I am simultaneously the poster child for someone who should and should not be a DIYerboth at the same time.
Nonsense! The key is to use repeatable methods, and document as you go... no guesswork!
Help necessary for someone who just cannot grasp the DIY thing
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Nonsense! The key is to use repeatable methods, and document as you go... no guesswork!
this is great advice laid out in a easy (for me) to read way.
Can I ask why you do not just do something like a 80/20 PG/VG mix instead of adding the distilled water?
Consistency! It works, so I'm too lazy to change it
On the serious side, I like a thinner liquid because it wicks better in the cartomizers I use. The 70/30 mix seems to be a popular combination... good vapor production and throat-hit, even with the low nic strength I use.
On the serious side, I like a thinner liquid because it wicks better in the cartomizers I use. The 70/30 mix seems to be a popular combination... good vapor production and throat-hit, even with the low nic strength I use.
Consistency! It works, so I'm too lazy to change it
On the serious side, I like a thinner liquid because it wicks better in the cartomizers I use. The 70/30 mix seems to be a popular combination... good vapor production and throat-hit, even with the low nic strength I use.
I am guessing the 80/20 mix would make it thinner would it not?
It would, but it would still be a bit thicker than PG alone (VG is very thick!).
Consider too, that it is actually water molecules that makes vapor visible as "smoke". Commercial fog machine mixes use water as well, and many commercial e-liquid mixes list water as an ingredient.
I don't know the exact science, but it's the binding of water and PG/VG molecules on vaporization that behave similarly to smoke particles... refracting light in such a way as to be visible. Adding water to a mix simply adds a source of water molecules to the liquid itself, rather than relying solely on water molecules in the air.
Consider too, that it is actually water molecules that makes vapor visible as "smoke". Commercial fog machine mixes use water as well, and many commercial e-liquid mixes list water as an ingredient.
I don't know the exact science, but it's the binding of water and PG/VG molecules on vaporization that behave similarly to smoke particles... refracting light in such a way as to be visible. Adding water to a mix simply adds a source of water molecules to the liquid itself, rather than relying solely on water molecules in the air.
Thank you! But I'm NOT an expert mixer!
ob's my buddy. I was just trying to help him.
I'll go add it to the thread if you think I should. To help others who have a hard time doing this stuff.
I thought your explanation was very user friendly. I would post it for anyone wanting a very simply explained start up to DIY. Excellent post IMHO
NONE of us are experts, we are all still learning as we go. Everyone learns differently and even work differently. The bottom line is getting it done. For some, DIY is the only way they can continue to vape as many of the vendors increase prices and shipping it is getting close to the cost of smoking IMO. A good resorce like that should be shared.
+1 to the comments about Cappelas, IMHO it is the easiest to learn from and +1 to the alcohol/libations to clean mixing supplies.
I find a 306 with a contact lens case is the best way for me to keep tasting my new creations. Dip , vape, dip in PGA, wave, dip again after adjusting. It is my way to taste. Everyone has their own style, this works for me.
My best advice would be to get some cheap flavor for example from loranns from say hobby lobby. Then get the measuring syringe that hoosier said. Next buy some pg and vg. mix without nic until you get the hang of it than put nic in after you grasp concept of mixing. This way you are safe
so the thing that still confuses me is this.
If I pre-make my mixture of 70/30 PG/VG at 9% when I go to add flavoring wont it mess up the percentages of what I am trying to make?
Shouldnt I just make a mixture of PG/VG so when I have to throw it out, I do not waste the nicotine? Or should I just assume I will throw it out anyway?
I am assuming by doing this it will get me close but not exact. Is that correct?
If I pre-make my mixture of 70/30 PG/VG at 9% when I go to add flavoring wont it mess up the percentages of what I am trying to make?
Shouldnt I just make a mixture of PG/VG so when I have to throw it out, I do not waste the nicotine? Or should I just assume I will throw it out anyway?
I am assuming by doing this it will get me close but not exact. Is that correct?
It will slightly, but not enough to make that much of a difference. Many flavors are PG-based, so you will only be changing the PG/VG ratio a bit, and diluting the nic content slightly (if you use nic... see below).
That works too, just keep in mind that the taste may change slightly when you do add nic. I say "may" because I don't know this for sure.
Correct, but you should be very close. The main thing you are trying to do is get a close estimate of the flavor percentages you want, especially when using more than one flavor. You can still tweak the final batch a bit if you need for taste, then apply any tweaks to your next batch.
Getting the flavor ratios right is the hardest part I think. It's best to err on the side of "too little", though. You can easily add a bit more flavoring to boost up a weak mix. It's more involved to dilute it down if you've used too much flavoring. But once you determine the ratios that work for a particular mix, you can get the same results consistently (unlike many commercial e-liquids!).
Bottom line... it sounds more complicated than it really is. Your measurements need to be a bit precise, but other than that you're just mixing a few different liquids... far easier than cooking!
I know this stuff is confusing at first and I don't think this is the case, but. Your post says 9% and I assume you are refering to your nicotine content. Just a heads up that 9% nicotine is actualy 90mg/ml in strength. If you were refering to 9mg/ml that is 0.9%, just don't want you to make a mixing error when it comes to nicotine.
ob, flavors use PG as the carrier liquid. That PG amount in your flavors is taken into account by the calculator. You're starting with a higher mg nic juice. When you add your info into the calculator, it calculates the PG in the flavor. The nic PG and flavor PG is NOT the ONLY PG you will be adding. That's just part of the PG. Plain PG is also a % of the mix to get your HIGHER mg nic juice down to 9mg....AND PLAIN VG @ 30%...
You're starting with a higher mg nic juice. When you add your info into the calculator, it calculates the PG in the flavor. The nic PG and flavor PG is NOT the ONLY PG you will be adding. That's just part of the PG. Plain PG is also a % of the mix to get your HIGHER mg nic juice down to 9mg....AND PLAIN VG @ 30%...
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I wouldn't pre-make the nic juice at 70/30 PG/VG. Let the calculator do the mixing for you. Even if you are just mixing a 5ml test bottle, you can still enter that 5ml amount you want mixed into the calculator. Then you will have exactly what you want with everything calculated for you.
sorry...I missed the *pre mixing* the PG/VG @ 9% part.
Also, if you're only mixing 3-5ml bottles to test, you're wasting very little nic because the nic juice is a small part of the mix since you're starting with a higher nic mg. Stiil, I wouldn't pre mix the 70/30 PG/VG, but that's just me.
sorry...I missed the *pre mixing* the PG/VG @ 9% part.
Also, if you're only mixing 3-5ml bottles to test, you're wasting very little nic because the nic juice is a small part of the mix since you're starting with a higher nic mg. Stiil, I wouldn't pre mix the 70/30 PG/VG, but that's just me.
when everyone is talking about doing the 20 drops test are you actually saying that you want me to do one ML?
I am finding I do not have a dropper that even comes close to 1ml at 20 drops.
how do I best do this test?
I am finding I do not have a dropper that even comes close to 1ml at 20 drops.
how do I best do this test?
Do you have a syringe? If so, measure out 1ml on that. Otherwise, I would just use one of my dripper bottles, drip out 20 drops and call it good. After 20 drops, mark the bottle where the juice is and that's the 1ml mark, for all the tests that follow.
I have syringes. The problem is then doing the flavors. I can get exactly the ML using those. THe issue is the flavors. Some come as droppers, some open and I have to use my own droppers. The drops from the flavors will not be exactly the same. Is that ok as long as the pre-mixed liquid is the same?
let me re-say that. I am supposed to do 19 drops of liquid and one of flavor for 5%
18 drops of liquid and two drops for 10
17 drops of liquid and three drops for 15
how do I do this when the drops will not be the same each time?
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ob, why don't you mix up a batch of 30ml without flavor. You can then use it out of a dripper bottle to try your flavors to get a general idea of what you like and about how strong. Keep notes about which flavor you use & how many drops and go from there.
As long as your drops are pretty close it will be fine. You could always use a syringe to drip your flavor in a pinch. I have some flavor not in dripper bottles and will use a pipette to get drops but much prefer a dripper bottle.
Here is the mixture you need for 30ml @ 70/30 9mg.
7.5 ml nic in pg base (36mg nic which I believe you have)
13.5 ml plain pg
9 ml vg
As long as your drops are pretty close it will be fine. You could always use a syringe to drip your flavor in a pinch. I have some flavor not in dripper bottles and will use a pipette to get drops but much prefer a dripper bottle.
Here is the mixture you need for 30ml @ 70/30 9mg.
7.5 ml nic in pg base (36mg nic which I believe you have)
13.5 ml plain pg
9 ml vg
Don't get too concerned about the drop size for flavors. Just make sure you use the same dropper when recreating a mix. If your flavoring does not have a dropper transfer it to a bottle that does or use pipettes.
Measure everything else with syringes and use drops for flavoring. You probably wont make too many large scale batches at first and counting flavor drops for a 10ml or 20ml mix is not too difficult. If you decide in the future you need to make up a big batch of something that will take 200 drops we will help you with the math.
Thanks everyone. I currently have a bunch just sitting and steeping. I will post a picture.
I tried to use the same dropper for everything. I did for my pre-mix. I used the same dropper for the capellas and flavor apprentice.
I used the flavourart dripper bottle for the ones that I used from that brand. Probably not exactly the same as my dropper from the pre-mix, but at least the drop flavor sizes will be the same.
On a side note, I made two bottles of pre-mix and after noticed they were not filled to the same level. I even messed that up. at least it was just one 30ml bottle. I will use the calculator when I mix for real.
I also am guessing getting beakers might be easier than the syringes. On the syringes, it is often hard to see the lines because of the rubber stopper. At least with the beakers, I can use one dropper for my mix and one for the flavor and just get it to the level I want. If you think this is not accurate, please let me know.
Do most use syringes or measuring glasses? Why one vs. the other? I found I had to use like a million syringes while doing this and I am guessing they have to be cleaned and dry before continuing. If this is not correct, Please also let me know. thanks again for all the help and patience!
I wish I could get them to steep faster.......
I tried to use the same dropper for everything. I did for my pre-mix. I used the same dropper for the capellas and flavor apprentice.
I used the flavourart dripper bottle for the ones that I used from that brand. Probably not exactly the same as my dropper from the pre-mix, but at least the drop flavor sizes will be the same.
On a side note, I made two bottles of pre-mix and after noticed they were not filled to the same level. I even messed that up. at least it was just one 30ml bottle. I will use the calculator when I mix for real.
I also am guessing getting beakers might be easier than the syringes. On the syringes, it is often hard to see the lines because of the rubber stopper. At least with the beakers, I can use one dropper for my mix and one for the flavor and just get it to the level I want. If you think this is not accurate, please let me know.
Do most use syringes or measuring glasses? Why one vs. the other? I found I had to use like a million syringes while doing this and I am guessing they have to be cleaned and dry before continuing. If this is not correct, Please also let me know. thanks again for all the help and patience!
I wish I could get them to steep faster.......
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