How to Organize a Flavoring Collection?

[Janet]

I do not sell e-liquid, but just make it for myself as a hobby. I've been hunting for a better way to organize my flavoring collection of about 200 bottles, mostly 10ml, plus a good amount of 15 and 30ml. I know there was an "Organizing" thread in the past, but since some time has gone by and the thread is closed now, maybe there are more ideas. I want to use wall space in my kitchen, and be able to see the bottles easily. Hunting around online this evening, I found some possibilities. I live in a rented apartment, with no plans of moving, but even so, I really don't want to put a bunch of holes in the wall. I will though, if doing so gives me the results I want.

One possibility is a nail polish rack. I found two nail polish racks that would work, but there is not a good way to keep them covered - not all that concerned, but it would be nice. New Heart Metal Nail Polish Display Wall Rack Shelf Fit Up to 180 Bottles Black | eBay and Amazon.com: 96 Bottle Nail Polish Wall Rack Display: Beauty The wrought iron one is pretty. The acrylic one would be easier to stick on labels (probably don't really need to do that though). There are a lot of homemade nail polish and toy car displays - nice ones out of wood and not so durable ones out of foam-core board.

What I really want is a very shallow cupboard, with shelves and a door. I found some very nice and expensive display cases for shot glass and matchbox/hotwheels car collections. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars though.

Then I thought of just plastic cases made for the little cars and found a YouTube video of a collector who had a very nice display. It is rather impressive and made with Plano boxes. If you want to see the video it is . I found the boxes at the Home Depot online site for only $5.99 each. If I turn them so they have a vertical orientation, the bottles could stand upright. Also, it would be like having a bunch of little cupboards, each needing 4 holes screwed into the wall. I really don't want to put that many holes in the wall to mount 8 Plano boxes and I'm not sure if they would be easy to open.

My kitchen is dark unless I'm working in there and turn on the ceiling light. When I do, it's just for short time periods. Most of the liquids I use (about 50) are sitting on the top edge of a Formica covered base-board (a very short splash board I suppose) that is against the wall along the back of the counter top. Some have been balancing there for about a year away from the rest which are in storage containers inside a kitchen cupboard. The ones that are sitting out seem to be as good as new, so maybe I don't really need to be all that concerned about keeping them covered and away from light.

I don't do woodworking. I don't personally know anyone who does. But I have made a couple stretched canvas frames from scratch in an art class years ago. I think pre-cut pieces for making canvas frames are now in art supply stores. Maybe I could make a frame - cut and attach tiny shelves from the art store canvas frame-making supplies, and have pieces of wood cut for the back and door at Home Depot. I could handle a little sawing, sanding, painting, nailing, attaching hardware, blah, blah, blah. Maybe I could hire a carpenter for this small project. If I ask at Home Depot, they could probably recommend someone reliable, maybe? I don't know. I'm willing to spend around $50.00.

I am curious to know how other DIYers keep their flavorings organized. Thoughts? Answers? Pics?

 

[dannyv45]

I like the hot wheels display and it would likely work nicely if you can mount them horizontly instead of vertically (The way the picture shows).

Are you sure you want to display flavoring bottles on a wall. I keep mine out of sight in several tackle boxes and just keep out a few every day ADV flavorings on my mixing table.

 

[Janet]

I like the hot wheels display and it would likely work nicely if you can mount them horizontly instead of vertically (The way the picture shows).

Are you sure you want to display flavoring bottles on a wall. I keep mine out of sight in several tackle boxes and just keep out a few every day ADV flavorings on my mixing table.

Thanks Danny for replying. That car display is really something isn't it. I've been doing what you have for a few years and up until now, it has worked well. I'm just trying to find a better way to organize so many flavorings because I don't want to search in different containers anymore. So my purpose for a shallow cupboard is not for display, but for organizing - so I can find what I need at a glance - all in one place. I've had my ADV stuff for 2 flavors at easy access for a couple years. It took a long time to find 2 "sweet spot" ADV flavors and I still like them. But I'm in the mood to create and find some other ADVs and to get all the flavorings organized so I can find them quickly.

I suppose I'm comparing creating an e-liquid recipe to creating a painting. I need paint colors arranged so I can see all of them and grab the one color I want right away in the midst of creating a painting. I'd like the bottles to stand on end because I've had a few leak while stored horizontally in containers. Also, since I don't have a lot of horizontal storage space, I want to use some wall space I do have, but it needs to be shallow. I hope that makes my desire to do this more clear.

 

[dannyv45]

I understand your point and it's nice to see someone take DYI so seriously. Hope you find what your looking for. Organization will certainly help your creativity.

 

[Janet]

I understand your point and it's nice to see someone take DYI so seriously. Hope you find what your looking for. Organization will certainly help your creativity.

Thanks Danny. I still would like to know how other DIYers keep a large flavor collection organized. I know there must be some big flavor collections out there that are wonderfully organized. Doesn't anyone want to show off theirs? Bragging encouraged!

 

[Shirtbloke]

I don't have a huge flavour collection (maybe 30+) but I keep them in a tupperware style box, because I found that when I forget to put the lid on the box it fills the room with a particular smell - not the flavourings smell but presumably whatever the carrier is, PG +whatever other stuff may be in there. Whatever the smell is, it's OK when it's in juice but I don't find it particularly pleasant and a bit overpowering on it's own.
Just my experience.

 

[Janet]

I don't have a huge flavour collection (maybe 30+) but I keep them in a tupperware style box, because I found that when I forget to put the lid on the box it fills the room with a particular smell - not the flavourings smell but presumably whatever the carrier is, PG +whatever other stuff may be in there. Whatever the smell is, it's OK when it's in juice but I don't find it particularly pleasant and a bit overpowering on it's own.
Just my experience.

Thanks Shirtbloke - I sort of forgot about that smell. I know that smell (it is rather strange, but not really unpleasant) and I just realized I only smell it when opening a closed box filled with bottles of flavorings - particularly in the box of Perfumer's Apprentice flavorings. It is my largest container though. I don't notice any of that "flavorings" scent in my small kitchen, where I currently have my most-used flavorings (about 50) lined up on the counter's splash board where they are sitting out in the open, but up against a wall. They are several brands. I notice that smell the most in the Perfumer's Apprentice storage box - and have about 12 of those bottles sitting out. Hmmmm, makes me wonder if something important is escaping from the bottles that are not in closed containers. There doesn't seem to be any degradation in flavor in my mixes from those flavorings that I don't keep enclosed in plastic boxes. Also, I can't smell anything when I open a bottle of plain PG or VG - and the cupboard where I keep those bottles doesn't smell like anything. The only other things in that cupboard are large empty food containers and a bottle of grain alcohol. I've always been overly sensitive to odors and scents too. This "general flavorings" smell has got me a little befuddled.

 

[Shirtbloke]

Yes it's a bit of a mystery what that smell is. My flavours are mostly Inawera if that's any indication. I've just tried smelling some raw PG & VG and it's definitely not those that's causing it. Maybe there's some alcohol of some kind or some other solvent in the flavouring that's vapourising and leeching through the plastic of the bottles or caps. Maybe we'll never find out.

 

[Janet]

Yes it's a bit of a mystery what that smell is. My flavours are mostly Inawera if that's any indication. I've just tried smelling some raw PG & VG and it's definitely not those that's causing it. Maybe there's some alcohol of some kind or some other solvent in the flavouring that's vapourising and leeching through the plastic of the bottles or caps. Maybe we'll never find out.

Yep. We may never find out. Since I'm not getting any storage system feedback for a large collection of flavoring bottles that is getting unmanageable for me in plastic boxes, I may as well order a wall-mounted nail polish display to get them under control. I have trouble understanding how ECF works since it has gotten so big. Maybe I'll give it another go and start a new thread.

 

[Shirtbloke]

Did some mixing earlier today then went out for a while and when I got back - there was that smell again - I'd forgotten to put the lid back on the box yet again. I never seem to learn. Good luck with your storage - I was sure I'd seen some threads about it a while back but just did a search and little came up.

 

[Fuzzy Bruce]

My flavorings and juice storage is probably less than desirable. Flavors in one drawer and juice, both premade and homemade in another.

 

[Janet]

Did some mixing earlier today then went out for a while and when I got back - there was that smell again - I'd forgotten to put the lid back on the box yet again. I never seem to learn. Good luck with your storage - I was sure I'd seen some threads about it a while back but just did a search and little came up.

Ah, so sorry Shirtbloke - you could always pop some popcorn. Just be sure to not burn it. I know there probably is a thread about storage systems for DIY flavorings and etc.; the "search" option on this big forum is always unpredictable, but I'll keep trying. Thanks for trying to help and the well wishes!

 

[Janet]

My flavorings and juice storage is probably less than desirable. Flavors in one drawer and juice, both premade and homemade in another.

As long as you can find them and they're not out in the light, your storage system is just fine I think. I remember those days. I miss them.

 

[misswish1]

I use a plastic rolling cart, 3 drawers. Inside the drawers I use the plano tackle boxes, they have little blue dividers that can be moved around. Cheaper than the craft boxes. When I want to mix I roll it into the kichen and put all the boxes on the counter so I can see the flavorings. I'm a bit OCD, so I have them grouped alphabetically. Makes it easy to pull out the ones I need for each recipe.
I would love to have mine all on the wall, but Mom lives with us and she can't handle the scent of all of them together. Please post a picture when you gets yours all fixed up!

 

[Steelgirl]

I use one of those 20 drawer things that people store nuts and bolts and stuff in. I can put several flavors in each drawer. At first I did the alpha method, but couldn't decide if Juicy Peach is a "J" or a "P" lol !! Talking about OCD !!! Soooooo now every bottle is numbered. I have an excel spreadsheet for each flavor/number. The spreadsheet has a column for quantity on hand too. So each time I use some from a bottle, I deduct that amount. It helps when I'm placing a new order. It's a bit tedious I suppose; because I have to look at spreadsheet to get the bottle number to find the flavor. But it has its value for me !

 

[jpasint]

I use one of those 20 drawer things that people store nuts and bolts and stuff in. I can put several flavors in each drawer. At first I did the alpha method, but couldn't decide if Juicy Peach is a "J" or a "P" lol !! Talking about OCD !!! Soooooo now every bottle is numbered. I have an excel spreadsheet for each flavor/number. The spreadsheet has a column for quantity on hand too. So each time I use some from a bottle, I deduct that amount. It helps when I'm placing a new order. It's a bit tedious I suppose; because I have to look at spreadsheet to get the bottle number to find the flavor. But it has its value for me !

Too funny and true, the OCD thing.
Also funny is that just today before I read your post, I was thinking about the number thing too. My reason is not necessarily the same as your reason though.
I print the flavor and stick it to the tops of the flavor bottles but the text is so small on some of them that its difficult to quickly find some flavors.
If I put only a number, I'd be able to make the number take up the entire label so the text would be huge compared to a tiny small name printed within the same space.
And a lot easier to put back in the drawer too I think.

 

[amoret]

I use a nail polish rack for my mixed liquids, and it works well, though the shelves are a little big for flavoring bottles. I was thinking an under cabinet spice rack might work, but they're expensive. While checking those, though I saw some pull down spice racks that go in regular cupboards - might be worth checking out.

Oh, I also remember seeing someone using the clear vinyl shoe pocket/rack - the ones that hang over a door or in a closet.

 

[JulesXsmokr]

vertical compartments or shelving with a face view seem to work best for me.
you can store single flavors from multiple suppliers in each one.
I organize alphabetically.
I have an exel spread sheet also. If I see a recipe somewhere - I can reference it right off my desktop to see if I have it on hand.
The compartment or shelf arrangement can be a bust if it is not solid and is subject to vibrations or sudden jerks of movement. I have watched 15 plastic bottles come tumbling off my shelf if I knocked one bottle over reaching for it, or hit the shelf edge with some sudden force.
you may try dbl. sided tape to secure those plastic racks to the back wall.
You may have to think of what would happen when you open the door, you don't want it flex the rack.
I have about 200 flavors on hand, always in search......

 

[Janet]

I use a plastic rolling cart, 3 drawers. Inside the drawers I use the plano tackle boxes, they have little blue dividers that can be moved around. Cheaper than the craft boxes. When I want to mix I roll it into the kichen and put all the boxes on the counter so I can see the flavorings. I'm a bit OCD, so I have them grouped alphabetically. Makes it easy to pull out the ones I need for each recipe.
I would love to have mine all on the wall, but Mom lives with us and she can't handle the scent of all of them together. Please post a picture when you gets yours all fixed up!

Sounds like a good system MissWish. It's kind of like my rolling cart thing used for jewelry making stuff - it looks a lot like a rolling suitcase except it's more cube (cuboid?) shaped, complete with pull-out handle. It has zipped flaps and the main compartment has shelves that hold Plano-type boxes where mostly beads are stored, sorted by color. The top has a shallow compartment with pockets on the inside of the lid where I keep tools. Other little boxes of findings, etc. are in the shallow compartment. It even has pockets on the sides. I really like having all that stuff in one place. Well, most of it is all in that case - I do have some Styrofoam egg cartons with sorted beads too. You are not OCD because you alphabetize - You are efficient!

 

[Janet]

Too funny and true, the OCD thing.
Also funny is that just today before I read your post, I was thinking about the number thing too. My reason is not necessarily the same as your reason though.
I print the flavor and stick it to the tops of the flavor bottles but the text is so small on some of them that its difficult to quickly find some flavors.
If I put only a number, I'd be able to make the number take up the entire label so the text would be huge compared to a tiny small name printed within the same space.
And a lot easier to put back in the drawer too I think.

Paint bottles are so easy - all you gotta do is put a dab of the paint on the lid if they are stored in a box (or drawer). Hmmm, I wish there were a way to color code flavors.