My First Lesson

[CuloMono]

So got in my first batch of flavorings today.
In my excitement I forgot the most basic thing:
Not all drops are the same size.

My FA flavorings were about 44 drops to a ML and my VG base was approx. 24 drops to ML.
Took me a bit to figure out why my initial two test batches had flavor but were very weak.

My third batch tasted much better just needing to tweak that a little.

So my DIY journey begins.

I should start a "If you want a good tasting DIY juice...don't do this thread."

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

So got in my first batch of flavorings today.
In my excitement I forgot the most basic thing:
Not all drops are the same size.

My FA flavorings were about 44 drops to a ML and my VG base was approx. 24 drops to ML.
Took me a bit to figure out why my initial two test batches had flavor but were very weak.

My third batch tasted much better just needing to tweak that a little.

So my DIY journey begins.

I should start a "If you want a good tasting DIY juice...don't do this thread."

My sink drain knows a lot of my attempts at DIY. Enjoy the journey.

 

[Vaslovik]

I think you will find there is a certain economy of scale operating with juice making, and that going by drops in small batches is not so accurate. My own experience was that it did not get me consistent results and was a quite tedious way to proceed. I ended up making 100ml batches, which are far more consistent and accurate. Laboratory glassware is a big help. Measured milliliters is the way to go, in my opinion.

 

[tmcguffie]

I never used drops as a measurement when mixing, I picked up some 1,5 and 10ml syringes when I started and it seemed accurate enough for me to begin with. With time you'll most likely make larger batches and will be better off with some measuring cylinders, as Vaslovik mentioned above, they come in a variety of sizes and are easy to clean but being glass, they are fragile. You can also measure by weight, seems to be very accurate and used by labs, haven't got my head round that yet but hope this helps a little.

 

[BrotherBob]

When I started out DIY'g syringes are the way to go for up to 30 ml.. For me, over 30ml. batches, measuring by weight is more desirable. You can read a lot of pros and cons concerning measurement by weight and volume. Both are very repeatable when done carefully.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

Syringes are the way to go imo. If you have a tractor suppy store by you, they are available and not terribly expensive. Good luck on your DIY journey!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Wing]

Lesson 1: Use percentages.

 

[CuloMono]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

My working assumptions are this at the moment:
Basically using micro batchs...100 drops, since I am new I didn't want to "waste" large amounts of flavorings just yet.
That way I know 1 drop is 1%.
Unfortunately with various viscosity they drop different but knowing the ratio makes some simple math.

At 44 drops per ML 11 drops is 1/4 ML is 11%.
I need to fill the other 89% with my premix (VG and Distilled Water for me)
89/11 is 8.09 (I round to 8 to make it easy) so I need 8 1/4 MLs or 2 ML of my premixed VG/DW.

And now that I am typing this up I just figured out that as long as I am using roughly 10% flavorings.
I could just use a syringe to measure out the remaining 2ML for testing purposes and it should be pretty close.

Well of course my math might be off. I do tend to easily get distracted.
Thoughts on this approach?

 

[Caterpiller]

@CuloMono

Can I ask why you are not planning to use syringes for all measurements?

You can cheaply purchase 1ml, 3ml, 5ml and 10ml syringes, and that would provide a higher degree of accuracy IMO.

 

[CuloMono]

Mostly my thought was a very small batch to taste test.
Although my next purchase will include some 1ml and 3ml syringes...I am very open to trying every way I can until I figure out what works best for me

 

[AK Maniak]

In order of worst to best for DIY:
Drops
Volume
Weight

Weight is the most accurate as well as the easiest way to get consistent results IMO.