain style. I'd probably have calibrated dispensing equipment, or some other fancy way to measure and pour faster.
I actually enjoy using the scale. Yes, it's a one bottle at a time process, but it's effective for home DIY. A 500 gram scale can weigh up to 17 ounces. That's a lot of juice in one batch. I usually do 60ml of each flavor.
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@DaveP - First, thanks for answering my questions.
About this:
"It's a one at a time process, first in first out, but it's also a small batch method," and "Yes, it's a one bottle at a time process, but it's effective for home DIY."
That's a main reason that, for me personally, I like using my method. I usually make multiple recipes at 1 time, in 30-100mL sizes. I don't ever make big batch sizes of any recipes, just a variety of them. It would take me 2.5 months to vape 17ozs. of a single eliquid as an exclusive ADV! I like variety too much to do that!
About this:
"It's a one at a time process, first in first out, but it's also a small batch method," and "Yes, it's a one bottle at a time process, but it's effective for home DIY."
That's a main reason that, for me personally, I like using my method. I usually make multiple recipes at 1 time, in 30-100mL sizes. I don't ever make big batch sizes of any recipes, just a variety of them. It would take me 2.5 months to vape 17ozs. of a single eliquid as an exclusive ADV! I like variety too much to do that!
@DaveP - First, thanks for answering my questions.
About this:
"It's a one at a time process, first in first out, but it's also a small batch method," and "Yes, it's a one bottle at a time process, but it's effective for home DIY."
That's a main reason that, for me personally, I like using my method. I usually make multiple recipes at 1 time, in 30-100mL sizes. I don't ever make big batch sizes of any recipes, just a variety of them. It would take me 2.5 months to vape 17ozs. of a single eliquid as an exclusive ADV! I like variety too much to do that!
I do 6 flavors, 50ml each in 60ml glass bottles (for shaking room), in a session. That generally lasts me a month or more at 10ml a day average, so I pull out the tote box with my scale and supplies inside infrequently.
My mixing supplies are in a tote basket in a storage closet in the laundry room next to the kitchen. I have setup time and cleanup time included in the hour and a half or so it takes to mix. I have to empty the glass bottles from the previous session into LDPE and wash the glass bottles and dry them before I start. I enjoy the process immensely and I'm watching TV in the kitchen while I mix, so I'm not in a hurry. The actual weighing process probably takes me half an hour at 5 minutes per bottle, but I'm having fun and enjoying whatever's on TV, so I don't watch the clock.
Having multiple scales would work, but doing a complete bottle and then the next might be about the same time as doing the same component 6 times and going to the next in series. Then, there's the $150 cost of the other five scales!
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