Going to mix my first batch today, is this a good plan?

[ElectraClyde]

So my package from Wizard Labs arrived today, and I'm ready to start mixing!

100 mg/ml base
VG and PG
Bunch of flavors, empty bottles, pipettes, syringes, blunt needles, gloves, etc.

Here is my plan. I'd like to pre-mix 100ml unflavored liquid at a nicotine level of 15. So the way I see it, 15ml of nic juice and 85ml of VG/PG should accomplish this. I plan to mix 100ml of 50/50, 25/75, and 75/25 so I can get a feeling for what I prefer.

Then, I plan to use the pre-mix nic juice and add flavor in 5ml bottles to test the flavors. Once I add 10-20% flavor to my 15% pre-mix, this should bring the total nic level down to the 12-13% nic level range which is where I'd like to start. I've only been vaping for just over three weeks at 18 level juice, and would like to try to step down to the 12-13% range. Then, when I've got a whole mess of small sample bottles mixed and flavored with just a single flavor, I can experiment with mixing different flavors in my tanks.

Sounds simple and logical to me, but I'm probably missing something here. So what say you all, does this sound like a good plan to get started?

Clyde
[h=1][/h]

 

[adeline]

That should work out fine.

I'd grab a diy calculator though, just in case. It never hurts to have one. The one I have is just an Excel spreadsheet, and it covers pretty much anything I need. You can even save recipes and calculate the cost of your DIY mixes.

What brand and type of flavors do you have?
I ask, because 10-20% might be a little high, depending on the brand and type of flavoring. I would never do a 10% tobacco mix. 20% sounds high to me for anything really, but I like to err on the side of low % flavoring, so I can just add a little if something extra is needed.

 

[vsummer1]

Sounds around right. A ~2% difference in nic level is considered acceptable, and you accounted for that in the dilution when you add the flavorings. Hopefully you will figure out what you like sooner rather than later so you won't have so many bottles knocking around. Too many choices sometimes gets overwhelming.

Now you just have to mix and wait for the steep. That is the hardest part for me, the waiting after I have mixed it! I had one I forgot about for a few weeks and when I pulled it out it was perfect! I label the bottles as I mix them with the flavor recipe (including base, nic level and flavorings) along with the date so I can tell how long is the right steep time.

HAVE FUN!

 

[ElectraClyde]

Thanks to you both. I've got maybe 15 flavors from Wizzard, mostly sweet or creamy flavors, with some fruity/citrus too. No tobacco flavors, but I am aware that you need to start very low with those flavors. And, if I over flavor to start, I can always add a bit more of my unflavored pre-mix to mellow it out. Nic level will go up a bit, but I'm not too concerned about that as it will still be under 15%.

And yes, I do need a DIY calculator........any suggestions?

Clyde

 

[adeline]

I use this one:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/32206-ejuice-calculator-added-quantity-calculations.html

A lot of people swear by the ejuicemeup calculator, but I'm reasonably certain it doesn't run on a Mac.

 

[glassmanoak]

You might try out 5ml batches of some flavors before you try adding nic juice. If you don't like it without nic, you won't like it with nic. You might save a few bucks that way.
I love this calculator because it is very flexible And you can save results online:

E-Liquid Calculator Ten Flavor's With Nicotine

 

[vsummer1]

Thanks to you both. I've got maybe 15 flavors from Wizzard, mostly sweet or creamy flavors, with some fruity/citrus too. No tobacco flavors, but I am aware that you need to start very low with those flavors. And, if I over flavor to start, I can always add a bit more of my unflavored pre-mix to mellow it out. Nic level will go up a bit, but I'm not too concerned about that as it will still be under 15%.

And yes, I do need a DIY calculator........any suggestions?

Clyde

I just noticed what you wrote, I think Wizard's are super concentrates! Go to the website and click on the flavors you bought -- I think they are only 5%!!!

I use the ejuice me up one... eJuice Me Up - Best eJuice Calculator

 

[glassmanoak]

From Wizard Labs Website:

Super concentrated water-soluble flavorings perfect for use with our solutions and base fluids. Except where noted, all of our concentrated liquid flavorings are made using FDA approved artificial and natural flavorings and extracts. Some of our concentrated flavorings contain non-FDA approved enhancers and flavorings designed for use in the curing and flavoring of raw tobacco and will be noted as such in the flavoring description.

We only sell undiluted concentrated flavorings direct from the manufacturer. Some flavorings are extremely potent and may need to be diluted down to less than one percent before direct application. Most flavorings reach their peak between 5-10% with a few exceptions. Begin with a baseline of 5% and adjust up or down depending on results.

None of our concentrated flavorings contain Diacetyl, or any of the related flavoring chemicals that are known health hazards.

 

[Cookster]

No, Wizard Labs flavors aren't super concentrates, they're made by The Flavor Apprentice and LorAnn. There's a TFA thread here that'll give you a few good ideas on flavor percentages. Why don't you tell us what flavors you got? I've got quite a few myself, and have been DIYing exclusively for over a year.

 

[adeline]

If your WL flavors are from the Flavor Apprentice (TFA), feel free to start a little lower. From what I hear, LorAnns needs to be mixed higher -- in the 20% range you want to start.

Starting with a big batch of unflavored is a great technique, and I would suggest it to a lot of folks just starting off -- IF I wasn't afraid of confusing them. Sounds like you're well read and definitely ready to start. Let us know how it goes.

And if you don't like a flavor right away, put it away, in a drawer or closet or somewhere dark, and revisit it every week until you like it. If you still don't after a month, it's probably safe to toss (or mix with something else!).

 

[ElectraClyde]

You might try out 5ml batches of some flavors before you try adding nic juice. If you don't like it without nic, you won't like it with nic. You might save a few bucks that way.
I love this calculator because it is very flexible And you can save results online:

E-Liquid Calculator Ten Flavor's With Nicotine

Now there's a good idea. Test the flavors just with cheap VG/PG. I like it!

But, even though my knowledge level is low, my confidence level is dangerously high! In my short time at this, I've found that if I have a juice I cant stand, a bit of mixing with something i DO like generally works well. But I am worried about the Cohiba Cigar flavor. It smells like the inside of a carnival crapper! I even have a "wapatui" bottle. It gets the last ml or so from all my near empty bottles. Surprisingly good. Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I'll just plow ahead and use the nic liquid.

Clyde

 

[ElectraClyde]

OK, my flavors:

Brown Sugar TFA
Butterscotch TFA
Caramel Candy TFA
Cheesecake TFA
Cola TFA
French Vanilla TFA
Hawaiian Tropical Punch TFA
Orange Cream TFA
Sweet Cream TFA
Sweet Tarts TFA
Tropical Punch LA
Wintergreen TFA
Pomegranate TFA, sample bottle, thanks Wiz!

There you have it, all from The Flavor Apprentice except the Tropical punch.

You know, I'm dying to try orange creamsicle! I ordered some from AIV, but I'm still waiting for it. Hoping I have the stuff I need to make it!

Clyde

 

[adeline]

Next chance you get, I really recommend you pick up some Ethyl Maltol (goes by the name of TFA Cotton Candy when pre-mixed). It adds a little sweetness and helps blend flavors together. It would be a nice addition to your flavor collection so far!

I think you'll have a lot of fun with these flavors. I can see how a lot of it will go together quite nicely!

 

[Cookster]

IMO, the caramel candy and the wintergreen are the strongest, I would start those with 5%.

Why not mix the orange cream with the sweet cream 60/40 at 10% to start, with a couple of drops of french vanilla. You definitely need to get either Ethyl Maltol (TPA Cotton Candy) or some sweetener.

After I mix, I nuke some water to near boiling, then drop my bottles in the water and let them sit until the water cools. Seems to speed up the flavor melding.

 

[ElectraClyde]

Well, I got my base liquids mixed this afternoon, I'll get some flavored tonight, and I think an overnight steep will be all the longer I'll be able to wait. Some of the Ethyl Maltol will be in my next order. I really seem to like the sweet creamy flavors. I've always liked the sweeties!

Clyde

 

[ElectraClyde]

Well, so much for my plan of mixing up some single flavors and test mixing them in the tanks. I decided to use the above suggestion and try some orange creamsicle. 5% each of the orange and sweet cream with a few drops of french vanilla in a 10ml test. Now I just need to let it steep for three, two, one..........that's long enough! Put about 1 ml in a eGo C tip and, not bad, and better than many of the pre mixed juices I've purchased. Flavors are subtle, but the orange and creamy flavors are there. I added a few more drops of the orange and french vanilla and will sample a bit more later, then let it steep for a few days. To quote Flounder. "Oh boy is this great!"

Clyde

 

[djtonyb]

I've got the Hawaiian Tropical Punch... I don't remember off the top of my head what % I mixed at, but I did find that adding just one drop of white vinegar per ml punches up the fruity flavor. I have yet to figure out the butterscotch... it smells lovely but I can't seem to get any flavor from it no matter how I mix it up. Right now I'm doing just a little bavarian cream with stevia as a sweetener... the sucralose just wasn't doing much to sweeten and I didn't have any ethyl maltol/cotton candy.