Mixing-Please Help!

[TorontoOntario]

Hey guys. So appreciative for all the help I am getting. Got another question, I think my last and then I am good.

When it comes to mixing how do I do this? UHH, shake it, stupid? LOL. I dont mean how do i actually mix the contents around what I mean is lets use these four ingredients just as an example: Banana5%, Banana Cream5%, Ripe Banana5% and Banana Nut Bread5% (this is NOT something I intend to do, its an ex) now how do I go about doing this. Do I put my VG+Nic in my measuring cup, add the flavorings then transfer to my shake/steep bottles or do I go with flavor first or maybe I mix all the flavors in a recipe in a bottle then add that concentrate to my base+nic OR MAYBE its another method all in all. I ask you.

P.S SOO excited to try DIY. juice in Canada is expensive if I lived state side not sure if I would do it. I am going to make 4 flavors all in 500ml batches. That would cosy $800 from the B&M I buy juice from. I gotta make the intial investment which is pricey (I am thinking around 300) HOWEVER then I will have enough flavoring and VG to make my 4 500ml batches AND I will probably have some flavoring left over maybe I can squezze out another 1 or even 2 500ml batches BUT even if I can only make the initial batches it is still more then half the price of commercial e juice. I dont mind spending $300 twice a year rather then $150 a month=$1800. Oh man I am stoked. I am just going to follow the recipes I have and hope for the best. 10ml sample bottles first.

 

[Aurora-Oblivion]

Yes, just shake it up for a minute or so. Then you can either try after a minute or two of waiting, or try over the next few days.

Good plan on the 10ml samples at first, that way you can gauge if you used too much flavor at first, or if you hate the flavor, etc. Otherwise you might have 500ml of something you hate

 

[Art Mustel]

Any way is good, as soon as you make sure you mix all the components really well. Mix, mix and the mix some more.

Personally i would advice against those large batches you want to prepare. Go smaller, and always you can repeat them if after a month or two you still love that liquid.

 

[TorontoOntario]

Im not one of those persons who likes to vape a bunch of diffrent flavors. I find it to overwhelming. I like about 5-10MAX general flavors: I want a choc/banna, a cereal, a honey tobacco, a milk and honey as well as some "creamy" fruits. Ok so I will put VG/Nic in mixing/measuring cup then add my flavoring and transfer it to bottles after. You know when you vape a juice and its really "creamy" and thick well I would like ALL my juices to be like that so the recipes I have found maybe I add a tincy wincy bit of smooth to them or do you think there good as they stand. The ones that I think should be creamy do have bavarian cream or other flavorings in them so that should be good enough right? I have been using the same four liquids for the last year or so and I rarely deviate. I keep one in my tanks and the rest get dripped. Another thing is I could vape 100ml a week. I dont want to make four 100ml bottles then a month latter have to re do. I would rather have 500ml batches so I can make my juice every 3-4 months. If I use all of my 30ml bottles of flavorings to make these batches IM FINE WITH THAT cause I still saved a wicked ammount and if I have some flavoring left IM EXCTED ABOUT THAT POSSIBILITY as well but I dont mind spending $300 twice a year to make a years worth of juice. As it stands I vape $200ISH worth of premade a month.

 

[Aurora-Oblivion]

You can mix it directly into the bottles if you want, that is how I do many of my small mixes.

Smooth will change flavors, so you'll want to try that as a secondary test batch, same with the creams. You need to do tha small test batches first to see if, for example, you like banana at 10% or if that's way too much and you need to try 5% instead. Then once you have a basic starting point for a flavor you can try variations or a larger bottle if you just want a bunch of that single flavor.

Main thing with DIY is starting small to get to know the flavors you have, then once you know where you like xxx flavor you can mix up a 1000ml bottle if you want

 

[TorontoOntario]

You can mix it directly into the bottles if you want, that is how I do many of my small mixes.

Smooth will change flavors, so you'll want to try that as a secondary test batch, same with the creams. You need to do tha small test batches first to see if, for example, you like banana at 10% or if that's way too much and you need to try 5% instead. Then once you have a basic starting point for a flavor you can try variations or a larger bottle if you just want a bunch of that single flavor.

Main thing with DIY is starting small to get to know the flavors you have, then once you know where you like xxx flavor you can mix up a 1000ml bottle if you want

Im going the following recipes. I dont want to try to come up with my own concoctions for a while. Look at this one, I am darn excited for this.
PB 6%
Banana Cream 6%
Caramel OG 2%
Butter 2%
Vanilla Swirl 2%
English Toffee 2%
Ripe Banana 1%

All TFA. This is supposed to taste like Grandmaster and while I do not expect it to taste 100% the same if its remotely close and a tasty vape I may just break down into tears of joy.

Bavarian Cream 5%
Honey 4%
TFA again. Its called milk and honey lol. These are two I am super stoked to try. They wont come out tasting like poo if I follow the recipes right guy. Reassure me a bit.

Got some other recipes as well. I plan to buy 30ml bottles of most of the flavors and make a test batch of each and if I like them I will make bigger batches maybe 250ml maybe 500ml and then I should still have SOME flavoring left and I can create MY OWN recipes with whats left and then some months latter do it again lol.

 

[Aurora-Oblivion]

Looks like a good recipe. Did others reply saying it tasted good? If so then I'm sure it's a good starting point, or could be perfect for you, but you still shouldn't make 500ml of that without first tasting a small sample. If you hate it, or it's tasteless to you then you'll have to try and doctor 500ml at once either way and that wont be easy. That's why it's best to make small batch first, as you initially mentioned.

Be aware Banana Ripe can crack plastic tanks. And also be ready for that honey, whatever the brand honey is usually very strong, and often tastes different for different people and some can have a distinct "room note" (i.e. cat urine sometimes to some people).

Just start with small batches, you'll be happy you did, if not now then sometime later if you get into a habit of making large batches right away.

 

[TorontoOntario]

Wait WHAT? Its TFA Honey and I love honey juices with a passion. Are you telling me after steeping and following recipes my honey included juices will taste like cat pee. Why, M&H is one of if not MY ALL TIME fav juices and not cosmic fogs version just a basic b&m version. I was REALLY hopeing to recreate something that tasted similar. And dont fret, I am going to make 10ml batches first. I dont want to make 10ml batch and have to wait a week to try it though so how should I speed steep the first ten ml or should I just try it right after shakeing. I figure if its good then it'll only get better BUT I think I should do some sort of steeping before trying them so they dont taste like feet when they would actually taste amazing after a week. Should I put the bottles in cups with hot watter or something? My wifes friend works in a paint store. I kid you not I am going to be using those paint shaker machines to shake my liquid due to it being 100% VG I find it doesnt shake up real good just manually so I plan to use that machine and manually shake. But FOR THE 10ML tester batches give me instructions please, do I put it in hot watter if so for how long etc etc. Once I see that they taste good I will make bigger bottles and just leave them in my basement for 10 days.

Thanks a BUNCH guys. I am going to cut my juice prices in half AT MINIUM

 

[Aurora-Oblivion]

I didn't say taste, I said "room note" meaning smells like in the room. But yes, some people say some honey can taste like that too. Not all honey flavors, and not to all people, and I've never tried TFA honey so I can't comment on that one in particular. I only mentioned it so you were aware, and to mainly say ahead of that, that honey flavors are usually very strong so you may end up only wanting to use half that amount or less.

I always try juices right after I mix them, that way you have thoughts and notes to compare to later after it's steeped. But you are right, some might only be enjoyable after a week or two, so if something tastes off right up front don't throw it away until at least a few weeks later after you're sure it doesn't agree with you.

Danny45's blogs have some good info on steeping, on page 2, but in the end it's all up to "what works for you" Everyone does different things, so you'll have to see what you like best
E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

You will save tons of $$ making your own juices............ Until you get the bug.... gotta buy this flavor, then that flavor, etc

 

[BlueridgeDog]

When I speed steep, I use a crock pot, on low for an hour or so. I rarely do it any more as I keep about 600ml made up most of the time and there is always plenty of good juice to vape. For the small test batches, I will vape 5ml and leave the other 5ml a week then re-evaluate.

 

[TorontoOntario]

I didn't say taste, I said "room note" meaning smells like in the room. But yes, some people say some honey can taste like that too. Not all honey flavors, and not to all people, and I've never tried TFA honey so I can't comment on that one in particular. I only mentioned it so you were aware, and to mainly say ahead of that, that honey flavors are usually very strong so you may end up only wanting to use half that amount or less.

I always try juices right after I mix them, that way you have thoughts and notes to compare to later after it's steeped. But you are right, some might only be enjoyable after a week or two, so if something tastes off right up front don't throw it away until at least a few weeks later after you're sure it doesn't agree with you.

Danny45's blogs have some good info on steeping, on page 2, but in the end it's all up to "what works for you" Everyone does different things, so you'll have to see what you like best
E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

You will save tons of $$ making your own juices............ Until you get the bug.... gotta buy this flavor, then that flavor, etc

Ye. You guys state side with more vendor options probally save more. If I can get it in Canada though, I will. Even if I gotta pay a bit more. Also juice is expensive in Canada. 55 bucks with taxes for 120ml of just house liquid. So even if upfront I spend 300 as long as I come away a L of juice I am happy but it appears I will be abel to make much more then that. What size bottles do you guys buy of flavoring. Like if I am making a 500ml batch and it calls for 10% of something a 30ml bottle wouldnt suffice. Do you grab the bigger bottles. My first fortay I am getting 30ml bottles. I have done A LOT of math and should be abel to make 500ml batches off the 4 liquids I want to make EASY so thats fine for a first time go but those batches will probally leave me pretty dry so next time I think im just going to go hog wild and drop like 500 and not need flavoring for two years after that lol.

 

[DenaInWyo]

Just poking in to tell you that if you can get your hands on some Inawera honey, DO IT. Beats TFA hands down. Since honey is your favorite, might be well worth it to find some.

 

[Aurora-Oblivion]

Ye. You guys state side with more vendor options probally save more. If I can get it in Canada though, I will. Even if I gotta pay a bit more. Also juice is expensive in Canada. 55 bucks with taxes for 120ml of just house liquid. So even if upfront I spend 300 as long as I come away a L of juice I am happy but it appears I will be abel to make much more then that. What size bottles do you guys buy of flavoring. Like if I am making a 500ml batch and it calls for 10% of something a 30ml bottle wouldnt suffice. Do you grab the bigger bottles. My first fortay I am getting 30ml bottles. I have done A LOT of math and should be abel to make 500ml batches off the 4 liquids I want to make EASY so thats fine for a first time go but those batches will probally leave me pretty dry so next time I think im just going to go hog wild and drop like 500 and not need flavoring for two years after that lol.

I buy smallest bottles of flavoring possible when first testing a flavor, in case I hate it. I'd suggest you do the same, 5ml or 10ml is the norm. Then once you find flavors you like then you can get 30ml or 4oz, etc. Flavorings shouldn't cause you import issues, and you should also be able to find them locally too at decent prices.

I've never liked a liquid enough to make 500ml at a time, even my favorites I'd probably never make like that. I might make 120ml or 250 but that is a lot of juice and I tend to like juices between 1-3 months old, older than that tastes off to me usually and due to that I'd never make such a huge amount even if I knew I liked the flavor.

Think small batches until you have a few mixes that you know you like, then later you can consider 500ml mixing issues

DenaInWyo is correct above, I think that's the best honey too!

 

[TorontoOntario]

I buy smallest bottles of flavoring possible when first testing a flavor, in case I hate it. I'd suggest you do the same, 5ml or 10ml is the norm. Then once you find flavors you like then you can get 30ml or 4oz, etc. Flavorings shouldn't cause you import issues, and you should also be able to find them locally too at decent prices.

I've never liked a liquid enough to make 500ml at a time, even my favorites I'd probably never make like that. I might make 120ml or 250 but that is a lot of juice and I tend to like juices between 1-3 months old, older than that tastes off to me usually and due to that I'd never make such a huge amount even if I knew I liked the flavor.

Think small batches until you have a few mixes that you know you like, then later you can consider 500ml mixing issues

DenaInWyo is correct above, I think that's the best honey too!

I am going to make 4-6 120ml bottles at a time of different recipes. K i will see if I can get that honey. Only reason I have tfa in the cart is cause the recipe called for it. Dont mind grabbing both though at all.

 

[Capt.shay]

I am going to make 4-6 120ml bottles at a time of different recipes. K i will see if I can get that honey. Only reason I have tfa in the cart is cause the recipe called for it. Dont mind grabbing both though at all.

I would also strongly recommend against wasting mixing a 120ml batch right off the start. 150 is the largest I have ever personally mixed and that was because some of it was going to a friend. You could get lucky and hit it on your first try, but if you don't, then that sucks. Start with small batches. Play with all your options like percentages and ingredients and discover what you really like for YOU. Saving money is only part of the DIY thing. Finding YOUR juices should be your ultimate goal. I like 10ml in a 15ml bottle, enough to get a good feel for the mix but if it sucks you can dump it or give it away to the moochers and not feel bad. The extra head room in the bottle allows a little more breathing and ensures complete mixing.

 

[TorontoOntario]

I would also strongly recommend against wasting mixing a 120ml batch right off the start. 150 is the largest I have ever personally mixed and that was because some of it was going to a friend. You could get lucky and hit it on your first try, but if you don't, then that sucks. Start with small batches. Play with all your options like percentages and ingredients and discover what you really like for YOU. Saving money is only part of the DIY thing. Finding YOUR juices should be your ultimate goal. I like 10ml in a 15ml bottle, enough to get a good feel for the mix but if it sucks you can dump it or give it away to the moochers and not feel bad. The extra head room in the bottle allows a little more breathing and ensures complete mixing.

OMG! I have said it 100 time and its getting redundant now sheesh. Not trying to be rude, I have just been answering the same comment again and again np but now please no one else tell me to mix small test batches...I got it...after the first time. Thanks for all your help guys!

I AM GOING TO MIX SMALL TEN ML BATCHES AT FIRST. IF THE RECIPES (I AM FOLLOWING RECIPES SO I DONT SEE WHY IT WONT WORK) WORK I WILL MIX 120ML BOTTLES.
I vape a LOT of juice. 20ml a day sometimes more if I am straight dripping on a dual coil .2 atty so mixing 120ml bottles IF THE RECIPE WORKS is only logical to me especially if I love the juice and I may just make more if thats the case. I dont want to have to mix up flavors daily lol.

 

[DenaInWyo]

I think what people are discouraging you from doing is buying large quantities of the FLAVORINGS themselves before testing them. I leave the mixing of large amounts of juice after you know you like it up to personal preference..I wouldn't do that myself either, just because I enjoy a really big variety. That said, I currently have well over 100 little bottles of flavorings. Only about 20 so far have been reorders that were worth buying in 4 oz bottles. At least 30 of them will probably never be used again.

You didn't seem to think buying a 10 mL bottle of something like FA was a good idea because you couldn't make much juice if the recipe called for 10%. So what if you buy 4 oz of it it discover you actually like that same flavor, only much better in a different brand? Especially after you realize you only actually need 2% of that flavoring for it to work (which is common with FA and INW too) Now you have 4 oz of a flavoring collecting dust.

Don't just start your mixes small..start your flavoring collection small too. Not trying to be rude or annoy you further, but you sure sling around some big numbers. That's probably why you keep getting that response.